with the new style "E" trannys, a rebuilt will never ever last as long as a new one. There are to many over looked parts that are NOT normally replaced, My first tranny broke the converter in half. This time its whineing, I removed the valve body today and will inspect it (or rather the tranny guy will) tomorrow, after doing alot of research I found that the trannys suck. there are updated parts for every single peice in the transmission, most of the updates are not for improved shifting but fixing a poorly designed transmission.
I did what everybody does for a rebuild, a normal hard part kit, bands, clutches, and steels with a Transgo (shift improver kit). I was the first to use kevlar clutches, Kolene steels, and High energy bands (all my chioce) with the transgo kit, I also had the first converter welded (frunace brazed). Way more work than an FPS tranny ever would have done as a FPS tranny, but if the stator support warrning came across a bit sooner I could have corrected the problem before it broke. (this is the suspected reason for all the recent tranny failures) Now they are coming out the door left and right From Ford and other vendors as they feel fit to release the info. Regular trans personnel can only fix what they have bullitens on. Again a new bulliten about the relief valve (pressure valve) is wearing its self into the bore of the AL throttle body. At this time I dont want to reveal my sources about this info because it seems my Tranny info has its way of being ripped off. After I have ALL the little stupid problems fixed I will post and exact detail of what needs to be done so you can take it to your tranny person and have it done while its on the bench.
NOTE*** after noticeing the pressure problem I am alos changing out the EPC solenoid, even though it is nbot part of a standard rebuild its just something that could go wrong or fail because of the high line pressure I have been dealt with this time. OBTW.. the trans go does not touch line pressure so thats out of the equasion incase anyone was pointing that way.
Note2*** the Valve body can come out with the trans still in the car, it took us about 2 hrs to get to it and get it removed. But it can be done. also noticed that a Exhaust manifold nut (manifold to the head) came off and is MIA.
Back to the Tranny shop to Glassbead the cover and make it all pretty, and to reinforce the rear mount. after looking real good at it, it wont be as strong as the reinforced MTX mounts that I have made up but I think it will be ok. a good mod to do when the tranny is out as well.
Also talking with Energy about some urethane motor/tranny mounts.
Ryan D, talk to your guy about the valve body pistons, tell him its doing the same as the AOD 1-2 accumlator piston. See if he is aware of this yet.