Tranny question for you guys

[AdamDude04]

Well changed my fluid the other day.. filled it up to the correct level I hope...

It's fairly hard for me to tell what the level is at on the dipstick! There is a part where it's fairly thick (near the bottom) but thins out as it goes up..so not sure where exactly my level is!

Anywho, truck running find for last 70 miles..until tonight on my way home from work. Going up a hill it kicked down a gear, and still didn't have enough power to get up the hill. Felt like a slipping tranny that was just not catching. Toook my exit, an made a u-turn onto a street when the truck died. Started right back up. Shifted fairly fine after that restart. Came home..still couldn't tell where exactly the fluid level was but I added mroe to the system.

Sounds like low fluid right?? An any tips to help read it better to get a better idea of the level? This stuff isn't as thick as oil lol

 

[Ricky B]

1.) What tranny do you have?

2). Did you drain the torque converter also?

3). If so, how many pints of fluid did put back in?

4). Did you make sure to put the little gasket on correctly before you installed the new filter? (AOD)

5). Are you positive that you refilled your tranny with the correct type of fluid?

6). Are you checking your tranny fluid level after driving the truck around for 15-20 minutes or so, and after going thru all of the gears?

7). Are you sure your dipstick is being pushed downwards fully, before removing it to check the fluid level?

8). Are you checking the fluid level when 'Hot' and in 'Park'?

Let us know and report back. Also check the tension/position of your TV Cable, if so equipped.....

 

[AdamDude04]

1.) What tranny do you have?

2). Did you drain the torque converter also?

3). If so, how many pints of fluid did put back in?

4). Did you make sure to put the little gasket on correctly before you installed the new filter? (AOD)

5). Are you positive that you refilled your tranny with the correct type of fluid?

6). Are you checking your tranny fluid level after driving the truck around for 15-20 minutes or so, and after going thru all of the gears?

7). Are you sure your dipstick is being pushed downwards fully, before removing it to check the fluid level?

8). Are you checking the fluid level when 'Hot' and in 'Park'?

Let us know and report back. Also check the tension/position of your TV Cable, if so equipped.....

Got the E4OD bolted to a 302

Couldn't drain the TQ converter..apparently I can't refill it. There is an access cover at the end of the bellhousing to access the TQ converter, and I can drain it.. Thought I could just add fluid via dipstick tube and it'll fill the pan/tq converter? Hilton book only gave instructions on draining out the pan only.

I put in 6qts total

Yes, all gaskets on and lubed up with tranny fluid before installing filter.

Yes, correct type of fluid. I bought a case (12 pack) then 6 seperate bottles, checking each bottle that it was correct stuff.

Checked it after driving home from work yesturday (when it slipped and today (ran fine)). Went through all the gears - Shifts into OD now smooth as could be with no more clunk. All gears shift same as before - Smooth with very little feeling.

Checked in park and nutural - Hot ofcourse after a 20 minute city/highway drive.

TV cable? no idea what that is..

Anywho, tranny shifted fine today.. smooth and all. However, still having a hard time reading the dipstick! It's too thin and clear

 

[Ricky B]

Sounds like you've done everything correctly---but the fluid SHOULD be easily legible on the dip stik. ****, it's bright red even.... :lol:

Btw, the TV cable is for the earlier tranny, the AOD. So you can ignore that. Unfortunately for you, the E4OD is a complicated, electronically controlled and expensive piece of gear. So you really wanna make sure that you have the EXACT amount of fluid in there that she requires. Writing a check for a rebuilt trans like yours (I've got one on my 350) as well) will set you back a good $2500...at least in So Cal dollars. So take it easy and spend the time to make sure she's been filled properly.......

 

[AdamDude04]

What if the dipstick reads slightly above the checkerd section..is it really THAT bad if you slightly overfill it??

I am on craigslist right now. A local shop is selling rebuilt trannies for $1,195. Dunno how much for an install..

Anyway..I would like to get another 10k miles out of mine. But I feel like it's soon going to go. Shifts smooth but I have a feeling.. My mom said before she passed it down to me, that it'd need a rebuild in about 20k miles. She knew this truck inside and out. I got it with 290k miles..now at 317k miles.....

 

[Ricky B]

What if the dipstick reads slightly above the checkerd section..is it really THAT bad if you slightly overfill it??

I am on craigslist right now. A local shop is selling rebuilt trannies for $1,195. Dunno how much for an install..

Anyway..I would like to get another 10k miles out of mine. But I feel like it's soon going to go. Shifts smooth but I have a feeling.. My mom said before she passed it down to me, that it'd need a rebuild in about 20k miles. She knew this truck inside and out. I got it with 290k miles..now at 317k miles.....

A rebuilt E4OD for $1200.00? I highly doubt it, given that that would just cover the cost of quality parts inside of her. **** my AOD ran me $1400 installed 5 years ago. Much better to pay so more and go to a lisensed shop instead---at least you'll have a warranty and some recourse if things go boobs up.

Over filling is (supposedly) almost as bad as under filling, But you should see froth and bubbles on the dip stick if you truly did dump an extra pint or two in her. Regardless, it sounds to me you better start saving up some pennies, cuz you're gonna have to deal with it within a year or so.

Good luck.....

 

[AdamDude04]

This was a shop. 36 month, 36k mile warranty. Though yes, probably not as quality parts as one would want.

 

[Ricky B]

This was a shop. 36 month, 36k mile warranty. Though yes, probably not as quality parts as one would want.

That, is not bad. Though can I assume you're not in Cali?

Btw, I'd estimate that labor to de-install/install may be $700--->$1000. At least over here.....

 

[2percent]

Not sure how mechanically inclined or if the shop will honor the warranty but its only a few hour job doing it yourself. Rear wheel drive transmissions are a breeze. If attempting it yourself might want to get a friend to help as they can be bulky and a little hard to line up.

But are you sure it is gone? I mean 317k is some miles. Did you find any shavings when you dropped the pan? Does it seem to be slipping at any certain point or is it random?

 

[Ricky B]

Not sure how mechanically inclined or if the shop will honor the warranty but its only a few hour job doing it yourself. Rear wheel drive transmissions are a breeze. If attempting it yourself might want to get a friend to help as they can be bulky and a little hard to line up.

Well, there is that pesky little t-case in the way as well....but I just dropped one (13-56 t-case)out of a wreck at PYP last month with minimal tools and by myself---took me about 40 minutes----but mostly because the junk yards are not usually the best work areas. And this one was no exception......... :-"

 

[Krafty]

the biggest thing is if your gonna put the tranny in yourself is to make sure you have the torque converter properly lined up on/in the inputshaft splines on the transmission. if you don't have the torque converter properly lined up on the splines when you bolt the tranny to the block you will crush the stator pump in the converter and send metal filings all through your transmission when you start it up.

thats how my $1100 ($400 in parts) High HP Summer car Tranny build ended up costing me 1400 in labour and a new $300 torque converter.

if they put it in for you then there is warranty on their work (ie putting it in properly) and parts. so if they ***** it up when they put it in, you get another rebuilt tranny for free.

 

[Ricky B]

the biggest thing is if your gonna put the tranny in yourself is to make sure you have the torque converter properly lined up on/in the inputshaft splines on the transmission. if you don't have the torque converter properly lined up on the splines when you bolt the tranny to the block you will crush the stator pump in the converter and send metal filings all through your transmission when you start it up.

thats how my $1100 ($400 in parts) High HP Summer car Tranny build ended up costing me 1400 in labour and a new $300 torque converter.

if they put it in for you then there is warranty on their work (ie putting it in properly) and parts. so if they ***** it up when they put it in, you get another rebuilt tranny for free.

Exactly. This is why (just like with ***) that it is sometimes wise to just bite the bullet and pay for a pro..... /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[AdamDude04]

Update:

Tranny seems to be shifting fine. It still very very slighty roughness into OD.. Other gears still shift up smoothly..but still clunks a little when downshifting.. an improvment overall however..

No shavings at all when pan was dropped! Altho there is no magnet in the pan LOL so not quite sure how well that reading is.

I'd really like a 5speed automatic - Any easy swaps out there? My buddy can help me with the tranny swap. He's putting a 5.9 cummins in a 5speed in his 67 F100 - Savvy guy

 

[Ricky B]

Update:

Tranny seems to be shifting fine. It still very very slighty roughness into OD.. Other gears still shift up smoothly..but still clunks a little when downshifting.. an improvment overall however..

No shavings at all when pan was dropped! Altho there is no magnet in the pan LOL so not quite sure how well that reading is.

Quick question---do you drive around town with your over drive (button) on? Or off?........

 

[AdamDude04]

Quick question---do you drive around town with your over drive (button) on? Or off?........

I don't have a button..rather a manual shift lol (P-R-N-OD-D-1)

I keep it in D until I hit about 50mph. Before it would clunk into OD but now it shifts smooth. The downshift clunks don't matter if in D or OD

 

[Ricky B]

I don't have a button..rather a manual shift lol (P-R-N-OD-D-1)

I keep it in D until I hit about 50mph. Before it would clunk into OD but now it shifts smooth. The downshift clunks don't matter if in D or OD

You have an AOD tranny, Adam---NOT an E40D. Whole different kettle of fish, and something you need to be aware of. Especially with the TV cable, which if not adjusted properly will **** an AOD in mere miles. You can go to YouTube, type in TV cable adjustment and find about half dozen different vids that show you how to adjust it.......

 

[AdamDude04]

Hmm for some reason I thought I had an E4OD.. How can I check just to be 100% sure?

IIRC, the AOD is much cheaper than the E4OD tranny.. how much would it cost to rebuild one? Myself, or a shop - Also if done myself, how easy to rebuild it? I'll buy one off CL and rebuidl it slowly and correctly, then sell my orig. on CL to get some cash back.

 

[Ricky B]

Hmm for some reason I thought I had an E4OD.. How can I check just to be 100% sure?

Well, you said you bought a new filter for it---what did you tell the parts guy? Also the AOD pan is a small rectangle shaped, with the rear to sides kinda angled back. Google some photos and you'll see the difference.

IIRC, the AOD is much cheaper than the E4OD tranny..

Yes, much cheaper, like about a thousand bucks cheaper

how much would it cost to rebuild one?

Quality parts are probably around $500---$700. And forget the Chilton manuals *they're basically useless---get a Haynes. They make a good one for Ford auto trannys).

Myself, or a shop - Also if done myself, how easy to rebuild it?

They're a pita if you don't have all of the special tools.Maybe not the best approach for you to take, given the added expense of those.

I'll buy one off CL and rebuidl it slowly and correctly, then sell my orig. on CL to get some cash back.

 

[AdamDude04]

Thanks! I'll buy one, have it rebuilt with quality parts over time. Have someone install all the parts.

Glad mine is an 89 now lol I like cheaper, less electrical parts /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />