A little off topic but need help...66 Muastang tranny problems

nic walker · December 27th, 2008

1966 Ford Mustang 289 Automatic.....

Future step sons transmission wouldn't move from a stop light the other day...adding transmission fluid did not help (it was very low from what I was told). I know with our Reatta transmissions that there are some procedures that can be done to at least get the tranny operating to a point, but I am unsure if they would relate to his car....can any one help please and thanks,

Nic

alex_houston · December 27th, 2008

That tranny was from a much simpler time. No eelctronics, etc.

Black fluid requires a rebuild. Very simple and used to be a $35 kit when I did them. A about a 2 hour bench rebuild. Could just be valve assy with stuck valves/balls, but if so, is due to dirt, etc which is indicator of a need for rebuild anyway.

Possibly the flex plate could be broken which is easy to determine. If engine turns over, and torque converter does not, it is a broken flex plate. Not too uncommon, but still a tranny removal to repair.

Has the filter been cleaned lately? If stopped up it will not get enough fluid to operate. Simple drop tranny pan and clean pan, look for shavings and replace filter. Very simple. Shavings reuire a rebuild. Stopped up filter is worrysome because where did all that debris come from? Likely rebuild soon.

Ronnie · December 27th, 2008

Nic, if the trans was really low on fluid, try shifting from reverse to drive about a dozen times. It will purge air from the system and restore fluid to the proper cavities in the trans. Then check the fluid level again (while running and in park). It could need more fluid after getting the air out.

pfloro · December 27th, 2008

Hello Nic:

The Ford 'C4' Cruise-O-Matic in your Mustang is a very reliable transmission. Of course, mechanical stuff does break down.

I have three questions about your trouble: 1) Does it move in REVERSE? Different clutch packs & bands within the C4 create forward vs reverse motion. 2) Where there any symptoms before the 'no move' condition occurred? 3) Do you know if the transmission fluid had a burnt smell?

If it doesn't move in either direction, it sounds like no hydraulic pressure is available to apply any of the clutch packs or bands. Other than changing what might be a very clogged filter, there is not much you can do without rebuilding the unit. Changing the filter involves removing the transmission pan, replacing the filter & pan gasket, replacing the pan and refilling the unit. The debris in the pan can tell a lot about the condition of the unit. If the fluid has a burnt smell, this indicates that friction elements have been slipping. A slipping transmission needs to be rebuilt.

The good news: 1) in this car the transmission is easy to remove & replace, 2) it's a simple unit compared to today's transmissions and 3) rebuild kits and hard parts are very available & not too expensive. SO..., having a transmission shop rebuilt the unit will not cost a fortune. A C4 transmission rebuild is not a cheap ticket but MUCH less expensive than a rebuild of the Hydramatic transaxle in your Reatta.

Keep us posted.

Paul

nic walker · December 28th, 2008

Sincere THANKS for the replies folks [img]<>/smile.gif[/img]

I just talked with Robert again and after the incident at the stop light (he had it towed to a friends house) he added atf, and it apparently was flowing rapidly out of a dry rotted or broken line....the color of the fluid could not be determined. He did say that after filling with atf that the car was trying to move but would not ....after trying all positions - forwards and reverse.

Would dropping the pan and changing the filter with new atf and a can of Sea Foam possibly do any good or would it just be throwing effort and money away please?

So we can sort of make a plan, does anyone know a ball park figure on a rebuilt tranny please?

Thanks again,

Nic

Booreatta · December 28th, 2008

Ya know Nic I played with old stangs years ago and I will tell you it is time to rebuild. Throwing a buch of fluids at it will only cause you to clean up a puddle. Good luck

Ronnie · December 28th, 2008

Quote:

he added atf, and it apparently was flowing rapidly out of a dry rotted or broken line...

Has he repaired the broken line? Sounds to me like he needs to repair the line. Add fluid to the proper level and drive to see if there are more problems.

pfloro · December 29th, 2008

Nic:

The broken line is one of the cooler lines which connect to the transmission oil cooler in the bottom of the radiator. The lines for a '66 with a V8 were steel. I'm not sure if they used some rubber hose sections in '65. The hose needs to be the type used for a power steering return line to handle the pressure. Any good auto parts store will carry it (probably 5/16" ID). Fuel line hose should NOT be used.

If the transmission was performing properly before the rapid fluid leak, correcting the leak, replacing the filter & fluid might buy a good amount of time. A C4 filter kit (filter & pan gasket) & new fluid should run less than $20. Of course, the cooler line(s) must be properly repaired too.

Back in 2002, I had the C4 rebuild in our '66 Mustang. With a rebuilt torque converter (a must), I believe it cost about $800. I also had a mild shift kit installed during the rebuild. A shift kit firms up the shifts which increases the durability of the bands & clutches.

As money is tight for all of us, you might want to try the $20 route first. I would skip the Sea Foam additive (do they even make a product for transmissions???)

Keep us posted.

Paul

pfloro · December 29th, 2008

OK, I see they do... At this point, skip the Sea Foam & let's see if you can get her moving...

Vincent Vega · December 29th, 2008

That is a very common trans. I do think the '66 may be what is referred to as a "Green Dot". Be aware of this when buying a kit. The "Green Dot" valve body has a different shift pattern. Google Ford C4 transmission. Tons of info out there.