[BoomerSixZero]

I have a 1966, 302, 3-speed automatic. While the car runs good, I am bothered by a clunking sound when I shift into reverse (no problem when the engine is cold but very noticeable when it is warmed up).

It seems to shift into reverse pretty hard. It's apparently not the universal joint, since I recently had it replaced. And the idle seems about right.

Does anybody else have this problem or any thoughts on what's going on with the drive train?

[CR70fastback]

It could be just a loose band in your trans. my 70 did that and then it wouldn'g go into reverse any more. I took it to the shop and it was a cheap fix

[Horseshoeing]

It could still be the U-joint. Maybe it was not put in right. Or how about the rearend? Crawl up under it and grab the driveshaft and turn it back and forth. If its not tight, then find out where its not tight at.

[BoomerSixZero]

Exactly, it could still be the U joint or the bands. I’ll try to check the drive shaft myself today. But I have a body kit that runs along the side of the car close to the ground, so it might be hard to reach in under there and turn the drive shaft.

Actually, I made an appointment to have a tranny shop check it out this morning at no cost. I told him what the problem was over the phone, and he thought it might be the “vacuum modulator,” an easy fix....

I should hopefully know more in 24 hours
.

[BoomerSixZero]

Well, I got an interesting response from the technician. He said "going hard into reverse is the nature of the beast -- the car runs good." He said he adjusted the band for reverse, but it wasn't much of an adjustment because it was almost right on anyway, so it won't really change anything.

It still bothers me; it doesn't seem right....

Any more suggestions?

[Horseshoeing]

Get a T-5 five speed

[BoomerSixZero]

Originally Posted by Horseshoeing Get a T-5 five speed

I have looked into it, months ago. It seemed pretty expensive and difficult to do the conversion -- 2-3 thousand bucks. Does this sound right to you?

[My67_fastback]

try some Lucas transmission slip fix. just add it to the tranny fluid and it may fix your problem, if not, its probably serious enough to bother taking it to the shop

[BoomerSixZero]

Originally Posted by My67_fastback try some Lucas transmission slip fix. just add it to the tranny fluid and it may fix your problem, if not, its probably serious enough to bother taking it to the shop

I'll pick some up today and try it.

I've taken my car to three different tranny shops. One shop said it was "normal," another wanted to try a couple of pretty expensive fixes with no guarantee either one would work, and the other said the driveshaft slack seemed normal and that it sounded like something in the tranny itself.

He made a couple of untoward comments about Mustangs, so I didn't follow up with him.

I'll look around for other shops and get other opinions.

[Grimmy]

Originally Posted by BoomerSixZero ...a clunking sound... ...It seems to shift into reverse pretty hard.... Does anybody else have this problem or any thoughts on what's going on with the drive train?

If you mean when you are stopped and put it into reverse it makes a very noticeble noise when changing the gears and then jerks back, mine does the same thing.

[CR70fastback]

I am just gelious some of you can take yours out. It sucks living is snow and salt land

[BoomerSixZero]

Originally Posted by Grimmy Originally Posted by BoomerSixZero ...a clunking sound... ...It seems to shift into reverse pretty hard.... Does anybody else have this problem or any thoughts on what's going on with the drive train? If you mean when you are stopped and put it into reverse it makes a very noticeble noise when changing the gears and then jerks back, mine does the same thing.

Yes. That sounds just like mine. Apparently, there isn't an easy fix.

I did buy some Lucas Transmission Slip, but haven't had a chance to use it yet. I'd be good if that fixed it.

As for being able to drive our Mustangs this time of year, I do feel fortunate, considering I'm originally from the northeast. It'd be hard to enjoy your car back there this time of year. But in the spring, there's no place like the northeast.

[Grimmy]

No, i don't think it's something to be fixed. I think that's normal.

[BoomerSixZero]

Originally Posted by Grimmy No, i don't think it's something to be fixed. I think that's normal.

You are most likely right. Over time, my skepticism will hopefully fade away. It would be helpful if I could find another 1966 Mustang with a similar setup and compare them. But the chances of that happening in the near future are low. By the way, I can’t add the Lucas tranny slip because my tranny fluid is full….

[Horseshoeing]

Originally Posted by BoomerSixZero Originally Posted by Horseshoeing Get a T-5 five speed I have looked into it, months ago. It seemed pretty expensive and difficult to do the conversion -- 2-3 thousand bucks. Does this sound right to you?

Yours is an auto so that makes it harder. You can get a T-5 from a junkyard and get a kit for about $300 to $400. I think you will need to have your driveshaft cut. I think that runs under $200. I would say that if you do it yourself, it would cost under $1500.

[BoomerSixZero]

Originally Posted by Horseshoeing Originally Posted by BoomerSixZero Originally Posted by Horseshoeing Get a T-5 five speed I have looked into it, months ago. It seemed pretty expensive and difficult to do the conversion -- 2-3 thousand bucks. Does this sound right to you? Yours is an auto so that makes it harder. You can get a T-5 from a junkyard and get a kit for about $300 to $400. I think you will need to have your driveshaft cut. I think that runs under $200. I would say that if you do it yourself, it would cost under $1500.

I tried finding one in a junkyard last summer, even went on the Internet. It's next to impossible to locate one, since they are in demand, I guess.

I have heard that not all T-5s are created equal. Some from the early 90s Mustangs deliver more torque. Have you heard that?

So, it looks like I'd have to go with a new one, which I priced on Saturday -- $1,300.

I wouldn't be able to do it myself. Too complicated for me, and I don’t have enough spare time, nor do I have the tools.

But I am wondering about how the T-5 would work out in my car.

Does it shift somewhat like the tyrannies in the new Mustang GT.? I drove one on Saturday and a 2006 Saleen. So, I know how those cars shift. Of, course I wouldn’t expect my 302 to perform like those cars.

If I'd be okay with the way a T-shifts, I'd be willing to pursue a conversion kit with a professional installation in the near future.

[Horseshoeing]

I got mine new in 1992 or some where around there. My T-5 is a heavy duty world class T-5 that would of went in Mustang GT or a t-bird SC. It works out very well. If you have the money, I would do it. You will have to change the rearend gears. I would go with the 3.55s or the 3.73s.

[My67_fastback]

btw, my 67 c4 3sp auto does the same thing, lurches into reverse, im starting to believe its kinda normal for them, as this tranny was just rebuilt, or maybe its just not broken in yet, i have about 15 miles on it since rebuild so probably it hahaha

[BoomerSixZero]

Originally Posted by Horseshoeing I got mine new in 1992 or some where around there. My T-5 is a heavy duty world class T-5 that would of went in Mustang GT or a t-bird SC. It works out very well. If you have the money, I would do it. You will have to change the rearend gears. I would go with the 3.55s or the 3.73s.

The world class T-5 would be the one I'd want, I think. I have a catalogue that sells Mustang parts; I saw several T-5 tyrannies in there. There was an Extra Heavy Duty T-5, costing around $2,000 with 600 ft/lbs. torque capacity. There was an Upgraded Super Duty "World Class” T-5, capable of 300 ft. /lbs. torque capacity.

It seems like the higher the torque capacity the better. Is it true?

[Horseshoeing]

Yep. If you are going to get a 300 horse 289, I would get the Super Duty, but anything more and I would get the Extra Heavy Duty one. Also if you are going to run slicks I would get the 600ft/lbs torque one.