c4 ford transmission plus water

[390owner]

I bought a 66 mustang with a rebuild c4. It was rebuild about 15 years ago. The car was driven very little then parked for the last couple of years. Any way some rain water got into it. When I pulled it today water came out of the tailshaft.  I would say about 1/2 a gallon. If I change the fluid and filter will it be ok?

[winr1]

Have ya pulled the pan to see if there is any corrosion or such ??



Ricky.

[cjshaker]

This is the same car that had the 289 that was full of water? Was the hood off of the car? I don't see how that much water could get into a trans unless the hood was off and the dipstick was missing. I'm beginning to think the car was in a flood. With that much water in it, I'd think the valve body would be pretty much stuck and nothing would work or shift right.

[Posi67]

What Doug said...  Unless the dipstick was out and a large funnel was inserted into the tube I can't see how that much water could get into the trans. It's hooped and needs to come apart.

[390owner]

This is a parts car I bought. About 15 years ago this car was running and driving but not for long. I think it must have sat with the hood off. The dipstick was in the transmission but it was a cheap aftermarket. I will pull the pan tomorrow and see what it looks like and let you guys know

[plovett]

I also don't know how that much water could get in there.

How much money are you out if you change the fluid and filter?  That is the risk, plus your own labor and time.  Maybe you'll be presently surprised.

JMO,

paulie

[e philpott]

Hopefully the Case is fine and the Pump is salvageable, otherwise it’s a parts transmission

[390owner]

I am . going to take the transmission to the shop here in town and let the guy tear it down and have a look The pan was nasty and the filter was too. So I will see what he says

[Falcon67]

Same as the others - it's going to need a look inside, sounds "not good".  Any corrosion or trash in the valve body will screw it up, and the valves in there are pretty sensitive to their environment.  Steels will rust, clutches will be damaged, etc. 

[shady]

I'm a little more hopeful. The water will go to the bottom of the pan pushing the oil up, unless it had no oil in in it and gallons of water.

[gt350hr]

  The valve body will be trash because the water will corrode the aluminum and stick the valves.

[390owner]

I dont know anything about an automatic. But I pulled the pan and the filter. Then the piece that the filter bolts too I removed. It had water and gunk in it. Is this the piece with the valves in it? It looked bad

[cjshaker]

Yes, the part that the filter attaches to is the valvebody that contains all the valves, checkballs etc. Like Chris said, they are very sensitive to any form of trash or debris or corrosion. Without seeing it, I would guess there's a 99% chance that the trans is only usable as a case core, at best.

[390owner]

Ok well I will go to plan B and use the other c4 I have Thanks for the replies

[Falcon67]

To make matters worse, C4 valve bodies are getting real scarce.  I would tear it down and try to save any hard parts that I could, including the case - IF your other trans is a similar model.  However, the pre-70 units are not as desirable as the post 70 units IMHO.