How bad is it?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 160
Likes: 4
From: Waco,Tx
How bad is it?
Let me first say hello, I just picked up my first ford truck to replace my "workhorse" of a nissan pickup. Its a 93 crewcab long bed 5.8 E40D with a whopping 273k miles on it.
We picked it up knowing it had some problems but it made the 3 1/2hr drive home ok. I went to move it the next day and it would idle and rev in park fine but if you put it in gear it would run real rough and wouldn't move then die. I checked the trans fluid and it was pretty low so I figured I'd change the fluid and filter since the transmission pan gasket was leaking and it has a lot of miles on it.
I pulled the pan off and the fluid was very......black and after getting a lot of fluid out of the pan I found this lump of mush.Which I assume is clutch material.
I am not an automatic guy so, its take a chance on this transmission since I already have the fluid and filter for it or start looking for 5speed swap parts.
Are the 5speeds behind the inline 6's the same as the ones behind the v8? Will anything interchange between the two?
We picked it up knowing it had some problems but it made the 3 1/2hr drive home ok. I went to move it the next day and it would idle and rev in park fine but if you put it in gear it would run real rough and wouldn't move then die. I checked the trans fluid and it was pretty low so I figured I'd change the fluid and filter since the transmission pan gasket was leaking and it has a lot of miles on it.
I pulled the pan off and the fluid was very......black and after getting a lot of fluid out of the pan I found this lump of mush.Which I assume is clutch material.
I am not an automatic guy so, its take a chance on this transmission since I already have the fluid and filter for it or start looking for 5speed swap parts.
Are the 5speeds behind the inline 6's the same as the ones behind the v8? Will anything interchange between the two?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,821
Likes: 53
From: Fulton County, Pa.
That's nasty. In my opinion, I wouldn't take a chance on it. I'm surprised it even moved. Small blocks use the same bellhousing as inline 6 cyl. This much I know, for more info. you'll need to wait for somebody who knows what they're talking about. Know there were two different 5 speeds used, but I can't tell you much more. Note: comments about auto. are my opinion only, somebody else who knows something may tell you different.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 684
Likes: 1
From the pictures that looks like seaweed. But if it has a milk shake like texture and apearence then check your radiator. you may have a leak in the radiator letting coolant into the tranny.
Any trans bolted to the 300, 302, or 351 will fit your truck. The only trannys that wont will have a bigger belhousing to fit the big blocks and the diesel.
I am not one for auto's either. But you will have to consider that putting in a 5spd will mean the clutch, trans (duh), possibly a crossmember to fit it, and a driveshaft, the floors on the autos are not cut, so you will need to cut the floor and also install a clutch pedal assembly as well as the hydrolics.
Any trans bolted to the 300, 302, or 351 will fit your truck. The only trannys that wont will have a bigger belhousing to fit the big blocks and the diesel.
I am not one for auto's either. But you will have to consider that putting in a 5spd will mean the clutch, trans (duh), possibly a crossmember to fit it, and a driveshaft, the floors on the autos are not cut, so you will need to cut the floor and also install a clutch pedal assembly as well as the hydrolics.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 684
Likes: 1
Ooh by the way I would also say that that trans is dead.
You may want to price out a junkyard or rebuilt trans for this v.s. the swap for a manual. If you plan on keeping the truck awhile and find a donor truck to take parts from then go with the man. trans.
If you don't plan to keep the truck then get a junkyard auto to just drop in and sell it make some money.
Either way check that radiator just to be sure. check the condition of the fluid, and then disconect trans lines and pressure test the radiator. If the lines drain out then stop you should be good. If the lines leak out but never stop, or you see it turn to coolant and the pressure starts dropping then junk that rad, and save you another trans.
You may want to price out a junkyard or rebuilt trans for this v.s. the swap for a manual. If you plan on keeping the truck awhile and find a donor truck to take parts from then go with the man. trans.
If you don't plan to keep the truck then get a junkyard auto to just drop in and sell it make some money.
Either way check that radiator just to be sure. check the condition of the fluid, and then disconect trans lines and pressure test the radiator. If the lines drain out then stop you should be good. If the lines leak out but never stop, or you see it turn to coolant and the pressure starts dropping then junk that rad, and save you another trans.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
From: Washington County, Penna
that was actually trans fluid.... wow.... looks more like burnt engine oil.. anyways i dont wanna hijack your thread but i must thank everyones responses because it helped me on a possible E4OD out of my 250 ( still good, just wanna rip it out before i tear it out lol ) to 4speed manual swap. But yes thank you guys for inadvertantly helping me.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
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From: Gilbert, PA
I would change the fluid and filter, and flush out the cooler lines w brake clean and an air hose. Dont forget to drain the torque converter too. It may not work but it is worth a try. I have never see trans fluid that black before but the metal on the magnet is about average.
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 160
Likes: 4
From: Waco,Tx
I would change the fluid and filter, and flush out the cooler lines w brake clean and an air hose. Dont forget to drain the torque converter too. It may not work but it is worth a try. I have never see trans fluid that black before but the metal on the magnet is about average.
Average, really??
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
I have done between 100 and 200 trans services and , yes. That looks like 90% of the ones i have done. thats what happens when services are not done on regular basis. Metal from the steel discs in the clutch packs wear,and it collets on the magnet. thats why it is there
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 813
Likes: 1
From: foristell, missouri
im with dieselbrad, its cheaper to flush and fill the old one than buy a new tranny. also i think (not sure) but the floor pans on the autos just a have a plate over the hole in the floor. dont know for sure but ive been told that.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 684
Likes: 1
I mostly say that that trans is junk because of the unknown substance in it, and the Black fluid.
I have serviced trannys with fluid as black as that, but they were usually on there last legs, and the service was done to atleast try to fix it cheap. You might get lucky. I would still check that radiator.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 684
Likes: 1
I thought so too, but I went to the jy to get a inst cluster for a truck I owned a few years back, and the one I got the cluster from had the carpet removed and the driver's floor pan cut out. (only 1/2 inch up the hump) And I could see the outline were the cover would be cut out, but it was solid with the floor. So then I started looking at the trucks we get into the shop and most of the auto trucks the floor was one piece.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
That's nasty. In my opinion, I wouldn't take a chance on it. I'm surprised it even moved. Small blocks use the same bellhousing as inline 6 cyl. This much I know, for more info. you'll need to wait for somebody who knows what they're talking about. Know there were two different 5 speeds used, but I can't tell you much more. Note: comments about auto. are my opinion only, somebody else who knows something may tell you different.
if u want to swap u definatly want the ZF-5 because it was put under f-250's and F-350's (i beleive it is rated to 500 HP stock)
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 684
Likes: 1
I have a simple question, was the filter sitting IN the pan when you dropped it, or did you have to pull it down.
I have seen on quite a few chevys were the filter "fell" out of place (usually not installed right) this will cause the pump to run dry, because the filter acts as the pick up tube also. This will make it act like it is out of fluid.
Also, it might just be the newer models, but there are 2 different filters because there are 2 different pans on those E4ODs One pan is deaper. IF the Shorter filter was installed on a deaper pan, then the fluid would be FULL, but still act as if it is low.
I have seen on quite a few chevys were the filter "fell" out of place (usually not installed right) this will cause the pump to run dry, because the filter acts as the pick up tube also. This will make it act like it is out of fluid.
Also, it might just be the newer models, but there are 2 different filters because there are 2 different pans on those E4ODs One pan is deaper. IF the Shorter filter was installed on a deaper pan, then the fluid would be FULL, but still act as if it is low.