dropping the transmission

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buchshot1

Registered
Well my 3rd gear problem is also 4th gear problem. So I decided to drop the pan and check it out. I check the the shift soliniods they are good. there appears to be a lot junk in there. So I'm going to rebuild it.
I do have a question though do I have to drop the gas tank to get the drive shaft out. And if any body has any other tips it would be great also\
 
Yes you have to lower the gas tank. I prop mine up using a couple 2x6's or what ever is handy. All I did was remove the gas tank staps.:D
 
I use about 3 or 4, foot long, half inch extensions connected to a swivel and socket. The ratchet will be near the end of the trans.

The extensions fit above the trans and to the side of it a bit.

It helps if you have someone position the socket on the bolts with their hand, while you're holding the ratchet. I've done it by myself though.

I can fit my arm up there, with just a long ratchet and a socket on the passenger's side top bolt.
 
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I get to the top bolts by taking out the cowl... but honestly its a bit more work however it sure makes getting around the back of the engine a lot easier!
 
unity said:
I get to the top bolts by taking out the cowl... but honestly its a bit more work however it sure makes getting around the back of the engine a lot easier!
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I'm not sure what you talking about? Are myou talking about the intake tube before the thottle body?
 
The cowl is the black plastic across the back of the engine bay with the wipers, etc...
 
The windshield wiper tray thing :D

All you do it pop out the wipers, the screws, etc... Ive done it before so I dont mind doing it for projects to make access easier. But if you are ONLY doing the trans, do as suggested with extensions and such. But if you have other stuff to do, it can save time.
 
no need to drop the tank

no need to drop the tank

buchshot1 said:
Well my 3rd gear problem is also 4th gear problem. So I decided to drop the pan and check it out. I check the the shift soliniods they are good. there appears to be a lot junk in there. So I'm going to rebuild it.
I do have a question though do I have to drop the gas tank to get the drive shaft out. And if any body has any other tips it would be great also\
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if you release the differential from the rear hanger and its connection to the assembly it will spin allowing you to pull the drive shaft far enough to free it from the tranny. saves lots of time as well. good luck.
 
this worked for me as well

this worked for me as well

billcu said:
I use about 3 or 4, foot long, half inch extensions connected to a swivel and socket. The ratchet will be near the end of the trans.

The extensions fit above the trans and to the side of it a bit.

It helps if you have someone position the socket on the bolts with their hand, while you're holding the ratchet. I've done it by myself though.

I can fit my arm up there, with just a long ratchet and a socket on the passenger's side top bolt.
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i removed the transmission crossmember and let the transmisison drop which gave me much more room to get to the upper bolts. good luck
 
icladius said:
one more tip. heat the drive shaft to differential bolts to release the glue.
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those came out no problem. I droped the back end of the tranny. my socket keeps coming off. I will try again later today.
I thought about doing headers while i was in there. but those look to be a real pain in the butt.
 
you might want to do the front ujoint while you are at it. i would read the dictionary before i would think about replacing the exhaust manifold it is way to much pain for the gain. it hurts me to think about it.

did you spin the differential to take the drive shaft off or drop the tank?
 
you need a universal joint after the socket so the socket properly attached to the bolt. don't bugger up that bolt. try using a 6 point socket and the ujoint. if the ujoint is to loose put something on it to stiffen the action. i used a dab of permatex next time i think i will try plumbers putty since it comes off easier. good luck....tom
 
icladius said:
you need a universal joint after the socket so the socket properly attached to the bolt. don't bugger up that bolt. try using a 6 point socket and the ujoint. if the ujoint is to loose put something on it to stiffen the action. i used a dab of permatex next time i think i will try plumbers putty since it comes off easier. good luck....tom
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I finally got it dropped. the 3 of the bell housing bolts were a real pain in the butt.

the ends of those bolts were jacked up. I have to check the threads in morning.
It looks like the transmission was rebuilt once before. it has a stamp that says midway rebuilt on it.
Guess i'm going to rebuild it again with some good parts
 
how many miles on the chassis

how many miles on the chassis

buchshot1 said:
I finally got it dropped. the 3 of the bell housing bolts were a real pain in the butt.

the ends of those bolts were jacked up. I have to check the threads in morning.
It looks like the transmission was rebuilt once before. it has a stamp that says midway rebuilt on it.
Guess i'm going to rebuild it again with some good parts
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i have never had a problem with a fmc auto tranny. between the four vehicles i have owned from 88 to 98 the tranny's average 200k miles each and all over 150k. i still own two of these vehicles and they are driven often. the other two were driven off by new owners.

the only auto tranny that i ever had problems with was a 700r4 that was installed in a 83 camaro. that tranny was rebuilt twice by the dealer and finally once by me in 60k miles of ownership. the last time it broke down i was on the beltway in dc. don't tell anybody but i took the plates off it kicked the door closed and walked to the next offramp where i took a cab home.

my point is, problems find there way to groups like this. these problems are not generally the norm and our experience here is disproportionate to the product at large. if you have evidence of more than one failure it could be a problem unique to your tranny that will continue to be troublesome. i might just punt and find a good used donor tranny to start with to replace mine. i suspect this will get lots of replys but that is my thought anyway. good luck...tom
 
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icladius said:
i have never had a problem with a fmc auto tranny. between the four vehicles i have owned from 88 to 98 the tranny's average 200k miles each and all over 150k. i still own two of these vehicles and they are driven often. the other two were driven off by new owners.

the only auto tranny that i ever had problems with was a 700r4 that was installed in a 83 camaro. that tranny was rebuilt twice by the dealer and finally once by me in 60k miles of ownership. the last time it broke down i was on the beltway in dc. don't tell anybody but i took the plates off it kicked the door closed and walked to the next offramp where i took a cab home.

my point is, problems find there way to groups like this. these problems are not generally the norm and our experience here is disproportionate to the product at large. if you have evidence of more than one failure it could be a problem unique to your tranny that will continue to be troublesome. i might just punt and find a good used donor tranny to start with to replace mine. i suspect this will get lots of replys but that is my thought anyway. good luck...tom
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I have 140k on it. I looked at the clutch's for the direct drive they were smoked. i'm not sure on why it wouldn't go in 4th.

And I agree if goes out again I will be using a different case.
 
icladius said:
i have never had a problem with a fmc auto tranny. between the four vehicles i have owned from 88 to 98 the tranny's average 200k miles each and all over 150k. i still own two of these vehicles and they are driven often. the other two were driven off by new owners.

the only auto tranny that i ever had problems with was a 700r4 that was installed in a 83 camaro. that tranny was rebuilt twice by the dealer and finally once by me in 60k miles of ownership. the last time it broke down i was on the beltway in dc. don't tell anybody but i took the plates off it kicked the door closed and walked to the next offramp where i took a cab home.

my point is, problems find there way to groups like this. these problems are not generally the norm and our experience here is disproportionate to the product at large. if you have evidence of more than one failure it could be a problem unique to your tranny that will continue to be troublesome. i might just punt and find a good used donor tranny to start with to replace mine. i suspect this will get lots of replys but that is my thought anyway. good luck...tom
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Sorry but FMC Transmissions are total crap until 98.

My 1996 Transmission Failed at 80k miles
(1994 Mark) Another fellow members transmission failed at 90k.
(1995 Mark) Another fellow members failed at 110, and then again at 140k.


At least 2 were well maintained.... there are countless transmission failures of the 4r70w in pre 98 models... where as the rare failures I have heard of in the 98 models were due to increadibly high mileage or increased HP due to super charging etc. I have been around Mark VIIIs since 2000 so I have heard and seen plenty.

Tons die right around 80-120k. Expecting the 93-97 transmissions to last to 200k miles is madness... hell even these engines die right around 150-200k miles.
 
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