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Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: griffon on July 04, 2012, 07:00:39 AM

Title: C4 advice....new to them, a few question...
Post by: griffon on July 04, 2012, 07:00:39 AM
Just picked up a 71' with a v8 transplant w/c4 auto and am not getting 3rd gear.  It will shift manually 1 and 2 or seems to just drive in 2 with shifter in D.  Also takes a lot of fiddling to get reverse.  I'm new to these trans and am wondering if P.O. did something to the valve body or if there is some adjustment to linkage that it needs to be done?  Vacuum line looks good, ideas?  Any tips or advice on what to check for a new guy would save me a trip to the tran$$$. shop, thanks- Nate
Title: Re: C4 advice....new to them, a few question...
Post by: tpk on July 04, 2012, 11:12:10 AM
Its been many many years since I worked on the c4. I had an issue with no reverse and found the internal drum band had broke. I believe they have two of these bands inside-one for forward and the other for reverse. Normally when the clutches start to go bad you will have slipping  or it will take a long time to go into reverse. My c4 had bad clutches as well and I would back down my drive-very long driveway, to the main street. This would warm things up enough for me to have forward.

However, if you have a strong 1st and 2nd and no 3rd. It is probably something to do with the band. As for valve body that could be something as well. Not sure about solenoids inside of valve body but they impact shifting as well. I hope this feed gives some insight.
tpk
Title: Re: C4 advice....new to them, a few question...
Post by: RSM on July 04, 2012, 11:22:46 AM
The C4 has no solenoids inside of it. Not having 3rd could be a band adjustment. Best thing to do is find someone locally who knows that transmission and have them look at it. A few bucks spent now could save hundreds if you have to replace it due to damage from being out of adjustment.
Title: Re: C4 advice....new to them, a few question...
Post by: dave1987 on July 05, 2012, 02:11:30 AM
Try adjusting the forward band in until it is snug then back it out 2.25 turns qnd see if it helps.
Title: Re: C4 advice....new to them, a few question...
Post by: griffon on July 05, 2012, 03:24:49 PM
Thanks, I'll post results for future users.
Title: Re: C4 advice....new to them, a few question...
Post by: blink77 on July 05, 2012, 05:02:24 PM
If I had a c4 that would only shift 1st and 2nd manually
I think I would be looking for a vacumn line to the modulator?
Bill
Title: Re: C4 advice....new to them, a few question...
Post by: RSM on July 06, 2012, 05:38:37 PM
That or the modulator itself.
Title: Re: C4 advice....new to them, a few question...
Post by: griffon on July 06, 2012, 08:17:20 PM
Called in a favor with a friend that has a trans shop, we put it on the rack and found several bellhousing cracks, took it out(after removing headers :-[) and found everything worn pretty good- clutches were about gone, hardened seals and generally due for an overhaul.  We are gonna try to match up some other options first though, possibly something with overdrive.  Or do you think I should stay with the c4?  I did some researching and my serial #'s are telling me that the carb, intake, motor and trans are out of a 67' mustang/cougar.
Title: Re: C4 advice....new to them, a few question...
Post by: RSM on July 07, 2012, 12:06:12 AM
It all depends on what your wallet tells you  ;D ....overdrive would be good for gas mileage. You didn't say what the car has for gears but if they are low the OD will make it nice to drive.
Title: Re: C4 advice....new to them, a few question...
Post by: griffon on July 07, 2012, 09:00:10 AM
Not sure of the rear yet.  Looks like an 8", it is five lug (front spindles are four), and it's locked up.  It could be welded so I need to get in there and see and do a driveshaft/tire count to determine ratio as I don't see any tags or any other I.D.  What's a good ratio?  I was thinking 3.23/3.55 would be a nice driving setup with the 3-spd.