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SkylinerRon · 2021-08-27 20:36

The Fordo actually has a more efficient gear train than the C-4 & C-6.

Their main problems were cost, weight and band adjustment. Customers didn't bring them back every 25k miles for adjustments and eventually the bands started to slip.

I have had cars that wouldn't move restored to full function by adjusting the bands and a new trans filter.

Some had the main case crack at the center support when really abused. I always thought that some type of additional support across the bottom would cure that problem. I really use to beat the snot out of them when racing my Skyliner back in the 60's.

Ron.

Hoosier Hurricane · 2021-08-28 13:02

Ron, the cracked center web was caused by putting the trans in reverse when the carb was on the high step of the fast idle cam. NAPA sold a repair kit back in the day when I was in the repair business. You could install the kit without pulling the trans, just remove the pan. John

SkylinerRon · 2021-08-29 00:56

John,
What was in the kit? I am trying to think of how to fix a crack like that.

Ron.

Hoosier Hurricane · 2021-08-29 12:47

Ron, you are taxing an 80 year old memory, but as I remember. there was a formed flat stock bracket that was bolted under the rear servo bolt, and the other end fit against the web, also with a hole. The servo bolt end was big enough for the 5/8 servo bolt with rounded corners, the other end had a step formed in it and was narrowed to about the width of the web. Seems the strap was 3/16 to 1/4 inch thick. The web had to be drilled and tapped and a bolt inserted in the hole in the bracket. Sorry, I don't remember the size of the bolt, probably 5/16 or 3/8 depending on the meat in the web at that point. NAPA trans stuff at that time came from a company called Transco. John

SkylinerRon · 2021-08-31 22:35

John,
Your memory is plenty good!
Thanks,
Ron.

Hoosier Hurricane · 2021-09-01 08:10

Ron, I hate to burst your bubble, but my memory failed me. The hole for rear servo bolt is 7/16, not 5/8. 5/8 is the wrench size for the bolt. I was looking through my 1980 Microtest transmission parts catalog, Volume 1, for more info. I found mention of the kit. It is covered in volume 2 of the catalog, maybe even with a picture. Sadly, I don't have volume 2. John

SkylinerRon · 2021-09-01 22:10

John,
Thanks for all the info.
Did you ever race your car as a NHRA Stocker?

Ron.

Hoosier Hurricane · 2021-09-02 09:07

Ron, I built my previous F code powered car, a Custom 2 door, as a stocker and even ran at the '71 Nationals. Then NHRA killed the older cars, my local track switched to IHRA, and I built the present car as an IHRA stocker. Under the IHRA rules, the car could run in four different classes competitively. I won a couple of meets with it, and even held the national record for a short time. Races with stock eliminator programs became fewer and fewer and the car became a bracket car, still in legal IHRA stock trim. John

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