1967 Ford Fairlane 500 Hardtop Shifter And Transmission Upgrade

Here we have already attached the cooler to the transmission fluid return line and now the line running to the radiator is tightened down. We used Teflon tape at all pipe thread junctures to prevent leaks, as the system operates at considerable pressure.

Securing the return line to the transmission cooler completes the installation of our B&M Super Cooler. The horn was reinstalled with no interference problems. If you're wondering what the installation might look like from the outside of the vehicle, the cooler basically disappears into the grillework on the Fairlane, becoming almost invisible.

This B&M Shift Improver kit is a bargain at $34.11. The crisp shift response results because it eliminates shift overlap that causes excess wear on clutches and bands. So in addition to improving vehicle performance it also extends the life of your transmission. It includes a special separator plate to go between the valvebody and transfer plate, a new transmission pan gasket, as well as all other required components, but does not include a new transmission filter.

Moving underneath the car once again, we drain the transmission in preparation for the installation of the B&M Shift Improver Kit. Be sure to have a big drain pan handy because the fluid will leak out from around the entire perimeter of the transmission pan. Once the transmission pan is down you'll want to let the transmission drain for awhile. Loosen the valvebody retaining bolts. There are seven of them, with the one long bolt passing through the transmission filter cover plate. Carefully drop the valvebody away from the transmission going straight down and transfer it over to the workbench.

Place the valvebody on the bench, filter side down. Next, remove the two 1/4-inch bolts with a 7/16-inch socket as shown. The second bolt is at the lower-left corner of the body.

Next, turn the valvebody over and loosen the eight transmission filter retaining screws. Remove the transmission filter from its position on the transfer plate. If it's been a while since your transmission was serviced then you may wish to replace the filter with a fresh unit upon reassembly.

Then, remove the remaining seven valvebody screws. There are four located underneath the filter location and three more across the bottom, including one with a metal tag.

With all of these fasteners gone it's now possible to remove the transfer plate from the valvebody assembly. Be careful, as the gasket can sometimes stick the parts together. Carefully set the transfer plate aside.

With the valvebody's passages exposed locate the tiny plastic check ball and remove it from the casting. Carefully set the check ball aside.

Next, locate the small rubber disc in the casting and remove it from its bore as shown here. The disc will not be reused and can be discarded.

The next step is to remove the accumulator valve cover plate. Once the valve is free of its bore, replace the spring with the small brass plug furnished in the kit. Reassemble the valve back into the bore. Follow the B&M instructions carefully-being certain that the cover plate fits flush to the valvebody. Reinstall the check ball back into its original location and set the valvebody casting aside.

The next step is to set the transfer plate on the bench with the separator plate up. Remove the two hold-down plates and the OE separator plate can be removed, as seen here. Keep the hold-down plates and fasteners in relation to the transfer plate so they can be returned to their proper locations.

Locate this check ball in the transfer plate and remove it; setting it aside for reinstallation. Because the new separator plate will be installed without a gasket, it's important to scrape any residual gasket material off the transfer plate and wash it down in solvent.

For the heavy-duty setting on the kit, no modification of the separator plate is required; but for the higher performance setting, the enlarge-ment of one hole is required. Refer to the comprehensive B&M instructions for the specific location of the hole before enlarging it.

Lay the transfer plate on the bench with the passageways up and reinstall the check ball removed earlier. Next, install the new separator plate into position and reattach the hold-down plates as shown here. Reassemble the valvebody, installing the transfer plate onto the body casting while being certain that both the transfer plate and valvebody casting are completely flat against the new separator plate. Tighten the main fasteners to 80-120 in-lb of torque. Tighten the valvebody screws to 20-40 in-lb and then install the transmission filter.

Once you have the valvebody completely assembled, install the valvebody assembly back into the transmission-seating it carefully and being certain to engage the kick-down mechanism and manual shift lever correctly. Check the kick-down for smooth operation using the lever on the side of the transmission before installing any bolts. Complete the valvebody installation by tightening the bolts to 80-120 in-lb. Using the new gasket supplied, install the transmission pan and tighten the fasteners to 12-16 ft-lb. Refill the transmission and run the engine through each gear-shifting through each detent to rid the transmission and valvebody of any air pockets. Recheck the fluid level before testdriving the car.