following, I'm about to get mine rebuilt as well.

 

I'm looking at a remanufatured one , they tell me it's the only way to go with a 50 yr old tranny. And everything I have researched says the same thing.

 

the quality and dependability depends on the shop.

you can go with a new C4 or C6 right from summit for prob less or the same as what the overhaul will cost

when my FMX goes that's the route im taking and may even go with an overdrive unit

 

Are you sure there's not a lot of changes to driveshaft, linkages, transmission lines, etc.. that will end up doubling the cost? I'd rather go with a C4 myself, but I think by the time I do all that, I will be double the price of the FMX. I've never heard anything bad about the FMX btw, by all accounts its very reliable. Its just not very flexible as far as upgrades/performance from what I understand.

 

Who remanufactures the FMX?

 

There are 3 reputable companies out there , they all need me to send my tranny to them.
The totaly disassemble everything , replace all worn parts with new , new seals , o rings and everything else that worn.
Then it's tested with equipment made for this.
2 of them have a 3 yr ,50,000 mile warranty and one of them has a 5 yr , 100,000 mile warranty .
No body that I know of warranties a rebuild like that.

The cost for this is. $ 900-1050 depending on if I want a shift kit put in + shipping

I had a tranny rebuilt locally a few yrs back , cost me a lot more than this and only a three month warranty.

I'll do the reman unit any time over that.

 

Designed by Borg Warner.
It is very under rated. I raced one for years behind a 351C. Of the three (C4, FMX, C6) I prefer the FMX.Parts are still readily available for them.

 

Rebuilding automatic transmissions is a dicey thing, even with a good technician. Finding an honest reputable transmission shop in your area is a challenge. I would go by yelp, better business bureau, or better still someone that's used that shop. Most transmission rebuilders are not good at diagnosing old problems. They usually just pop in new parts, and hope for the best. If pumps, bands, clutch packs, and valve bodies were changed, and the valve body, and all else is good, it would be a perfect world. But they usually mess up on install. Not to be so negative, but I've had bad experiences with trans shops. Hopefully you'll find a good one, or rebuild your own. It's not that hard, if you take your time.


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I would not go by yelp. They are employed by company's to make sure only good things are said about them. Its a fact.

 

Yes who DOES remanufacture FMX's? Seriously.
It's good to be aware that "remanufacture" really just means a used random "core" transmission is rebuilt in a production line type environment. Considering the low demand I don't see anybody doing that with FMX's. Personally I'd rather have the one I have rebuilt by someone who knows transmissions and can apply the various fixes and updates that experience has shown to be beneficial over the years. Versus assembly line drones putting tab A into slot B. But finding that rebuilder can definitely be tough.
One of the most important things about a transmission rebuild is the warranty though. Some of those reman outfits do offer some excellent warranties even if their transmission are so-so. If you can find one that does FMX's. I know Recon and Transtar do not.

 

I had my own engine and transmission rebuilding shop for 20 odd years(1977-1983). I always replace all the bushings, steel and friction plates, bands, front pump. a new torque converter is also necessary to insure a lasting job. I always installed a "shift-kit" to cut down on slippage. If anyone wants me to rebuild a Ford automatic, I would be willing to do it. call me at 712-579-0447 to talk.Henry (Iowa)

 

i meant 20 odd years(1977-1987) LOL

 

That's true. I wrote before thinking. The Fmx sounds like the AOD trans. Weak but build able to be strong. You need to find someone like Henry that still gives a damn. Two states is a long way to drive to have a rebuild. Shipping is at least $200.00. You need to find a guy/ shop closer .


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"Most transmission rebuilders are not good at diagnosing old problems." Wow. At most smaller independent transmission shops the resident "rebuilder" is automatically head diagnostician too. Standard nationwide industry practice. And if he can't diagnose and repair the occasional common domestic (even if very outdated) transmission he'll soon be looking for another career.

 

The FMX has a bad rap as it was overshadowed in performance applications by the C6. It's really not a BAD unit but just lacks any options as far as gear ratios. Since you have a small block I'd go with a C4 prepped to your needs.

 

I'm sorry Gypsy r if you got your feelings hurt, but I've worked not only at dealerships, but have dealt with over 6 different transmission shops that couldn't even do a proper pressure adjustment. I had one shop that swore he did a pressure gauge adjustment for my 89 Lincoln mark 7. When I got car back 1 1/2 hours later, his so called expert just backed off the pressure adjustment completely on the tv cable. Almost totally burned up over drive band/ drum. I run into idiots all the time, that swear they know but don't. Your probably an excellent tech, and wish their were more like you, but shops tend to put on parts changers. At a Taxi cab company I worked. We had 1 tech out of 5 that were hired that knew the Crown Vic's transmissions thorough. Their was one circumstance that the tech had to pull out three reman trans that they built, because they wouldn't shift. I wish their were more quality transmission techs, but short of dealerships, I've not seen them, at least near San Francisco where I live.


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No feelings involved, just not my personal an professional experience at all, at least within a 100 mile radius of me anyway. I know of exactly one guy currently working at a new car dealership that actually kinda sorta knows his way around a transmission beyond just following a manual. And he's not all that good even though he's a "master" tech. But some people never did seem to "get" AOD's though and that's a fact.
I'm still interested in who these companies are. Some nice warranties they're offering.

 

Years back when I worked dealerships I guess it was different. I had two guys that pretty much rebuilt and diagnosed transmissions. It was during the mid 90's when Chrysler transmissions were failing at alarming rates. I've known a lot of top notch mechanics in my time, but when it comes to automatics, I've just run into a bunch of parts changers, and no one that has the knowledge or cares to diagnose shifting problems. These days it's easier to sell a customer a complete unit.


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