83 Ranger 2.8 V6 C3 with issues

[Payitforward]

I'm helping out a young friend. He has a 1983 Ford Ranger 2.8 V6 with C-3 Automatic (obviously not one of Fords better ideas). The engine has been rebuilt and sounds good, but the transmission is giving us fits. It was rebuilt at a local chain auto parts store, old torque converter was reused. They did have problems getting it to pass their final test. It has good pull in reverse but next to nothing in drive, lots of slippage doesn't even seem to be in low gear. You have to practically floor it to get any forward movement and no attempt to shift up or down. Fluid level is good and doesn't appear brunt by sight or smell. Replaced vacuum module and confirmed pin was in place. Good vacuum from line to intake manifold. Confirmed that there is fluid movement in transmission lines at the radiator. Any ideas short of taking it to a shop for pressure checks in the different gears? He doesn't have much money so I'm just trying to help him out. Thanks, Pay-it-forward.

 

[Payitforward]

I'm helping out a young friend. He has a 1983 Ford Ranger 2.8 V6 with C-3 Automatic (obviously not one of Fords better ideas). The engine has been rebuilt and sounds good, but the transmission is giving us fits. It was rebuilt at a local chain auto parts store, old torque converter was reused. They did have problems getting it to pass their final test. It has good pull in reverse but next to nothing in drive, lots of slippage doesn't even seem to be in low gear. You have to practically floor it to get any forward movement and no attempt to shift up or down. Fluid level is good and doesn't appear brunt by sight or smell. Replaced vacuum module and confirmed pin was in place. Good vacuum from line to intake manifold. Confirmed that there is fluid movement in transmission lines at the radiator. Any ideas short of taking it to a shop for pressure checks in the different gears? He doesn't have much money, and one year old baby, so I'm just trying to help him out. Thanks, Pay-it-forward.

Previous "friends" might have worked on truck/trans with low trans fluid or slightly over trans fluid levels, don't know if that helps. As near as I can determine about 12 quarts have been added, not sure how many leaked out of trans lines before they were tightened. (4qts for TC and 8 for trans)
Just wanted to add another .02 worth.

 

[benhojnowski]

Better late than never but you can the shift firmness with the allen key on the Modulator but its sounds like the tension put on the main band was incorrect there is a nut on the left side of the trans that has to be tightened to the proper torque or will never grab the main clutch pack casing.