Zf differances

[Dieselguy123]

Hey all, I was just thinking.....What are the differances between a zf for say a 5.8L Gasser and the 7.3 diesel? (Besides the bell housing) Could a guy Put a 7.3 bell housing On a zf from a small block, or are there weaknesses? If I remember right I learned from a previous post that there is a close ratio and a more open one. Would this work? Only reason I ask is because I have a ZF for a small block from a truck that I used to drive and the trans is in really good shape and would hate to see it go to waste, and with all the recent trans issues I've had if i could make this work I would do it in a heartbeat. Thanks for the input.

 

[The Warden]

The bellhousing on the ZF is a cast piece of the case; it can't separate like on a T-19. It MIGHT be theoretically possible to cut off the gasser bellhousing and weld a diesel bellhousing in place, but I doubt it would be strong enough to handle the load (keep in mind, some diesel cases/bellhousings have cracked). Considering that the gasser tranny is a wider ratio, and that these IDI's seem to prefer a close-ratio tranny, I strongly believe that it isn't worth the trouble.

Lastly, how certain are you that the gasser tranny's a ZF? IIRC most 302's and I-6's use a Mazda tranny, while the 460 uses the ZF. Not sure about the 351, but I would imagine it would use the same tranny as the 302?

 

[Fordsandguns]

The small blocks do use the zf. I've seen a 300 6 with one once. Although that was probably pulled off a v8. But I think you could get either the zf or the mazda tranny with the small blocks.

 

[Dieselguy123]

The bellhousing on the ZF is a cast piece of the case; it can't separate like on a T-19. It MIGHT be theoretically possible to cut off the gasser bellhousing and weld a diesel bellhousing in place, but I doubt it would be strong enough to handle the load (keep in mind, some diesel cases/bellhousings have cracked).

Well the front of the case (bell housing end) is removable, My question is Do you think it would cause a problem to use the front case half and bolt it to the output (tail housing)?

 

[Mont91]

I thought the 300 6 was a FE bell. Not a Ford small block? No It is the same as a 302-351C-351W. In any event the gasser case can not be used if it does not fit a 460.

Why not put the gasser guts in the diesel case? If the gasser case is smaller than the diesel that will not work.

Which front case half are you talking about? Is there a difference in the tail housings?

Spline count? Pilot bushing? Input shaft length? I just do not see a small block gasser coming close.

 

[Dieselguy123]

Well if you look up a clutch kit, or a Bearing set or syncro kit, they are all the same, I would not be a bit suprised if you could put the gasser guts in a diesel case.

 

[Dieselguy123]

the front case half which I am refering to is basically the main body of the trans, about 16 bolts and 3 shift detents and you can pull the whole bell housing/case assembly off the guts of the trans.

 

[hugeredford]

input shafts are different length and diameter but you can put a 460 input shaft in and your diesel front case but then the output shaft on a small block gasser guts will be almost an inch longer

 

[Dieselguy123]

Thanks for all the input, I think I will just leave well enough alone on this one. Sounds like more work than it is worth.-Brad-