Transmission Recommendations Please

[Elvis]

My '67 daily driver has a C-4 transmission that is working fine but developing leaks and I sense a shudder now and then. I've had the car (it's a beauty) for about 10 years and plan to keep it. The tranny is possibly original and untouched. I was thinking about getting it rebuilt but on checking the Summit catalog I see that I can get a new TCI C-4 for $600 and a TCI converter for $300 so to me that seems like the better option. Any thoughts from the experts? Thanks, E.

[Gearhead999]

I know I'm in the repair business, but....my question would be...."What happens if you have a problem with the transmission??"

I've seen TO MANY drop in transmissions that don't work, or leak or well, what ever..

My $.02

[Elvis]

Thanks for the input. I thought TCI has a good reputation but your comment would seem to indicate that you feel I would be better off by rebuilding what I have. Was that your intent? I am not very knowledgeable in this area so I do appreciate any suggestions. E.

[mustangman65_79]

I would just rebuild what u have now. any good place will warrenty their work, plus buying a TCI seems like a waste for a mildly stock car.

[Rev]

If you're making a lot of power, get it rebuilt with high performance clutches and bands. You may need to convert from a 24 to a 26 spline input shaft (I had to to get the high perfomance parts to fit). That's not a problem if you are going to upgrade to a higher stall torque convertor anyway ( I use a TCI Street Fighter 3000 stall). If you drive it very hard with higher horse power, install a trans cooler (I put a fan on mine as well, operated by a thermostat (180 F)). I flog mine hard and often. My trans in the past (standard clutches and bands - no cooler) was lasting only 20,000 miles or so. With the hipo parts and cooler, it's been awhile now with no signs of failure.

Rev

[okiedragster]

im with rev i would rebuild your old tranny and just upgrade the bands and clutches. also if you go with a completly different trans (from summit), who knows you may have to make changes just to make it fit or work, while with the tranny you got in your car now you know it fits and works and you wouldnt have to do anything but poke it in and fire it up. ive raced for a long time and ive seen guys get that mail ordered stuff and im not gonna say that this is the fact all the time but most of the time my home built stuff will out last and sometimes out perform theirs for alot less money and i know what all has been done to it....actually you are still buying a rebuilt tranny from those guys..... just my 2 pennys

[Rev]

Originally Posted by Rev

You may need to convert from a 24 to a 26 spline input shaft (I had to to get the high perfomance parts to fit).

Rev

Pretty sure the '67 comes with the 26 spline input shaft, so again not a problem.

Rev

[mustangman65_79]

Originally Posted by Rev

Pretty sure the '67 comes with the 26 spline input shaft, so again not a problem.

Rev

I think ur right, 24 stopped in 66 as far as I know

[Elvis]

Well, I think you have convinced me to have my C-4 rebuilt. I checked with a local transmission shop that was highly recommended by someone who should know. I was going to provide him with the shift kit, upgraded clutches, etc but he would not do it unless I used the stuff he provides. He said his material is top of the line and he won't provide a warranty for outside parts. Guess he wants the mark-up. I do not have the experience or time to do it myself so I suppose I am at his mercy. I don't do a lot of rough stuff with the car but I do enjoy showing the kids in their rice burners what a real car can do. What are the intelligent questions I need to ask at the tranny shop? Thanks, E.

[69fastback]

I personally have had problems with just getting a tranny rebuilt from a local shop. I have bought a couple of TCI products and I am very happy with them. I have a convetor and a manuel valve body form them in a c-6. My tranny didn't work right unitll i got these parts form TCI. I also just had a AOD rebuilt by a local shop cost me 1,600 and I am not very happy. I could have bought a brand new one for that. Just my opionion. Make sure you find a shop with a good rep that knows what they are doing.

[okiedragster]

elvis too bad you dont live closer to oklahoma city, i have a guy there that could hook you up, he has 30+ years in tranny work (mostly ford). he done a c-6 for me the last time i did mine and i also was gonna add a shift kit too but he told me to put the tranny in and run it and if i thought it needed a shift kit it he would buy one himself and put it in. i put it in and he was right it dont need it, it is super strong shifting but just slow cruzin it shifts so soft you can hardly tell it shifted.. i did go with a aftermarket converter too just for the stall ..

[Gearhead999]

Yep, my intent was to have your trans. rebuilt instead of purchasing a done unit.

Seems most listers agree with the rebuild option.

[Elvis]

I'm not sure if this is an issue but both Rev & Mustangman65 mentioned something about 26 spline. The Summit catalog I am looking at for a C-4 (1966-69) TCI Converter lists it as 24 spline. Is this something that I should be concerned about? Thanks again for all your help. E.