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C4 Transmission -- I think I screwed the pouch

  • Thread starter Thread starter Takt
  • Start date Start date Sep 21, 2006

Takt

Member
Jul 14, 2004
48
0
6
51
Madison, WI
Sep 21, 2006
#1
  • Sep 21, 2006
  • #1
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
 
G

grainboy

Member
Feb 2, 2006
140
0
17
Goodyear, AZ
Sep 21, 2006
#2
  • Sep 21, 2006
  • #2
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

Hey guys, guess what--I have a bi-pass!!!
Mar 21, 2006
0
0
53
Welcome my son, welcome to the machine
Sep 21, 2006
#3
  • Sep 21, 2006
  • #3
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

20+ Year Stangneter
Dec 3, 2002
3,749
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109
LA, CA
Sep 22, 2006
#4
  • Sep 22, 2006
  • #4
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

Member
Jul 14, 2004
48
0
6
51
Madison, WI
Sep 22, 2006
#5
  • Sep 22, 2006
  • #5
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

New Member
May 11, 2006
259
0
0
Phoenix, AZ
Sep 22, 2006
#6
  • Sep 22, 2006
  • #6
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

Member
Jul 14, 2004
48
0
6
51
Madison, WI
Sep 22, 2006
#7
  • Sep 22, 2006
  • #7
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

New Member
May 11, 2006
259
0
0
Phoenix, AZ
Sep 22, 2006
#8
  • Sep 22, 2006
  • #8
Takt said:
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
Click to expand...

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

New Member
Aug 23, 2006
61
0
0
Sep 22, 2006
#9
  • Sep 22, 2006
  • #9
67Dylan said:
There is not an add on to the C4; it only has three forward gears.
Click to expand...

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
 
5

57fairlane

New Member
Apr 2, 2005
560
0
0
Oakwood, GA
Sep 22, 2006
#10
  • Sep 22, 2006
  • #10
2,500?!? I would rather put a stick in the car.
 

Spoofty

New Member
Aug 23, 2006
61
0
0
Sep 22, 2006
#11
  • Sep 22, 2006
  • #11
57fairlane said:
2,500?!? I would rather put a stick in the car.
Click to expand...

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

Rusty67

20+ Year Stangneter
Dec 3, 2002
3,749
37
109
LA, CA
Sep 22, 2006
#12
  • Sep 22, 2006
  • #12
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

New Member
May 11, 2006
259
0
0
Phoenix, AZ
Sep 22, 2006
#13
  • Sep 22, 2006
  • #13
Spoofty said:
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
Click to expand...


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.
 

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palerider94

Member
Feb 21, 2006
573
1
19
Sep 22, 2006
#14
  • Sep 22, 2006
  • #14
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

Member
Sep 21, 2004
908
1
18
TN
Sep 22, 2006
#15
  • Sep 22, 2006
  • #15
palerider94 said:
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.
Click to expand...
That price puts you a long way to a AOD!!
 

Rusty67

20+ Year Stangneter
Dec 3, 2002
3,749
37
109
LA, CA
Sep 23, 2006
#16
  • Sep 23, 2006
  • #16
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.
 
1

10secgoal

Active Member
Dec 1, 2003
2,801
3
49
46
San Diego
Sep 25, 2006
#17
  • Sep 25, 2006
  • #17
yes, but when you add a gear vendor for 2500 bucks, you get 6 SPEEDS !!!!...getting one. One day.
 

Spoofty

New Member
Aug 23, 2006
61
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0
Sep 26, 2006
#18
  • Sep 26, 2006
  • #18
Do it yourself for half the price.




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

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