Thread: Question about C4 Transmission

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I recently bought a 1935 Ford with 302 engine, c4 tranny and 9 inch ford rear. Here is my question. When I put the tranny in "drive" it starts in second gear and shifts to third. When I put the tranny in "second" it starts in first gear, shifts to second, and then into third. This seems backwards to me. Is this the way the C4 is supposed to work or does it sound like there is a problem? Could it be that the linkage is wrong? I would appreciate any advice. Thanks,

Teddy

It's right for any early 60's C-4. They called it a dual range. Reason they offered it that way is because you could start it out in 2nd when snow or ice conditions were present. Owners manual also advised that if you were good with the throttle it was easier on gas (hard to believe).

Originally Posted by nitrowarrior

It's right for any early 60's C-4. They called it a dual range. Reason they offered it that way is because you could start it out in 2nd when snow or ice conditions were present. Owners manual also advised that if you were good with the throttle it was easier on gas (hard to believe).

I believe this c4 is a late 70's or early 80's. It seems that starting in second should be done with the shifter in the "second" postition not "drive". Is there anyway I can reverse what is happening? In other words can I change the linkage or something to make it start in first when in the "drive" position and starting in second in the " second position"? As I stated this is reversed presently. Thanks for the reply.

Teddy

i'd say its a problem i can't imagine starting out in 2nd on a 3spd auto the slip would burn up the clutch pack aventually. i've never heard of a tranny doing so. but since its a 70's or 80's i would think its either a band problem or a valve body problem.maybe have a tranny shop dial her in for ya

Originally Posted by DennyW

Yes, check your linkage adjustment, and all the linkage for wear, or looseness. What about reverse, neutral, and park ?

Reverse, neutral and park work as expected. This car has a Locar (I believe it is spelled this way) shifter on the floor. You push a button on the top of the shifter to move it to the desired position, Park, Reverse, Drive, 2, and 1.

When placing the shifter in the "1" position, it starts in first and stays there as expected. When placing it in the "2" position, it starts in first and shifts into second, then third. But, as mentioned, when starting in the drive position, it starts in second and shifts into third. This lead me to believe that the second and drive positions are operating backwards.

I had a 1969 Torino, 428 Cobra some years ago that would start out in second if the shifter was placed in second. I guess I will take a look at the shift linkage and try to determine if something might be setup wrong. If no luck I will take the advice of taking it to a tranny shop and see if they can give me a remedy. Thank you guys for all of the responses.

Teddy

As Nitrowarrior stated, that's the way it's supposed to work. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! The "Extra slippage" from starting out in Second is the converter, not the clutches. Millions of old Fords out there, slippin' and slidin' all over the place, not a care in the world! Just drive it!

Originally Posted by teddy

Reverse, neutral and park work as expected. This car has a Locar (I believe it is spelled this way) shifter on the floor. You push a button on the top of the shifter to move it to the desired position, Park, Reverse, Drive, 2, and 1.

When placing the shifter in the "1" position, it starts in first and stays there as expected. When placing it in the "2" position, it starts in first and shifts into second, then third. But, as mentioned, when starting in the drive position, it starts in second and shifts into third. This lead me to believe that the second and drive positions are operating backwards.

I had a 1969 Torino, 428 Cobra some years ago that would start out in second if the shifter was placed in second. I guess I will take a look at the shift linkage and try to determine if something might be setup wrong. If no luck I will take the advice of taking it to a tranny shop and see if they can give me a remedy. Thank you guys for all of the responses.

Teddy

Teddy,
I know you said they told you when you bought the car the trans was a 70's-80's C4 but the shift pattern you describe sounds like the Cruise-o-matic which was used in countless 60's Fords including the early Mustangs. There was a "green dot" where "2nd gear" should have been and that was actually the "drive" position. There are also many variations on the C4 thru the years. Maybe before you mess with the shifter, you should try to get all the numbers off the trans and research exactly what unit you have in the car. There are many websites that can help you decipher the numbers. Hope this helps.

Thank you guys for all of the direction. I will take all the advice. I'll post back when I come up with answers based on your direction.

Thanks again,

Teddy

Well??? It's been a while....what did you find out?

Originally Posted by nitrowarrior

Well??? It's been a while....what did you find out?

I've been laid up due to an injury and have not been able to do any thing with the car. Hope to be back at it soon and thanks for asking.


Teddy

Ok, I'm recovered and back at it again! As a refresher, my problem is that when I place my shifter in the drive position it starts out in second gear and shifts to third. When I place the shifter in the second gear position it starts in first, shifts into second and then into third. It seems the "drive and second" position is backwards. It was suggested that I get the number off the transimission and post it so that maybe someone can tell me if it is a C4 transmission or something else. Here is the number which was on the passenger side of the tranny, on a round looking plate that had a large letter "A" above the number. C6AP-7D027- C or 6 (couldn't make out the last digit for sure). Does this number mean anything to any of you??? Thanks for the help.

Teddy

Originally Posted by teddy

Ok, I'm recovered and back at it again! As a refresher, my problem is that when I place my shifter in the drive position it starts out in second gear and shifts to third. When I place the shifter in the second gear position it starts in first, shifts into second and then into third. It seems the "drive and second" position is backwards. It was suggested that I get the number off the transimission and post it so that maybe someone can tell me if it is a C4 transmission or something else. Here is the number which was on the passenger side of the tranny, on a round looking plate that had a large letter "A" above the number. C6AP-7D027- C or 6 (couldn't make out the last digit for sure). Does this number mean anything to any of you??? Thanks for the help.

Teddy

Hey Teddy,
The numbers you listed are from the servo (round looking plate). Try to locate the numbers on the drivers side near the shifting mechanism. Í think they'll be more helpful. Also, there is much info on this link... http://www.mustangandfords.com/techa...tailshaft.html

For example, the numbers on drivers side of my C4 are D4DP-7006-AA, which, according to the link above would indicate my trans is a 1971-79 but I don't know how to decipher much more than that from these numbers.

If the numbers on the drivers side of yours start with "C4, C5 or C6" then it's probably the "Dual range" transmission that would have the shifting pattern you've described.

Geez, I hope that helps a little. Maybe someone else with far more knowlege than me will chime in here......LOL

Thanks RandyR. I didn't see any other numbers but I will look again where you mentioned. Thanks for the input.

Teddy

All you need to do is find a 67 and up valve body and the problem is solved. Jeff