[leejoy]

Originally Posted by jvsutton

I've been watching this post because I plan on putting the B&M shift Kit in my C4. I know the C4 is different but I wanted to see if you had finished it and drove it yet to know how if feels. I plan on using the Street/strip set up in my truck since it's not going to be used a truck and its not my daily driver.

Jason
77 f100

Jason

You are in luck. I finished the job, test drove it, and observed a noticeable improvement. I am happy with the kit so far. I only drove it for like 10-15 minutes around the neighborhood and got about 3 or 4 chances to really step on it (without getting busted) and feel the difference. I got my kit on sale somewhere for only $25 on the internet. There's another kit out there from Transgo also. It was not hard to do even with the trans installed in the car. yes it takes time and is very messy but if you plan and prepare properly it's not that bad. the instructions from B&M are ok, not perfect. Go ahead and do the kit and contact me with questions you may have or if you need help. You will also need to add 5-7 quarts of new trans fluid when you are done because that's how much you will be draining out. B&M recommends their "trick shift" ($6/quart) fluid or Type F. If you have a digital camera like I do, take photos of the disassembly process as you go so that when you reassemble the valve body, detent valve linkage, manual valve linkage, seperator plates, bolts, etc, you will have photos to guide you. also take note of the check balls - quantity and location as you remove the valve body and drop it down. when you drop the valve body you will see the check balls sitting in their locations in the seperator plate gasket. you will only use 1 of them typically with the new kit however. one of the biggest problems I had was with the new trans pan gasket. I had to remove the crossmember for the trans support to get access to the gasket and it's bolts. Hard to explain but basically the crossmember was in the way. I recommend moving it before you begin the project. that itself may take an hour or more. It only has to be moved an inch or two and remember it is still supporting the trans so DONT remove it - just slide it over a bit with a hammer. You will have to remove the trans to crossmember mounting bolts also. Your vehicle may be different. Mine was a 72 Nova.

[jvsutton]

Thanks for the update! The being able to feel a difference was the main thing I wanted to know, along with ease of installation. I am going with the B&M because of the price, I've heard the transgo are somewhat better but I just don't need to spend $89 bucks on a shift kit.
I know mine is different in that the valve body is totally self contained so i don't risk any check balls or anything falling out when I take it out. And as for the Crossmember mine is not going to be a problem I don't think. Thanks again for the update.


Jason
77 f100

[leejoy]

Originally Posted by jvsutton

Thanks for the update! The being able to feel a difference was the main thing I wanted to know, along with ease of installation. I am going with the B&M because of the price, I've heard the transgo are somewhat better but I just don't need to spend $89 bucks on a shift kit.
I know mine is different in that the valve body is totally self contained so i don't risk any check balls or anything falling out when I take it out. And as for the Crossmember mine is not going to be a problem I don't think. Thanks again for the update.


Jason
77 f100

Jason

I am anything but a automatic trans expert, but remember that the trans must be in good shape to expect results. I was told that a trans with wornout clutches, bands, plates, etc may see only a slight or no improvement. However, the trans I have is a 69 or 70 model (very old) which was probably never rebuilt and it worked well. So good luck.

[jvsutton]

Mine is a rebuilt one. It was rebuilt a few years ago and has less than 6,000 miles on it. Before I got the truck my dad drove it back and forth to work and that is it, 6 miles a day. He got a new car so then I got the truck and started working on the engine trying to get it stop leaking oil, but it gave out and cracked the block and sent the #3 piston up the cylinder sideways. So I pulled a newer 5.0 from a grand marquis and rebuilt the engine over a period of time and so the truck did not get driven for a while. So I shouldn't have a problem, I HOPE!

Jason
77 f100

[intimidator3]

You will still need to be concerned about the check balls as you will need to change the valve body gaskets, you will probably only need 1-2 of the balls depending on what shift quality you want. Most of the kits come with a new spacer plate, gaskets and balls along with a new plate at the rear of the the v/body.

Jack
www.*.com

[jvsutton]

Yea I know I will still have to mess with the check balls. I just meant I don't have to worry about them falling out while I'm removing the valve body. Because they are inside the valve body. I have to take it apart to get to the check balls and gaskets and stuff.

Jason
77 f100