The prior owner of our 1951 F1 installed what we believe to be a 1967 289 V8 from a Courgar and a 1985, Metric, 14 bolt C4 automatic transmission from a '85 F150.

We just finished replacing the wiring harness and now have the truck running again (barely) ... we did change out the transmission filter, replaced the fluid in the pan and put on a new transmission pan gasket .... BUT, we don't know what the three-wire connection on the transmission is ... and what to wire it too.

And, ew are having a problem ... the transmission is very, very slow to shift into forward or reverse and also to shift up between all gears when driving.

Any comments, thoughts, ideas, etc. would be highly appreciated. I know that I should go buy a manual but by now I own so many 1951 books and manuals and the 1968 Couger/Mustang manual that I am tapped out!.

Thanks, Richard

 

In 1964, the C-4 was introduced, providing a lightweight and durable three-speed automatic which is a favorite among racers today. The C-4 was produced until 1982, when it was replaced by the C-5. So I would double check it to make shour what trans U really have.. If it is from a 85 it should be a C5 if not a AOD trans.. The newer AOD will have a 3 prong plug on it for the Overdrive controls.


So if U have a C4 it should have no wiring to it...

 

THe only wiring on a C-4 is on the side and it's to the neutral safety switch and not directly to the tranny itself. it's mounted to the side with 2 bolts and the selector lever mounts on that. Does the tranny have a modulator valve on the right rear corner? If it's a C-4, it should and also have a vac line going up to the intake vac port. THis controls shifting between gears. it's held on with a "fork" and a single bolt. These are usually marked with a colored band or nothing around the body of it. This tells which one you have in the parts book. If you remove it, there's a pin in there that will drop out if you're not careful and then won't shift at all. If it's hooked to carb vac, it won't work right also. Look on the tranny and see if there's a tag bolted to it. If so, post the info on the tag. It should start with a "P".

Barry

 

Richard, if this thing is metric (ugh) are you sure that it's not an AOD? If it is an AOD "STOP DRIVING IT" you can burn one to a crisp REAL quickly if the pressures aren't correctly adjusted. An expensive lesson to be sure. Good luck.

 

Richard, wonder if you have an AOD instead of a C4. Bet you do. The electrical connector is nuetral safety and backup. The shift problems are probably due to improper pressure. I am kind of surprised though, that you did not discover this when you bought the filter? If it is an Aod, don't drive it anymore untill you get pressure set properly. A C4 has a detachable bellhousing, does yours?

 

Well, I must be wrong about the transmission being a C4. Actually, the C4 transmission filter and gasket we bought didn't fit and my son took it back to Autozone and they finally found a gasket that would fit the metric 14-bolt pan and concluded it was at least an '85. I don't know if they ever said C4, C5 or AOD.

I will check if the bell housing is removable like Joe Gaddy suggested tonight but I think it is all one piece. Also, considering we do have a 3-wire connector on it and for sure it doesn't have the vacuum modulator Barry mentioned (I know this one from a '69 Olds that I had which occasionly would need the vac. mod. replaced) ... it is probably the AOD. Is this a good transmission?

We only drove it to the end of the block and back ... say 1/2 mile ... so hopefully it is OK. So now, I need to figure out the wiring for the neutral switch (we are currently using the neutral switch on the shifter in the floor but it does need some adjustments - bad) and if I can control the overdrive somehow (might be nice) .... and most of all, how to adjust the pressure in the transmission.

Does anyone have a suggestion of what manual to buy to show me how to adjust the transmission pressure?

Thanks, Richard

PS, this is the best forum on FTE ... I also posted my transmission question in the '80-'86 section and got not a single response ... same for the Transmission section. Your help is truly appreciated!

 

I bought mine at Oreillys Auto Parts. I am pretty sure it is a Haynes Ford Auto trans manual. You dont have to use the NSW on the trans, but it is easy to do so. You will need a guage to set pressures, easy to do. You will also need an aftermarket throttle pressure cable. I bought mine from Lokar, but there are others. I am pleased with my AOD. The one you and I have is not controlled electically, but by throttle pressure.

 

Richard, be advised that AODs are very sensitive inside and Ford recommends that when you change the filter etc that you torque the bolts as overtightening can distort the valve body and cause erratic shifting. these are good transmissions but the adjustments and what not are critical. Also be sure that you have the correct dipstick and tube as the fluid levels are critical. Hope this helps and it's not too late for your trans. ff56

 

I'll bet the trans is fine. I drove mine for probably 12 to 15 miles before realizing that the throttle pressure return spring did not have enough tension. Keep that in mind Richard, it had me thinking the tranny was no good untill I found it. The lokar spring is not enough, you will need to add another. Easy to do.