FMX trani “toast”

[swice]

Hey awesome group, my Fmx trani went out, ‘73 vert 351c, wouldn’t shift into high, took it in, only local trani shop simply said parts not available, etc, wanted to go with later model 4 speed for twice what seemed reasonable.
So, anyone know where I could get rebuilt FMX? I’m not mechanically inclined enough myself to rebuild at home. Would like to keep original, any ideas most appreciated, many thanks, john

 

[Sheriff41]

Rebuild kits for FMXs are readily available. Check with some of the reputable independent mechanics in your area and see if any will take it on. The FMX are not difficult to overhaul so I'm surprised they turned you away.

 

[swice]

Rebuild kits for FMXs are readily available. Check with some of the reputable independent mechanics in your area and see if any will take it on. The FMX are not difficult to overhaul so I'm surprised they turned you away.

Thanks, pretty limited in my area, I’ll keep pushing. A mechanic I trust just said they wouldn’t trust the rebuild for some reason, I suspected they just didn’t want to do it.

 

[turtle5353]

Where you located?

 

[swice]

Where you located?

Fort Smith, Arkansas

 

[giantpune]

There are lots of shops in my AO that will rebuild an FMX. Even if there weren't, you can pretty easily swap in a C4 or C6 in its place, which are also very easy to come by. If you have the tools, you will save a grand and open your options for a shop up if you pull the transmission yourself. Yank it out, toss it in the back of a truck. Surely you can find a ship within an hour drive that will rebuild it. Then put it back in your car.

As far as swapping to something else, a C4 or C6 would be the cheapest transmission swap. Followed by some overdrive automatic one. A manual swap will be more expensive due to there being a lot more parts that get swapped in like adding a clutch pedal, flywheel, master and slave cylinders, and shifter. All in, parts to convert an automatic to a manual start around $4k including tax and shipping. Its a couple days worth of labor.

 

[swice]

There are lots of shops in my AO that will rebuild an FMX. Even if there weren't, you can pretty easily swap in a C4 or C6 in its place, which are also very easy to come by. If you have the tools, you will save a grand and open your options for a shop up if you pull the transmission yourself. Yank it out, toss it in the back of a truck. Surely you can find a ship within an hour drive that will rebuild it. Then put it back in your car.

As far as swapping to something else, a C4 or C6 would be the cheapest transmission swap. Followed by some overdrive automatic one. A manual swap will be more expensive due to there being a lot more parts that get swapped in like adding a clutch pedal, flywheel, master and slave cylinders, and shifter. All in, parts to convert an automatic to a manual start around $4k including tax and shipping. Its a couple days worth of labor.

Great advice, I’ll do some checking, thank you!

 

[swice]

Hey everyone, I found a C6 rebuilt 3 year 100k warranty. I appreciate everyone’s help. Best to all, John

 

[giantpune]

Hey everyone, I found a C6 rebuilt 3 year 100k warranty. I appreciate everyone’s help. Best to all, John

Good deal. Before you get too gung ho, make sure you know what all will need to change. Like i think the transmission lines are different, and C6 ones will run $70 a set.

The neutral safety switch is a bit different. The FMX cars should have it in the shifter, while the C6 cars had it on the side of the transmission. I believe you can get away with leaving yours in the shifter and it'll still work fine.

The crossmember is a little different. You may be able to make your existing one work.

I'm not certain how different the linkage rods are for the shifting and the kickdown. That may be an ebay item.

The length of the driveshaft may also need to be different. Its cheaper to shorten one up than to buy a longer one.

 

[73pony]

I have a good FMX out of a 73 351C coupe just sitting. Pulled it when I upgraded to a T5. Trans has about 68K miles on it. You can have it free. I'm in Iowa. You come pick up or cover shipping.

 

[swice]

Good deal. Before you get too gung ho, make sure you know what all will need to change. Like i think the transmission lines are different, and C6 ones will run $70 a set.

The neutral safety switch is a bit different. The FMX cars should have it in the shifter, while the C6 cars had it on the side of the transmission. I believe you can get away with leaving yours in the shifter and it'll still work fine.

The crossmember is a little different. You may be able to make your existing one work.

I'm not certain how different the linkage rods are for the shifting and the kickdown. That may be an ebay item.

The length of the driveshaft may also need to be different. Its cheaper to shorten one up than to buy a longer one.

Awesome advice, will pass on to the shop, many thanks!