Ford C4 Transmission rebuilt part 1 of 3. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. You're signed out. The C4 is an automatic transmission that is mounted longitudinally. I should also mention that the transmission was a 3 speed which utilized gear ratios of 2.46 for 1st, 1.46 for 2nd, and 1 for 3rd. Reverse was designated with a transmission ratio of 2.18.

The Ford C4 is a three-speed, medium-duty automatic transmission introduced on 1964 model year vehicles and produced through 1981. The C4 was designed to be a lighter and more simple replacement for the original Ford-O-Matic two speed transmission being used in smaller, less powerful cars.

Ford used the term 'SelectShift' because in the first C4's, placing the gear selector in D2 forced the transmission to start in second gear and then shift to third gear. If the transmission was placed in D1, the transmission would start in first gear, then shift to second and third gear as normal. If the gear selector was placed into L, the transmission stayed in first gear only. The shifter display appeared as P-R-N-D2-D1-L. Because this was confusing, later versions of the C4 were changed to a P-R-N-D-2-1 (or L) pattern typically seen today.

Because of its cast iron construction, the Ford-O-Matic was very heavy. In designing the C4, Ford used an aluminum alloy, three-piece case (bell housing, main case, and tailhousing). The aluminum case and the use of a more simple Simpson planetary gearset reduced the weight significantly. It was primarily used with Ford's inline six-cylinder engines and small V8 engines (see Ford Windsor engines), usually up to 302 in³ (5.0 L). By comparison, the 351 Windsor and 351 Cleveland small and intermediate-block engines were backed by the medium-duty FMX or the heavy-duty C6 that debuted in 1966. Some C4s were built with a larger spread bell housing to use with 351M V8s, but these are rare. A few were also used with FE engines, mostly the 390. in full-size cars. Ratios are 2.46 low, 1.46 second and direct high.

The early model C4 (1964–1969) used a .788-inch 24-spline input shaft, which was upgraded in 1970 to 26-spline and .839-inch. The upgrade also included a matching clutch hub of 26-spline. In 1971, Ford went to a 26/24-spline input shaft, meaning the torque-converter side is 26-spline and the clutch hub is 24-spline.

The C4 was also found with valve bodies requiring a different number of bolts, 8-bolt vs 9-bolt. A 9-bolt valvebody can be used on either case, but a nut & bolt must be used on the valve body in the empty hole, dropping the bolt in from the top and using the nut on the bottom/filter side.

Modified C4s remain popular with hot rodders and drag racers due to their simplicity and durability.

Year & Model breakdown:

• 1964–1966 Select Shift, 24/24 spline, castings: C4, C5, C6
• 1967–1969 Select Shift, 24/24 spline, castings: C7, C8, C9
• 1970–1970 Select Shift, 26/26 spline, castings: D0
• 1971–1979 Select Shift, 26/24 spline, castings: D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D9

Applications:

• 1973–1977 Ford Bronco
• 1974–1982 Ford Cortina
• 1964-1967 Ford Econoline and Falcon Vans
• 1965–1983 Ford F-Series
• 1964–1970 Ford Fairlane
• 1978–1983 Ford Fairmont
• 1965–1970 Ford Falcon
• 1975–1982 Ford Granada
• 1975–1980 Ford LTD
• 1970–1977 Ford Maverick
• 1965–1981 Ford Mustang
• 1965–1979 Ford Ranchero
• 1968–1981 Ford Thunderbird
• 1968–1976 Ford Torino
• 1964–1981 Lincolns
• 1977–1980 Lincoln Versailles
• 1974–1980 Mercury Bobcat
• 1972–1981 Mercury Capri
• 1964–1977 Mercury Comet
• 1967–1981 Mercury Cougar
• 1975–1980 Mercury Monarch
• 1968–1976 Mercury Montego
• 1978–1981 Mercury Zephyr

C4 Automatic Transmission Rebuild Kit

C5[edit]

As fuel economy became more important in the 1970s, and 1980s, the C4 was replaced in 1982 by the C5, which was essentially a C4 with a lock-up clutch in the torque converter to improve highway fuel economy. It bore the casting numbers E2, E3, E4, E5, and E6, corresponding with the year it was produced. The C5 was phased out in 1986, replaced by the AOD. The production plant in Sharonville, Ohio was converted to production of the C6 transmission which was relocated from Livonia, Michigan, as the Livonia facility was converted to the AOD.

Applications:

• 1986 Ford Aerostar
• 1983–1986 Ford Ranger
• 1983–1985 Ford Bronco II
• 1983–1986 Ford LTD
• 1982–1986 Ford Thunderbird
• 1982–1986 Mercury Capri
• 1982–1986 Mercury Cougar
• 1983–1986 Mercury Marquis
• 1983 Mercury Zephyr

Article may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The C4 transmission was produced by Ford beginning in 1964. The C4, also known as the 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic transmission, was developed to be a replacement for the 2-speed Ford-O-Matic transmission.

The C4 was developed to be a significantly lighter option than the cast iron Ford-O-Matic that it replaced. This light-weighting was accomplished by both material selection as well as the simplification of the design.

In the first year it was introduced, the C4 was offered in mostly cars, such as the Ford Fairlane and the Mercury Comet. The next year this transmission was also added to the Ford F-Series trucks, and later being added to the Ford Bronco.

C4 Automatic Transmission For Sale

Other well-known cars that this transmission was offered in were the Ford Mustang and the Ford Torino.

The C4 transmission started being phased in to the Ford lineup in 1964, but then found its way into a larger number of different cars over the following years.

The longest run of the C4 in any individual application was in the Ford F-series. The C4 was used on those trucks from 1965 until 1983. The F150 was the final application to switch away from the C4 transmission, as the transmission’s final year in production was 1983.

Pros and Cons

The C4 transmission was popular for several reasons. One reason was the light-weighting as mentioned earlier. It was also praised for its simple design, and as well as its durability.

Although this was known as a very durable and robust transmission, everything has problems. Two of the primary issues were difficulty in shifting from 1st to 2nd gear along with the transmission not going into reverse.

Ford C4 Transmission Parts Breakdown

C4 Transmission Performance Specs

The C4 transmission has become a very popular transmission to be used in hot rods and other racing applications, primarily due to its lightweight and simplicity. These cars generally have modified C4 transmissions though.

Some of the aftermarket companies claim that this transmission with their modifications can handle more than 1,000 hp. The stock transmission was often paired with the Windsor 302 which was rated at 333 lb-ft of torque.

The C4 is an automatic transmission that is mounted longitudinally. I should also mention that the transmission was a 3 speed which utilized gear ratios of 2.46 for 1st, 1.46 for 2nd, and 1 for 3rd. Reverse was designated with a transmission ratio of 2.18.

Materials, Size and Weight

As mentioned already, the C4 is a significantly lighter transmission than the 2-speed Ford-O-Matic that it replaced. One of the key reasons is that the C4 was made of aluminum alloy compared with the Ford-O-Matic that was constructed of cast iron.

The C4 could be taken apart into 3 pieces, the bell housing, the main case and the tailhousing. All 3 of these are constructed of aluminum alloy. The C4 transmission is close to 20 inches, slightly more or less depending on if the case fill or pan fill option is selected.

C4 Automatic Transmission For Sale

The C4 weighed 110 pounds dry, and without torque converter, far lighter than the 228 pounds of the Ford-O-Matic that it replaced. This transmission alone, without torque converter, takes 5.5 quarts of transmission fluid. Depending on the torque converter applied, an additional 2-4 quarts may be required.

Ford C4 Automatic Transmission Identification

The C4 transmission was a major improvement for Ford over its predecessor. Not only was this transmission significantly lighter than the Ford-O-Matic that it replaced, it was very durable.

C4 Automatic Transmission Fluid

This transmission endured a long production life, 19 years in total and 18 years in the F-150. This transmission is still very popular to this day and used in many hot rod applications after some modifications by aftermarket professionals.