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By airman - 9 Years Ago
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I've built a 292 engine for my 1960 shortbed f100 and I'm looking for a good 4speed to mate up to it, I got a lead on a early 60's t10 for 450, truck has a 6 banger three on tree now, is there anything I need to check on transmission before I buy, thanks guys
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By Ted - 9 Years Ago
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Pulling the side cover off the tranny and giving the gears a quick visual will at least let you know that the gears are not chipped or chewed up. T10 trannys are notorious for the brass going bad early so look at the synchronizers for obvious wear. Bearing and seal conditions are another issue altogether. You’ll want to measure the length of the input shaft and compare to the existing 3 speed input length and insure that they are the same.
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By charliemccraney - 9 Years Ago
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There are not many options for a truck because of the input shaft length and the mounting arangment for the engine and transmission. The input shaft will either need to be as long as the 3 speed so that you can modify the bellhousing to mount the transmission directly or it will need to be longer by maybe 3/4" - 1" so that you can make an adapter plate.
Unless you just need the nostalgia of a 4 spd, get a 5 speed. The work and cost to install will be about the same and you will get overdrive. If you want, you can use a 4spd shift knob 
A quick way to evaluate the condition of the transmission is to wiggle the input shaft. A fresh, or very low mileage unit should not move any amount you can notice by hand. Generally good condition, with some mileage may wiggle slightly. If it just flip flops around, it's worth maybe a little more than scrap value depending on exactly what it is.
Of course, if you can look at the gears, do it but this can help you determine if you even want to bother with removing the cover for a look.
If it is freshly painted, be cautious. Don't believe any rebuild claims without documentation or a reputation / credentials to back that person up.
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By 57RancheroJim - 9 Years Ago
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Input shaft length will be the problem, the truck bell housing is deeper then a passenger car. I think I've read somewhere that there is a longer pilot bearing for the end of the crank that can be used? Will require a different clutch disc and possible a different yoke on the driveshaft and a shortened drive shaft.
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By airman - 9 Years Ago
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This truck is just going to be a mild weekend hot rod, what's the best transmission to go with if the t-10 isn't worth the work, will the current 3 speed fit that need, not ready yet to put it together yet but for 450 I figured it was worth a look, the t5 sounds like a good choice
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By charliemccraney - 9 Years Ago
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For you, the T5 should be perfect and there is lots of info about it.
http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic15164.aspx?PageIndex=1
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By 57RancheroJim - 9 Years Ago
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It all depends on your planned usage. If you are just cruising around town on the weekends the three speed you have now will work. I wouldn't waste my time and money on an overdrive trans conversion unless you plan on doing a lot of hiway driving. I have early three speed overdrive units in two of mine, 57 Ranchero and 60 f-100, but both see a lot of hiway use..
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By charliemccraney - 9 Years Ago
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If I take overdrive out of the equation, I do enjoy that extra gear and the closer gears that I get with the 1st 4 gears over the 3 speed. And 1st gear makes it like going one or two ratios shorter in the rear. Plus it shifts more smoothly, loads of shifter options, weighs about the same.
From a performance standpoint, the longer transmission requires a shorter driveshaft, which can be safely run at a higher rpm that a typical hotrod may see on occasion (or maybe frequently). A correct length driveshaft for my 1961 114" wheelbase F100 has a maximum safe rpm of about 4500rpm. With the T5 and therefore shorter driveshaft, it's now well over 6000rpm. This rpm will typically only be achieved in 4th gear and overdrive (or 3rd gear of a 3 speed) and you'll be traveling at an illegal speed on most roads by that point.
Worth the money? Possibly not, but up to each individual.
I think the 3 speed should fit the need. Since the transmission can be swapped at any time, get everything else figured out and see how you like the 3 speed.
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