Any old school hotrodders on here?

JasonK · 10-29-2012, 09:53 AM

I'm building a hotrod '66 Mustang. Planned to restore it but not with all the rot, plans have changed. I've already built a pretty healthy 347. Now I'm onto the tranny. I need to keep it an automatic. Want to either use a c4 or c6 tranny.
I'm looking at options online. Anyone familur with reverse shift patterns? Manual only valve bodies? I'm totally fine manually shifting the auto.

I drove the car for the first time last week. 30-35 mph I nailed it and put the rear tire in smoke til I let off. Granted this was only one tire, but no downshifting since I was manually shifting the car because I didn't have the kickdown hooked up.

What have your run and any regrets? No Ford bashing please, I do have a Camaro also....

LOWDOWN · 10-29-2012, 12:49 PM

C4 is the way to go, as that was the original trans for a '66 289. It also takes less power to run than a C6, which was their Big Block/truck automatic back then.
Reverse Pattern/Manual Valve Body speaks to a race-oriented trans, not necessarily (or necessary) for street use. Having a fully automatic trans, with kickdown, that has a "street-'n-strip" valvebody and appropriate-to-engine power/car weight/gearing/usage converter will have you AND your Stang smilin'. A reputable company like TCI can spec the proper parts.

bada · 10-29-2012, 05:54 PM

I run a manual reverse valve body in mine. I drive it on the street, about 5000 miles per year. And its been in the truck, for 15 years now. I love it.

JasonK · 10-29-2012, 09:53 PM

Bada - So you have to bring it down to first each time you are at a stop sign? I'd be okay with that way also I think.

McBeevee · 10-30-2012, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonK

Bada - So you have to bring it down to first each time you are at a stop sign? I'd be okay with that way also I think.

Yes, the trans acts just as described.....the operator controls what gear the trans is in at all times. The transmission does not shift itself ever in a manual valve body.
Like Bada, I too have run them on the street over the years and really liked them. I had a th400 in my '70 Chevelle and a c4 in my '93 Mustang. Both were full manual/reverse valve body transmissions. I never had any issues and wouldn't hesitate to run one again.

bada · 10-30-2012, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonK

Bada - So you have to bring it down to first each time you are at a stop sign? I'd be okay with that way also I think.

Yes it works just like, a manual tranny. But just doesn't, have a clutch. Look at it like this, it's a clutchless manual. You shift it all the time.

10-29-2012, 09:53 AM	#1
JasonK Drives: 2010 Camaro Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Topeka, Kansas Posts: 713 View My Garage	Any old school hotrodders on here? I'm building a hotrod '66 Mustang. Planned to restore it but not with all the rot, plans have changed. I've already built a pretty healthy 347. Now I'm onto the tranny. I need to keep it an automatic. Want to either use a c4 or c6 tranny. I'm looking at options online. Anyone familur with reverse shift patterns? Manual only valve bodies? I'm totally fine manually shifting the auto. I drove the car for the first time last week. 30-35 mph I nailed it and put the rear tire in smoke til I let off. Granted this was only one tire, but no downshifting since I was manually shifting the car because I didn't have the kickdown hooked up. What have your run and any regrets? No Ford bashing please, I do have a Camaro also.... __________________ 2015 Sentra / 2015 Murano / 2012 HD Ultra Classic / 1995 Z71 / 1966 Mustang

10-29-2012, 09:53 PM	#4
JasonK Drives: 2010 Camaro Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Topeka, Kansas Posts: 713 View My Garage	Bada - So you have to bring it down to first each time you are at a stop sign? I'd be okay with that way also I think. __________________ 2015 Sentra / 2015 Murano / 2012 HD Ultra Classic / 1995 Z71 / 1966 Mustang

10-29-2012, 12:49 PM	#2
LOWDOWN Downright Upright Drives: Daily Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Cruisin'... Posts: 4,145	C4 is the way to go, as that was the original trans for a '66 289. It also takes less power to run than a C6, which was their Big Block/truck automatic back then. Reverse Pattern/Manual Valve Body speaks to a race-oriented trans, not necessarily (or necessary) for street use. Having a fully automatic trans, with kickdown, that has a "street-'n-strip" valvebody and appropriate-to-engine power/car weight/gearing/usage converter will have you AND your Stang smilin'. A reputable company like TCI can spec the proper parts.

10-29-2012, 05:54 PM	#3
bada Drives: 1932 pro street truck ZO6 LS7 power Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Greenbrier tenn & pennington gap VA. Posts: 118	I run a manual reverse valve body in mine. I drive it on the street, about 5000 miles per year. And its been in the truck, for 15 years now. I love it.

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