ZF5 swap help!

[Mike327]

I need to know if a ZF5 from a big block motor will bolt up to a 7.3?

I’ve used the search function and can’t find the answer. Seems like several have asked but some say yes and some say no. Does anyone have first hand knowledge? I’ve seen several say that the ratio is different for the diesel vs the gas model. But I posted a ZF5 repair manual the other day and in that manual it says this (not sure if info in the picture can be read)

Close ratio (diesel) list gear ratios
Wide ratio (gasoline diesel) list gear ratios

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So if both close and wide ratio list diesel does that mean any ZF5 will bolt up?

 

[Philip1]

If you are talking about if a 460, yes the zf5 will fit on a diesel however the upper 2 mounting bolt holes will not line up and will need redrilled

 

[u2slow]

It may be possible to swap the close and wide ratio guts. Not confirmed - only going by other people's claims.

 

[ih8minimumwage]

If you are talking about if a 460, yes the zf5 will fit on a diesel however the upper 2 mounting bolt holes will not line up and will need redrilled

I'd always heard the opposite IIRC, diesel can be drilled to fit 460, but not the other way around?

Oh internet, you're so confusing sometimes.

Wish I could help, but all I know is the headache of it all since I FINALLY just got a diesel ZF5 after like 8 years of hunting. Now just need to get it installed...

 

[Randy Bush]

On mine it was a close ratio when , I bought it dually IDIT, terrible for pulling heavy load so being transmission needed rebuilding. I used my front input shaft and took the gears out of a wide ratio gas. had to change so of the gears around to get things right , but now as a wide ratio the truck pulls very good . Low is really low , but can start out without slipping the clutch, pull a equipment trailer , loaded is about 18k.

 

[franklin2]

What happened here? There is a thread in the tech help section on top of this forum. Short answer, no the 460 zf5 will not fit the diesel. But wait, you can make it fit. That is what the article tells you how to convert it over. It has a picture also.

What you do is take the international/Ford adapter off the back of the diesel block. You bolt it on using the two top bolts which do line up, and then use the adapter as a drill guide and drill the other holes to line up. Here's the picture from the article.

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460 zf to idi by D Franklin, on Flickr

 

[gman605]

What happened here? There is a thread in the tech help section on top of this forum. Short answer, no the 460 zf5 will not fit the diesel. But wait, you can make it fit. That is what the article tells you how to convert it over. It has a picture also.

What you do is take the international/Ford adapter off the back of the diesel block. You bolt it on using the two top bolts which do line up, and then use the adapter as a drill guide and drill the other holes to line up. Here's the picture from the article.

You must be registered for see images attach

460 zf to idi by D Franklin, on Flickr

This article is great. I followed this procedure when i took a wide ratio zf5 off of a 460 and put it in my 85 6.9. I've got 15,000 mile on it now with no problems so far (knock on wood). Having the low first first gear compared to the t19 it came with is nice and coupled with OD its not uncommon i get 17 mpg with the cruise set at 72 (3.55 rear end). All the information i needed i found on this site!

I can see where the close ratio comes in handy for a diesel as i do get stuck in 2nd if i'm loaded extremely heavy in these southeastern Ohio hills, it just doesn't have the rev range that a 460 does. Otherwise its a matter of personal taste. I like being able to start in 2nd most of the time and the low first is nice when im pulling the tractor or hauling hay.

 

[Mike327]

Thank you for the help. I have a line on a diesel ZF5 (Needs rebuilt) and one from a 460 That the seller doesn’t know condition. He removed it from a parts truck. Both here local. I think I’m gonna try and get both if the price is right.

 

[CBRF3]

This article is great. I followed this procedure when i took a wide ratio zf5 off of a 460 and put it in my 85 6.9. I've got 15,000 mile on it now with no problems so far (knock on wood). Having the low first first gear compared to the t19 it came with is nice and coupled with OD its not uncommon i get 17 mpg with the cruise set at 72 (3.55 rear end). All the information i needed i found on this site!

I can see where the close ratio comes in handy for a diesel as i do get stuck in 2nd if i'm loaded extremely heavy in these southeastern Ohio hills, it just doesn't have the rev range that a 460 does. Otherwise its a matter of personal taste. I like being able to start in 2nd most of the time and the low first is nice when im pulling the tractor or hauling hay.

Where is the article at PLZ I need help just had 5th and reverse fail on my truck I had a ZF5 trans spare was told was deisel come to find out is a 460 gas wide ratio I need help finding the info i need to convert it over

The search box up top is about useless cannot find anything for it and it just keeps taking me back to here only so the article you talk about I cannot find.

 

[junk]

Yeah that article is dead on. Redrilling the bell housing is simple. One of my trucks has the close ratio and one has the wide ratio tranny. Can't really say which I like better. I would put in the transmission that seems to be in the best shape. And if the price is right might round both of them up.

 

[u2slow]

These ZF5-S42 trans haven't been difficult to find, or costly, in my experience. ($200 used sort of thing)

If the ratios don't matter to you, and have any doubts about concisely making new holes,... just buy the trans that fits.

 

[CBRF3]

I took the adapter off my other motor today and drilled the gas 460 big block ZF5 once i get the transmission out tomorrow i will know if it works got rained out today this is why it wasn't already installed today I did the clutch master cylinder heim joint mod today and prepped for the swap all i need to do it pick and stick the transmission and will be done.

I think i will like the wide ratio of the gasoline version granny low 1st and granny reverse these are very nice for hauling trailers and such it just makes things easier and as for the jump from 3rd to 4th my motor isn't stock so i got the grunt to easily do it.

I forgot to mention this this ZF5 gasoline 460 trans is fresh rebuilt and was upgraded the guy had it built for a offroad wrecker ( 3 speed divorced Tcase ) he spent alot of money on it upgrading it and never installed it I got it on a trade from him me and him have been friends for years. I chatted with him lastnight and he told me he gave me the wrong transmission he had several in hist parts rack / warehouse and this one was the one he had beefed up as he said my gain his loss he said if I ever need any info on what all was done to it he has all the paperwork.

 

[Mike327]

Do any of y’all know if all 2 wheel drive F Super Duty trucks with the manual trans is the 4x4 trans with the brake on the rear instead of the transfer case? Have a guy who has one but he insists that it is 2WD and won’t work for a 4wd. I tried explaining what to look for and I think he is just looking under and seeing that there is no transfer case.

 

[79jasper]

Yes.

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[Mike327]

What transmission tunnel of hump (whatever you want to call it) will work with a zf5 swap in a 94 f350? Will one out of a manual trans f150 work?