I have a 81 hatchback. It's got an inline 6 with a manual transmission in it. How do I find out what tranny my car has in it? I think it's a 4spd and I don't think it'll handle the 351 if it will bolt up to it. I'm gonna swap the inline 6 with a 351w which has an automatic. I'm guessing is a c6. How do I find out if that's for sure and what all will I have to do to put the automatic in with the 351 into my car? I'm low on cash and trying to get by for college. Can you guys help me out and get my car running strong?

 

I was not aware that foxes came with 6 cylinder engines..

 

foxes never had 6bangers in them so i have no idea what motor or tranny you have in there.

 

if you're short on cash then a motor swap is going to kill you.

 

how much are you able to spend on this? you just want a stock 351w in there? If you do this then youll need a better rearend too and fuel system....

 

Actually, they came with 3.3L inline 6 banger, 200 ci, rated to around 85 bhp. They had 3.3L Inline 6s from '79-82, 3.8L V6s from '83-86, and dropped the V6 option for the 87-93 models.

As for the automatic transmission, I'm thinking you have Ford's AOD-E/4R70W tranny that replaced the C5s in 1980 and it is a 4 speed tranny. It would definitely need some upgrading to make it work with a V8. Specifically, tranny's for 6ers only had 1 pressure plate, V8s had 2. The bell housing will work for 5.0L/3.8L/4.2L engines, not sure about the 351W though.

 

All Windsors and Clevlands have the same bellhousing pattern (except the 260 and early 289). However, a C6 won't work since those were made for big blocks so wrong bellhousing and is over kill for a mild small block. Look instead for a C4. Also, for cost sake, you may want to consider a 302 since they are more plentiful lending itself to a cheaper price.