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Aerostar 4X4


Second modulator netted same results. The second one had a red stripe, I think i need a green one. Not convinced that is the problem. Anyone know auto's? This is my weak point. RB
 
The vacuum T on the engine was plugged! Got that fixed and now i have 3 gears. 1-2 shift is so mushy you can't feel it just hear the engine r's drop and 2-3 shift slip's a little same with 3-2 shift WOT. So what's next? Change back to a green module and band adjustments? RB
 
You may need to connect the detent different. Try disconnecting The detent (kickdown)and see how it shifts.
Sorry, I haven't been here. I had an awesome time up at the cabin though.
 
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You may need to connect the detent different. Try disconnecting The detent (kickdown)and see how it shifts.
Sorry, I haven't been here. I had an awesome time up at the cabin though.

I tried it with the kickdown cable unhooked.

Did you find your shifter?
 
Yeah! Had me bewildered for a minute, I didn't remember pulling a shifter.
Like I said though, I don't know a lot about that trans, It was clearly rebuilt at some point in time and it went in first and reverse. Don't be detered about automatics if that one doesn't hold up. It is easily capable of your weight and power (Torque) output. We may end up having to have one rebuilt.
I could build you one that you won't have a problem with but, It would be a LONG time before it was done.
 
Yeah! Had me bewildered for a minute, I didn't remember pulling a shifter.
Like I said though, I don't know a lot about that trans, It was clearly rebuilt at some point in time and it went in first and reverse. Don't be detered about automatics if that one doesn't hold up. It is easily capable of your weight and power (Torque) output. We may end up having to have one rebuilt.
I could build you one that you won't have a problem with but, It would be a LONG time before it was done.
I think i'll throw some parts at it and run her till she quits and then do a major overhaul. It seems to work good other than that one shift. RB
 
The forward clutch is applied in every forward gear so I would think line pressure is good, which is what the vacuum diaphragm adjusts--boosting the pressure under high load so the clutches will grip harder. The only time the intermediate band is applied is in second gear. It's the adjustment just forward of the shift arm.

You need a 10ft# torque wrench. Back off the lock nut, tighten the adjustment screw to 10ft#. Then back off the adjustment screw 4 1/4 turns. Hold it there and torque the locknut to 40ft#.

The low-reverse band is the same procedure. It's on the other side by the modulator diapraghm.

You can also look at the servo--it's on the opposite side from the adustment screw under a cover the size of your palm held on by four screws. It's a hydraulic piston that pinches the band against the adjustment screw on the other side to squeeze a drum to a stop. It's possible the piston needs seals, but not likely. I would still look at it before pulling the tranny though. Get ready for an oil bath.

One more thing to check is that the filter isn't clogged. It takes a lot of fluid to operate the servo and maybe it's slowing it down. People also have been known to use a jack to mash the pan under the filter and restrict the pump intake.

Edit: I just re-read and noticed all shifts were bad, not just the 1-2. There's a little plug by the intermediate band adjustment. You can put a 200psi fluid gauge on it like this one, then unhook the line from the modulator and plug it. Then attach a hand vacuum pump like this on the modulator. Then have someone that doesn't hate you hold the brakes with the truck in gear and turn the idle up to 1,000rpm. Then with the truck in gear at that high idle, put 10" on the modulator and look at the gauge. In any forward gear it should be around 100psi. In reverse it should show about 150psi. If the pressure is low, which I think it is, the green is the worst as the longer ones give more pressure. In order from lowest to highest is Green, Blue, Orange, Black, White.

It's also worth noting that your 4.0 could have much different vacuum characteristics than the 2.8. On a 2.8 you are driving around with a lot of pedal and low vacuum since it had no power. The 4.0 is going to be driving around with a stronger vacuum signal and might be causing that lack of control pressure. I'd put a vacuum gauge on the 4.0 and see where it is when you drive around. If you are driving around at 15" instead of the 10", try to get the forward pressure to 100psi with the 15" on the hand pump instead.

EDIT 2: I found my service manual and I was correct--the 4.0 A4LD control pressure is adjusted at 15" so definately there is your problem. I would shortcut all this bullshit and try the white mod one and see if that doesn't fix it.
 
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The forward clutch is applied in every forward gear so I would think line pressure is good, which is what the vacuum diaphragm adjusts--boosting the pressure under high load so the clutches will grip harder. The only time the intermediate band is applied is in second gear. It's the adjustment just forward of the shift arm.

You need a 10ft# torque wrench. Back off the lock nut, tighten the adjustment screw to 10ft#. Then back off the adjustment screw 4 1/4 turns. Hold it there and torque the locknut to 40ft#.

The low-reverse band is the same procedure. It's on the other side by the modulator diapraghm.

You can also look at the servo--it's on the opposite side from the adustment screw under a cover the size of your palm held on by four screws. It's a hydraulic piston that pinches the band against the adjustment screw on the other side to squeeze a drum to a stop. It's possible the piston needs seals, but not likely. I would still look at it before pulling the tranny though. Get ready for an oil bath.

One more thing to check is that the filter isn't clogged. It takes a lot of fluid to operate the servo and maybe it's slowing it down. People also have been known to use a jack to mash the pan under the filter and restrict the pump intake.

Edit: I just re-read and noticed all shifts were bad, not just the 1-2. There's a little plug by the intermediate band adjustment. You can put a 200psi fluid gauge on it like this one, then unhook the line from the modulator and plug it. Then attach a hand vacuum pump like this on the modulator. Then have someone that doesn't hate you hold the brakes with the truck in gear and turn the idle up to 1,000rpm. Then with the truck in gear at that high idle, put 10" on the modulator and look at the gauge. In any forward gear it should be around 100psi. In reverse it should show about 150psi. If the pressure is low, which I think it is, the green is the worst as the longer ones give more pressure. In order from lowest to highest is Green, Blue, Orange, Black, White.

It's also worth noting that your 4.0 could have much different vacuum characteristics than the 2.8. On a 2.8 you are driving around with a lot of pedal and low vacuum since it had no power. The 4.0 is going to be driving around with a stronger vacuum signal and might be causing that lack of control pressure. I'd put a vacuum gauge on the 4.0 and see where it is when you drive around. If you are driving around at 15" instead of the 10", try to get the forward pressure to 100psi with the 15" on the hand pump instead.

EDIT 2: I found my service manual and I was correct--the 4.0 A4LD control pressure is adjusted at 15" so definately there is your problem. I would shortcut all this bullshit and try the white mod one and see if that doesn't fix it.

So if I'm getting this right, I need to get a white vacuum modulator. That sounds easy enough. I was trail leader last weekend with it. It rock crawls awesome and you would never know anything is wrong with it driving around in low range in the woods. However i trashed the steering on it so i'm going to need to order some new parts for it before i can try out the white modulator. Thanks for the advise. RB
 
Yeah, the white one. And don't drive it much with low pressure or it will trash it fast. If that doesn't work I would like to know what the pressure is. I've been planning that swap for years so your suffering is helping me because I never thought about the vacuum signal difference.
 
I stopped by my local parts store and they had a stock one which strangely has no color stripe. The regular guy was not there so i left him a note saying i need a white striped one. He'll call me Monday. RB
 
Not that thing, the rod that's under it. That rod has a color on it and it's that rod that adjusts the control pressure.
 
I've been looking at that adjustable modulator and it looks like it adjusts the tension of a spring in the diaphragm, not the length of the control rod. You need a longer rod I think. I'm guessing that the different diaphragm housings have different spring strengths. Something like that might solve it, but it isn't the way the book says to adjust it and on TCI's page they say the adjustment changes the shift points a couple of mph. We are interested in boosting the control pressure so the clutches will hold. I would try to make a longer rod if you can't find it. I have the lengths of the various rods in a book in the garage.
 
I've been looking at that adjustable modulator and it looks like it adjusts the tension of a spring in the diaphragm, not the length of the control rod. You need a longer rod I think. I'm guessing that the different diaphragm housings have different spring strengths. Something like that might solve it, but it isn't the way the book says to adjust it and on TCI's page they say the adjustment changes the shift points a couple of mph. We are interested in boosting the control pressure so the clutches will hold. I would try to make a longer rod if you can't find it. I have the lengths of the various rods in a book in the garage.

I knew the VM's had different colors but i didn't realize the rods were colored too. The rod will probably have to be purchased threw a tranny shop unless I can find one on line. RB
 
damn...i wasnt keepin up till i seen a link at pirate.


i am in detroit but will be around fri late and sat if you need help still chad.

if dont see me popin off dont be afraid to call bud:headbang: i dont have email so its hard to keep up with threads unless they are fresh.
 

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