Greetings and thanks for letting me join your group. I have been reading your tech articles and post for awhile and really like what I see. Here is my question: My daughter has a very cherry, one owner 73 Maverick, four door with a 302 and a c-4 trans. The car has 72 thousand original miles and looks dang near new. It recently has developed morning sickness in the transmission. It's not bad yet and I have done a complete service and tried the requisite additive. I would like to rebuild a c-4 before this one goes belly up. My question is, can you change the the final drive gear ratio to get better mileage or is there a late model transmission that can be bought that has overdrive for better mileage? If I am going to have it rebuilt and I can change the ratio for better mileage I would like to. Any info would be great and thanks in advance.
Dont know how much is available as for after market gears for the C-4 but you couldnt add an overdrive gera to it any how.You can install a ford AOD automatic(has an overdrive gear).Just dont get a computer controlled one(AOD-E)Its not a difficult install.do a thread search,info should pop up regarding the swap.Good luck,and welcome.
There is an aftermarket for the C4, but it may take some online hunting. The AOD is an easy swap. I had an 80s ford truck with a 302 and an AOD. It failed and I replaced it with another a used one. Three used ones later and I swapped to a C6 because I found a recently rebuilt one very cheap. The C6 is a relativley tough tranny. The AOD and the C6 have a great amount of power loss as well. I am not increadibly familiar with the maverick but the C6 may not fit easily. I know putting one in a fox body can require a hammer. I personally would stick with the C4. It will have the lowest amount of power loss, its easier to rebuild then the AOD and stronger. Hope that helps
Welcome to the board. From your name I assume you live in Tenino. Paul S. on here is a tranny man and he lives in the Seattle area. I'm sure he can answer any questions you might have with the tech aspects of it. Good luck and hope your daughter enjoys her car. Sounds pretty nice.
to the fourms. I deal with aod's in my 80's and 90's Cougars and Lincoln Mark VII's the stock aod is definatly not the strongest trans but there are a lot of upgrade kits available to make it near bullit proof.
I want to thank you all for the info. I will try your contact that you recommended. I will also post pictures of her car soon. Thanks guys
