c-4 trans slipping/whining

[ccryder2011]

my 67 shortbed has a 68 mustang 289 hi-po engine with a c-4 trans... been moving stuff outa storage all week and it ran great,this morning i take the wife out for coffee and the trans starts whining...almost like something is rubbing...then starts slipping,we go into dunkin's and get coffee hang out for a few and the truck runs a little better at first then does the same thing when it warms up...let it cool and goes again till it warms then wont move till it cools a little...get to my garage and park her til i figure this out...could it be the stall converter?? seems like she wants to go but just wont go all the way into gear...please help...this is my dailey driver

[ccryder2011]

well no one seems to want to help???? guess ill try a flush and filter change and see whats up...just hope im not wasting my time...if tranny is no good im screwed...supossed to start new framing job later this week...thanks guys..........

[fordman]

it shouldn't be a fluid level problem. because fluid expands as it gets warm. it also doesn't sound like old worn out seals. maybe the fluid is bad or the valve body is sticking.

[BobbyFord]

What condition is the fluid? That will give you an indication of how severe your problem. If the fluid is black and cooked then a fluid change is not likely going to help. Sounds like it could be time for an O/H. Converter issues are not usually intermittant. When you pull the pan to do a trans service you'll get an idea of what's wrong by the condition of the fluid and what surprises might be found in the bottom of the trans pan.

[mkpj1]

Check out 54

http://www.network54.com

Good luck!

[mkpj1]

Whoops, cut off the end of that link

http://www.network54.com/Forum/260730/

[fordman]

now that i think about it. ford muscle has a pretty good section about the C4.

[ccryder2011]

well i went to work on my tranny today...dropped the pan and the fuid was black but didnt smell bad...put a new filter in and cleaned the pan ,not too bad but there was a little sparkle to the sludge ...put everything back together and tried to flush the tranny using the two five gallon bucket method...one with 12 quarts of new fluid , one empty , disconect lines from radiator and use rubber hose from lines to appropriate bucket, started her up and tried to run through gears but no fluid came out of the line...so no fluid is circulating...put it in gear and it wants to go but no circulation of fluid...time for an overhaul or torque converter???any thoughts i got a little time as the framing job got pushed back due to footing issues... (houses on the beach are fun!!!) so we got about 10 -14 days then i gotta use wifes or sons car to carry tools if trucks not up and running.....

[fordman]

are you sure that way is suppose to work with these older transmissions? that is . that the transmission is suppose to such the fluid in while pumping out the old fluid? maybe it does. are you sure the lines were in the right buckets. suction vs drain? another thought is that once you dumped the fluid out of the trans by pulling the pan there really isnt a whole lot left in the trans to pump out. only about half of the toruque converter would have had fluid in it. plus what little would have been in the valve body and clutch packs. so it may not have had any to actually pump out. that was reachable by the pump.

[ccryder2011]

i put 2 quarts of fluid back in to"get things started"..but i dont know if this is the right way to do this...fluid should come out when engine is running and in gear if cooler lines are not connected right? i only got a couple of drops when trying this...starting to wonder if a 4 speed swap would be a better idea but have no idea about cost or how hard this would be...truck used to be a three speed on the column and p/o did not remove clutch pedal so this assembly is still in the truck...any ideas

[Mancar1]

Could there be a clog keeping the cooler from doing its job so the tranny is overheating? 4 spd is good, been there done that, but now I like the lazy man shifting.

[fordman]

thats not enough fluid to pump out the lines.

[mkpj1]

Hey Fordman,

Think he is saying he put 2 quarts back in after pan drop and filter change. Then put 12 quarts of fresh F in a bucket. 14 total right? If you put 2 back in you should have some pumping. Sounds FUBAR from pump, seals (black fluid), etc,... Regardless it looks like nothing short of pulling the sucker. Did you post over at 54? These guys are Vets on Ford Trans.

As far as your situation. Here's an idea.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1973-For ... 500wt_1182

No offense but buying another truck with in 500 to 1500 is your best bet. A truck like this probably has a running tranny and the swap you can do in a few hours depending on your equipment and experience. Shoot, you may like the newER truck better and just keep it but this is your option on your time schedule. You can take your time and take the best from each and have a decent truck. If you were to do the rebuild (which I think you need), it would cost you minimum of 200-300 bucks plus time. I can do it and it would take me a month, with the equipment to do it. It's not that hard but time consuming and you need a CLEAN area. Buying a truck like above you would be able to use the working tranny and rebuild a nice tranny over time to replace. Maybe get PS and PB with discs?? Part out the stuff you don't need and the whole deal will be free. Just my

Good luck!

[ccryder2011]

thats right i put 2 back in and 12 in the bucket...total of 14...think your right about pump but found a guy locally that can rebuild tranny in a week for about 600 bucks including a torque conveter and a guarantee...dont think thats too bad considering around here a c4 goes for about that much if you can find one close enough and thats without t/c...might have to pull tanny and go for it...ill let you know how i make out....donor truck idea would work if i could find one...(bumps are not very common up here in new england...)probably would cost too much also...thanks to all for help....

[BobbyFord]

thats right i put 2 back in and 12 in the bucket...total of 14...think your right about pump but found a guy locally that can rebuild tranny in a week for about 600 bucks including a torque conveter and a guarantee...dont think thats too bad considering around here a c4 goes for about that much if you can find one close enough and thats without t/c...might have to pull tanny and go for it...ill let you know how i make out....donor truck idea would work if i could find one...(bumps are not very common up here in new england...)probably would cost too much also...thanks to all for help....

I hope the $600 includes R&R...