Going to replace Transmission

Found "Rhino" Motorcraft replacement Transmissions online $1500 with torque converter. I have done many rear wheel drive cars and trucks my question is I notice in the book for removal to Mark the driveplate and torque converter stud to align them back later. With the New tranny is this going to make a differance. Not sure in this case cant remember having this issue with older model cars. Never done a front wheel drive before. I know the sub frame is coming with it. Just wondering on the Drive plate alignment.. Any help with the alignment issue would be great or I may get a quote from a shop. But I know i can do this. Just would like to do it once. I hate doing things twice and this would be a pain to do twice.Thanks,Gary

I'm changing out an Escort tranny at the moment. If I were going back in with the same tranny/converter, I would have match-marked ... but I don't see how anything can matter "match-wise" in a new set-up. There's nothing to match that I know of.

Expect the flexplate to be stuck to the converter ... Uncle Henry couldn't afford to put a little assembly grease between them for us. Expect some Rust Buster or WD40 soaking to occur before they separate.

I'm changing some sensors on my Winnie tranny today ... and I was wondering how I would handle a tranny replacement if necessary. Will be interesting to read what you learn.

http://www.rhinoengines.com/motorcrafttransmissions.htm
Check this site out. As for the money I think they are worth it because other sites had the trans for as low as 895.00 on ebay but after shipping and if you wanted a good warranty I would have to pay about the same price.This is free shipping plus I add 600.00 but you get that back once core is returned. So 2,100 $$$ but 600 back once core returned... Yes It will be a lot of work. Almost a nightmare. Thanks for the reply 120..

I knew of the practice of marking. Even with old drive shafts when changing out U joints but I thought the trans marking must of had something to do with wear balance. Just wanted to check first. Thanks,Gary

Marking doesn't matter with a replacment converter. Did you check out the dealer price on a rebuilt tranny? Because you're pretty darn close to what the dealer charges for a genuine Ford rebuilt and their warranty is 3yrs/36M. FYI, the best way to get the tranny back in place is to remove the top two bolts, take them to a hardware store and buy two exact matches. Then saw off the heads and cut a slot in them. Put those in as guide pins when you replace the tranny. Once you have the other bolts in, simply unscrew the guide bolts. Otherwise, lining up a transaxle can be a major PIA. Also, you'll need an engine holding fixture to prevent the engine from falling on you after your remove the subframe.

. Did you check out the dealer price on a rebuilt tranny? Because you're pretty darn close to what the dealer charges for a genuine Ford rebuilt and their warranty is 3yrs/36M..

Agreed. Being that close in price, I'd be warry of a mail-order for fear of problems/returns. Unrelated, but a co-worker of mine just went thru a similar issue with a $1000 Merc lower unit for his boat. 3rd mail-order lower-unit & a year later & it works like a charm. Excellent advice on the guide pins! Having never done one, I wondered how that would go.

Joel

I got my '98 tranny rebuilt by a local shop for $1,800 with a year warranty.

I guess I got a good deal if they're selling for $1,500. I'd rather pay $300 for someone else to bust their nuckles!