more pics

 

damn I was thinking of doin mine myself but I dunno sounds like a major pain

 

Dude, that does look like a pain in the ass!
Is that seriously U in the picture or is that someone else?

 

ya, its me. I just got the okay from a transmission shop. It seems I got the transmission in spec the first try. It was a pain but now it should last a while, and I have upgraded parts now. How many of us can say they rebuilt their transmission?

 

wow i didn't know v6 contours had a billet carrier worth looking into i guess.

 

ya, there suppose to be alot stronger, but some of the turbo v6 contours still break them.

I might do a little how-to, but it will take some time. My tranny is different than most of yours, so I don't know how much the part with the 4.06 swap will help. I can tell you if you have access a press and ford manual, you can repair a third gear syncro in a about two hours if you have the tranny allready apart.



These pics are replacing the gear syncro and pressing the gears back on.

 

My tranny just encountered a severe problem and needs rebuilt/replaced. I have an 01 zx3 mtx 75. Would the v6 contour trans bolt right up and if so what about shift linkages? are they the same? I am a single guy and the focus is my only car, I am borrowing my parents 05 zx5 until I get mine back running.

Any info on tranny swaps that you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for helping a fellow focus get back on the road.

 

Th v6 internals are a little different than yours. The main differences are the bellhousing, shift linkage, length of input shaft, and out put shaft.

Being that you have a 2001 the only things you could use are the differential and syncros. you may find a way to be able to use the out put shaft but its a different design. I tried to use the whole v6 shaft and it didn't mate well so I had to pull the output shaft apart. You would need the whole output shaft from the v6 to change to the 4.06.

I would recommend to anyone with a focus after September 2000 to use a ford racing 4.06 final made for your transmission or you might have problem mixing and matching.

This is a very possible but time consuming project, of you don't want to change the final drive or differential I recommend getting a junkyard transmission.

What are the problems you are having with the transmission? Grinding into gears? This could be a shift linkage or clutch problem as well.

 

wow nice work heelflip...thats good work mang...

mad props man

 

ohhh ok, so what about a 4 cyl zetec contour/mystique. Would those mtx75's be the same as the focus? I know the manuals in teh zx2 and escape are different. I am looking at doing the quickest swap possible. And the focus mtx 75 is hard to come by. There are many more contours in the yards. I dont really want to have to rip into the trans and interchange parts, as I have no knowledge in that field and I want this swap to be a 2-3 day or less affair. Thanks again.

 

I cant be sure, but if I remember right the contour 4cyl is the same inside as mine. You will get the better 3rd syncro, the old transmission design, no bearing on the shift fork so shifting will be harder, the shift linkage will be different on pre 1998 If I remember correctly.

 

Its been a little difficult to get that tranny back in the car by myself. I'm going to look for the clutch how to.

 

I thought I'd update, I drove it around for a hour today. I didn't get the syncromax until today so I have had to wait a while. The 6 puck is kinda hard to control, but so far tolerable. I have no third gear grind, acceleration is a bit better with the 4.06, and each shift is smooth. I did expect a little more from the final, but each bit helps. I would be still driving it but I over tightened the timing belt tensioner and, well, I have only the inner half left. I should have known better, but at least its only a 20 dollar mistake and it was time for a new belt.

 

very interesting thread.

 

thanks

 

OK so I understand that if you don't take transmissions apart everyday as a trans guy would...I don't understand why it took so long. was it sourceing parts, or a press, or finding time to do the work? reason I ask is I would like to do mine myself as well...I'm not a novice mechanic more like a rank amature. I certainly don't want to pay someone else to do it because labor is outrageous, I mean you spend 3 or $400 on parts then you gotta pay $1500 for the labor...no thank you.

 

Sourcing parts took 2-3 weeks because of unexpected kinks. You don't know what to replace till its open!!! The hard part was the 4.06 final, and the lack of info on it. At least for my transmission. People with my tranny don't do the conversion because the parts are hard to source. I did the tranny removal alone, and the install ended up being done alone as well. It is possible, but I would only recommend it if you have the time and a extra car. Because you have a 2003 making the 4.06 work will be easier, however it sounds like you may be wanting to only replace your syncros. If you only do third and don't need a clutch it will cost you less than 100 dollars. The big frustration was trying to find part numbers for bearings, speedo parts, etc... PM KentSVT, look at the manual and see for yourself. Read the shimming part or be willing to pay a tranny shop to do it. You likely wont have to though. If you are replacing your third gear syncro, its easy with the manual just take your time. A press is defiantly necessary. Anything I didn't cover?

 

I'm guessing third is easy to do because its easy to get to.
However I don't think I need to do my syncro's my car has just under 45k on it, though I don't know how often they need to be done no do I know of the syncro's being problematic.
I want to do the 4.06,diff, and clutch as upgrades. dont need 'em but want 'em kind of thing.
Guess I should hit the local trans shops to see if they get alot of mtx's in, because should I decide to crack that can o worms open I don't wanna have to do it again for at least 5yrs

 

Pretty much any manual tranny shop should be able to handle a mtx. Buy the parts first and replace the seals. I cheaped out and have to replace one. Also ford tranny fluid is 60.00 so be careful to add those costs in.

P.S. Anyone know of any boosted v6's that want the 3.82?

 

Dude I need to do this now Third went second went, Want 4.06 and a lsd. I went to the yard and got a 03 mtx-75. I am putting it in the 01 zx3, What do you suggest. I am in awe that the syncros just dont last on this thing. I have contacted Terry Haines but I like money and I know I will be giving him alot of it not to mention shipping.

 

If you want someone else to do it "like Terry" I would call them and ask them the cost of labor. If your going to be putting in the 4.06 and cant afford Terry I would suggest buying the parts through one of our friends here and having it done at a local tranny shop. Do your clutch too. Remove the k member to put in the tranny, but support it, or your stearing column can come apart. Also, order all your parts ahead of time and have 200 dollars extra. If you want to do this inexpensively you will need to take your time and shop around. If you can find a friend at a tranny shop you may be able to get it done for cheaper. You may try to see if you can get the tranny tech to come in on his day off. I got my tranny checked for 20.00. The shop wanted 85.00 plus a hour of work. You can do the rebuild yourself if you can get to a machine shop if your a poor person like me (college). You should be able to get the tranny out yourself with a good book. hit me up if you have any other Q's.

 

this is very useful information, good work buddy!!

 

Thanks

 

I thought I'd update. The transmission is still in good working condition. I love the new gearing and have gotten use to the clutch. I did notice a difference between the double blocker and new syncro performance. I'm planning a turbo build so the gearing may not have been a wise choice.

Ryan

 

What was the difference in the double blocker vs. the the other synchros?

 

Double blocker have double the wear surfaces. They seem quite a bit smoother and match the transmission speed quicker with less wear. I'll see if I can post a pic tomorrow.

 

cool I wonder why they switch probably to save money i bet.

 

Yep to save money, you should call the dealership and try to order them just so you can listen to them talk about how your getting an upgraded part thats why its cost's so much.