My 73 absolutely hates being cold. It's in good running condition, provided the temperatures are warm or it's been allowed to warm up (and it warms up separate to the engine, which sucks). It won't click into gear until it's warm, which is a pain since I can't warm it up until it goes in gear. I get the feeling this is just a foible with the old tranny - it has a transmission cooler (gets super hot here in summer) and a mild shift kit (B&M floor shifter) all set up right... Just the danged cold. I have to rev it and let it click into gear as it winds down, which makes getting out of tight parking a PITA. Any advice?
By all means check the fluid level (with the engine idling in Park) and condition but what you describe sounds like "morning sickness" which is brittle cracked and broken seals in the forward clutch assembly. I am affraid the only cure is a rebuild. I have seen B&M kits cause problems in C4s but what you describe is not related to the typical problems with their kit.
It only happens when the outside temps are near freezing or just a bit above, otherwise she's a very happy little tranny. Fluid levels are good too - our theory is the tranny cooler is doing it's job too well but I don't see how cold fluid would do all this. We've been using Type 4 ATF as we assumed this was for Fords, could it be the oil/fluid itself?
Not what I wanted to hear but unsurprising nonetheless. I've been wanting to rebuild the tranny anyway but as this has become our gas-guzzling daily driver (alongside my motorcycle) that may not be in the cards just yet. Woe.
Cold Transmission You can try an oil change, don't forget to replace the filter as well. In my experiences with the c-4 transmission is that when it takes a longer to get into gear on a cold than a warm day it is generally a sign that the internal rubber or neoprean seals have hardened up, and fluid is slipping past these seals until they expand with heat. It sounds to me like you are going to need a soft parts overhaul of your C-4.
The C4 has friction materials and timing events that require type F fluid. Using any other fluid can cause slippage and result in burning of friction materials - it will not cause "morning sickness".
Sorry yes I meant type F. The Dude said he can do it on a weekend so we'll probably go that route. Thanks for the info, I'm glad it's something easy.
