I have a 1966 Ford Galaxie with a 390 and a cruise-o-matic trans. The local shops want $1,200.00 to go through the trans. I found a replacment trams through TCI for around $800.00. Any ideas out there? Is the installation of a trans a hard job?

 

If you never done one I would suggest you dont try . the trannys are very heavy , an trying to roll them around on a makeshift jack , is VERY DANGEROUS. I've seen experaniced Tech. have problems. you gotta install the converter, with out busting the small drive ears off. , Line up the flywheel , with out pulling converter outta the pump , an then align tranny with the engine block, An if all goes rite !!!!!! It just slides together , if it dont, you just ruined a $400.00 converter , an a $200.00 pump,,, An I seen guys crack tranny bell housings forcing them together . ,, So if you know a bubby that can do this Great , , Thats really the worst of it, Oh an dont try to be a HE-MAN an lift the tranny off your chest an throw it in .,, I've seen some big ole boys try this with Standard Tranny , That are probaly a 1/4 of the weight of a Automatic, It aint that easy I dont care what they tell you ,,,,, Tall tales !!!!!, I did it once never again !!!!

 

Oh by the way , I had a 62 , great car , same motor 390 , that ole girl would just roll on done the road, I had a kid in a 68 Firebird , messing with me at several lites , So on the 3rd lite we were headed outta town. I gave him the thumbs up , he had me by a cars length ,Till we hit 75MPH , An the Ole Ford started gaining , At 80+ we were door handle to door handle, At about 87 MPH , his Mickey Mouse Fiberglass hood Folded up an slammed back into his windshield. So of course I backed out of it an, started shutting it down , helped him get off the road . Gave him a lil toot of the horn an waved bye= bye !!!!,,, He thought he was something with his chrome wheels , 3 point seat belt , flashy paint job, An discount store Hot Rod ....,, He had a Tee Top on the car I can still remember that big ole chrome Buckle just a beating the top of that roof as he was trying to stop,,,,,,

 

You need gloves, a trans jack with chains (that will hold your trans weight), and tall jack stands (enough so that the tranny can slide out from under the car when the car is jacked up).