AW SH!^ :(

[dublniklz]

After 139,459 miles of selfless service, The Big Orange Ford began to show a hint of weakness. Here goes it; On monday, while towing an empty trailer (3800#) she seemed to be chugging, not long enough to assess the situtation before rapidly pulling the foot out of her and abandoning the whole operation. When we got stopped there was obvious fluid leakage coming from the trans, right near the t-case. So I d/c the trailer and head over to our go-to mechanic's shop, but on the way there, there seemed to be the same chugging, again, quick and faint. The go-to mechanic assesses the leak as a a blown gasket, drives her for a bit, and feels nothing wrong other than that. (I was with him, during that time she did run remarkably!). So I dismiss the chugging. I dismissed it too soon. Since monday, she has had intermitent spurts of this chugging, which seems to be the converter coming, or begining to come unlocked, usually at or about speeds of 45mph-60mph. (that's with a factory speedo and 38's.) It seems to only occur during light to no acceleration, mostly when under steady throttle and full lock up when approaching a low grade, just as slightly more strain is introduced. If at that point I lock the t/c up manually, let off, or get on the throttle it stops. It has probably happened 10 or so times since monday, and if it wasn't for the above stated occurrances I could say she's running like a top.
So, the conclusion to this is that I'm now thinking I'll soon be looking for a new t/c. What I'm lookin for by posting this novel is some input, and advice. Anyone have similar incidents or experience with these symptoms? Could what I'm calling the t/c trouble be related to a possible lack of fluid with the leak? How long does the current t/c have?......... Any way, thanks to all who read this massive post. Just trying to make peace with the fact that the ol girl may be havin her first bit of trouble let's hope for the best

[dublniklz]

BUMP! C'mon guys I know this is a hellish novel, but someone give me some feedback, t/c going out?

[rankroddin250]

it could be slipping clutch packs too. they could have gotten hot and scorched if you lost to much fluid.

[dublniklz]

I thought about that, but the slipping or "chugging" happened pretty soon after the intitial leak, making me think that they had not enough time to get that low on fluid. Also the tranny temp is and has been just peachy.

[rankroddin250]

if it where me with 140k miles i would be looking into a heavy duty rebuild + billet torque converter. not much sence in removing the tranny just for a torque converter replacement esp. with those miles.

[dublniklz]

Totally, I'd hate to pull it for a T/C then need a rebuild in 10K. The tranny still drives very tight, shifts very well, I just don't know that I have the $6K to drop on a tranny and T/C.

[Jonathan734]

I don't know if it helps, but I am getting ready to have my tranny over hauled and I think I will be around $2000 just in parts, and another $600 or so for labor. I am getting my stuff from discountpowerparts.com

[7.3ford350]

when i burnt mine out the cluthes where sliping so bad i couldnt make up this like 300yrd hill with my trailor that was about 4000lbs. so i rolled back down the hill and unhooked it then i was just going to drive it to the tranny shop and get someone to pick me up and i made about 15 miles and it was done. all this happened in about 2 hrs. never had any signs of it going out or anything, and one morning it was gone in 2 hrs.......

[dublniklz]

Assuming I have to do a little tranny work, does anybody have any shops to reccommend in California northstate? I have a really good powerstroke mechanic, but I'd like to see what is out there as far as bang for the buck. Also, anyone have any advice on t/c's. Not a $10K t/c everyone would like to have, but something that would work well with the mods in my sig. thanks.

[Jonathan734]

I have heard good things from the recon unit that discount power parts sell. I believe it is $600. If you aren't doing a ton of performance stuff I would guess it would work nicely.