C6 Transmission
I knew when I started this project that I was not only going to need a fresh transmission, but I would also need a unit that was designed for the big block 460 since the bell housing is part of the transmission. I was very fortunate to find Matt Heady of Big Gun Automatics in Cedar Hill, MO. The monster trucks Matt has built over the years gave us a great deal of confidence in his mechanical ability.
I dropped off our C6 and explained to Matt exactly what I would be doing with this truck and how hard it would be used. The rebuild included a shift kit and special oiling modifications to increase capacity and longevity.
It didn’t take Matt long to have the transmission completed and ready for us to pick up. I did run into a few problems with the swap. First, I had a heck of a time finding the correct dipstick and tube for the transmission. It turns out, Ford quit making any replacement parts for the C6 a long time ago. I finally found a ‘new old stock’ dipstick and I was able to modify the tube from the 351 tranny to work. I also lost the tubing that runs from the transmission to the radiator to keep the transmission oil cooler. The tubing was one of the casualties of the disassembly process. I didn’t think much of it at the time, assuming I would be able to get replacements from Ford. WRONG ANSWER! I ended up fabricating my own tube to run up to the new B&M super oil cooler, but the fitting that connects the tubing to the radiator is a Ford only part and guess what? It was discontinued.
I did finally get lucky and find an F250 that has just recently been wrecked, out at Miller Auto Salvage in Owensville. I probably could have jerry-rigged it, but it was important to us to have all of the correct and necessary parts of the system. Finally, Matt had given it a coat of gloss black paint and I added a couple extra for good measure. Now it was just a matter of time before the frame would be ready for the engine and the transmission.