Ford C3 identification & troubleshooting
 

Hi there,

I got a C3 autobox behind a 2.8 Cologne V6. I neither know for which car nor what year it was made. There's no identification tag on the box.

Is there anyway to pinpoint the exact model of this transmission?

Second, it doesn't drive too well. First and second work fine but third gives me trouble. At around 35mph it shifts into third, but immediately shifts down into second one I push a throttle a tiny bit. I need to get it well over 40mph for it to stay in third.

Also, I feel that I'm not getting much power in second gear if driving uphill. Acceleration 'stalls' somewhere around 25mph (need to check revs, but sure its quite high).

Any suggestions what I should do?

What I tried already:
Brake band adjustment (tightened adjustment screw to 10ft lb and backed off two complete turns)
Filled up fluid with ATF IID (https://www.terpel.com/en/Movil/Productos/Lubricantes/terpel-oiltec-transmisiones-ATF-IID/), not sure if its good fluid for my transmission...
Adjusted down shift cable

Thanks a lot for any comments!

I'm no expert but I believe that transmission takes type F fluid.
Are you getting good vacuum to to modulator?
How about some pictures of the trans may help ID what it is?
Also I one side of the trans should have a part number on the case itself

Thanks for your reply. Reading online I get so many contradiction information on the type of fluid. Some say Type F while others say DIII or Mercon fluid would work.

It runs slightly better with the IID fluid in that it shifts gears sooner.

I'm getting vacuum, but not sure if its good enough. What would be good enough?

I'll check the sides for number and try to take some pictures.

C3 introduced in 1974.

2.8L & C3: 1975/78 Pinto/Bobcat/Mustang II // 1979 Mustang/Capri/Pinto/Bobcat. 2.8L used the C4 in 1974, could use it 1975/79. I didn't look after 1979.

1973/79 Ford car parts catalog says TYPE F / 1980/89 Ford car parts catalog says Dexron II

Look on the C3's dipstick for the Ford ID engineering number, post what it is.

"Mercury" Capri imported from Germany 1971/77, it was sold in Europe as the Ford something or other, possibly Sierra. Early cars came with 2.0L 4 banger, 2.6L V6.

So, if it turns out to be a 2.6L, it's from a Capri.

It says 2.8 on the inlet manifold and it has the siamesed exhaust ports.

I got some IDs:
On the dipstick 35GT-7A020-AA
Driver side on the gearbox 74DT 7A 231AE1-7010D

Would be great if those numbers helped to identify whether it need type f or DII

May be that engine and gearbox are not from the same car but they bolt up without any adaptor.

I cannot find a reference for this dipstick ID number, there's no Ford ID engineering or part number of 7A231.

:confused:

Here are some pictures:https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...67d79d902a.jpg

Drivers side
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...e02e56ce88.jpg

Drivers side
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...a6e01b3957.jpg

Passengers side
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...7ce18715f5.jpg

Passengers side
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...5f4c42842e.jpg

ID on tailhousing drivers side

The pictures don't help to identity it?