79 Scab 400 4x4 C6

I blew the transmission in the pickup and need it rebuilt. I used the search function a little but running out of time to be able to do it myself. The day before it happened, I was at the oil change place and the oil was a nice pink color. They showed me. Between the truck, load and uhaul car hauler and vehicle, I was over 13k pounds. I didn't know my weight until well into the trip. Any ways, I went over the LA Veta pass in Colorado, coming down the west side of the pass,using engine breaking to help with speed and all the fluid came out of the bell housing. So I'm sure I blew the pump seal. 97% of my driving is without a trailer or load. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Added info..
Truck has 2 aux trans coolers. They were installed before I bought the truck. Truck has a goose neck in the bed but I have never used it. I do not own a goose neck trailer but that is why the 2 aux coolers.
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Onto the question. What kind of kit should I get?

Should I upgrade and have the extra steel and friction?

Go with a diesel torque converter or gas?

Modify the valve body or go aftermarket?

What kind of price tag for a good shop the do the work?

What other things should I have done?

Any advice or direction would be appreciated.
Thank you, Chris in Cheyenne

 

Heat is the enemy. I'd recco an aux cooler (stacked plate) run in series with the lower radiator tank. Maybe you have one, but wasn't mentioned.
Beyond that, tranny rebuilds can range from backyard slap some plates in there to measuring clearances and shimming properly.
Having rebuilt three C6 (but more than 30 years ago now) myself, I'd say pay attention to the one-way clutch (the low reverse as I recall)--the springs for the rollers breakup over time
I personally drilled the plate, etc using the B&M shift improvement kit (showing my age--are they even still around)? cleaned the valve body and spools real good and that worked fine for me.

 

I overbuilt mine using the "well im in here, dont want to do this again" theory. Got the kit from Oregon Trans Parts. You can go simple and do it fairy cheap or go big with upgraded planetary's etc..... That reverse sprag that Yamhill is talking about has an upgrade also, with no springs.... You can read for days on your C6 options, At a minimum I would add some plates, thats fairly cheap, just need the thinner top plate (cant remember the name).....
Oregon Performance Transmission - High Performance Tranmission Parts - Free Shipping

 

I added info to original post.
Truck has 2 aux coolers installed before me. I've owned since 2/2018.

 

QUOTE from email 3-17-22..............
"Hi Chris,

Sorry about the delay; we are very short-staffed here.

Here is the part number I would take a look at: OPT-C6-RB.

From that listing there are several add-on's you could select.

I would go with the Transgo SK6 for sure. And there are other options on the rebuild kit listing, the wide alto power band would be a good option, definitely get the steel plates, thrust washers, etc.

A transmission cooler might be a good idea for you too, but that depends on if you live somewhere where it's colder, etc.

Hope that helps get you started. Let us know if you need anything else.

Kind Regards,
Brian
-Oregon Performance Transmission, Inc
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My original email to OPT........
Their Questions or Comments: Need to be sure getting the right parts for my truck. 79 f250 4x4 supercab 6.6l (400 tired, in the 12-15 months rebuild to about 300hp) C6 trans. Back in September blew all the trans fluid out the bell housing while towing. Toal weight ( truck, gear, trailer/load) will be 12-14000 lbs 2-3 times a year 7000ft down to 600ft elevation. I sent a request through this yesterday 3-15-22 in the AM. Have not heard/seen anything. Chris in CheyennCheyenne QUOTE <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
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My work schedule just won't let me rebuild myself. I will need to take to a local shop. The shop doing the work is knowledgeable about this trans and can modify the valve body for shift performance. What extras should I purchase with the suggested "OPT-C6-RB" kit. I have called them and get no answer just a recording. I have called 187 times.

Whether I purchase thru Oregon or tell the shop what "upgrades" I want, I do not know what I should be asking for/purchase. I do not want to purchase things are not for my application. I emailed back another question on 3-17-22 and they have not answered back.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Chris

 

I'm about 99% sure that it was a Transgo SK-6 kit I bought at NAPA in the mid '80s and put in my '77's C-6, it's been fine for 70,xxx miles since, though the front seal maybe leaks from little use, but that's not the fault of the shift kit. I like the firmer shifts. I mostly posted to "subscribe".

 

I can look up the p/n of the kit but my mechanic upgraded my C6 like two or three years ago and has the trans go shift kit in it. No complaints.

 

If the trans shop you want to rebuild it is actually knowledgeable, then they should be specifying and ordering the necessary parts....not you.

You bring in parts to the shop and something goes south later - they can blame the parts you supplied.

From a risk standpoint - they should spec and you should review.

If they are unable to spec the replacement parts, find another shop....it's not going to work out well for you.

I can tell you one of, if not the, best for old ford automatic transmissions is Jay Broader at Broader Performance in Tx.

 

The shop will order the parts but asked me what upgrades I wanted. I do not know transmissions so asking here for the right stuff. I guess I will trust the shop for the correct for my driving/towing needs.

Thanks everyone

 

100% what he said

That is what I would do.
Tell them what the truck will be used for, I think more for towing, and let them pick what should be done.
I do think a shift kit to firm up shifts would be one up grade. As for more steel / clutches or wider band you can ask them about them.
It may be with the shift kit they may not be needed as they would apply faster and hold harder with the PSI turned up?
Dave ----