C4 Transmission -- I think I screwed the pouch

[Takt]

I have a 66 Mustang with a 302, 2.8 open gears and a C4 Transmisison. I had/have what I thought is a small leak of tranny fluid. I drove the car about 75 miles and it did fine. When I got home, I checked the fluid -- and it was bone dry. I filled it back up, but couldn't go for a drive until I needed to go on a 30 mile drive.

I got on the interstate and the car wouldn't drop into 3rd. I was running 65 mph at 3,800 rpm. It ran like this for about 10 minutes, then it dropped hard into 3rd. After I stopped, I had to drive another 20 miles at 55mph and it never dropped into 3rd.

Any chance I didn't completely screw the transmission? I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but I'm hoping....

Second -- if I'm screwed, what are my options? Should I have it rebuilt, or should I buy new, or... ?!?

Thanks, and damn it

 

[grainboy]

That is a ford safeguard kind of thing. When your clutches are gone in third, it won't shift past second. I have gotten them so hot, that it wouldn't shift past first. The nice thing is you can drive it to get repaired.

 

[68torinogt]

it is worth a rebuild mine was only like 250 bucks when i had mine done. i did pull it out and take it to them but it was easy to take out. now i dont have any problems at all. the c4 is a good transmission. i also get about 20 miles to a gallon with it on a 289 with 3.0 open diff.

 

[Rusty67]

As long as the case is ok you can put all new internals in it. Why was the trans leaking in the first place ? Was it the pan gasket or something else ?

If you have some cash to put into a project I would definately sugest going to an AOD. The overdrive gear is very nice to have. The only part you would have to have made custom would be the drive shaft (or modify your stock one). The shift linkage conversion from PA trans worked great on my buddies Cougar and the Ron Morris cross member went in perfectly. The shift linkage would be very easy to fabricate yourself.

 

[Takt]

I think it was leaking at one of the hose connections (to run the fluid to cool it). I didn't get that far

AOD -- you are speaking greek to me. What is entailed on making that conversion? I'm not worried about the drive shaft or anything, but not sure what you are talking about.

Thanks,

 

[67Dylan]

AOD = Automatic OverDrive

If you drive a lot of highway miles it is a good option, but once you start adding too much HP it quickly becomes an 'expensive' tranny to race w/. But, keep it w/in reason and you're OK IMO.

 

[Takt]

So we're talking about going away from the C4 to a different transmission. Or is there an "add-on" that gives the C4 an overdrive?

If a different transmission, which one?

Thanks

 

[67Dylan]

So we're talking about going away from the C4 to a different transmission. Or is there an "add-on" that gives the C4 an overdrive?

If a different transmission, which one?

Thanks

There is not an add on to the C4; it only has three forward gears.

The AOD IS the different transmission; 4 speed auto. The OD will help on the highway and while cruising; the RPM's will drop due to the tranny OD gearing.

As for fitament, maybe someone more educated can chime in... I'd imagine the tranny and a few other aftermarket parts would make it a fairly simple project.

 

[Spoofty]

There is not an add on to the C4; it only has three forward gears.

You can add and overdrive to a C4 with a Gear Vendors overdrive.

Home.
http://www.gearvendors.com/
Ford overdrive.
http://www.gearvendors.com/hrford3s.html

 

[57fairlane]

2,500?!? I would rather put a stick in the car.

 

[Spoofty]

2,500?!? I would rather put a stick in the car.

Wow, I didn't realize they were that much.

 

[Rusty67]

I already mentioned what parts were needed to do the swap in my last post. If you have an AOD rebuilt, they are very stout and can take a lot of daily abuse. They definately are NOT drag race trans. You can drag race them now and again but they wont stand up to costant racing. They will survive a rough daily drive but draging puts a lot of stress on that thing. A C4 is far superior and much cheaper to build for drag.

What are you going to be doing with this car ?

 

[67Dylan]

You can add and overdrive to a C4 with a Gear Vendors overdrive.

Home.
http://www.gearvendors.com/
Ford overdrive.
http://www.gearvendors.com/hrford3s.html

HHhmmm... I stand corrected. But for that price he can build the AOD or purchase a built AODE. The AODE is fairly stout on its own and requires less of a build-up.

That's interesting tho... thanks for the info.

 

[palerider94]

There isa guy on ebay who has completely rebuilt c4s for $550. Feedback is 100% and quite a few sales. Worth considering if yours needs a lot of work.

 

[Jester67]

There isa guy on ebay who has completely rebuilt c4s for $550. Feedback is 100% and quite a few sales. Worth considering if yours needs a lot of work.

That price puts you a long way to a AOD!!

 

[Rusty67]

I am not a fan of the AODE, you need to add a transmission control unit to the car if you use one of those and they are more expensive trannys all the way around. They use mercon V fluid which is more expensive, they cost more to have work done on and the filters are like 60 bux each. All that and they shift like CRAP even after a shift kit is put in one. I know, I've got a late model with an AODE in it and the thing shifts slower then molassis in January.

 

[10secgoal]

yes, but when you add a gear vendor for 2500 bucks, you get 6 SPEEDS !!!!...getting one. One day.

 

[Spoofty]

Do it yourself for half the price.

http://store.summitracing.com/egnse...1+4294854624+115+4294905612&Ntk=KeywordSearch