transmission not going into gear

[mikeinsavh72]

morning everyone. just joined looking for some help with my 72f100sb it was torn down with a blown motor when i got it and was told it ran before the motor went out i replaced it with a recently rebuilt 302 and left original c4 in. the engine fires and runs smooth the linkage is all hooked up and i believe we have all the vacum lines on, replaced the advance modulator, made sure the fluid levels right but it will not engage in any gear. it does lock the wheel in park and roll if you take it out of park but not even the slightest hint of going into gear. i tried getting a haynes manual but its no longer available for these trucks . theres one other issue which may be affecting this. the PO disassembled the steering to put a small steering wheel on and i know not everything is back on that column. its a 1972 w a 302 automatic column shift w a c4. i know its long post but i read so many that asked for more info so hopefully i provided enough to get started. if anyone can give me something else to check to get this in gear i would appreciate it i do have a known good c6 that came with the motor but its got a transfer case for 4wd i have to deal with . thanks

[cep62]

Welcome to the site.
My therory is : the transmission went out on the previous owner ,and he got mad and mashed the throttle until he blew the motor.
He may have forgoton some of the small details of the story after he sobered up.

it was torn down with a blown motor when i got it and was told it ran before the motor went out

[mikeinsavh72]

what issues would there be swapping the c4 out for the c6 with the transfer case? is that doable or not worth the trouble?

[wheeble]

Sounds like the problem does lie in the linkage, Have someone look at the movement at the Trans as you pass the selector through its full travel. Also, the Hanes manuals are available on Amazon (Used) for a reasonable price.

[mikeinsavh72]

i will look for that today thanks for that info. hope everyone had a good new years last night

[wheeble]

here is a link to a shop manual on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Ford-Pick-Ups-196 ... KH898E3QTA
Cheers.

[colnago]

You should be able to find a manual on ebay. I would suggest getting somebody you trust to keep his/her foot on the brake, then try to shift directly from underneath. I think it's a vacuum problem, but check the linkage first (hence, my suggestion to shift directly at the transmission). My 352 is dieing, so it's a hard shift into 3rd when it's cold.

Joseph

[carnuck]

You are checking fluid with it running, right? It really sounds like it's low or the screen inside fell off (happens on some trans) or the link clip popped so only park is engaging.

[Busboy]

If the linkage is all correct, fluid full, in other words all the basics are covered, you'll have to pull the trans and either have it repaired or replace it. You should be able to find a used trans easily for under 200.00 bucks. Flush the trans cooler and lines before installing the replacement. Do not waste your time and money on a C6 swap out. You'll spend more than you will by just finding a used C4.

[carnuck]

I'm talking about the linkage inside the auto trans. If it's not disconnected when the motor is pulled, it can stretch too far with the trans hanging down and disconnect from the spool valve by going overcenter, especially if the trans drops as you pull the motor out. Dropping the pan will see if it's badly damaged or not or just came loose.
Some internal pics can be found here.
http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/1 ... post1.html

[tnlprt]

Take off one of the trans cooler lines and see if any fluid comes out while it is running

[radioactivelarry]

The PO could have overheated the trans when the engine blew. Could be bad torque convertor. Make sure the modulator is connected to the vacuum line at the manifold and at the modulator.
Do like tnlprt stated remove one of the cooler lines to see in any fluid is pumping. Could just be a wasted tranny! Does the fluid smell bad?
Good luck..