72 F100 Missing 3rd Gear UPDATE

kraberry · Post by **kraberry** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 5:15 pm

WOW Thanks for all the great response. I can see this list is going to be very helpful. So it turns out that the truck has an automatic transmission, and third gear won't engage.

I bought it anyway. Drove the 25 miles home in second gear (40 MPH didn't seem hard). The bigger problem is that the brakes are REALLY soft. Looks like I'll be searching for the parts to do the disc brakes switch. And spending some time on the brakes forum.

But as for the transmission...any thoughts? It does seem to slip (clutch plates?) a bit in first, but shifts smothly (if manually) from 1st to 2nd.

I'll take some pics and share in the welcome mat.

Thanks again!

kb

spartman · Post by **spartman** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 1:13 pm

The easiest thing to try would be to drop the tranny pan and look to see what is in it.

If you have a lot of crud, metal bits, etc your tranny is on the way out.

If not put a new filter and fluid in it and then have the bands checked on it.

I believe that you can find the procedure to check the bands in a Mitchell or Chilton manual.

Hope this helps

Post by **DuckRyder** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 5:16 pm

I'd check the modulator, vacuum supply and kick down linkage before I condemned the transmission.

68F250 · Post by **68F250** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 5:55 pm

What's the fluid look and smell like? Red and sweet or brown and burnt?

willowbilly3 · Post by **willowbilly3** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 12:52 pm

68F250 wrote:What's the fluid look and smell like? Red and sweet or brown and burnt?

Just remember that old Ford fluid was brown not red. But if it's that old then it needs changed anyway.

TRMMULLET · Post by **TRMMULLET** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 1:40 am

is it possible that a jammed kickdown lever could be the culprit?

flyboy2610 · Post by **flyboy2610** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 5:11 pm

Do you have a C6?
If so you might try adjusting the band.

kraberry · Post by **kraberry** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 8:25 am

I really appreciate all the great ideas. I dropped the truck off at the transmission shop and they are taking a look. Should know the culprit by the end of the week.

kb

kraberry · Post by **kraberry** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 9:37 am

Update. OUCH! Took the truck and transmission to the shop. Watched them drop the pan. Full of crud, metal, etc. They quoted a full rebuild at $1500.00. Which is WAY over the budget.

SO....what do I do next? Thinking I could find a c4 and put it in myself...although my transmission experience is pretty slim.

Thoughts, suggestions, sympathy cards?

Thanks -

kb

spartman · Post by **spartman** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 11:33 am

I can get a fully rebuilt C-6 for about $400.
That is with a new torque converter.

This is also from a reputable local tranny shop here in South Dakota.

Of course you need to remove and install the tranny yourself, and prices may also vary.

The FORDification.com Forums

72 F100 Missing 3rd Gear UPDATE

72 F100 Missing 3rd Gear UPDATE

re: 72 F100 Missing 3rd Gear UPDATE

re: 72 F100 Missing 3rd Gear UPDATE

re: 72 F100 Missing 3rd Gear UPDATE

Re: re: 72 F100 Missing 3rd Gear UPDATE

re: 72 F100 Missing 3rd Gear UPDATE

re: 72 F100 Missing 3rd Gear UPDATE

re: 72 F100 Missing 3rd Gear UPDATE

re: 72 F100 Missing 3rd Gear UPDATE