c-4

[CobraDuce]

My grandfather has a 1966 galaxy 500 289,c-4, and he wants me to replace the trany in it. I have no problem with replacing the trany the only thing I ask is what trany do I need? Is there any difference in c-4's from year to year?

Thanks for any help

Rob Davidson

Ps. I didnt know who else to ask.

 

[parthos]

The only difference is, that some earlier C4 transmissions had different dipstick locations. The earlier years had the dipstick that went into the pan, it actually attached on the side of the tranny pan. Later C4 transmissions had the dipstick go through the case right behind the bellhousing into the pan.

 

[Power Surge]

You also have to check the bolt pattern of the bellhousing. Some of the early to mid 60s small blocks used a 5 bolt bellhousing instead of a 6 bolt. I think you might be able to swap the bells though, if need be.

 

[dude101]

I think the 66 c-4s may have had a 24 spline input shaft (part the torque converter slides over), unlike the 26 spline shaft used from 1970 until the c-4 was discontinued.

 

[77sleeper]

do not use a MII bell they are much smaller and require a special flexplate/converter

 

[78CobraII]

I think that I would pull the original and have it rebuilt. It might be more expensive than a junkyard replacement, but it wouldn't be any more work, and you'd have the original transmission back in his classic car.

 

[CobraDuce]

I think that I would pull the original and have it rebuilt. It might be more expensive than a junkyard replacement, but it wouldn't be any more work, and you'd have the original transmission back in his classic car.

That's what I now plan to do. I've had my hand in several modern front-wheel hydromatics (i didnt make up the name) at the cadi dealership I work at but always with help just around the corner. Never a real wheel c-4 though. I picked up a manual and it didn't look like to much trouble. I was just worried bout messing up this car. Its the car that Ive been dreaming of working on back before i knew what a torque wrench was. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks for everything,

Rob Davidson

 

[The Dan]

The other "early" C-4 difference is that some, referred to as the "green dot" C-4, had to be pulled into the equivalent of "2" on a modern tranny to be able to take off in 1st gear. Otherwise if you were to pull an early C-4 into "D", you would take off in 2nd gear. As I understand it this was a wet weather thing to keep you from spinning the tires when you took off on wet groung since the 1st gear was so low. My car had this set up until I replaced the old C-4 with a TCI C-4. Now it is 3,2,1 in order instead of 2,3,1

In any case if you want to keep the car as is have it rebuilt. A C-4 rebuild kit can be had for around $100. It is less than a day to rebuild if you have the tools. I've never done it, but I hear you can follow the Ford manul and easily rebuild one. Just seeing my old one sitting there, it is a very small tranny.

 

[Dano78]

You're right, Dan. My 67 Ranchero had one of those POS tranny configs. The worst of it was, I was 16, ignorant, and had the wrong PRNDL indicator on the column and was trying to lay rubber off 2nd gear... I felt like an ass when i figured it all out in the end.
I think the 66-69 C4s had the P R N D1 D2 L (wet traction) pattern. Iremember seeing alot of them in the 66-67 Fairlanes. That and IIRC there are 3 different TQ Converter spline input shaft setups on the C4. 26/26, 24/24 and 26/24 (or was it 24/26?) spline configs on that little input shaft.

 

[Blue Thunder]

I still have a C-4 that I took from a parts-car 1968 California Mustang(which had a bench seat and factory 4-bbl 302!) I ran that C-4 in my II for years, and it shifted very firm in all gears, and worked nicely until the 2nd gear band snapped. Upon dissassembly and inspection, I saw that the valve body part# began with "C8P", which I assume means 1968 Police unit. It's the only one I've come across, so I kept it.

 

[IMachU]

Yeah, I have that "green dot" in my 65 coupe. I had the tranny rebuilt, and put in a stall converter and shift kit. The thing is aewsome, and can handle all the power I'll ever put in it.