Just got done installing my newly rebuilt C4 trans behind my 351W (was rebuilt by a trusted local shop). We put two quarts of trans fluid in the tourqe converter before install and put five quarts in the trans all before starting. Got the motor timed and running good and then ran the trans through all gears for about two seconds each and then put another quart in trans (started to leak out of vents) and then tryed running through the gears again and nothing happend. Car dosn't even want to think about moving. Checked linkage and that apears to be working properly. Any ideas as to what might be going on?
when you put the converter in the trans, did it go in all the way? so that when you put the trans onto the engine, you had to pull the converter forward to get it seated against the flexplate?
yes it clicked in once and then went all the way in... took me about 15minutes to get the converter pulled to the flexplate (I also had the bellhousing loosly bolted the to block as I pulled the converter to the flexplate, so I am sure I didn't pull it back off the splins) and didn't bind up as the bellhousing was bolted to the engine.... so I am pretty sure everything there is okay (would be more sure if it moved forward)
how loosely was the trans bolted to the block when you bolted up the converter? should have the trans tight to the engine before you slide the converter forward and put the nuts on.
It was unless it came out when bolting the converter to the flywheel... I just went out to the garage to see if I could rule out the converter.... I put the car in drive and was going to manually turn over the engine with a socket to see if I could turn it or not.... after I put it in gear I tryed to see if I could push the car and I could.... that shouldn't be able to happen, correct?
depends on your size!!! nope, for sure, you shouldnt be able to move the car...unless the gear you picked was N!!
if the engine is not running, you can turn the engine by hand no matter what gear the shifter is in. Also you can push the car no matter what gear the shifter is in as long as it's not park. Nothing is connected inside the trans when the converter is not turning, because the pump does not turn and there's no hydraulic pressure available to engage the clutches or bands. It works completely different from a standard trans.
so really I need to pull the starter and unbolt the converter and make sure I can push it back into the trany and then rebolt it to the flywheel and see what that does and go from there
That might not tell you anything though. do you have a matching dipstick in the trans? what does it say when the engine is running? are there any wierd noises from the front of the trans? does the car have mufflers? fluid capacity should be around 9 qts, generally if they are two quarts low they will slip, if they're one quart low they'll work ok mostly. when you have the engine off, in park, does the car not move? what about when you put it in reverse, engine off, can you move the care then? even this won't tell you if the linkage is all working right, because the manual valve could be dissengaged from the arm inside. Did you notice if it had the input shaft in it? it will fall out of the trans...it's a second splined shaft just under 1" diameter, sticks out about 1.5" from the big splined stator support.
I read this with great interest because I rebuilt my c4 for my flatty myself. After a very short time, the car refused to move. Loooooonnnnggg story real short, the pump bolts had backed out so the oil was pumping out everywhere and driving the trans. I had the pro shop look over my trans and they said that I had done a good job of rebuilding the trans but should have bought NEW bolts for the pump. Even tho I torqued the old ones to specs they felt they had stretched. New bolts and a clutch pack and back in business. Just a wag for you. Hope it is something simple like that. Fourdy
When in Park and Reverse it is unable to be pushed, all other gears I can push it in (engine off of course). Dipstick does not match trany so I am not sure fluid level when running, I put between 8 and 9 qts in it and it. No exhaust on the car so it is pretty loud but no abnormal noises from the trany at all. Didn't check for the input shaft but when I picked it up he said it was good to go so I am ***uming that it was there and took it from the shop to the garage floor where I put it in the next day without moving it around(I am going to call the guy tomarrow and check). Thanks for all the help, J.D.
yes it I was trying to push it forward wont hold a couple more quarts, started coming out on the floor (tryed pouring in when car was running and going through the gears)
I am running a Mr. Gasket shifter that dosn't have notches for each gear, so I am not sure how it can be the linkage.
when putting a converter in a c-4 it MUST go back 3 times. car should move in any gear, ,not running ,except park. has nothing to do with linkage. the converter is most likely not engaged. most of the time when this happens the converter is damaged. always pull the case up to the eng ,tight. the you should be able to pull the converter up with your fingers, and put the nuts on.
just talked to my buddy that helped me put the trans in and he said went in three times (splines, pump and input shaft) and that the input shaft was for sure there.
Just thought of something…. Is there a difference between a C4 flex plate and a C6 flex plate…. My engine originally had a C6 behind it but I had to go with a C4 due to limited space in the x-member and I didn't do anything with the flex plate
being told by a ford shop here that the C4 flex plate is different than a C6 by about a 1/4 of an inch or so... getting myself a new flex plate and starting over.... I will post up if it works after that or not thanks for all the help
Before you pull it and replace the flex plate remove the torque converter to flexplate nuts/bolts whatever you got and see if you can move the converter back freely. If you can that flex plate should be ok. Also early C-4s use a bellhousing that is more shallow than the later C-4s, seems like later ( like '72 up) are about 3/8" deeper. I found that out the hard way so make sure the bellhousing is the one that came with the ******.
I will be trying that tomarrow, I just got done replacing the flexplate and it did nothing so I guess I will check the bell housing, The trany originally didn't come with a bell housing and my trany guy didn't say anthing after the rebuild
Okay, last night got her to move forward and back a couple of feet in the garage (couldn't go any more due to being in the garage with the door shut, 11pm with open headers) Turns out I was sold a C5 bellhousing So the moral of my story and the last couple of weeks in my life is always check your part numbers!
The Jalopy Journal
