How well do YOU know my C6???

[Rob-a-Billy]

I have stressed for several days about posting this "problem". Even now, I am sighing and rolling my eyes as I write... I really, really love this truck and I know that it has had some neglect, but what next???

The tranny is not what I thought it would be after I put the new 390 in. The engine is so fracking fantastic I could burst, but the tranny is not doing so well. Here is/are the issues I am experiencing:

1) Shudders to go into D whether cold or at temp.
2) Shifts normally (you can feel the torque) from P to R.
3) Seems to go into D better from 2 to D.
4) Shudders into R from N - example, backing out of a parking space and then trying to go forward I have to wait a few seconds for it to engage into D
5) When coming to a stop-light, slowly creeping toward the crosswalk lines, after I stop it is as if there is a light bowling ball in the bed that has finally met the cab - ker-klunk!
6) Cruising is no problem and there isn't/aren't any special noise(s) to speak of.

I changed the ATF (new filter, too) when the engine was installed; used almost 3 gallons and it is still a purdy-red. I put a quart+ into the Torque Converter before I hitched the 2 together. The Modulator is new and the vaccuum lines are new. I went so far to make sure the drive shaft wasn't hanging by a thread - all appears normal. There are no leaks under the truck - hallelujah! But I sure am in a quandry - any ideas? Adjustmens to be made by an simpleton like myself??? Will I be stranded at Home Depot in a matter of days???

Please don't recommend a manual transmission - I have wanted a slush-box for my entire life and I would never entertain the idea of a conversion. My convertible is the only clutch I cling to these days.

My idea is a Dominator from PATC:
This C-6 transmission comes with a high performance Fairbanks TransAction Kit, 5 clutches in the forward and direct drums, Alto Red Eagle oversize Power Band and a Superior "R" billet Super Servo. The Superior C6-R Super Servo delivers positive 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. Comes with a New Torque Converter (1800 stall).

Thanks in advance...

[fordman]

you could try a product called dr tranny. it is a fluid modifier that stops torque converter shudder. the ker klunk you say you hear almost sounds like a bad ujoint in the driveline somewhere. or maybe the carrier bearing is going bad. i would check the driveline first to see if it could be the ujoints or the carrier bearing before i done anything.

[Rob-a-Billy]

I'll take a look at the U-Joints and Carrier Bearing in the morning - probably a good idea to replace them all now even if I can't tell what could be wrong with them... but the Dominator is sure looking good. Are the driveshaft parts easy enough to tackle in the driveway? or, do I need a press and special tools?

[kaptnkaos]

The carrier bearing is a PITB to get off, the new one goes on pretty easy.
I had to use my angle grinder and cut the carrier bearing off...
it took me a couple of hours.
No one in these parts has a press to press them off, so the shops cut them off too...
Almost better to have a shop cut it off, that way if they screw it up, they gotta replace it...

Don't worry about the rubber part... I thought mine was really bad.

I was told to get the old one off and bring the inner collar into the parts house so they could match it...
When I opened the new box, I was ticked.. the brand new one had the same "cracks" in the rubber... they're suppose to be there...

KaptnKA S

[DuckRyder]

Give Jay at Broader performance a call whether you wnat to fix teh one you have or replace it.

http://www.broaderperformance.com/C6%20 ... arts-A.htm

[seattle67]

Hey Rob,
I will leave the trouble shooting advice up to others here with more mechanical knowledge then me. But I just wanted to let you know that I have a 390 / C6 combination in my 67 and love it. The PO had the transmission rebuilt and a shift kit installed (don't know the details on that) and it shifts nice and fast. It shifts immediately from reverse to fwd in the parking lot scenario you mentioned. No shuddering, no problems at all.

So don't give up on your C6!

[BobbyFord]

Don't waste your money on someone else's rebuilt trans. I've rebuilt 100's of C6's. You do not have enough horsepower to require a pro-built race C6. 1800 stall is just about stock.
Rebuild your own trans. It costs me about $100 for a master overhaul kit, $60 for a shift kit + fluid. ( I get jobber prices, your price will be a little more).
What you are experiencing with the delayed engagement is symptomatic of hard seals. Never use a trans fluid additive, they're just a Band-Aid.
Spend your money on a C6 rebuild book and a few special tools (like a Snap-Press and snap ring pliers) and have some piece of mind.
If more people knew how easy it is to rebuild an automatic trans...

[Rob-a-Billy]

I am taking every response into consideration... Here is what I saw this morning in the driveline. Is this normal???





Should I be able to see the splines on the shaft like this???



Besides the rear seal weeping - I think this looks ok. (???)

[cjhall]

I agree with the above post. Rebuilding your own is a great option. I just rebuilt my C4 and it was not too difficult, the parts cost me around $300.00, and it took me about a week or so from driving into the garage to driving out.
That includes a new torque convertor, which it sounds like you need.

The key was a $35.00 set of DVD's from Bad Shoe Productions. It was 3 DVD's totaling four hours. The man who produces the videos is a 30 year Ford Master Technician and his products are the most detailed and complete instructional video I have ever seen. He even included info on hot rodding your tranny and shift kits. Even the shipping was free!! If you have even the most basic of skills and tools, you can do it easily. Check out his web site and the link for his C6 series.

Chris

[fordman]

pic of the stuff really wont show much. you have to grab the driveline and try to spin it witht hte truck in park. if it turns a slight bit back and forth you have a bad ujoint. it is very easy to rebuild a trans. that is probably the problem. bobby is right about the bandaid. my bandaid is needing changed now. i can feel my suddering trans coming back.

[carnuck]

What fluid did you put in? C6 requires Dex/Merc, but I always add a can of STP engine treatment (yes, to the trans!) keeps them shifting good longer. Type F will make it shift weird. especially with the red plate clutches.

[fordman]

the original fluid should be type f. unless the trasn has been rebuilt with dexron clutches. then you can use plain dextron. i dont think wercon will work in a c6. but mercon is for the newer fords.

[BobbyFord]

What fluid did you put in? C6 requires Dex/Merc, but I always add a can of STP engine treatment (yes, to the trans!) keeps them shifting good longer. Type F will make it shift weird. especially with the red plate clutches.

NEVER add additives to automatic transmissions. ALL rebuild cutches that I've seen (Ford trained transmission rebuilder) are Raybestos yellow friction clutches.

[carnuck]

Checked the stick on my C6 today. Dexron/Mercon, not Type F (It's for C4 and FMX trans which use the same clutches as Borg Warner autos)

[fordman]

either you have a newer dipstick or a newer transmission.