When it leaks, it is dead. There is a small bracket holding it on. Take off the one bolt, pull the old modulator out, make sure you have the rod that goes inside it, and put it on new one, put new one in, replace little bracket. Hook vacuum line back up and drive. Ask for a green stripe modulator at the shop. part number 747011 at O'Reilly, for $25.
Well mine is shifting ok, I just had it in the shop and they said it was leaking. so in otherwords is a simple job?? I was worried transmission fuild would pour out... Chaz.
Not sure. PaulS always says to get the green stripe. I know it has an adjustable screw in the end to change shift points. Not sure if the motorcraft one has that or not. The green stripe brand is Pioneer.
A leaking modulator will suck ATF into the intake - change it. They all have stripes. The green stripe modulator is a bit firmer than the white stripe one and give better shifts. You can also change the pin (a rod that fits in the modulator and in the modulator valve) to one made from an 8d nail cut to 1 5/8" and with the ends rounded a bit. Measure the pin you have first and only replace it if the original pin is shorter than the new one.
The Car is about 30 miles from here, i had to picked up on a flatbed and taken to a shop for some minor work. You think it would be OK to drive back here with the tranny fluid rollin in the intake??? CHaz.
I drove mine for years with it sucking ATF. Never even knew it until I got on here and found out that the modulator wasn't supposed to be leaking fluid. It probably isn't "good" for it, but I doubt serious damage would occur if you topped off the tranny and made that 30 mile trip before swapping the modulator. Of course, it really is easy to fix. Buy the modulator and bring a 7/16" wrench (I think it is 7/16", but bring em all just in case.) swap that modulator out before you drive it home. It takes literally 3 minutes to swap. Probably takes longer to shimmy under the car and/or jack it up.
The ATF will eat up a rubber vacuum hose too, at least it did on mine. Might want to be ready to replace that too. Actually, I'd do it anyway, so you can tell if it leaks again.
As long as you keep the transmission full it will be fine. I doubt that you will even use 1/2 a quart in thirty miles and probably a lot less. Watch for white smoke when you delerate and if you get that then just have a quart of type "F" fluid on hand.
bottom passenger side, toward the front. It has a vacuum line running down to it from the engine bay.
The fluid being sucked into compression chamber will burn with the fuel, therefore the engine will smoke. However the fluid can cause carbine to come loose from top of pistons or valves and in time cause a problem if the carbon gets between the valve and the seat. Fix as soon as you can is the best way to go. Some old mech. would mix tranny fluid with solvent (the old kind) and slowly pour it into the carb with engine running. Smoked like h-ll but would clean carbon from inside engine, you really have to change spark plugs after this. Those old guys.
You will find the modulator just above the pan at the passenger side of the main case. There is a Bracket that holds it into the case that bolts down to the extension housing. You will have to remove the bolt and then pull the modulator out. You might lose a little oil but the valve usually stays in the transmission. While the modulator is out measure the modulator pin. (it usually comes out with the modulator) It should be 1.625" (1 5/8") long. If it is shorter you can make a new one from a 8d nail.
