Tailshaft Question Borg Warner to C4 - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

XWJG34 · 02-26-2002, 05:56

Hi people,

Im converting my XY Fairmont from
Engine:6cylinder
Gearbox:Borg Warner
Diff: Borg Warner

to

Engine: 302
Gearbox: C4
Diff: Borg Warner

Can i use the original tailshaft??
Ive been told 46 "I DUNNO" to 2 "NO PROBS" and 0 "NO's"
Anyone know the REAL answer. Yes ive done mounts, fuel lines, radiator etc

Any help would be GREATLY APPRECIATED. Thanx :)

mikenicko · 02-26-2002, 13:54

I noticed you are in Sydney. I can't answer this one for you, but if you give Fairford Spares (try the wreckers section) they should either be able to advise, or provide one to fit for about $100 (they have a heap of different types). They may even let you compare your one to the one they recommend. Also the new spares section is really worth checking out, as when I was doing up my XC they found parts that even Rare Spares couldn't get (mind you Rare Spares only seems to deal in Rice machines now days).

Don't know their number, but it will be in both the White and Yellow pages.

Hope this helps you out.

Jase_ELXR8 · 02-26-2002, 16:30

I can't give you a definate yes or no, but i'm 95% sure it's not a problem. The manuals and the Borgwarner autos use the same tailshaft. I'm pretty sure the C4 uses the same one too. The one that doesn't is the FMX auto because it (the auto) was a little bit longer.

I reckon botch or Xr9ute will be able to give you definate yes or no though.

Falchoon · 02-26-2002, 18:04

I did a similar conversion years ago but went from 6cyl/C4 to V8/4spdBW and the old tailshaft fitted OK. Some tailshafts have a longer yoke, there's like a couple of inches or so where there is no spline, this was the hassle, I chopped this bit off with a hacksaw on my back step! Very bodgy I know, not recommended! It got me around for a few months albeit with severe vibration until I could get the correct yoke.

XWJG34 · 02-26-2002, 18:17

Thanks for your help fellas, i had one wrecker saying that the thickness was different.
E.g. a V8 shaft was alot thicker than a six cyl version. He also said if i used the current shaft i would end up twisting it. I told him its a STOCK 302, even down to its genuine carby and exhaust manifolds but he said NO GOOD. He then tried to sell me a tailshaft, one which looked identical to mine (single stripe band and all) !! Oh dear....

max_torque · 02-26-2002, 20:01

I am currently running a 302C/BW 4speed combo that used to be a 250/BW-40. I am using the old 6cyl tailshaft and flogging it and no problems. There is no difference except between the LWB stationwagons/utes/fairlanes and the SWB sedans/vans. wreckers full of crap as ever.

Falchoon · 02-27-2002, 15:38

Tailshaft will hold up no worries. About half an hour after I did the V8 conversion on my XY I dragged a 351 XD, no worries (except for trying to stop from 100mph with four-wheel-drums...but that's another story!). My 6cyl BW diff gave out eventually, started making a few creaking noises so I then upgraded to 9", then trying to find the right tailshaft was a nightmare.