7.3 Or 460 ZF To 61-68 MEL?

[chris401]

Anyone have a Ford 460 or 7.3 ZF and a 61-68 MEL laying around? Pictures?

http://ford-mel-engine.com/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=1653&sid=612a2902209f1257636de7ba05ee492d

[RustyCrankshaft]

Keep in mind that the 7.3 and BB patterns are close but not identical. Takes a little grinding to make a 7.3 trans work on a BB, so if you need an adapter plate keep that in mind. Have no idea on a MEL.

[FrozenMerc]

This thread does a good job of explaining the MEL bolt pattern changes throughout its run, including the dual pattern 460's that were used in 68-70. 

http://ford-mel-engine.com/viewtopic.php?t=445

[chris401]

Keep in mind that the 7.3 and BB patterns are close but not identical. Takes a little grinding to make a 7.3 trans work on a BB, so if you need an adapter plate keep that in mind. Have no idea on a MEL.

Yeah that was in the MEL link.

I am tempted to borrow a ZF case just to see how close it is. The cast iron FE bell didn't  work out. Turns out I am better with a grinder than cast iron welding.

[chris401]

This thread does a good job of explaining the MEL bolt pattern changes throughout its run, including the dual pattern 460's that were used in 68-70. 

http://ford-mel-engine.com/viewtopic.php?t=445

Look at the 61-68  and you'll see it looks close.

[babybolt]

One weird thing is that Ford continued to cast 460 blocks with the extra two bolt holes for the MEL trans until the end of production.  And the aftermarket blocks like the A460 and Eliminator had the same bolt holes even though no one knew what they were for and the late MEL C6's are very rare.

You could get a 460 ZF5 trans instead of the 7.3L.