I picked up a 1997 f250hd 4x4 with a 351 that has a bad e40d trans but is otherwise in great shape. There is a 1994 f150 4x4 with a 351 and a e40d being parted out locally that I can get the trans from. Would this be a bolt up or is there differences because of the year/models? I don't know much about the gasser drivetrains as all my rigs are diesels, but I couldn't pass up this f250 for free! Thanks for any advice- Scott

 

A 1994 E4OD is inferior to the 1997 E4OD but should bolt up OK.
You will need to put the solenoid shift pack out of the 97 E4OD into the 1994 E4OD.
The 1997 computer is not programed for the type of clutch pack the 1994 has but I do not think you will know the difference.
The TR sensor may have a different plug on it also. If you swap the TR sensors make sure you line up the neutral marks when you adjust it in neutral.

 

Thanks Bill. I'm not sure that the solenoid shift pack in the 97 is any good, so what would happen if I don't change it? Also, what is the TR sensor? Thanks- Scott

 

The TR sensor is the Transmission Range sensor on the drivers side of the transmission.
The 94 solenoid shift pack has the coil damper diodes mounted on the solenoid shift pack.
In 1997 they had been moved to the PCM Computer. So if you use the 94 solenoid shift pack that has a different plug on it also you would have two sets of damper diodes.
I do not know of any one who has tried running two sets so I do not know what would happen. May be nothing. If you do let us know how it works.
But you will still have to put a new pig tail on the trucks wiring for the old type solenoid shift packs plug.

 

I understand now (sorta!). If the trans from the 94 had been rebuilt would it have an updated solenoid pack possibly? Can the solenoid pack in the 97 be tested without the trans working? It only has reverse and no forward gears. If I cant confirm that the 97 solenoid pack is good I probably won't bother getting the 94 trans as I don't want to go through all the work and still have tranny troubles. So for a true plug and play the only year that would work is a 97? I hate 1 year only parts! Thanks- Scott

 

manually shift your trans into 1st gear.
do you have forward now? if so.it's not time for a trans replacement just yet.

when it comes to the E40D.never start by asking which donors may work.always start by providing symptoms of current trans.
9 times out of 10,it's just something electrical,brother.

 

I wish it was that simple, and I hope I'm wrong! I have no forward gears whether I manually shift it or not The fluid was brown and had a distinct burnt smell when I got the truck. For the heck of it I changed the fluid/filter with no change in symptoms. When the tranny died it was pulling a horse trailer up a steep grade and puked fluid out all over the road and underneath the truck. I'm amazed it still has reverse! Is there anything I can do, short of a rebuild, to make it useable again? I only plan on using the truck for a ranch beater so if it will move forward AND backward I would be pretty happy. Any advise? Thanks- Scott

 

No the 1996 would be the same. The only difference between the 1995 and the 1997 operating would be the different type clutch pack and the programing for them in the computer so a 1995 would work for you also plug and play.
There are always some changes inside the transmission from year to year as no two years E4OD transmissions are the same.

The damper diodes was moved from the transmission to the computer in 1995. So when the shop rebuilds a transmission for a 1994 the would use the 1989-1994 solenoid clutch pack. If they did not they would be unable to plug the transmission in after they installed it.

Yes you can ohm out the coils or put a 9VDV battery across them and they will make a click sound.

 

Good info. Thanks Bill- I think I'll hold out for a 95 or later unit. Where could I find a wiring diagram with the specs to Ohm out the solenoids? I have a set of 1994 factory manuals- would the values possibly be the same? Thanks- Scott

 

Yes the values are the same.
All shift solenoids resistance are between 20 and 30 ohms.


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Thanks Bill! is the ohm reading between the appropriate pin and ground? Thanks- Scott

 

No it is from each solenoid return pin (SS1), (SS2), ... and the VPWR pin.
Also check to ground from the (SS1), (SS2), ... pins to ground, this should be infinity (open).


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Got it! Thanks again Bill- I am hoping that when I test my solenoid pack it will be bad and I can just replace it and be up and running, but I'm not counting on it!- Scott P.S. so I should check from pin 1 to 2 and 1 to 3 and do it at the connector from the trans right?

 

Not to hijack thread here but,I have 95 f150 5.8 auto and I have all gears.when in drive you need to give it gas to have tranny "catch up"and it'll go.question is is this clutch pack,torque converter,or this electrical thing you guys are talking about. ?thanks all

 

Captain,

I would guess none of those items. The transmission only shifts when the computer tells it too. Assuming you have the gear pointer pointing at OD and you have not turned OD off with the button on the end of the stalk.

You need to see if you have any codes in CM.
If no codes you may have a bad TPS.
Does the speedometer work OK?