I know this forum is for rangers, but i also know there is alot of devoted FORD guys on here and just figured I'd ask....

Ok, so heres the story:
My cousins the owner of a 1966 Ford Mustang, Inline 6, 3spd Auto, only like 45K original!

When shifted into reverse it feels like its in neutral and the only way to get it to go into gear is by either revving it abit or wait for like 30sec. and it usually gets in. But when it does finally go into reverse it bucks really hard, almost stalls.???
Are we talking hardcore transmission overhaul...or is it worth us opening it up and adjusting/ fixing a spring/ cable....IDK?

Gears are set up as follows on shifter:
(Just though maybe gear alignment had to do with something...IDK?)

P
R
N
D
1
2

So what you guys think?...

 

sounds like an internal trans problem. Definitely not the shifter.

 

Not sure if it could be the problem, but check the u-joints on the drive shaft. My dad had an old Ford pickup that used to do the same thing when put in reverse, and when he changed the u-joints, it quit bucking and stalling. It still took a second to get into reverse.

How does it feel just driving? Does it shift hard, or way too often?

And does your cousin beat on the car?

 

U-joint wouldn't cause a hunting for reverse, or needing to 'rev' to get it into reverse like he mentioned. It'd cause the bucking, however the bucking is when reverse is engaged at whatever rpm the engine is being revved at.

 

Oh, I missed that. I thought he said it just revs, then bucks in. My bad.

 

Oh hell no man we drive that car as if its the last one on earth lol? When you drive it i wish it would shift more often....dont know how the previous owner treated it?
Sometimes when your going up a hill it will start to bog down, then boom drop into a lower gear and get motoring...but i cant say it shifts really hard, doesnt buck or kick.
But hey i had an 88' f-150. same 3spd setup and wow did that thing kick lol!
I think its a 3spd thing?

I appreciated the u-joint suggestion. I should look into that for sure....!

 

It wouldn't hurt to check the u-joints, but now I am in agreement with Mike, I am thinking it's more an internal issue then anything else. It should be shifting smooth.

 

**** ive got to get ready and go to lunch with my girlfriends parents...but ill check this thread later.
AKA: "I'll Be Back!"
Keep the ideas coming...any input is great!?

 

It's definitely not. Mine has never done that. (see below) Your friend has a C4 transmission by the way.

I would say start with checking the shifter linkage. Does it shift through 1 2 and D fine? How about in D does it shift all three gears fine? Slipage? Also check the vacuum line to the trans, I had problems with mine related to this. If all checks out I'd get it rebuilt, those transmissions are pretty simple and easy to rebuild, so they arn't too pricey.

On that note, got any pics of the car? I've got a '68 Fastback with the straight six and C4. Fun car.

 

im just wonderin... why do u put random question marks? lol?

 

I have a '67 Mustang with a auto and we had the same problem. Took it to a transmission shop and they have to overhaul the transmission.

for a temp fix that lasted about a year, we added some kinda auto trans treatment. worked great. can't remember it for the life of me.

 

Lucas? That stuff is the only thing keeping my Ranger trans alive... lol

 

I don't think so. My dad's kinda cheap when it comes to treatments and oils so it probably was a wal-mart special.

 

"Trans-X" get it, love it. saved my old Ranger's trans for like 30k plus miles.

 

Thanks for the input guys...im at college right now and my cousin and his car are back home. But i think im gonna give him a call today and try to get some pics/ ask him about shifting D,1,2...etc.
I'll see if i cant get some pics...we rebuilt the motor together a few years ago as his senior project. Fun car, not the fastest or the coolest, but its alot of fun!
I hope i just used that "quote" thingy right?
...because i like to use ?/! marks haha...beats me?

 

Trans fluid level? Sounds like some worn springs in the valve body/bands could also be the culprit. When was the last time the trans fluid was flushed and filter changed?

My A4LD had all these symptoms until I flushed and changed the fluid and filter.

 

My 67 mustang does the same thing. Its been awhile since the trans was serviced and i know its the trans. I would just have it rebuilt, it probably needs it.

 

Not the best but something to show off! I'll get better eventually but hears some rebuilds of the engine:
ENJOY!...:













Oh and plans for the car this summer...new front suspension?:

http://www.totalcontrolproducts.com/fcoc-fd.html

 

I love ford motor blue.

 

Yep...thanks you cant rebuild a mustang engine and paint it anything but that lol!
Anymore feedback on tranny?
My cousins pumped for the suggestions.
When we pull the car out again this summer were gonna start checking all these things you guys suggested.!

 

when you change the fluid, make sure there aren't any metal shaving.

 

Oh, and post more pictures of the 'Stang.

 

a friend and i recent came across a 1956 Fairlane.
3 spd auto, nothing worked. A mechanic friend told me to drop in a tablespoon of brake fluid into the trans fill, because it helps to condition seals. It worked.

 

I thought i knew most of the early Mustangs around here lol. If you ever saw a ****load of old ugly Fords off of Pioneer Blvd a few years back they were probably mine lol. (sold them all except for the Cougar which is not left outside)

It sounds like an internal thing to be honest. like a seal or something is leaking internally or something might be sticking in the valvebody. When was the last time it was serviced? i might have missed where you said that, but hey, i gave the thread kind of the high cut. It works fine in the forward gears right? Anything else sounds related to the valvebody really.

 

yeah im definitely gonna check...thanks.

Definitely couldnt hurt...thanks for the input.

Wow...last service. beats me? Tranny prob. never was serviced. Yep forward gears are good. reverse runs good too once your in....the problem is getting into reverse?
It never slips gears and shifts nice and smooth in D. Plus if you stomp on it, "This rarely happens", then it will downshift and take off. Whole front end torks to the right !!!
Its a blast!
How much for a mechanic to drop tranny and look at reverse do you think?

Hey if anybody else has some old mustang pics feel free to post em up...this could be fun!
I would love to see a 71' Mock 1 if some ownes one. Thats my dream car...

thanks again for all/ any input. Every bit helps!