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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

C6 transmission not engaging

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Old Jun 24, 2020 | 12:30 PM
  #1  
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C6 transmission not engaging

I’ve got an 85 f250 with the c6 that I just bought and the guy I bought it from was in the middle of changing the trans filter and then left the filter and pan off for a few days and when I bought it we put the new filter on and put the pan back on and filled it up but now it won’t engage in any gear , I thought it could just not have enough fluid so I put some more in which brought it to 10 quarts and still nothing. Do any of you have any helpful ideas on what it could be before I tear it apart
 
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Old Jun 24, 2020 | 01:34 PM
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Well why did the PO drop the pan and filter?
My guess it the transmission was bad to start with and he thought a filter & fluid change would fix it then found out it would not and left it open and put up for sale.
The buyer is then told "yep in the middle of filter & fluid change and never got it back together". Once the seller has the money he don't care no more.

I hope you got the truck for a really good price because you are replacing the transmission.
Dave ----

BTW did the level show on the dip stick? If not you need to add more ATF but I would think at 10 qts it would at least show on the stick.
 
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Old Jun 24, 2020 | 02:58 PM
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I know the guy that sold it to me, he had just bought it a few months back and so he was going through it fixing everything but he needed the money more then the truck, I seen it run and drive a month or two ago and it had no problems, but I’m thinking that since it sat with no pan or filter either it got something it in to plug it off or a valve dried out and got stuck
 
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Old Jun 24, 2020 | 03:34 PM
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See this recent thread, of a perfectly good transmission that acted up after a filter change:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...er-change.html

The problem was the new filter didn't get properly seated and the pump sucked in air instead of fluid. Also, I think there's a gasket on the filter neck, so make sure that isn't missing or dislodged.
 
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Old Jun 26, 2020 | 11:22 AM
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Is this a 4x4 or 2wd? The filters are different, the 4x4 pan and filter goes deeper and has a sucker to reach the bottom of the pan, maybe its a 2wd and it isn't reaching the fluid level? Look on rock auto and tell us which filter you saw him install.

Also the C6 might take up 14-15 quarts all in. it is possible you are 3 quarts low--When I bought my 74 F-100 if was slipping like crazy and wouldn't move, thought the trans was toast for sure. Sure enough after having it towed home, it was simply 2-3 quarts low on Fluid and after topping it up, it gave me many trouble free miles.
 
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Old Jun 26, 2020 | 05:06 PM
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I figured it out guys, I pulled the pan off yesterday and pulled the filter and valve body and sprayed everything out with some brake clean and put it back together and filled it up and it runs good now. I’m guessing something plugged it up just enough to restrict the fluid from flowing. Thanks for all the help the guys
 
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Old Jun 26, 2020 | 05:50 PM
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Great news. Glad to hear you got it sorted out. And double thanks for the update.
 
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Old Jun 26, 2020 | 08:40 PM
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Originally Posted by kr98664
Great news. Glad to hear you got it sorted out. And double thanks for the update.
X2
Dave ----
 
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