I just obtained a 390 fe with a c6 attached for 250 bucks. The 390 runs but the transmission was stuck in gear. The donor was a 68 f-100. I have a 360 fe in my 65 f-100 now with three on the tree. I sure do like the idea of automatic transmission so here's my question; am I stupid for thinking that I can rebuild the c6? I've never even touched a tranny before. If I buy a rebuild kit will it have everything I need? I'm a little nervous about trying to rebuild a transmission but a lot of people have said it's pretty straight forward and not all that hard. Let me know your thoughts...

 

Tim, You are welcome to try anything that you want, I will go to a local owned tranny shop and have mine rebuilt.



John

 

I would highly recommend getting the C6 video from the 40 year Ford master tech. I have both his video on the C4 and the C6.

Bad Shoe Productions How To Video Series - Ford Transmissions & Rears

 

Maybe buy a replacement valve body for a little over 200 bucks and see if that does the trick. If not, you have an upgraded valve body when you bring it to the transmission shop to have them fix it. I was in a similar situation and bought a replacement valve body from tci transmissions that i popped into my C6 which is also attached to a 390. Its so easy I can do it, and never messed with a transmission before. Simply remove the oil pan, and drop the valve body by removing a few screws. replace the pan gasket. the new valve body will come with a new filter and filter gasket installed. The tricky part (not so tricky) is lining up the linkage parts with the new valve body again.

FYI - my truck is automatic, and i kept it that way. Did not convert from a standard so I don't know about those particulars

 

Mark, FYI: Your truck left the factory with neither a 390 or C6. Both of those can be in there now but were added by a PO.

1966 F100 V8 was 352 and auto C-O-M.


John

 

360/390 & C6 introduced in 1968 F100/350, used thru 1976.

1965/67 F100/350 352: MX Cruise-O-Matic.

F100/250 240/300 I-6 & 360 4WD's not available with A/T until 1973.

360 only V8 available (factory installed) in 1968/76 F100/250 4WD's.

 

It's possible for you to do it yourself if you buy the videos and a overhaul manual and have access to some special tools.
But if I were you before I went any further. I would take it off the engine, drain the fluid and pull the pan, then check the filter. If the fluid is dark and smells burned and if there is any metal in that filter it may not be economical to overhaul. If it is a good core I would take it to a transmission shop. Around here they charge around $600 for an overhaul with a new converter.

 

You are correct. The drivertrain came out of a 72 f-250.

 

its pretty easy to rebuild transmission shops just say theres a lot to it,here is ca a rebuild cost $3800 no new gears just valve body,kit convertor,transmission shops all charge around the same here,$600 in parts $$3200 labor,i have never ever heard of any shops doing a transmission for $500-700,i have over 30 years as a engine/transmission rebuilder just take your time takeing it apart keep all parts in order,clean very good,valve body controls fluid through ports so clean it good,read up up rebuilding watch videos enjoy

 

$3800 for a common C-6 ?? Sounds like they just simply don't want to bother messing with older trannys. Thru time I have seen many places you go buy one exchange for $500-$800 and you do the labor (pull out and pull in) like motor supply outfits.

 

hoss not trying to give you a hard time, yes you can buy exchange,a exchange transmission is like the one you exchange,its cleaned up, new clutches seals gaskets,thats not rebuilt or new,you get what you payed for,what people don't understand you hardly ever need a new convertor,or gears,its almost always problems with valve body gummed up or clutches,go price a rebuilt with all new parts,only thing used is the case and see the price,buyer a trany for 500-800 is like rebuilding a engine with just gaskets rod bearing and rings,thats not rebuilding that's called getting by lol,

 

Over here on the right side of the US, you can or could take your vehicle to a tranny shop for an overhaul, labor & mat for $500.00-600.00. I'll admit I haven't priced one in a few but it seems about $500.00 for the one in my 66.


John

 

Sawmaned I know you're not giving me a hard time, never thought that. But I'd need to put in an insane asylum before paying 3K+ for a common trans rebuild. And yes I have gone the route with engines with the ring/bearing jobs and such engines in the past gave me many years of trouble free running after that. I think in many cases, a lot of this expensive machine work isn't always necessary plus I have no interest whatsoever in building a so called performance engine. If it'll do 65 mph without struggling on a flat road then I'm happy. I don't need to go 0 to 60 in 6 seconds or whatever is considered fast. Life's too short to hurry !

 

Not a C6, but I carried a junk yard C-4 straight to the tranny shop and he did a complete overhaul and stuck a new converter on it for under $450.
The 6 cylinder for the same car cost under $800 for machine work and new parts(pistons, rings, bearings, gasket set, oil pump, timing set and cam and lifters.
Of course I did the disassembly and assembly myself, but still...

 

Tim you can do it yourself, I would say the forward clutch is seized(burnt)
with a shop manual to help you along the C6 is quite simple to work on
go for it, I'll help you along