I'm looking for anyone out there who has rebuilt an E40D. Mine has 170,000 miles on it, and I feel like I'm on borrowed time. About two months ago, I bought some Smart Blend Red and put in it. The tranny was herky jerky under gradual acceleration (like acc. out of a curve), but works fine when I go ahead and get on it a little. It it better when I stay out of OD. The Smart Blend Worked for a while, but now it is worse than ever. Could this be just the torque converter or an electrical thing? It is not making any noise.

I'm mechanically handy, but have never rebuilt a tranny before. I have a copy of the parts schematic, and it looks a little intimidating. Those of you that have dealt with this tranny know how expensive they are to rebuild. I got an estimate for $1500 min. I just odered the ATSG manuals, so that should give me an indication of what I am up against.

What do you think?

Travis helped me out a couple of months ago. Do you know anything new?

 

That is the classic torque converter shudder. The only way to fix it is to install a new converter and also what some call a reprogramming kit. It has a new geroter which goes into the pump, allowing a higher volume of fluid to be pumped. It also may have some parts that go in the valvebody, not sure. Depending on year model, I believe they have upgraded the selenoid pack also, and that is not cheap. If I were you and this problem is getting to the point to where you want to fix it, I would take out the transmission and rebuild it with new clutches, steels and seals, etc. I would also install the reprogramming kit and a new converter.

If you can change a head gasket than I would say with some patience you could rebuild the transmission. You will have to fab up some spring compressors, but thats nothing some all thread and pvc pipe cant do. You'll need a feeler guage, torque wrench in inch pounds, and a dial indicator is recommended by ATSG for installing the overdrive clutch I think. Also lots of clean room/benches. You can get the full rebuild kit for $200 and then you'll need the reprogramming kit (dont know price), a converter for about $150, and maybe the selenoid pack which is probably around $200 or so.

I need to run, but I'll look at my books and try to get back to you later.

One thing. The converter shudder is not indicative of needing a transmission rebuild. I'm willing to bet the clutches are just fine, but I would replace everything while I'm in there, its only $200 for the parts. You could fix the problem with the reprogramming kit and a new converter.

 

I have never changed a head gasket either. What about an intake manifold gasket? Just Kidding, I see where you are coming from. I have A lOT of patience, though (thanks Dad). Looking at the schematic it seems as though there are a ton of those clutches.

http://www.transtarindustries.com/Fi...f/E4OD_03w.pdf

Didn't you recommend transtar to me? Are they the best place to get parts? Do you have any part #'s on hand?

Andy

 

Its hard to say really how much experience you need to be able to do it. If you think you can, give it a shot, and if you couldn't get it together, you can take it to a shop to finish it up for you. They might charge you an arm and a leg to put it back together, and maybe laugh at you too (they did at me when I told them I was rebuilding it) but to me it's worth the learning experience. The thing is that there are so many parts. I took an 8 ft. table, cleaned it really good, and proceeded to put every part I took out on the table in the order they came out. I put the front of them as they came out of the transmission up on the table. I also took a lot of pics of the inside of the trans as I was taking it apart and also of the parts on the table. And one time I couldnt remember what order something went in, so I had to look at a picture.

Yes Transtar is who I used, mainly because they are near me and I could pick up the parts. Try looking at http://www.transtarindustries.com/auto.htm
They have some good parts at a reasonable price. I ordered the Duluxe Kit which was right at $200, but I ended up not replacing a lot of the bushings because I didnt have big enough bushing pushers and they looked fine. I think you mentioned you're getting some ATSG manuals. Get the overhaul book and the update book, they are both very helpful.

 

I had the scarry torque converter shutter about 8 months ago. Took her to the Ford dealer they wanted to tear her down and maybe only change the torque converter if I was lucky ( $1,200 to 2,000). I searched for help and found a friend who use to be a Ford service advisor. He said "I got that all the time with the A40D , get the tranny power flushed with a machine to get all the fluid out as it breaks down and chg. filter" is what he said. Mine has been fine ever since so try it if you haven't done so. I have a 93 BIG 6, auto,w/ A4OD.

 

Sorry my last reply stated that I had a A4OD. I have a E4OD same as you.