[Melkorr]

Hey. Awsome site! My 1st post here. I hate to have to start it off asking for help, but im desperate. I have a 1963 Ford Fairlane with a 289 bolted to a c4. Its got revere but NO driving gears. My friend and i tore the tranny out and it had a sticker on it noting it has been rebuilt in the past. My problem is i cant find a c4 tranny anywhere..does anyone know where i could get one cheap that would WORK? I would hate to buy one and it not work due to gears or pump or whatever being bad..i have looked at junkyard after junkyard. I have had them priced and most people say i could get one for 50-150.00 dollars but..thats if i find one. The tranny's got to be out of a 63 64 or 65 falcon,mustang,or fairlane. I have thought about getting it rebuilt again, but i have heard that a tranny thats already been rebuilt might not take another rebuild. Also i have no idea why, but people are charging rediculous prices to rebuild tranny's, its fairly easy, about an hour of work. I have been quoted at 700-1500 to REBUILD it, i dont have that kind of cash..im by no means poor, but by no means rich either. It's pretty messed up, if i find one from a junkyard install it and it doesnt work thats time and money wasted, if i rebuild it and it doesnt work..same damn deal. I live in OHIO, zip code is 43130, does anyone know where i can get a C4 tranny in the price range of 50-150 bucks, that will 110 percent guaranteed WORK? Any help or info on suggestions or where i could find one would be very much apreciated. Thanks alot.
Shawn

 

[dfree383]

Good luck finding a old one in good usable condition. Its a little more than an hour of work to rebuild one and I would bet they include a warrenty in the price? New Convertor? I would just step up and rebuilld what you have they can be rebuilt more than once.

 

[Jetfixr320]

Guy on Ebay has them for $390 plus shipping I think.

 

[Melkorr]

$390 dollars dont you think thats high? Plus shipping were looking at roughly 500 bucks. I dont think so. I have a few options im exploring with family..but this family is unreliable as all hell. One says they can rebuild it for me (certafied mechanic) but he's kinda an a-hole and could charge me quite a bit..almost as much as a shop. The other is as close to an alcoholic as you could get, but he could find one but it might take forever. If the car ever moves again it will all be worth it though. "crosses fingers"

 

[dfree383]

???? Lets face it you want a new trans for nothing ???? STOP CRYING, we are giving you free advice, NO $500 is not alot for a rebuilt transmission...................Do us all a favor Sell the your car and put the money away it will make you much happier.........

_________________
1991 LX Mustang 347 C4 combo Mid 11's with the AC on.
1984 Mustang GT 460, Powerglide "Still putting it together" hoping for 9's !!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: dfree383 on 3/16/06 2:53am ]</font>

 

[Melkorr]

Yes. I asked for help and advice and of course you always get a person like yourself dfree. Who said anything about a trans for nothing? Im willing to pay 50-150 dollars for a trans, i also have to get it installed, so thats gonna cost more..i have that stashed way. I have not looked at the auction so i wouldnt know anything about it. I should have picked another animation then the crying one as, im just a little frustrated. And who are you to tell me to sell my car? Id rather have my arm and left nut cut off before id sell my car. I dunno maybe its your new york mentality dfree, but damn if all people ask for advice and help and get your response, id doubt they'd ask again. Maybe thats how you want it? Oh well i guess thats just me.

 

[dfree383]

Lets put things in perspective, $750-1500 for a transmission rebuild usually includes a warranty, removal and replacement of the unit, Soft parts and a new convertor. They normaly cannot give a quote on hard parts untill the unit is apart hence the upper range of $1500. It usually take about 8 hours to Remove, Rebuild and Replace. about $400-500 labor and the balance in parts and warranty reserve.

Now whats the problem.

A) Your Looking for a cheap way out and will be replacing it again in 3 months, and are not going to take our advice and do it right the 1st time.

B) You have never done one before and are are clueless and are not going to take our advise and do it right the 1st time.

C) You are really cheap ($500 delivered is a pretty fair price for one delivered) and will still be asking the same question on another form, not taking anyones advice by spending a few dollars to do it right the first time.

I'm only suggesting DOING IT RIGHT ONCE !! 40 YEAR OLD Junk Yard Transmissions are in the Junk Yard for a reason, Drunk People who take 5 years to build a transmission are probably not a good direction to go, (6 packs don't give a warranty !!) If your like me, you like to drive you car not watch it sit in your drive way. I've been down this road more than once, taking cheap way out usually gets you spending more money than if you did it right the first time, Especially if you are going to keep it and cut your arm off before evergetting rid of it.

and No, I'm not from NY..............

_________________
1991 LX Mustang 347 C4 combo Mid 11's with the AC on.
1984 Mustang GT 460, Powerglide "Still putting it together" hoping for 9's !!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: dfree383 on 3/16/06 4:10am ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: dfree383 on 3/16/06 4:12am ]</font>

 

[steharz]

50-150 ,well for that sort of money id say it will be a gamble unless you score a trans off someone you know [trust],FWIW ive found you get what you pay for with these c4's-sometimes-,and with the hassle it can be removing and installing a trans id be taking the plunge and spending the money on something you know should last awhile,i wouldnt be expecting too much from a $50-$150 trans.just my 2cents worth

 

[dfree383]

What he said !!

 

[btaillon]

Hey I'm putting a C4 in my 63 also I found a 5 bolt bellhousing and I stopped by a Ozarks scrap yard and asked if he had a C4 laying aroundhe had 2 transmissions I picked one that has D4DP-7006-AA on it and it's the bolt patteren I need for my 5 bolt bellhousing I think it's a 74 or 75 model under the code in the circles are 12 in one and 75 in the other can anyone tell me if I'm right on the year? Fill tube goes into the case the other transmission the fill tube went into the pan and believe the number on it was D5DP7006-AA but the bellhousing bolted on different it had a bigger bolt pattern and some bolts went in from the outside of the bellhousing not from the front pump like the one I picked up.
Thank
Brett

 

[Melkorr]

Im sorry for biting your head off Dfree. You both make 2 very valid points. Im not saying your advice isnt good at all. And yes i have to be cheap, being 20 doesnt bring a whole lot of cash around. I know what your thinking now. Some young punk doesnt know **** right? The knowing part is correct, i know a little not much. As for a punk, i'd like to think im not, i just get a little upset when people tell me to sell my car. Over the past week i have had countless people tell me to do it. Im learing that finding parts for old cars is very hard, but i dont want to give up. I have not had the car for a long time and i have been through a lot with it, driving it, fixing it and so on. We were all young once please dont hold it against me. Im always up for advice and willing to listen to anyone who will give it, i just have to abide by my budget. Once again Dfree im sorry.

 

[dfree383]

Take your time, Save the money and do it right once !! their is no need to apoligize to me, but I am sorry if my way of telling you was a little harsh. I've been thru the same thing (I was young once !!)

 

[Melkorr]

Hey. Btaillon. When i started looking for my trans. I was informed that it had to be out of a 63-67 fairlane,falcon,mustang and or van. The guy at Uwrench it informed me of this, and my uncle confirmed of this as well. As of my previous statement, take it how ever you'd like.

 

[Melkorr]

I think im just gonna go that way Dfree, most of them offer a warranty on the rebuilds? Im just gonna have it rebuilt by the shop. The trans is already out of my car, so they wouldnt have to take it out. Puting it back in shouldnt be a problem either as my brother and i could do it, he's done it many times, and it would be a good learning experience for me. Just to have it rebuilt, what would be your estimate? Thanks alot Dfree.

 

[btaillon]

I don't want to say there wrong but what I have found out is that any C4 transmission will bolt up to the right bell housing. I saw that the 64-69 models anr harder to get parts for from what I understand its the valve body that hard to get the parts for. I read it's best to use 70-80 model transmissions.
I hope someone will pipe in on this. If your 289 is a 1964 model or early 65 it's a 5 bolt motor and you will have to find a 5 bolt bellhousing from 65 up Ford went to a six bolt bellhousing.
Brett

 

[Melkorr]

Im totally confused now. My trans that was in the car came out of a van. The year of it, i dont know. My brother and i went down to uwrench it saw a 82 grenada with no over drive on it. It looked exactly the same as mine from underneath the car. We got it out and compared the 2 side by side and the bell housings were different and the one from the grenada was a little bigger and alot heavier. And as of just now i have had the car towed back over to my house, and have found out some REALLY REALLY bad news. It never fails, when something goes bad, it always gets worse. I have no idea what to do now. Anyway Brett i hope you get something worked out for you bud, i know its rough going. Keep at it man.

 

[btaillon]

I have it all going now I just have to rebuild this trans and get a converter and I'm set to go. Check to see what shape the pan is and see were the filler tube is in the pan or in the case. Get the number off the shifter side and you can find out what year of trans it is.
Brett

 

[dfree383]

On 2006-03-15 14:43, Melkorr wrote:
I think im just gonna go that way Dfree, most of them offer a warranty on the rebuilds? Im just gonna have it rebuilt by the shop. The trans is already out of my car, so they wouldnt have to take it out. Puting it back in shouldnt be a problem either as my brother and i could do it, he's done it many times, and it would be a good learning experience for me. Just to have it rebuilt, what would be your estimate? Thanks alot Dfree.

I would guess in the $400-700 if you do the installation and depending on if it chunked any hard parts, (pump, planitaries, Shafts etc.) could be a little more for the warranty most shops usually only like to give on if they install it (to make sure its done right)
When you put it in make sure to flush the lines and cooler out and make sure you get at least a remanufactured convertor (do not reuse the old one its probably fried and will waste your trans if you reuse it)

 

[ixtlan]

Remember you are also looking for a C-5 which is a C-4 improved.
I wouldnt think it would be really difficult to find one. Have you torn into your C-4 to see what is wrong? It is easy to rebuild and you can put about 120 into it and really beef up the trans in the process. It may be something really simple that the rebuild will correct.

 

[Melkorr]

Thanks for all the help guys. When i had my car towed back to my house, i had 2 people tell my frame was rotted. My body is solid, no dents or anything and has a descent paint job. I was a little skeptical and they showed me, and not being a frame guy had me all f'n worried. My brother took a look at it and said its not a big deal and not affecting the frame but should be fixed at some time. Thats a huge relief. My cousin Brad is a mechanic, has tons of training and is certafied and said he would rebuild it for me for 50 bucks, because were family. Im getting off super..super lucky. Still gotta buy the parts for it, but hey i can cover that. Im not a tranny guy, but from what i have been told, i burnt the bands up in it. How would i go about beefing that up Ixtlan? The 289 in the car has roughly 300hp or a little more, 4 barrel and the engine has been bored 30 over. For a 289 she will move, sounds awsome. I have been told the c4's can take alot of punishment and are used in alot of street rods, does anyone know how much hp they can take? I'd like to put a big block in her, but the 63 fairlane engine compartments are a little small. A 351 MIGHT fit in their,i dont want to put anything in their that has less hp than the 289. The 289's in the fairlanes came with 271 hp stock. Anyone have any tips on how to add more go to the 289? Thanks for all the help guys.