So the motor is pulled in 1996 F350 4x4 with 351 and e4od. while the motor is out, there are several things i'd like to do with the transmission and i'd like some input. the trans shifts fine and currently has no signs of any problems. based on some research, here's what i'm going to do and thinking about doing:

fluid change - mercon/dextron III (no mercon V)

filter change - aftermarket filter (with filter clip kit to keep it in place) or
oem ford filter which does not require a clip kit.

shift improver kit - considering B&M kit 10025

external filter kit - looking for recommendations...

aftermarket cooler - truck has the stock coolers (both in radiator and standalone). i've heard some recommend bypassing the radiator cooler all together as pin hole leak can develop which results in coolant mixing with the trans fluid. and if i run an aftermarket cooler, should i still run the stock standalone cooler, or remove it? and any recomendations on what aftermarket trans cooler i should get?

any thoughts on the list? anything i'm missing? anything not worth doing? all are relatively easy and cheap to do - especially when compared to the cost of rebuilding an e4od...

 

Need to keep an eye on this thread... I will need to address my E4OD issues soon as well.

Thanks.

-cmc-

 

I don't know as I'd go with a shift performer, been hashing over that idea myself but as for the rest of the list sounds like you got the plan.

I bypassed the radiator on both my trucks, both have dual coolers to.

Very important you don't over look the trucks cooling fan, use a electric type or just replace the clutch on the fan so you know it works.

My 95 has both, a new fan clutch and a 12" high volume electric fan on the second cooler I added to it. I turn it on when towing our 8000#+ camper. When its really hot I turn it on anyway even when driving with no load!

The fan/cooler are the same size, the fan is low profile but yet aggressive. Fit nice in behind the grill. I didn't want to have to use one in the "push" orientation, "pull" is more effective.

I have not had one tranny problem now that I added proper, one may even say "extensive" amounts of cooling for em both. To me they shift just fine without any kind of shift kit added? I know some think they slide/slip into gear or lazy slow shift, mine ain't like that.

 

not that there are any problems with the way my transmission shifts, but a harder, firmer shift means less wear, less heat, and a much longer transmission life, so the $50 shift kit is cheap insurance for me.

the electric fan is an idea, but i really don't do that much towing, but its something to think about adding down the road.

what about the ford filter versus aftermarket filter with clip kit? and are there any recommendations on an external filter kit?

 

any other opinions out there? anyone perform any of these upgrades? thoughts? recomendations?

 

The shift improver kit is the single best thing you can do for any stock tranny.. followed closely by an external oil cooler. The shift kits usually have at least 2 stages you can install so you won't get stupid hard shifts with the first stage just some reduction in shift time which will help everything last longer. I have also noticed the shifts are softened quite a bit with a load on the vehicle.

 

I just installed a Tru-Cool MAX external cooler (Model 4793) and it dropped my temps 25-30 degrees under the smaller cooler I had. My trans was just rebuilt with steel planetarys, bearing center support, extra clutches, a tugger kit and a triple disc convertor. I was not gonna let it get hot and ruin all that work.

If your trans is internally sound then a shift kit and a cooler will make it last a lot longer, and as soon as you feel the "torque convertor shudder" get a new converter in there. Don't let a bad convertor clutch go, the burned clutch material will take out the rest of your trans. To the tune of $2400 in my case..