Made my Decision

rmalottwtes30 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 03:39 PM

With all the input every one has given me about my transmission and rear end I finally made my decision after talking to a guy from the transmission shop. He told me the older IDI's are natorius for blowing the torque converter and then after that you gotta rebuild the whole tranny anyways. Before that happens I am going to replace my Torque converter, get a shift kit, get a kevlar band, and also get a rebuild kit. I have found everything on Ebay cheap all except the Torque converter.

What all is involved in rebuilding the transmission? IE: Can it be done yourself? Were all mechanically inclined here but have never tackled a transmission rebuild.

What special tools should I look at and purchase for the rebuild?

Should I just go ahead and rebuild it. I have taken the transmission pan off and changed the fluid and no metal shavings came out, but anyways while were at it I should go ahead and do it.

When I buy the rebuild kit what can I expect to get with it?

What other tips and tricks and advise should I need, and what should I look out for....

Piffery1 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 11:30 PM

First and foremost get a genuine Ford Shop Manual (Body, Chassis, Electrical) for your truck and read carefully the transmission chapter before you start buying parts.

86bigred · #3 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 11:49 PM

i would have a profesonal rebuild it,standard trans ok to rebuild,auto's scare the crap outa me.to many springs and bal bearings, valves ,band adjustments.and stuff like that. but if you want to attempt it ,good luck,your braver than me. good luck. p.s. let us know how it turns out.

Sycostang67 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-12-2008, 12:34 AM

Somebody sells vidoes that show you step by step how to rebuild transmissions. Each video is specific to the transmission. You might try searching for them.

doug1222556 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-12-2008, 01:42 PM

Hayne's makes a Tech book for rebuilding Ford transmissions- you might want to pick one up and pre-read it and determine if you want to try to rebuild the tranny yourself. I saw a show (think it was MUSLECAR) where they rebuilt an auto trans and it wasn't that bad-but did require a few specialty tools. I didn't catch which trans you had, but Northern Auto Parts has some pretty decent prices on TCI Streetfighter converters.

kermmydog · #6 (**permalink**) 07-12-2008, 03:16 PM

Just a suggestion, as for a torque converter I would look at, or should I say I have looked at the Hughes Towing Converters. Yea their around $200-$300 but with trucks like ours they are build to tow & heavy stuff anyway. I'm going that route when it become time to rebuild my C-6 behind a 460 in a 4x4. Lower stall speeds, brazed fins, etc.
As for the tranny the suggestion above are great IMHO. If you have a clean area with a bench to work at. Go for it. Just remember CLEAN in reassembly is a key in a successful rebuild. If it is a C-6 the real problem is when you reassemble the valve body is making sure NO VALVES STICK AT ALL. Use torque specs, IMPORTANT.
Wish you well, let us know how it goes.
Craig

rmalottwtes30 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-12-2008, 05:45 PM

I went and just bought the B&M Shift kit, a Kevlar Band (Heavy Duty) and a rebuild kit for it. Which totaled around $100 which I bought it all off eBay by a reputable company on there. I am yet to get a Torque converter as I haven't checked them out Id like more opinions on the one to get.

I am going to buy the Haynes manual, and also on eBay I seen a manual just for the C6 on rebuilding maybe I will get that also. Along with that I found this site, the guy did a little write up on rebuilding the C6 also has pictures and step by step tear down and build up. I give this guy a lot of props for taking the time to do it. C6 transmission rebuild - FSB Forums

I will be awaiting my parts in the mail sometime the beginning of the week.

I will not lack on cleaning the transmission prior to tearing into it. I will be stocking up on cleaner and brake cleaner.

The only specialy tool required is a clutch spring compressor for the reverse-high clutch assembly. All everything else should be the regular everyday tools.

I would had a transmission shop do it but forking out $1200-1500 isnt justifiable to me.

I shall keep everyone updated on the build.

Anyone else know what else I should get?

I still need:
Torque Converter (what should I buy)
Flexplate What should I buy)

80F100man · #8 (**permalink**) 07-12-2008, 07:52 PM

My 'lit'l pc. of wisdom' is : Don't even start to think, "this is gonna be a pc. of cake !"

rmalottwtes30 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-20-2008, 02:45 PM

Well today is the day Im going to start removing the transmission to overhaul it.

Any tips and tricks for getting the transmission to out?

rmalottwtes30 · #10 (**permalink**) 09-20-2008, 04:30 PM

Well here is an update.

Got the rear and front drive shaft off. All universals were shot, the ones up front for the front drive were all rusted and hardly had any needle bearings. The rear u-bolts for the drive shaft didnt want to come off. kinda had to beat them off. The front on the other hand was not even tight.

We got all the other things off, now the task is to take off the transfer case.

82F100SWB · #11 (**permalink**) 09-20-2008, 10:08 PM

Is that B&M shift kit diesel compatible? I thought I remembered reading something in the instructions that it wasn't compatible with the diesel's valve body?
Taking off the t-case is EASY.... 6 bolts, the linkage, 4x4 light wire, and it slides right off...

rmalottwtes30 · #12 (**permalink**) 09-20-2008, 10:19 PM

Well we got the T-Case off, and the dang starter that top bolt is a bugger to get off. Tomorrow were going to tackle the cross member(Looks like a PITA) Then out comes the transmission.

About the Shift kit, never heard of any differences, never even heard of differences in the c6 transmission between a diesel and gasser besides the bolt pattern to the engine, maybe someone could shed some light.

82F100SWB · #13 (**permalink**) 09-21-2008, 12:37 AM

It's a little late now, but, on a 6.9/7.3, you don't need to yank the starter to drop the transmission, it's bolted to the adapter plate, not the transmission housing itself.
The crossmember actually isn't bad, you don't need to unbolt the upper brackets from the frame, just the crossmember, then use a prybar to get them up enough that you can drive the crossmember out from under them.

juice90 · #14 (**permalink**) 09-21-2008, 07:47 AM

bad shoes productions is the name of the company produceing the videos.His name is Ken. I ordered the AOD video and its pretty much fool proof. production quality is great and everything is done step by step and includes specs and hot tips.

there are some clips posted on youtube and from there you can go straight to his web site.

Not near as dificult to rebuild as one might think, at least from what I have seen of the video. Biggest thing is actually the valve body and keeping all the parts straight.

Get a manual, and get a video... you should have no problems doing an overhaul yourself.

rmalottwtes30 · #15 (**permalink**) 09-21-2008, 10:03 AM

Well another update. Woke up early today to take out the cross member and tranny to engine bolts. The transmission was a PITA to get out, not heavy just awkward, and the damn shifter linkage was in the way(Note to self, take off frame next time)

Realized someone has been into the transmission before, looks like they used junkyard parts, the torque converter has metal marker numbers on it, looks like a date cause the number is 101998 or something like that. The front pump looks like a reman because on all remans I have bought they have a few dots on them like a red green or white dot and so does this one.

Wouldn't it have the ford stamp on it if it was original?