C-6 dies again - can you recommend a vendor?

Tom Wells · #1 (**permalink**) 07-17-2004, 06:43 PM

My third C-6 died at the Fling

Forget the details - can anyone recommend a vendor who makes a C-6 for a 460 that can stand up to a bit of HP and torque?

How about Transmission Center . net?

Any fact-based suggestion out there? All genuine leads greatly appreciated!

Tom

cobrashoch · #2 (**permalink**) 07-17-2004, 07:51 PM

Tom - Time to change your thinking to current thinking on trannys I'd bet. A long talk to several tranny venders just may give you a new way to think about your problem.
We used to think in the muscle car days that built heavy duty TH400's, C-6's and Hemi-727's were required to take the hammering of big engines and fairly heavy cars in the 70's. That was 35 years ago amego. We now know that those trannys broke BECAUSE of the heavier components, and futher more, when they broke the heavy duty stuff does more damage. Thinking in that new direction, I give you the the racing powerglide. Lightweight, Can take over 2000 horsepower and live, runs cooler, looses only about 10 horsepower to drive line power losses And so on yada, yada. The list goes on and on, believe me.
So what's that got to do with you? Using the above light weight components thinking used in a glide, a C-4 can be built to handle ANYTHING either one of us can dream up for use in a Cobra. I've been saying for years that built C-4 is the right auto tranny to use in a Cobra regardless of powerplant used. Your new C-4 would be smaller, lighter, transmit more power, run cooler, and if built right, still have the abiliity to handle more power than almost all C-6's.
It won't be cheap though. And in my mind Coan transmissions is the best there is, both in racecars and in street trannys. Time to switch over a purpose built unit, and quit trying to modify junk to work. Hint: A very short tailshaft housing for C-4's was used on/in government mail jeeps and in a few other small cars down through the years. Those guys are around and are perfect for Cobras. That short tailshaft housing would also make room for that future gear-venders overdrive unit if you were inclined to think that way. Time to do some research, and go get em'.
www.coanracing.com
cobrashock

Bruce Edwards · #3 (**permalink**) 07-18-2004, 07:25 AM

Tom,

What broke on the C-6? There is a reason Ford built the C-6 trans and put it behind anything larger than a 302. It may be a bit heavier but if built right you would have a hard time breaking it. What type of failure are you having? Does the fluid get burned up and then the seals and clutches fail? That would be a sign of overheating due to a high stall convertor and not enough cooling of the fluid or some other flow problem. Broken hard parts are another story.
How about a hint as to what goes wrong with the C-6.

Tom Wells · #4 (**permalink**) 07-18-2004, 07:34 AM

Yo Ron,

Thanks!

Just finished sending all the info to Coan, so maybe they'll come up with something,

Tom

Tom Wells · #5 (**permalink**) 07-18-2004, 07:37 AM

Yo Bruce,

Third gear clutches burned up, clogged governor with yuck and spoiled the shifting.

No hard parts broken yet that I know of.

Converter has 2000-2200 stall. Mostly for street use.

Just added a fan-cooled cooler in place of the radiator tank cooler.

Latest rebuild not working due to "dirty" rebuild - the rebuilder must have failed to clean up the inside of the trans adequately. Lynch party forming as we speak

Tom

Hotfingrs · #6 (**permalink**) 07-18-2004, 08:11 AM

Tom, I've gotten 2 trans from Coan so far....They built me a Th400 for the Vette and I'm using a Th350 in the Cobra...have never had a problem. With the engine in the Cobra, when I pulled the pan this spring, there wasn't any clutch debris in the pan or on the filter...does nothing but hook. Not cheap, but definately worth the price. Phone 765-456-3957 and the only person you want to talk to is Craig.

DAVID GAGNARD · #7 (**permalink**) 07-18-2004, 08:30 AM

Tom;

There is a local trans. shop here in central Louisiana that has been building C-6s for 500 to 650 hp mud trucks for a while now with very good results..... Owner has raced in NHRA in Super Gas class for 15 years running a C-6 behind a 600 cu. in. 1000hp motor.....

He has done some research into them and has a lot of expirience with the C-6 and has a combo that has been working quite well and holding up for some time now....If you are interested,I'll give you his name and number and you could call him and talk it over with him...... He is pretty resonable on his prices also.........

David

Tom Wells · #8 (**permalink**) 07-18-2004, 08:54 AM

Yo David,

Since I have lots of connections in LA I'm definitely interested.

A son in BR, a highschool classmate & (ex)engine builder in BR, a brother in NO etc etc...

Bring it on!

Tom

DAVID GAGNARD · #9 (**permalink**) 07-18-2004, 09:05 AM

Tom;

Glenn's Auto Repair & Trans.,owner is guess???? Glenn,his # is 318-253-7255.....Shop is open from 8 to 5 monday thru friday......Give him a call and tell I told you about him..... Right now he is working on a set of alum heads for me for my Vintage race car......He has a top notch machinest there and they really do first class work......

BTW; We are only about 1.5 hours northwest fo BR.....Three of my four siblings graduated from LSU......go TIGERS........I have relatives in both BR and NO.........

David

Bruce Edwards · #10 (**permalink**) 07-18-2004, 09:06 AM

Tom,

If you have a burned clutch pack it is most likely due to cheap parts or the pack being set to tight and or he clipped a seal when he put it together. The crap would be caused by the clutch facing being burned off. SOunds like you just need to find a different builder.
Find someone that will install a HD set in your rebuild. The Cobra is so lite that you should never burn up a trans in one if you have good cooling for the fluid.
Trust me when I say that if the C-6 is built correctly you will never burn it up. The motor will wear out before the trans does.
I put one behind a 427 years ago and it is still going strong with no problems. Just find a place that understands what you are putting the trans in and ask them to build it to the car. The C-6 is very easy to overhaul. If you have some skill you could do it yourself.

Bruce Edwards · #11 (**permalink**) 07-18-2004, 09:16 AM

Tom,

Here is a link for HD parts for C-6 or C-4.
http://www.transmissioncenter.net/C4_C6.htm
When I rebuild one for a Cobra or performace use I install the Alto clutch sets and have never had a problem.

bgiven · #12 (**permalink**) 07-18-2004, 09:57 AM

Tom,

Take just a minute and call Butch Capps 865 524 4800 Mid South Gear Knoxville TN . It will be time well spent.... I guarantee.

cobrashoch · #13 (**permalink**) 07-20-2004, 04:53 PM

Tom - So many ways, only so much mu-la. Let us know what ya did and how it turnes out. After your engine fee-assco I think you can use a even break.
cobrashock

Bruce Edwards · #14 (**permalink**) 07-20-2004, 05:00 PM

Tom,

Well curse my sorry old eyes. You are not that far from me here in Orlando. If you pull the trans and bring it over I can rebuild it for you.

elgecko · #15 (**permalink**) 07-20-2004, 06:40 PM

So,
How hard is it to adapt a C4 trans to a FE motor. It sounds reasonable because of the lightweight and modern HD parts. How about it Cobrashoch ??? I'm building a 390 - 425hp FE and the wife would like a neck snapping shift but with her "BIG" feet she would like automatic.
Dave

Tom Wells · #16 (**permalink**) 07-20-2004, 06:52 PM

Yo Bruce,

I'll see if I can give you a call tomorrow.

Yo Dave,

FE to C4 'daptor

Tom

Bruce Edwards · #17 (**permalink**) 07-20-2004, 07:10 PM

Tom,

I will be in till 12:00 when we close for lunch. Then I have to go see my Doc at 1:30 but should be back by 2:15 or so. Wednesday is kind of crazy around my place.
When you call try to have as much info as you can as to what you have in the engine, what the car weights, and what rear end gear you are running. Also what stall speed converter you are running.
If you have any idea as to what the last builder put in the C-6 as far as HD parts to upgrade the trans. Hard parts do not normally good bad but if you are running a 351 trans behind an FE you need to get a different set of clutch drums to handle the extra load. The way Ford and most factory trans are made to handle different loads is my changing the clutch number. A small set for a small engine and more clutches for a larger engine.
Talk to you tomorrow. Again sorry I missed the fact that you are that close to me.

cobra427mnsi · #18 (**permalink**) 07-20-2004, 07:55 PM

Bruce

How can you run a 351 trans behind an FE ? The C6 bellhousing is part of the tranny case they are all one piece. A 351 C6 will not bolt up to an FE engine and visa versa.

Paul

Bruce Edwards · #19 (**permalink**) 07-20-2004, 08:00 PM

Paul,

If the builder was pulling parts off a shelf to build the trans he may have installed the small clutch drum sets in the trans and thus lowered the trans load rating. That is what I was trying to say. Guess I worded it the wrong way. Sorry.

Back in Black · #20 (**permalink**) 07-20-2004, 08:26 PM

I have been using a stock C6 behind a truck 460 in box truck..over 100,000 miles on this one and 10+ years (It's a cherry 1979 F350 truck I use for "heavy" hauling) Use it fully (over) loaded and made it up many very steep hills under load.. not failed yet! The C6 is a tough tranny and I agree with the assessment that it was parts or the builder (human error) Maybe we can help each other for our prospective lynch parties.. you have had more than enough trouble so far, as have I. Hope you get it together !