Valve Body Replacement (not Rebuild) - Prep List?

[Laura69]

I saw in another post references to must haves for a valve body replacement. (The posts on rebuilds are amazing but...they are also why I just bought a whole body. ) So for my 4R55E engine - `96 Explorer XLT 4WD - and the lovely body from Central (great folks)...what should I have handy?

One thing - the part notes "you may need to replace upper gasket in case orig is swollen" and I figure I ought to get one but standard parts sites only reference the valve cover gasket - not the same. Any parts # or reference for that handy? Again, read so many posts on rebuild but didn't see lots of references to those...

reverse servo cover gasket and o-ring - will I encounter this/need it for a replacement vs. rebuild?

torque wrench - ok

valve body gaskets - I think I only need upper...

separator plate - already attached I think to new body, no?

Big ol' fluid containment device

Tarp for cleanliness.

Thanks, all, for any help...skeered to take this one on but in dire need of the old girl so...one does what one must!!

And another big thank you to those who create the amazing threads w/ pics and details - you have no idea how much value there is in those things!!!

Oh! And if it fixes my problem (bad 1st to 2nd shift) and anyone wants the old valve body to scavenge/tear up, let me know.

 

[PopRichie77]

Check with Central it may come with a bonded separator plate, in which case the top gasket is bonded to the plate.

 

[Fredness]

Yeah, the CVB comes with separate PAPER gaskets. The separator plate to VB gasket is torqued in place. It should be fine.
The issue would be with the separator plate to trans gasket - if at all. The "swollen" gasket is what I ran in to here.

The Reverse Servo Cover gasket is NORMALLY reusable. The OD Servo O-Ring should be replaced if the Reverse Servo will not stay in position with the Reverse Servo Cover removed. Basically, you will be working without incident then BAM! The Reverse Servo drops out of the bore and into the pan covering you lovely mug in smelly ATF... Yeah, been there...

If this is the case, the double lip Superior part may be the ticket. If you can use enough parts to justify the $$.

Torque wrench - Inch/Lb only.

4x4 Ford MicroFelt filter worth the extra $.

Ford pan gasket is superior, especially if you are using the stamped steel pan.

4x4 pan is begging for a drain plug. "HELP" parts section in most parts stores has a generic kit for <$5.

Have 5-6 extra quarts of fluid - dropping the VB causes "hemorrhaging".

 

[BrooklynBay]

Get the viton D ring kit for the low/reverse servo. The kit comes with two rings. It makes a tigher fit than the Superior double lip rubber seal, and is more durable since it's made out of viton compared to regular rubber.

 

[ranger7ltr]

There is a source in Austin...

Since I see you are in Elgin, Tx there is a source to get tranny parts in southeast Austin. Jerry's Transmission Parts at 1023 Springdale Rd. Their phone number is (512) 926-3222...

They stock all sorts of Ford tranny parts and they are quite knowledgeable...

 

[Laura69]

Ranger! THANKS!! Hubby's g-ma is very ill so my repair is back burnered which gives me time to find the parts.

Fred and BB - thanks so much for the advice! You guys always step up and I truly appreciate it!!!