Moved this post over here since it seemed like a good place to start...

Completed the teardown (save the valve body) of the 4R70W yesterday.

The guy I bought it from told me that "it's a builder as there's something wrong with it...and it doesn't shift right." Since I've never cracked open a tranny before, that scared me...as I had no idea what I'd be looking for. Well, talk about gratification...after a few hours of disassembly, I finally got to the innards, as I pulled out the front pump, I saw a metal shard fall out with it. Once I got the entire forward hub and clutch packs out, I found more damage....the shard had cracked off the clutch outer race and intermediate clutch hub and I think the reverse clutch drum assy is also damaged.

This was actually great news as I now know what needs to be replaced:) After a little research...it's apparent this is the part that the mechanical diode upgrade replaces. Looks like I'll be buying most of the parts Baumann offers... http://www.becontrols.com/products/aodecat.htm
I'm still under $450 for the entire thing with all the upgrades I plan along with the overhaul kit:) That doesn't include the controller of course, which will come later.

I found a place in Castle Rock that will hot-tank the case for me for free. I'll slip him a $20. Then it's cast-iron paint time.

Few more....

I'm subscribing to watch this. I know jack crap about autos, but this is the trans I want in the future. Good luck, I hope your experience will help me make smart decisions in the future. I know your 427 build thread has already talked me out of trying that myself.

I was just reading your post over at CB.com. You pointed out the need to upgrade to the mechanical diode if using an older 4R70W. I had also read that this was an important improvement Ford made. The article did not state that it could be upgraded. How much extra expense is it to make the upgrade? Just wondering, because, I'm keeping my eyes open for a deal, and wonder if its worth getting an early trans & updating it or just looking for a newer one with the mechanical diode.

Yea...1998+ model years had the mechanical diode already. That might be worth looking for. I picked up this tranny for only $100 since it was busted...just nice it turned out to be the same part I will upgrade. The mechanical diodes run around $150 for all 3 pieces.

Thanks,

I was just planning on ruling out anything pre-98, but that is not too much money if I can find a good enough deal. Since I'd probably have the trans rebuilt (or possibly do it myself), a couple hundred extra wouldn't break the bank. That is good news, because finding a 4R70W in Gunnison is going to be hard enough, let alone waiting to find the right year. Its such a long term plan, I've got lots of time to look, so hopefully I'll stumble on one with all the good stuff.

Here are the two manuals I am using. So far they have been awesome. The first one is all about the AODE and has complete step by step tear down and build up instructions. The second is an update manual for the 4R70W with lots of issues and how to diagnose and fix them (including the suggested mechanical diode upgrade).

http://atsg.com/cart/products/AODE_4R70W-48-6.html



http://atsg.com/cart/products/AODE_4R70 ... -78-6.html



I also bought their 4R70W DVD but I'm not sold on it yet. It's only about 45min long and isn't to detailed. There are clips you can watch on YouTube and the quality isn't that great.

http://atsg.com/cart/products/Ford_AOD_ ... 59-16.html

Dropped it off at the tranny shop in Castle Rock yesterday for a cleaning, they had it done and dry in an hour. He mentioned that they could ream and sleeve the governor bore for $100 bucks and I said thanks and I'd consider it. My first thought was he was just trying to get $ out of me so I came home and did a little research. Turns out that this actually is a good idea as this bore tends to get larger with mileage and then starts leaking...causing failure. I looked up the tool to do it myself and it's $500! (http://www.etoolcart.com/governorboreca ... -aode.aspx) Since I'm not planning on becoming the Viperwolf1 of 4R70Ws, I may take it back down and see if they'll do it for a bit less than $100....It will probably take them 20 minutes to do it and I know the sleeve is only $15 retail. (http://www.etoolcart.com/replacementsle ... 95-sl.aspx)

I brought the case home and put 2 coats of high-zinc primer on it. Next will be a few coats of cast iron paint.

Primer....

Speaking of viper.....?

We should all pitch in and buy him the tools needed to rebuild 4R70W units. I'm sure we all can keep him busy. ...I have a viper built C4 now.

Haha....I agree!

Fyi...this is by far the best article for general info and builder parts on the 4R70W I have found. On page 12 there is a nice writeup also on how to pressure lubricate the rear extension bushing. http://www.tccoa.com/articles/tranny/tr ... ndex.shtml

I believe this is what the setup looks like....

Haha..that's funny! I can't handle disorganization. I tend to lose parts and a messy work area makes them disappear into thin air!

Got it painted today and the valve body disassembled a bit...I marked the check ball locations with screws for the picture before I removed them.

I swear that I've watched small parts roll off my bench and disappear into thin air before the hit the ground...literally!

An old proverb says:

"Take something apart and put it back together enough times, and soon you will have enough parts for 2 of them"

Talk about small parts. I just disassembled my iPhone 4 to replace the shattered front glass....that tiny line of parts next to the screens are little itty-bitty screws and washers.

Yea...tried that but since this is a 4 and the new ones are the 4S...they wouldn't swap it out:(

Called that tranny shop and the owner said $50 to sleeve the bore so I'll drop it off tomorrow.

I need to pickup a parts washer for all the internals. Any suggestions on a good cleaner to use? I think viper mentioned he uses mineral spirits.

Mineral spirits work great as long as you don't get the environmentally watered down kind.

Does it come in 5gal drums?