C6 Transmission

The Ford C6 3-speed gearbox with hydraulic torque converter is the most powerful automatic transmission in the Torino range. It is mostly installed in Big Block, but also in Cleveland-Torinos. From 1966 to 1996 it was installed often in trucks. When changing gears it is important to pay atten-tion to the different housings. There are 5 different transmission bells:

• Straight-sixer, Windsor and 351 Cleveland
• 351M & 400M Cleveland and the 385 engines (429 and 460)
• FE motors (390, 427 and 428)
• MEL engines (rare and affects 1966s to 1970s Lincoln Continentals)
• Diesel engines

One has to pay attention to the length of the tail housing (the “tube” at the back). There are 3 different ones:

• 17.4 inches for Lincoln models
• 14.0 inches for Ford automobiles
• 7.0 inches for Ford Trucks

gear ratio is:

• 1st. gear: 2,46:1
• 2nd. gear: 1,46:1
• 3rd. gear: 1.00:1
• Reverse: 2,18:1

The C6 is actually recognized by the one-piece aluminum housing. Unlike the C4 you can not replace the bell. Important is the used gear oil. Gearboxes from 1966 to 1976 require ATF type F, gearboxes from 1977 need Dexron III.