If it is the original TC, then it isn't billet. I would recommend the new one you get to be billet, though.

 

well, mine is billet, maybe because it's a 7.3 Diesel? but it's a billet.

 

None of them was billet from the factory. If it's billet it's aftermarket.

 

would the airforce do aftermarket?

 

If they replaced it at one point, it is possible. If they had to replace the original TC, then it can't possibly have only 10K miles on it unless they idled the thing every day.

My original TC was very heavy and the steel was pretty thick even though it was not billet. Either way, you are looking at a new TC and a rebuild on the trans.

 

Remember it is a former Air Force ambulance. The contract may have calked for a heavier TC. Or they put heavier one in the ambulances

 

Not at all likely. Ford didn't design or source heavier duty parts. The truck was rated for a specific load, and the Air Force chose that vehicle. They didn't customize certain parts.

 

Hello all, Back again,
I was looking for shops and advice and so on, it seems that there are no competent auto trans shops here in France, I hear that most hod rodders (yes, here also, and with citroën and so hihi) go to Holland or Germany.
I asked for a quote at some shops, they mentioned 2-3000€.

That made me think, it's a bit above my paygrade...
I'm now thinking of getting the ATSG E4OD and upgrade book, and attacking the beast myself.
Would these books have the latest upgrades and so?
and would the job itself be doable, or do you need very very much special tools and so on this trans?

 

I used the ATSG book when I rebuilt my transmission. It has all the torque specs and clutch pack clearances listed. You will need at least one adjustable bellville spring compressor. I used two, a small one and a large one. Available on Amazon for $20-$30 each. You need a torque wrench in inch pounds and one in foot pounds. Metric socket set and a metric spanner set. Everything on this transmission is metric, if you use SAE tools, you are using the wrong tools. Set of depth calipers. Case of brake cleaner. 2-3 rolls of lint-free shop towels.

Since you are primarily focused on cleaning this transmission, buy a soft parts kit and at least the Sonnax snap ring upgrade. Don't buy any other parts until you know you need them. With the miles on your truck, you should not expect to be replacing hard parts. A shift kit is optional but know that it will increase the complexity of the build.

You will need attention to detail, surgical cleanliness, and a very good memory to successfully complete this rebuild. Internet resources are valuable as well. Read and watch everything you can before starting. Not trying to scare you but I am honestly sharing my experience.

 

Living on the slab of soil were Metric is invented, I don't foresee any problems there.
if you could advise me on where I can best buy these parts like the soft parts, I would apriciate that very much.
do they in these ATSG books also explain diagnosing? I still like to determine what that bloody sound is that I hear.

 

You can buy almost any of this stuff on eBay. Amazon also sells rebuild kits of various levels. How that translates to availability in France, I have no idea. You may have to dig around the internet for a place in France that sells trans parts.

The ATSG manual is more focused on the rebuild process. It is assumed that the troubleshooting has already been done and the next step is a rebuild.

The noise you hear is almost certainly the bad TC sloshing around pieces inside itself. Mine made a horrible noise after it went.

 

Thanks again for all the help you gave.
In the end I didn't dare to do it myself and went to a shop in The Netherlands, where he overhauled the TC, and rebuild to original spec's my trans.
So, helas no upgrades.
after installing my overhauled trans, I had to battle a dieselpest infection, and only now I'm able to get everything up and running to pass inspection and get a French registration.
18 years after I have bought my truck (speechless....)