A little help.

madmax0877

Registered User
HELP!

I'm the proud owner of a 93 T-Bird SC with a manual transmission, which last night went out on me (the transmission).

Car has just under 100k miles on it. Anyway, calling the local tranny shops in Augusta, GA (here for the military), I've been informed they don't make parts for this transmission anymore (is that right?) and I'm more than likely gonna have to buy used parts. Beyond that, I have a HUGE problem. My time around here is limited (I'm getting stationed overseas in no more than a month and a half, and half the time between then and now will be spent in another state.)

I'm NOT experienced in working on cars to do much more than oil changes, brake jobs, or the like, so doing the work is out of the question (time/knowledge), so I'm stuck relying on shops around here. I was quoted a price of $1900 for parts and labor on a "low-mileage" transmission.

At this point in time, is it even worth the money to put into the transmission? Is that a good price for parts/labor? (if it's not a good price, it's due to parts, the tranny shop is supposed to be one of the most reasonably priced ones around).

I LOVE the car, but as a daily driver, it's usefullnes is seeming less and less (getting married, having kids, etc are causing me to look for more practical vehicles).

Any help/recommendations would be GREATLY appreciated.
 
madmax0877 said:
HELP!

I'm the proud owner of a 93 T-Bird SC with a manual transmission, which last night went out on me (the transmission).

Car has just under 100k miles on it. Anyway, calling the local tranny shops in Augusta, GA (here for the military), I've been informed they don't make parts for this transmission anymore (is that right?) and I'm more than likely gonna have to buy used parts. Beyond that, I have a HUGE problem. My time around here is limited (I'm getting stationed overseas in no more than a month and a half, and half the time between then and now will be spent in another state.)

I'm NOT experienced in working on cars to do much more than oil changes, brake jobs, or the like, so doing the work is out of the question (time/knowledge), so I'm stuck relying on shops around here. I was quoted a price of $1900 for parts and labor on a "low-mileage" transmission.

At this point in time, is it even worth the money to put into the transmission? Is that a good price for parts/labor? (if it's not a good price, it's due to parts, the tranny shop is supposed to be one of the most reasonably priced ones around).

I LOVE the car, but as a daily driver, it's usefullnes is seeming less and less (getting married, having kids, etc are causing me to look for more practical vehicles).

Any help/recommendations would be GREATLY appreciated.


You need to get a hold of Rick Cunningham in Atlanta. He can at least give you a more involved diagnosis with much better pricing if he has the time. Plus, folks on this site have parts galore for incredible prices. Check out the For Sale forum or folks like Gary Kuhn or racecougar or post a Want To Buy thread.

Give Rick's cell a call though...

Shop Name: Super Coupe Specialist
Shop Address: 2495 Pasadena Pl., Smyrna, GA 30080
Cell: 678-557-8872
Home: 770-436-6034
Mechanic Name: Rick Cunningham

Edit: If you do bring her up this way, Mike Puckett will buy us beers :)
 
Last edited:
Well,

Not sure what the local tranny shops are smoking in GA but the local Ford dealer here has the trans for $1,400.00'ish. I didn't see any rebuild kits, but it looks as though every gear & misc part is available (mark-up). Synchro's are typically a standard part, if not they can be machined. Timken likely makes the bearings (caged, needle or otherwise). Rock Auto has the seals and one bearing listed.


The local Ford Dealer:
http://www.northcountyford.com/parts.asp

To Rock Auto:
http://www.rockauto.com

A diagram of the Ford/Mazda SC Coupe 5 Speed Trans:
http://www.drivetrain.com/transillm5r1_m5r2.html

Master Rebuild Kit (same site) ($408.88)
http://www.drivetrain.com/mazdafordcarRKE5.html

After labor you might get a reman one for $1,100.00 or so from http://www.drivetrain.com

Try a google.com search for your trans & you'll find a boatload of parts & trans. Sounds to me like the shop you visited is a little lame or mom smoked too much while ole’ boy was in the womb :D . Either way, try looking around or get one online & have it shipped drop-freight to a business or mil (FPO/AP) installation (if you work on a base that is).

Good Luck!

M Randolph
in SoCal somewhere in Kali~fornia

-95 Thunderbird SC/5-Spd
-69 GTO 400/T400
-67 Chevelle SS 396/4-Spd
-66 Nova SS 283/T350
-57 Ford Fairlane 2 Dr H/T 312 SC
 
Trans Rebuild

I cant rememeber for sure but I think there is a shop in GA
named Southern Gear who rebuilds M5R2 trans really cheap
I remember reading about them in the forums a while back
 
There is shop in southern GA that sells rebuilt M5R2, I was one their web site once. If I find it again I’ll let you know.
 
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