Transmission Build

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Mar 13, 2015 | 06:19 AM

bass-n-fire

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Tuned

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Transmission Build

Ok, with everything I've been doing to my truck lately, I'm looking into building a transmission. I'm looking at building it myself. It's not something that I need right now, but would like to do. I would be taking my time building it and not rushing it. I'm pretty handy with the tools, and what I don't have, I have access to. I'm not afraid to tear into something. I guess you never know what you can do until you try, right?
A couple of questions to start. I just saw an E4OD on Craigslist. It's out of a 1990 F250. It's not a 4x4. Will this be a good candidate to start with? Or do I need to start with one out of a 4x4?
And it is from a 7.3 IDI.

Mar 13, 2015 | 06:40 AM

DIYMechanic

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From: Orrville, Ohio

The bolt pattern of the main housing would fit your PSD, but you need a 4x4 trans so you have the correct tail housing.

This is something that I have always wanted to do. I hate that I'm intimidated by the innards of an automatic transmission, but I have never had the opportunity to do a rebuild myself. I'm always under the gun to get it done and can't afford to have it fail on me (that's partly why I have a ZF5 now). I wish you luck on the project. I'll be watching, though I doubt I'll have much to add.

Mar 13, 2015 | 06:48 AM

bass-n-fire

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Tuned

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Thanks for the quick answer. I was thinking the tail housing would be an issue. Like I said, there's nothing wrong with my current transmission, other than being stock. So, as of right now, I have time to research, gather parts, and research more. I will get the parts needed a little at a time. It's just one of those things that I want to try. My truck has been down long enough as it is, and don't have the funds for a rebuild after what I've spent so far. If I follow through with this, I will keep updating.

Mar 13, 2015 | 06:50 AM

fordman67

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From: evansville in

No,you need a PSD sourced trans. The previous idi trans has less of the improvements that you do need.

Mar 13, 2015 | 07:08 AM

DIYMechanic

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From: Orrville, Ohio

Racer X is a good source for the parts as well. They make some good stuff and they'll sell you whatever you need piece meal, or you can buy a whole kit. If you just want the valve body and a converter, they'll sell you just that.

Mar 13, 2015 | 09:19 AM

bass-n-fire

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Tuned

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Good deal. Just beginning the thought process, so any advice or direction is welcomed.

Mar 13, 2015 | 10:51 AM

Mark Kovalsky

Frmr Ford Trans Engr

Joined: Aug 1999

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From: SE Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass-n-fire

It's out of a 1990 F250. It's not a 4x4. Will this be a good candidate to start with? Or do I need to start with one out of a 4x4?
And it is from a 7.3 IDI.

The earlier ones (pre-95) are weaker and will need a lot of hard parts to be replaced.

The 4x4 or not isn't too big of an issue. You have to swap the output shaft and the tailhousing. Output shafts can be expensive. You could swap the tailhousing off your current trans when you install the trans. You can't swap the output shaft at that time because the trans has to be totally disassembled to swap the shaft.

You'll need a good manual. There are good ones at Automatic Transmission Service Group.