trans problems

[worfdog]

I changed the manual trans oil in one of my festivas many years ago. I had bought it new, so I knew no one else had been it. It had A.T.F. in it, and that's what I put back in.

[RitzyFestiva]

Was able to get the speedo out, ended up taking a very small ball pean hammer and lightly tapping the flange back and forth and that loosened it up enough that I was able to pull it out and it was clean as could be. Cleaned the port so nothing would fall into it and checked the fluid I took out and it is grey/amber and smells like gear oil, so I added some 75W90 which a Ford mechanic told me would be just fine. Added it to the correct level, checked it with the speedo "dip stick" and I also noted that I could see the level from the top of the tranny so I know I am at the correct level, installed the speedo gear, oriented it correctly, installed the 10mm bolt, installed the speedo cable, (getting that shaft back in was fun making sure the little tang was in the right spot) tightened the speedo cover and tested the new CV axle. Everything seems to be working just like its suppoed to be. thanks for everyone's help

[Zanzer]

I'm not sure about the Festy manual transmissions but:

We run alot of Mustangs with T5's and we beat on them pretty hard. They're also spec'd to run ATF but we came up with our own mixture we run. We mix equal parts 75W90 and Marvel Mystery Oil. We've used this successfully for many years on the street and at the strip. The 75W90 gives you lubrication and the MMO thins down the viscosity.

In our T45 Mustangs (also spec'd to run ATF) we use the same mixture or just straight 30 weight motor oil. The T45's are a little more picky than the T5's and have a problem with the syncros/blocker rings slowing down fast enough at high RPM shifts that can cause a second gear grind common to the T45 (well, that and some have weak shifting forks that are prone to crack).

If I do replace ATF with ATF in a manual I always add at least half a quart of Lucas oil stabilizer to help the fluid climb the gears while they rotate. I did this in my Festy and it shifts fine with 195k on the clock.

Another mixture I've been thinking about (for the Festy) is mixing straight 30 weight with Marvel Mystery Oil. But I haven't had a chance to do the rheology to see how it compares to ATF

[MTec007]

completed the trans swap today. ended up not getting a 5 speed but thats ok for now. shifts a lot better and i have 4th gear again!!

[roycehof]

Great news! Viva Festiva!

[eurotiva]

completed the trans swap today. ended up not getting a 5 speed but thats ok for now. shifts a lot better and i have 4th gear again!!

Glad to hear an update.

[MTec007]

just found out trans has a leak, maybe from passenger cv shaft. its a bit cold to find out for sure, but there was a drip of fluid hanging on the pass cv shaft with a puddle in the drive

[Tim]

Did you replace the oil seals when you installed the new tranny?
.

[MTec007]

oil seals?

i didnt replace any seals, but i will be putting new output shaft seals on, monday hopefully

[MTec007]

Got some bad news now.. Driver side shaft decided not to come out, while trying to pry it out i busted a hole in the case.. back to the junk yard tomorrow, need a new cv shaft too.

[1988redfordfestiva]

ouch that really sucks

[JPT]

ouch that really sucks

x2

[wybnrml]

O, that stinks, you just got that tranny too.

[MTec007]

yeah, and the ring on the end of the shaft was too big, taking it back to advance auto today its broken and under warrenty.

[MTec007]

good news. went to pull a part and got a 5 speed! got it in and it seems to be running great.