Transmission Failed in 8,800 miles- Update

[John F. Russo]

(For previous thread, use web search engine for title, “Transmission Failed in 8,800 miles”)

I finally decided not to go with the standard rebuilding with original Ford parts since I could not get a warranty. Performance Automatic at least gave me a three month warranty for their parts.

So I decided to get the upgraded clutches that were more robust and the police interceptor type valve body. Tom, the guru at Performance Automatic, recommended that I add his valve body. He said that I would not get a dragster type of shifting but a firmer shift than what I had. I had a firm shift already because I had a Kenny Brown conversion that has a firm shift from 3rd to overdrive. This new valve body supposedly would give me greater margin of safety to avoid repeating the same problem that I had. Now after about one month of driving, the 3rd to overdrive shift is firmer than before, but not by much. I will see what happens since I already spent $2,000.

It is interesting to note that the shifting from 1st to 2nd and from 2nd to 3rd is much less firmer (almost the same as my 1999 Crown Vic) than from 3rd to overdrive. So why can’t I get the same results with 3rd to overdrive? Who has this answer?

Ford Chip did the work for the Kenny Brown Company and that was the best that they could do according to the Kenny Brown Performance.

Performance Automatic Rebuild Kit

1. Valve body: p/n PA45301L ($280) (shifts more like a police
interceptor than a dragster) (The original valve body was not
visibly damaged but it still could have been. I did not want to
have someone autopsy it at an additional cost to later find out
that it should be replaced anyway.)
2. P/N 4PA45401 ($622), AODE overhaul kit, 8- Alto Red Eagle
racing clutches, Kevlar band, Kolene steels (fit between the
other 8 clutches), gasket and bushings

I thank both Bill Schmidt at Performance Automatic (1-800-767-8174) and David Frey of Kenny Brown Performance (1-317-247-5320, x224) for their support.

____________
2003 Blue 300B (Canadian) (traction control, mini spare, trunked 6 disc
CD changer,clock-in-the-radio, heated front seats, hood light)
Born 12/10/02
10,000 miles
Stock transmission (upgraded with Performance Automatic
clutches and band after stock tranny failed in 8,800 miles)
Wheel locks (Ford)
Mileage: 18 mpg at a steady speed of 80 mph
Tire minder valve stem caps (getting rid of them- unreliable)
Kenny Brown: 6th “signature series” conversion (450 hp) 3/28/03
Dead pedal
Baer front brakes 14 in. two piston, vented rotors
MMX Driveshaft
4.10 gears
Vortech supercharger (7 to 8 psig boost)
Pirelli P-Zero
FordChip
One coil of each front stock spring removed to produce
the “same” effect as an Eibach spring




:) :) :)

[LincMercLover]

OD bands in Ford trannies are known for being the weakest band in the whole transmission. This goes back to their first OD tranny, the AOD. Theoretically, the harder you pop into a gear, the easier it is on the bands because the clutches aren't being gently released, which burns them up. Too hard and you can cause actual gearing damage I believe. The lower gear bands are of heavier duty quality because of the fact of what they have to do. First has to get a vehicle moving without stalling the car, second has to carry this vehicle up to speed (passing gear) and is use frequently as a slow start gear (again, getting the vehicle moving without stalling). Third is just a midway gear, but from what I've seen with Chrysler trannies, they're apt to throw the 3rd gear band as well in their FWD cars. Hope this helps some. I personally hate trannies, but I do know a little about them.