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Author Topic: c3 problems!  (Read 1585 times)

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Offline CanadianBatman

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c3 problems!
« on: May 06, 2014, 01:46:24 PM »
So I just picked up this pinto truck conversion. V6 with I think the c3. It's a 3 speed. From what I can tell it has no 2n d gear. It also takes a long time to engage in drive when it's cold. I shift into reverse, and it's immediate, but shift into drive and at idle I don't think it'll ever engage. I have to raise the rpm to about 2000 and it still takes about 10 seconds to finally engage.

When driving at low speeds it stays in 1st until 35 kph and feels like it skips second gear entirely. I can only feel 1 shift change all the way up to 100kph. It also jump shifts if I'm at 30 kph to 60/70 kph if I'm at anything more than maybe 30% throttle, it drops into 1st and the rpm jumps really high. And I've already turned the adjustor for the trans kickdown all the way back to make sure it's not tripping the circuit early in the pedal travel.

I've checked the fluid and it's full when hot and a clean red.

I don't have any hydraulic maps for these things so I'm not sure what fluid circuits are engaging in second. I don't know if maybe any of you know what might be going on or have any diagrams of the valve body I can pour over.

It's a 1979 pinto wagon. 2.8l v6 with the 3 speed auto.


Thanks in advance guys!
1979 Pinto Pinchero Custom body Truck!
1977 Vega stock 4cyl 4speed
1987 Chevette Scooter 2dr 4spd

Offline cannonball

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Re: c3 problems!
« Reply #1 on: May 07, 2014, 06:09:31 PM »

your lazy engagement from cold is down to the clutch seals they have gone hard and from cold the fluid is blowing past them, when it gets a teeny bit of heat in it the seals get a bit more plyable and the clutch engages you get drive, the missed 2nd gear will be a similar problem either the front servo seals are bad and the piston just wont engage or the band is goosed could be adjustmnent but doubt it, front band adjuster crack of the lock nut screw the center stud in till it nips up back it out 2 turns lock the lock nut its not to fussy if still no 2nd its history tranny out time,,,,,,,, hope this helps
Watts racing transmissions england,,,,,

Offline amc49

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Re: c3 problems!
« Reply #2 on: May 08, 2014, 09:26:33 AM »
The trans well known for shuttle shifting back and forth too early and light throttle. There is a Transgo C3 shift kit that addresses that but you may have other issues. Such as pressure leakage somewhere. The front pump known for blowing out the gasket, that can do it. Reverse still works because reverse has more pressure than the other gears......... .

If the front pump is ever loosened you MUST recenter it to the converter snout and front pump plate, there is no centering device molded into the plate there. If you don't the pump chews itself up quickly or slower depending on how far off center things end up when pump bolted down. Ford uses a special tool to do that work.

Offline derekrichmond15@yahoo.com

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Re: c3 problems!
« Reply #3 on: May 17, 2014, 11:53:49 AM »
Well if you're interested in a drive to North Bend WA. I HAVE A C3 with a new torc converter & fly wheel transmission has 95thousand miles on it shifts perfect! I'm doing a v8 swap c3 will not be strong enough so if you like to drive $50.00 and its yours .
1977 408W stroked pinto