C4 advice
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From: Collierville
C4 advice
I have a 77 f100 with a C4 behind a 302. The truck has 38k miles on it. I pulled the drive shaft the other day to replace the u-joints and rear seal. The rear seal was leaking just a little. I had only worked with manuals in the past so I was unaware that the transmission would dump about 1 qt of fluid when I pulled the shaft. Anyway, looking at the fluid it looked ok but I know it has never been replaced or the filter changed. The transmission is working fine but the thing is 30 years old. I have heard that changing the fluid on an old transmission that has never been changed can cause more problems than it is worth. What should I do? Should I drop the pan and change the filteror just leave it alone? I am working from the ground up and I guess I am at this point now. The transmission seems very strong to me but I would like for it to be something I don't have to worry about.
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From: Williamson, NY
I would go ahead and change the filter and fluid if it was my tranny. Remember to drain the torque converter and when changing the filter watch out for the spring and valve that is held in place by the tranny filter, they can fall out when the filter is removed.
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From: Williamson, NY
Originally Posted by rboeding
How do you drain the toqure converter? And most important how do you refill it?
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From: Collierville
Thanks, and one last question. The inspection plate is missing on this truck. I can see the gears on the flex plate. Should I worry and look for a replacement or is everthing OK?
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From: Collierville
I am not sure the part missing is the inspection plate. The whole bottom of the flex plate is visible. I think I really need to replace that part but what do I call it?
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From: Williamson, NY
I have always called it an inspection plate, but my Chiltons manual calls it a "Converter Drain Plug Access Cover". Here's a link to a photo of my C4 Transmission Inspection Plate: http://community.webshots.com/photo/...52948230YGvVXN
Jim
Jim
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From: Collierville
I changed the fluid this Saturday and the filter. The fluid looked good and smelled fine. There was a fine very thin layer on the bottom of the pan that must have been clutch wear. I drained the TC and un hooked the radiator lines and blew out the radiator. I put some lucas additive in it because I couldn't think of a reason not to on a 30 year old trans. It took 10 qts to refill. The guy at the Autozone was VERY certian that I needed to run through all the gears on a jack stand so I did. At the very beginning the trans made a little noise but that got quiet quickly. It only took about 4 qts at first but after I started it I added fluid quickly as the dip stick got clean almost instantly. The transmission shifts easier I think. It still causes a clunk when it goes from reverse to D but the 1 2 3 seems better. Maybe I can get another 30 years out of it. Thanks for your advice.
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From: Williamson, NY
Originally Posted by rboeding
It still causes a clunk when it goes from reverse to D but the 1 2 3 seems better. Maybe I can get another 30 years out of it. Thanks for your advice.