J-mod and trans cooler questions

[k9t8m]

I think I better get everything straightened out before I tear the trans apart, that way I wont have to do it for the 3rd time. These are the issues im having:

1.Will not shift into anything but park and drive (possibly problem with linkage alighment seen here: http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00035.htm 4th pic from bottoml

2. I could not figure out for the life of my how the upgrades 2-3 stays in the bore, it doesn't fit flush, and because of this i didnt know how the retainer could possibly hold it in.

3. The upgraded 1-2 spring i got was red, not blue like the jmod directions state it should be, and it was also a different part number. Is this something to worry about?

4. Should I drain the torque converter and flush out all fluid? I read somewhere that its not a good idea to do this because the TQ runs dry for a little bit before everything circulates.

5> Mervon V synthetic? I also read that its not good to run synthetic in a trans that wasn't designed to handle synthetic fluid, but I dont know what is best for the 4r70w.

6. Is the direction of flow that big of a deal with the trans cooler? Which lines go where? I just have to tap into the upper correct?

I know this is a lot of questions, but I want to make sure and do it right, the second time. lol.

 

[rrudd2]

I'm in the middle of a JMOD on my Blue 93. I can't answer all your questions, but I'll give a couple a shot...

I got all my parts from Max at 5 Star. He knew every part I needed when I told him what I was doing.

I'd double-check that 1-2 accumulator spring. Either call your supplier, or go to one of the web sites that allow you to search the Ford parts catalog (fastpartsnetwork.com is one I know of) and plug in the part number. See what the catalog tells you the part number is for.

On the 2-3 accumulator, I just pushed mine up into the bore, then put the spring in and used the retainer that Max sold me to hold it in place. At first, I didn't think that the retainer would hold the accumulator and spring in place, but the three tabs on the retainer fit nicely into the groove inside the bore. It held just fine.

I chose to drain everything, including the torque converter. I flushed out the cooling lines and radiator cooler.

I'm chose to use a synthetic fluid. No real reason why.

Flow direction thru the new cooler doesn't matter. It's flow back to the transmission that's important. Everything I read says the top line coming out of the radiator runs back into the transmission. I removed the top line from the radiator and connected a hose that runs to my new tranny cooler. I then ran the a hose out of the other side of cooler back to the line I removed from the radiator.

Hope this helps. I should have mine done by the weekend. I've been working an hour here and there on it all during the week. I can't wait to take the car out for a spin!

 

[JMiles_T]

3. The upgraded 1-2 spring i got was red, not blue like the jmod directions state it should be, and it was also a different part number. Is this something to worry about?

If it's a different part#, then it will probably have a different shift firmness.

4. Should I drain the torque converter and flush out all fluid? I read somewhere that its not a good idea to do this because the TQ runs dry for a little bit before everything circulates.

Yes. You should drain as much of the old fluid out as you can.

When the vehicle was finished being assembled at the factory, it didn't have any trans fluid in it 'till someone filled it, and ran it.

5> Mervon V synthetic? I also read that its not good to run synthetic in a trans that wasn't designed to handle synthetic fluid, but I dont know what is best for the 4r70w.

Did this person mention why they thought synthetic was bad for the 4R70W?

I'm calling BS on that piece of advice, and urge you to get your car tips from someone else.

You can use Mercon V.

If something says that it's compatible with Mercon V, then it's fine to use.

As a side note, actual Mercon V (the red stuff) is a blend; it is NOT a full synthetic.

6. Is the direction of flow that big of a deal with the trans cooler? Which lines go where? I just have to tap into the upper correct?

As far as the heat exchanger on the radiator goes, the fluid goes in the bottom, and comes out the top.

 

[k9t8m]

Today I ordered the correct 1-2 spring, 2-3 piston and retainer. Hopefully this time I can actually get the 2-3 in the bore so it will stay. Still confused on that part though.

As far as the linkage goes, does anyone have a pic (like the link above) of what the linkage is supposed to look like?

I will most likely install the trans cooler before I fill it with fluid. I just plan on tapping into the top line, and mounting it on the left side of the car (closest to the line).

 

[98LSC32V]

I use Mobil 1 Mercon 5 full synthetic.

 

[rrudd2]

As far as the linkage goes, does anyone have a pic (like the link above) of what the linkage is supposed to look like?

I wish I would have seen this earlier; I would have taken a picture. I just put everything back together.

I *think/hope/pray* I put it back together properly. I filled the transmission and ran the car through the gears. I felt the shifts from park to reverse, reverse to neutral and neutral to drive.

I had a leak in one of the fittings for the transmission cooler and its raining, so I didn't take it out and test drive it. I'm going to fix the leak tomorrow evening and take it out to test drive then.

Here's how I put it all back together. The pictures are taken from BlackIceLSC's writeup and from the 93/94 service manual CD.

The same picture from the write-up:

The peg on the back of the "rooster" (circled in green) goes into the slot on the arm (circled in yellow). You need to position the peg in the slot as you put the valve body back onto the transmission.

You can sort of see how it fits in this picture (circled in red)

Here's a drawing from the repair manual. It's not great, but it shows where the peg and the slot fit together.

Good luck. I sincerely hope I haven't sent you in the wrong direction. If I did, we'll be there together!

 

[rrudd2]

I asked BlackIceLSC to look over my write-up. He sent me a message and said that my description is correct!

 

[k9t8m]

Ok so I finished everything today. New fluid, drained TC, trans cooler installed, J-mod done. The car really is alot more fun to drive. I can't believe I made this out to be some super complicated deal, when it was actually really simple. I am VERY happy with the results, and would highly recommend it to anyone. Thanks everybody for all the help, couldn't have done it without you! I love LvC!

 

[rrudd2]

I got mine finished today too. I was the same way, I made it out to be way harder than it actually was.

You are exactly right, it makes the car so much fun to drive. I can't wait to tear into my other two!

Congratulations on getting it finished!