Can a weekend mechanic change a transmission on a F250, with a 7.5 L motor, what will I need besides the jack?, Please help, I blew my trans and my tractor took a dump on the same day...need to save money.

 

Anything is possible. pretty straight forward job. That's an awfully big trans to be throwing around though. I'd consider renting a transmission jack or getting an attachment for your current floor jack to change it to a trans jack. shouldn't need anything more than a few basic hand tools.

auto or stick?

2WD or 4WD?

 

It helps to have a buddy, but yes, it can be done. I haven't had to pull an E4OD yet, but I did pull my AOD twice. The first time was about 6 hours out and 8 hours in (too much beer and cursing). The next time was about 1.5 hours out and 6 hours in. Both times were the same guy and me. The first replacement tranny was bought used and we found out that reverse didn't work, so we ended up pulling it and having it rebuilt. The tricky part is to get the truck high enough, otherwise you end up having to put the tranny on the jack while they're both underneath the truck.

Just make sure that torque converter is ALL the way IN before you try to bolt the tranny to the bellhousing or you'll screw things up.

Jason

 

I agree with the two previous posts. I pulled the E4OD out of my truck by myself two weeks ago and switched to a manual trans. I would have completed the swap in a weekend if I hadn't ran out of parts. I made a plate that bolted onto my floorjack and the trans mount and used a second floorjack under the front of the trans. A helper would have made the job so much easier but it wasn't that bad.

Like Jroehl said make sure the torque converter is properly seated in the pump before bolting up the trans to the engine.

Sorry to hear about all that bad luck at once.

 

Thank you guys, I am trying this weekend. how can I find out that the used transmission I am buying is in good shape, I would hate to have to pull it twice. By the way, what does the torque converter looks like, so I look for it.

 

it is the big round donut thing in the bell housing

 

Oops. I can't believe I said that. You don't bolt the tranny to the bellhousing (well, some have removable bellhousings, just not on these Fords). The bellhousing is part of the tranny. You bolt the bellhousing to the engine block, and the torque converter is bolted to the flywheel.

There should be an awakeness test here before anyone can post.

Jason

 

We knew what you meant.

 

I pulled the E4OD out of my Bronco several years ago by myself but I am experienced, having pulled many auto trans over the years. I made an adaptor out of some wood blocks and a Dr. Pepper twelve-pack which I then held up with my floor jack. It worked really well but that trans is super heavy so don't try to lift it yourself off of the jack once you get it out. Do lift the truck as high as you can and make it level so jack the rear and the front. Use 4 jack stands, in other words.

1) You will need to remove your starter and driveshaft first.
2) Then the shift linkage and cooler lines
3) Then the wiring harness and also the speedo cable if so equipped.
4) Then jack up the trans with whatever jack you are using underneath the pan (using some kind of adaptor, not directly on the pan).
5) Remove the rear crossmember.
6) There are 4 nuts that hold the torque converter to the flywheel (called a flexplate in this application) so take the inspection plate off and then remove those.
7) Now take out the 6 bolts that hold the bellhousing to the engine block.
8) Pull the trans away from the engine just enough to clear the flexplate, then lower it. You may have to lower a little and then pull back a little and then lower a little, etc.

That's about it. Did I forget anything, guys? Just be careful to keep the trans level or fluid will gush out the back where the driveshaft was.

There's not a good way to test the new (used) trans unless you can drive the truck it is in beforehand. Otherwise, you just have to cross your fingers. Be sure to turn the trans up on it's end (torque converter up) and drain all the fluid out the back before you install it. Then fill with 15 qts of Dexron III and check the level once you warm it up.

This assumes you have an E4OD. It just dawned on me I made that assumption. If you have a manual then nevermind.

 

Yep. You forgot the rear crossmember in there. It's pretty hard to pull the tranny without unbolting it from that, and unbolting the crossmember from the frame.

Jason

 

the best thing to do with a used trans if it is automatic, before you install it pull the bottom pan off. If you find a pan full of metal shavings and dirty oil, it is not worth installing. another thing, when you install it, put only 4-5 quarts in, then start the truck before you put the rest of the fluid in. Another good tip is before you pull the old one out pull the pan off and drain all the fluid. alot less messy, if your doing it on the ground I would even drain the converter. there is usually a drain plug on it.

 

Jason, the rear crossmember is step #5 in my list.

 

Now, how the heck did I miss that? Man, I'm slipping. (At least my tranny isn't!)

Jason

 

Helps if you have a big friend who has a lift in his garage like I did