• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

O.K. forget fixing the FMX. Will a C4 bolt up the same?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 70MustangGrande
  • Start date Start date Jun 17, 2004

70MustangGrande

Founding Member
Feb 22, 2002
992
0
0
Somewhere in Alameda, California
Jun 17, 2004
#1
  • Jun 17, 2004
  • #1
I ran a post yesterday about my FMX troubles. I have a mildly worked up 351w with the original FMX and it seems to be slipping. Can a C4 simply bolt up in the same place as the FMX without any changes or modifications? If not, what's required?
 
F

ForceFed70

That's why they call it "dope"
Founding Member
Dec 6, 1999
4,818
1
69
BC Canada
Jun 17, 2004
#2
  • Jun 17, 2004
  • #2
As long as you've got the propper flywheel balancing, it should be fine. I think the driveshaft length will chance as well.

If your going to do it...why not go AOD?
 
M

mak6363

New Member
Jun 17, 2004
21
0
0
Jun 17, 2004
#3
  • Jun 17, 2004
  • #3
I just changed from a C-4 to FMX in my 70 MACH1. They both bolt up to the engine with no problems but there are some things that are different.

1) C-4 is shorter so it takes a different length driveshaft.
2) output shaft on the C-4 is smaller so it takes a different yoke on the driveshaft
3) C-4 uses a different crossmember than the FMX
4) cooler lines are different
5) Shifter linkage rod is shorter for the C-4

Hope this helps.
Mark
 
D

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
11,730
6
0
south louisiana
Jun 17, 2004
#4
  • Jun 17, 2004
  • #4
mak6363 said:
I just changed from a C-4 to FMX in my 70 MACH1. They both bolt up to the engine with no problems but there are some things that are different.

1) C-4 is shorter so it takes a different length driveshaft.
2) output shaft on the C-4 is smaller so it takes a different yoke on the driveshaft
3) C-4 uses a different crossmember than the FMX
4) cooler lines are different
5) Shifter linkage rod is shorter for the C-4

Hope this helps.
Mark
Click to expand...
Hey, sounds like you could sell him your C-4. And then later on when it craters, he'll wish he'd kept the FMX.
 

ratio411

Founding Member
Apr 21, 2002
3,870
73
109
Pensacola FL
Jun 17, 2004
#5
  • Jun 17, 2004
  • #5
Strange...
I removed a C4 and put in an FMX, I bolted it right in.
I used the C4 flexplate, mount, driveshaft, starter, crossmember, speedo cable, etc...
It was years ago, but I was on a budget and would remember changing the driveshaft. It was my first car and I know the driveshaft and yoke were not changed until I put a C6 in place of the FMX. The car was a 71 model that came from the factory with FMX, C4, or C6... so it had the adjustable crossmember. I just moved it back one set of holes each time I swapped to a larger tranny. A 70 would surely have the same adjustment... right?
Dave
 

65fsbkhipo

Founding Member
Jul 6, 2001
1,296
0
0
Tampa, FL
Jun 17, 2004
#6
  • Jun 17, 2004
  • #6
ratio411 said:
Strange...
I removed a C4 and put in an FMX, I bolted it right in.
I used the C4 flexplate, mount, driveshaft, starter, crossmember, speedo cable, etc...
It was years ago, but I was on a budget and would remember changing the driveshaft. It was my first car and I know the driveshaft and yoke were not changed until I put a C6 in place of the FMX. The car was a 71 model that came from the factory with FMX, C4, or C6... so it had the adjustable crossmember. I just moved it back one set of holes each time I swapped to a larger tranny. A 69 would surely have the same adjustment... right?
Dave
Click to expand...

Drive shaft must be changed to a shorter one and the shifter rods, as well as the trans mounting bracket are different. C4 bracket will not fit on the FMX. Just did the same change-over on a 69.
 

ratio411

Founding Member
Apr 21, 2002
3,870
73
109
Pensacola FL
Jun 17, 2004
#7
  • Jun 17, 2004
  • #7
Okay... Maybe the driveshaft/yoke will swap from a C4, but not vise-versa.
When you say trans mounting bracket, I am not sure what you mean, it must be the year difference. My mount and crossmember was a direct swap. Even when I went to the C6.
I had an aftermarket shifter, so I won't argue that one...
Dave
 

65fsbkhipo

Founding Member
Jul 6, 2001
1,296
0
0
Tampa, FL
Jun 17, 2004
#8
  • Jun 17, 2004
  • #8
Trans mount bracket (cross member) for a FMX has two bolt pilot holes on one side (driver) and one bolt pilot hole on the other (passaenger). The C4 has two on each side. The FMX mount actually angles back toward the rear (passenger side) tunnel mounting position.
 

70MustangGrande

Founding Member
Feb 22, 2002
992
0
0
Somewhere in Alameda, California
Jun 17, 2004
#9
  • Jun 17, 2004
  • #9
Bah, scrub the C4 idea then. Maybe i'll get lucky at the junkyard and find an old F-150 with 60,000 miles wrecked, although finding a transmission like that with under 150,000 miles won't be easy to dig up.

Im guessing the FMX runs along the lines of a C6 huh? I thought that there wasn't much to offer for an FMX and a C4/6 would be preferred over it due to better parts availability and shift kits.
 
D

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
11,730
6
0
south louisiana
Jun 18, 2004
#10
  • Jun 18, 2004
  • #10
70MustangGrande said:
Bah, scrub the C4 idea then. Maybe i'll get lucky at the junkyard and find an old F-150 with 60,000 miles wrecked, although finding a transmission like that with under 150,000 miles won't be easy to dig up.

Im guessing the FMX runs along the lines of a C6 huh? I thought that there wasn't much to offer for an FMX and a C4/6 would be preferred over it due to better parts availability and shift kits.
Click to expand...
I've got a low miles FMX but the shipping would kill you from here to California
 

70MustangGrande

Founding Member
Feb 22, 2002
992
0
0
Somewhere in Alameda, California
Jun 18, 2004
#11
  • Jun 18, 2004
  • #11
D.Hearne said:
I've got a low miles FMX but the shipping would kill you from here to California
Click to expand...

I'd only need the transmission itself and not the bellhousing and the extension housing. That would help reduce weight unless you would rather get rid of the unit as a whole.

What kind of mileage would it happen to have? I'd pay what it's worth to you if I have no other options finding a replacement.
 
D

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
11,730
6
0
south louisiana
Jun 18, 2004
#12
  • Jun 18, 2004
  • #12
I don't know the actual mileage, but it came from a low mileage 71 LTD that was parked due to the timing set wearing out ( ain't nylon coated aluminum gears wonderful)on the 351W under the hood. I pulled the 351 and FMX and the block had very little wear in the bores and was still std size. ngine had never been rebuilt either. The FMX that was behind it looks to have been rebuilt at some point. The FMX should still work, but I cannot guarantee it 100%. I was going to keep it as a spare, but I don't really need it. Make me an offer. I can ship it without the bell and torque converter.
 
1

1973mach1

Member
May 19, 2003
457
0
16
PA
Jun 18, 2004
#13
  • Jun 18, 2004
  • #13
I was told on my 1973 going from a FMX to a built c4 I would need a new yoke, crossmember, cooler lines, linkage. I was told the driveshaft will work, I seen a webpage that said the difference between a FMX and c4 was FMX=30 3/4" C4=30 1/4"
I havn't done it yet but im building a built c4 when I get my Cleveland done.

Jim
 

70MustangGrande

Founding Member
Feb 22, 2002
992
0
0
Somewhere in Alameda, California
Jun 18, 2004
#14
  • Jun 18, 2004
  • #14
D.Hearne said:
I don't know the actual mileage, but it came from a low mileage 71 LTD that was parked due to the timing set wearing out ( ain't nylon coated aluminum gears wonderful)on the 351W under the hood. I pulled the 351 and FMX and the block had very little wear in the bores and was still std size. ngine had never been rebuilt either. The FMX that was behind it looks to have been rebuilt at some point. The FMX should still work, but I cannot guarantee it 100%. I was going to keep it as a spare, but I don't really need it. Make me an offer. I can ship it without the bell and torque converter.
Click to expand...

Ah, lemme think.....

If the coolant passages are good and clear, the cast iron case doesn't have broken bolt holes and the casing isn't excessivly rusted (salt roads and humid climates tend to do that) then how about..........100 plus cost of shipping W.O. the housing/converter/and exit shaft?
 
M

mak6363

New Member
Jun 17, 2004
21
0
0
Jun 19, 2004
#15
  • Jun 19, 2004
  • #15
D.Hearne said:
Hey, sounds like you could sell him your C-4. And then later on when it craters, he'll wish he'd kept the FMX.
Click to expand...

I bought my car with a bad C-4 in it. The C-4 can't handle a cleveland in stock form. It has to be built up inside. THen they will handle about 400 to 450 horsepower reliably. The one advantage is that the C-4 is smaller and lighter with less internal mass to turn so there is a gain in rear wheel horsepower as opposed to running an FMX or C-6. For me though I would rather have the bigger, stronger transmissions than to chance a C-4. Especially since I'm building up my cleveland.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
C4 trans help needed
  • CPH89LX
  • Apr 26, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
6
Views
220
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Apr 28, 2026
CPH89LX
C
0
V6 to V8 Swap info
  • 02_2v_Curtis
  • Jan 11, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
723
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Jan 11, 2026
02_2v_Curtis
0
3
Eight inches is enough for me...
  • 351MooseStang
  • Nov 27, 2025
  • 1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech
Replies
5
Views
577
1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech Mar 2, 2026
Bullitt347
Mustang II 4 cyl gear hunting and possibly messed up vacuum system
  • oesterreicher
  • May 31, 2026
  • 1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech
Replies
11
Views
300
1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech Jun 14, 2026
manicmechanic007
Drivetrain 83’ Glx convertible C5 Trans help!
  • JacksonJared2113
  • Dec 25, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
393
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 26, 2025
JacksonJared2113
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?