Tranny needs some work....advise?

[rmforrest]

I'm new to this forum, and new to the world of diesel. Grew up around gas stuff, and have rebuilt a few small block chevy's.

I've got a 97 F350 with 219K on it. Just got back from a road trip pulling a 6,000 lb trailer. Got home to discover most of my tranny fluid painted on the undercarriage. Looks like the front seal is leaking. I let it cool off (overnight) and filled her back up. It's not leaking as much as before, but it still needs to be fixed. So I have a few questions for those out there with more knowledge than me.

1. If I have to pull the tranny to fix it, I want to beef it up to take a stronger motor in the future. What changes should I make? Better torque Convertor? Modified valve body? Better clutches? are these things I can do myself?

2. I'm seeing a loss of pulling power, and I know It's got 219K, but I'm not seeing any excessive smoke when accelerating, so I'm thinking the rings are okay. Loss of boost pressure maybe? Bad sensor? If I rebuild can I get my hands on a cam shaft? What types of changes can be done during the rebuild? or is it all bolt on accesories that add the horsepower and torque?

any help would be appreciated.

Rick

ps anyone know of a good tranny shop in tucson?

[stump0331]

welcome to thr forum rmforrest

somebody should be by shortly to help ya out

[fordnut85]

Originally Posted by rmforrest

I'm new to this forum, and new to the world of diesel. Grew up around gas stuff, and have rebuilt a few small block chevy's.

I've got a 97 F350 with 219K on it. Just got back from a road trip pulling a 6,000 lb trailer. Got home to discover most of my tranny fluid painted on the undercarriage. Looks like the front seal is leaking. I let it cool off (overnight) and filled her back up. It's not leaking as much as before, but it still needs to be fixed. So I have a few questions for those out there with more knowledge than me.

1. If I have to pull the tranny to fix it, I want to beef it up to take a stronger motor in the future. What changes should I make? Better torque Convertor? Modified valve body? Better clutches? are these things I can do myself?

2. I'm seeing a loss of pulling power, and I know It's got 219K, but I'm not seeing any excessive smoke when accelerating, so I'm thinking the rings are okay. Loss of boost pressure maybe? Bad sensor? If I rebuild can I get my hands on a cam shaft? What types of changes can be done during the rebuild? or is it all bolt on accesories that add the horsepower and torque?

any help would be appreciated.

Rick

ps anyone know of a good tranny shop in tucson?

Ok, 6000#'s should be nothin on that truck but it depends on how hard your pushin it if it will get hot or not. When was the last tranny service (filter fluid and flush) Do you have a Tranny temp guage?? If not, get one!! Can you tell at all where it is coming from?? If your looking for a beeffy tranny look into the vendor jungle and find one you like for a price you can afford or talk to your local tranny shop about what they recomend.

As far as power lets start with the basics, any check engine light on?? Missing or running rough?? If not I would try and get access to a good scanner and do a cylinder contribution test and an injector buzz test to see if you got a bad injector or o-rings.

[SADDLEBURNER05]

Got the same beepbeepbeepbeep problem on my 97 SRW 4x4 its got 140k but its not leaking....just slams when you get to about 30 mph and it shifts into that 2nd gear or whatever.

Also, I just found out that I hear a growl and howl when I lock it in 4wd
Didn't do that yesterday when I bought the beepbeepbeepbeep thing....

I hope this pickup isn't going to be a pain in the a$$

[rmforrest]

Anyone heard of Monsterbox from factory tech?

[Diesel Nut]

I run with Suncoast and NADP for aftermarket transmissiona and parts. I think for the cost, you would be ahead of the game if you went ahead and went with a performance rebuild myself. If you feel up to pulling it apart yourself i can get you everything you need except the tools and manuals. For the time and mess it makes rebuilding one its really cheaper to just buy one dyno tested and delivered from NADP. Upgraded clutches, performance enhanced valvlebody, triple disk Suncoast converter, billet inputshaft. Just a day and some pizza for whoever you bribe to help you pull it and replace it.

As for the loss of power, the transmission may well be taking some of it. Also, fuel filter? Check it or change it. 219K ain't much for the motor but you are due for a transmission. might not be a bad idea to adjust the valves on it too. If they ar like the Cummins, they could have some roome for improvment after 200K + miles. Codes would help too if there are any.

jason

[ktfjammer]

Originally Posted by Diesel Nut

I run with Suncoast and NADP for aftermarket transmissiona and parts. I think for the cost, you would be ahead of the game if you went ahead and went with a performance rebuild myself. If you feel up to pulling it apart yourself i can get you everything you need except the tools and manuals. For the time and mess it makes rebuilding one its really cheaper to just buy one dyno tested and delivered from NADP. Upgraded clutches, performance enhanced valvlebody, triple disk Suncoast converter, billet inputshaft. Just a day and some pizza for whoever you bribe to help you pull it and replace it.

As for the loss of power, the transmission may well be taking some of it. Also, fuel filter? Check it or change it. 219K ain't much for the motor but you are due for a transmission. might not be a bad idea to adjust the valves on it too. If they ar like the Cummins, they could have some roome for improvment after 200K + miles. Codes would help too if there are any.

jason

Who is NADP..thx