I just got back from the Ford parts house, and got the seal and o-ring for that leaky manual shifter for my C-4. It has leaked since I got it, but is just leaking worse as time goes on, go figure... Anyway, told the guy I wanted to put a B&M in there, and he said I better replace ALL the seals and do a rebuild before the shift kit. He said that all my seals look like the ones that have been failing (turned from rubber to stiff plastic) and since I have been driving it for the past two years after setting up for 12 years, that adding the heat and extra pressure (from the shift kit) will likely do some serious damage. I know the "correct" answer is to rebuild and put in the shift kit at once. But, is there really this danger with putting the kit in now? My specs--C-4, 58,000 original miles. Set up for about 10-12 years in a garage, when I got it, drained the fluid out, minus torque converter, and replaced filter, fluid, etc. Now drive it about 1500 miles a year, plus 4-6 days a year at the 1/8 track, approx 180 HP, 3.80 gears (just in case that makes a difference with the extra turns it is making per mph).
i' d say you can put the shift kit in and drive it, but is it worth wondering for a while, when or if something is going to go. i think you already answered the question when you said rebuild is the right way to go. jmo.
If I do this "rebuild", any suggestions as to what kits I would need? Also, can I do this in my garage? (keep in mind I swapped differential gears and addes a spool in my garage, so I have a pretty good selection of tools). I have never worked on transmissions, and need resources/guidance if I do it, and beforehand, to help me decide if I even want to. The ford guy said the rebuild kits run $150-200. Is that about right? Would decent instructions be included? Who out there has done this?
I just did it. Bought a TCI kit and paid the local shop $175 to do it. Worth the stress relief for me. Shifts hard and firm now. No regrets.. (was slipping from 2 to 3)
ScottyP how much was the kit, above and beyond the labor? If it is less than $200 for labor, it would be worth it, not to have to mess with it myself.
when i rebuilt mine in my garage i used a tci kit. i think it was about $160. i also used the hp book "how to rebuild your ford automatic transmission". wasn't hard but i've got a guy that rebuilds mine for less than $250 so it's easier to just drop the tranny off and pick it up a few days later.
TCI, is that the way to go? If I take it to the local tranny guy and say "TCI rebuild" he will know what that is? Like I said, I am new at transmissions. Have always had manuals in my project cars. That is probably why I shift my auto one-at-a-time, like a manual, only in a straight line, not zig-zagging back and forth. Makes it kinda easy. I will do a google and see what all is involved. For $250, especially if that is parts included, I will definitely let someone else do it. Can I drop a shift kit in there with it, or is that part of the deal...I will look it up. Thanks
OK, I looked up Jegs, I see 47 pages of TCI. The TCI shift kit is just like a B&M shift kit, quicker shifts, $30. When you guys say TCI kit, is that a shift kit or a rebuild, replacing all the seals the Ford guy was telling me about? What all seals is he talking about? He was saying $150-200 for "the kit".
A shift improver kit set at a moderate level can prolong the life of a failing and aged tranny. That doesn't mean it will be set to go drag racing. But it MIGHT last a bit longer due to tightening up the lag between shifts-eliminating more wear. Seth
the shift kit is the valve body.... you need a transmission overhaul kit.......TCI is a great kit... when i did my tranny...i took it to cottman here in tucson...they charged me 600 .....the did everything....also they replaced the triple clutch pack for a quad clutch pack...and they used kevlar bands.....i dont know alot about trannies either...thats why i had them do it..... they also put a newer style valve body.....i get 2nd gear scratch...so i know its a real firm shift.... the only prob.....my adjusting nuts kept backing off....did it 2 times..i took it back and they made sure it wont happen again lock tight the adjusting nuts...
Yes, TCI master rebuild kit (#890-529500 in Jegs I think) Like Earl, I have a local guy who is pretty inexpensive. I am having a bit of trouble getting my cable just right (slips out of park) and he said to bring it down and he will put it up on the rack and fix. No charge.. I like those kind of relationships!
Its not a rebuild but an additive called Trans-X does really help revive hard tranny seals. I have seen it work on a couple. If things are really bad go with the rebuild but the stuff does help.
From reading your original post and the use you are going to plan on, forget the high dollar rebuild kits. TPS(transmission parts supply) out of Texas area, is my suggestion. Borg Warner clutches and complete kit is less than 60.00, no need for Kevlar bands and other racing only type parts. There is a need for a five clutch foward drum and also install an extra clutch in the reverse high drum. Foward clutch drum can be found in most core cases at salvage yard with an "H" servo, in case mounted bell housing trannys. I use all stock rebuild parts in my racing C4's and never have problems after two to three hundred runs etc. All trannys need a good cooler and must be set up correctly to last and perform well. Valve body kits are great but there is another way to do them for little or nothing in exspense to you, The Haynes Ford trans book is a good one to have for your project but will not detail some modifications. If you have someone do it for you, tell them to just rebuild it with a shift kit and use a five disc foward clutch, that should last you a long time in your particular use. JMO. Send me a PM if you decide to do it yourself, and I will help out. Would take up to much bandwidth here to get into all the details.
