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Manual transmission/transaxle

8 messages,  Last post on Apr 23, 2012 at 1:09 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Windstar, Transmission, Van

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#1 of 8 Manual transmission/transaxle by electrictony

Oct 27, 2010 (8:46 pm)

Has the Windstar ever been offered with a manual transmission (transaxle)? Does anyone know if one can be fitted from a different Ford vehicle?

#2 of 8 teresas4evertrouble re;8313354761 by 8313354761

Jan 09, 2011 (2:12 am)

I have a 1985 corvette that has locked itself into reverse after giving me some trouble earlier in the day. but the main trouble had been going on for awhile, which was I cruise down the road and whatever gear I was in would make this airplane going down the runway noise... until I 'd push the overdrive button and everything would get quiet . Run fine tell I'd half to push the button to turn off, and it would get all noisey again... So later coming to a stop sign ,downshifting and the gears felt like a bowl of jello. Got it home ,backed in my driveway,put it in reverse, shut it off etc. etc. 10 min later go out put the key in and the shifter was locked in rev. .,backed it in the garage and there she sits. Whats wrong??? Trany? Gears ? Overdrive It's a 4 speed.

#3 of 8 teresas4evertrouble re;8313354761 by 8313354761

Jan 09, 2011 (2:16 am)

#4 of 8 Re: Manual transmission/transaxle [electrictony] by jeffyscott

Jan 09, 2011 (5:55 am)

Replying to: electrictony (Oct 27, 2010 8:46 pm)
Never was a manual in the Windstar.
 
I'm sure anything is possible, if you are willing to spend enough money. I doubt it would be worth the cost, though. The same engines were used in trucks that, I assume, had manuals.

#5 of 8 Re: Manual transmission/transaxle [electrictony] by wwest

Jan 09, 2011 (11:03 am)

Replying to: electrictony (Oct 27, 2010 8:46 pm)
For almost as long as FWD vehicles have been commonplace the manufactuers have deemed it unwise to equip those with manual transaxles for sale to general buying public.
 
That may change now that VW has come out with a technique to make the combination less hazardous. The VW technique will automaticall uprev the engine if a downshift results in too much engine compression braking for conditions.
 
Manual transaxle in a FWD "soccer mom" minivan...no way.

#6 of 8 Re: Manual transmission/transaxle [wwest] by jeffyscott

Jan 09, 2011 (12:53 pm)

Replying to: wwest (Jan 09, 2011 11:03 am)
Manufacturer has not deemed anything, they simply build what people want to buy and for about 95% of drivers what they want is an automatic.
 
We did have a manual transmission in our first minivan, a 1989 Voyager. But in those days the manual gave you 5 gears, instead of the 3 in most automatics and it gave you significantly better mpg.
 
When we got our 2nd minivan, 1997 Windstar, automatic was the only option but at least it was a 4 speed auto by then.

#7 of 8 Re: Manual transmission/transaxle [jeffyscott] by igozoomzoom

Jan 19, 2011 (10:21 pm)

Replying to: jeffyscott (Jan 09, 2011 5:55 am)
I'm sure anything is possible, if you are willing to spend enough money. I doubt it would be worth the cost, though. The same engines were used in trucks that, I assume, had manuals.
 
The two engines used in the Windstar were the 3.0L Vulcan V6 and 3.8L Essex V6.
 
The 3.0L Vulcan was used in '86-'07 Taurus but only with an automatic. The only front-wheel-drive application of this engine with a manual transmission was the '90-'92 Probe LX and '92-'94 Tempo/Topaz. The Tempo/Topaz used a slightly revised version of the 'MTX-IV' used in the '89-'91 Taurus SHO. It was designed and built by Mazda for Ford.
 
The 3.8L Essex V6 was used in everything from the Taurus and Mustang to the Lincoln Continental and Thunderbird/Cougar. The rear-wheel-drive Mustang was the only one that offered a manual transmission with the 3.8L. It was never paired with a manual transmission in a front-wheel-drive vehicle.
 
So, in theory, a Windstar with the Vulcan V6 could be modified to work with the MTX-IV. The Essex V6 has never been paired with a manual in a front-wheel-drive, so it's unlikely that it could be done without spending ridiculous amounts of time and money.
 
With all that said, a manual-transmission conversion is rarely (if ever) financially worthwhile. In an older minivan, it makes no sense at all...

#8 of 8 older vw transaxle beetle bug type 1 by dub_c

Apr 23, 2012 (1:09 am)

i have recently lost first second and reverse in my sandrail, no noises that i heard, i have already pulled it once and replaced the nose cone and bench tested it, after i put it on i tested it again and then i put the motor on and tested one last time, with no motor on it went into first gear, i could not hold the transaxle shaft with it in gear and rocking the rail. I also put a new shift shaft on the rail, i can only think maybe the shift fork for 1/2/R either broke or the cinch bolt backed out. if u have any hints, tips, tricks, or ideas plz post, i have 2 days to either fix that box, or put a built bus box on for a desert trip. any knowledge of this problem will be greatly appreciated.
 
ty for your help

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