thunderbird transmission

[5.4MarkVIII]

been doing some reading but hasn't seemed to make the decision for me. seems to be a lot of opinions on either side, so figured I would get some local opinion

1964 Thunderbird, stock 390 (might throw a cam and intake at it, not sure about heads yet)

do I rebuild the stock Cruse-o-matic or find a c6 doner

or something newer.

car is not a resto just something to fix and then enjoy, would love to get cruzing with the kids.

will getting into something with over drive make a noticeable difference on fuelÉ


crazy question

I still have the fully rebuilt 4Rw???? out of my 94 Mark 8 just sitting in the garage collecting dust.
iirc thats an electronic controld trans right?
so not worth the attemt?

adaptorr plate may be lots cheaper than rebuilt or new

[5.4MarkVIII]

anyone know the going rate for a transmission rebuild anymore?

I did find a stand alone controller to run the 4R70W trans in a non computer controlled car and I found an adaptor kit to bolt it to the 390

looking like $1500 American give or take.

is the over drive worth it?

[ZR]

Any idea what gear it has in the rear?

[ZR]

Difference in how it runs and performs with just an aftermarket intake and carb is dramatic (make it a bolt on EFI kit and it's that much again). Add to that a set of heads and a torque oriented cam and it's night and day again.

[CON VERT]

Probably 300 like mine !

[ZR]

FI Tech and Holley are not ridiculous money any more. Stay tuned for real world results as we are installing both one of their kits plus a Holley this summer.

[ZR]

If gear same or similar to Glen's, it won't even want to be in o'drive so no not money well spent. Go with a C6 n be happy.

[ZR]

Really want to make yours drive sweet as hell, pm Glen and ask about the difference in his after a steering box etc mods we did.

[fast Ed]

Keep in mind too if you have to alter the shifter linkage for anything other than a C6, you may loose your swingaway column feature.


cheers
Ed

[5.4MarkVIII]

not sure, what gear, what ever was stock lol ill have to run the vin and see
im not against the C-O-M just gonna be a cruzer so it will probpbly be fine
just dont know if its worth just leaving it in to see if it works or pulling it out and sending it in

so much on this car has been just cobblet as cheap as possable ti make is sold, i pulled teh motor out expecting old and worn out it it was freshly rebuilt. perfect hone, clean as a whistle, i was shocked

but not sure if the trans was done im leaning towards no becasue the tourque converter has beeen painted but by the looks of the over spray they painted it in place which would lead me to beleive they never pulled the trans out

[5.4MarkVIII]

of course it was almost all for naught after supper.

was cutting the drivers side quarter off. and apparently a mouse had made a nest down in the quarter well and all up around filler neck he had it crammed full of paper and dried grass.

sparks when I cut threw lit it up like the dried old flammable stuff it was

smoke got a little thick followed by flames up from inside the trunk.

my 6 year old. 'um dad , is it suppose to be on fire like that? those flames are awesome!"

[5.4MarkVIII]

Hey Rick.

What did you guys have done to that Tbird steering pump?

Getting ready to pull mine out to clean it up.

[ZR]

Custom ratio in the box itself with a built for it power steering pump.

[5.4MarkVIII]

is there a kit for that?

[ZR]

Not that I'm aware of, custom built locally.

[5.4MarkVIII]

K thanks.

What a PITA to get out.

One more bolt and I can get it out. Then the colum should pull out too. Bushing at the bottom of the coloumn shaft it’s buggered pretty bad.

But even with the motor out of the way it’s still not a fun job to do

[ZR]

Know all too well, we also did exhaust manifold in the car + upgraded booster and master cylinder.

[5.4MarkVIII]

what booster and master cylinder did you use?

is he still using the drums all the way around?

that's on the list as well while I have the motor out

[ZR]

Best to shoot Glen a message as I'm not sure where he got booster n master combo. Yes he has disc up front. Steering upgrades, can begin to tell you how much better it drives afterwards, dramatically better vs even brand new stock.

[5.4MarkVIII]

Will do thanks