1972 maverick with 88 t-bird 302, roller cam, HEI ignition, 600 edelbrock carb/dual plane intake. I'm pulling the c4 out of the mav tommorow for a rebuild. It slips very badly when shifting between gears. first to second isnt too bad but second to third the rpm's jump way up between shifting and it takes way to long to get into third.... Ive tried a new modulator, tried some stop slip, tried tightening the bands, but nothing seems to help the situation. So I've been shifting it manually, which is alot of fun but today it started pissing fluid like crazy. So I fugred since I cant drive it with a fluid leak, now is a good time to do the trans rebuild. I guess this is what you get when you spend $2k on your motor and $100 on a used transmission so my question for you guys is this: the transmission is off of a 79 fairmont, should I stay with this old trans or look for an newer c4? what should I expect for a rebuild cost? the guy who is doing the work said around $300 for a rebuild. Then, once it's rebuilt I can put a shift kit in it myself since they are simple to do. My plan is to put 4:11 gears in the rear (I wont be doing much highway driving.....) should I look at a different tourque converter or just stay with stock? I dont track this car, but I do drive it hard all day long. thanks in advance guys. I'll post pics of the trans job if anyone is interested.
I am not up to date on what changes were made. But I do have a big opinion on the adjustable bands!! I love them! If it were me I would stay with an adjustable band tranny. And as a guess it is probably a better built unit then the newer trannys. after a rebuild it should be like new correct? what's newer then that?
I don't know much about the pricing on tranny rebuilds, but 300 "sounds" like a really good deal to me.
That is a good price , I had a bad servo flare up problem like that! Put an H servo in and cured that in a hurry! Richard
I would use a 2400 converter for your application. Also have your man put an "H" servo in and see if he knows how to convert the four disc high clutch, to five. You should have the five disc foward clutch in that trans already, Do you have the code tag still on it? Tell the guy to set the clearances a bit tighter than stock, and run a good trans cooler with Castrol type F fluid. Should take all the abuse you can give it, if the man builds it right. Choice of shift kits is Fairbanks, IMO.
I'd have to agree with "Old Guy" except in one area.....I would run Royal Purple ATF. It's a synthetic transmission fluid. If the transmission came out of that year model Fairmont it might be a C5 instead of a C4. If the transmission guy is knowledgeable he should be able to tell by looking at it. Also, I wouldn't recommend a shift kit of any kind. Go ahead and buy an aftermarket valve body. Whether you get a full manual unit or a manual/auto unit. They aren't that expensive. Use one of the B&M race coolers and have fun.
i built one myself and put a shift kit in it. wasn't that hard but i've got a guy in tucson az. that only charges about $250 depending on what parts he needs to replace. he says he has a few tricks to beef it up. and i'm satisfied with them and he gives me great service. so for that price i'll just let him do it. also i run a 4500 hughes convertor. hughes said they use nothing but castrol type f in all their trannies. said they've dynoed them all and the castrol was the best. but to each their own.
i went with a 4 disc clutch pack...kevlar ... and a good shift kit... i had a shop do it for me and i love the 1st to 2nd shift....scratch tires.... i paid 650 for everyting...removal rebuild and install... and 1 year warranty... i will try a new servo but i am not sure what it will really do for me....
Thanks for all this good info guys I pulled the trans out today. I am a bit confused though. when I had the car running yeterday I could watch the fluid coming out and I was damn sure it was coming out of the front of the gasket directly under the bell housing, but when I pulled the pan off today the gasket was dry????? Is there any other spot above the pan and below the bell housing that would leak fluid when the engine is running? I sure hope my case is'nt cracked..... I did some pricing today: performance master rebuild kit with steels: $66 bands are about $20 shift kit is $40 (still not sure if I'm doing the kit or not) Labor: $180 So, if do it with the shift kit its going to be about $300 I'd also like to get a higher stall converter while Im at it. I got a PM from someone who has a used TCI 2300. vey tempting, Im going to have to see if I can afford all this at once. lol Heres a pic I took today after I wrestled the trans out:
Well, I'm about to order the rebuild kit but I just want to be sure my trans is a c4. someone mentioned it may be a c5. I dont know the difference between the two, so I got the tag number off my trans: PEE CAB L11B D9DP AA Can anyone tell my if this tag is a C4? I'd hate to order the wrong parts.......Doh!
