Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Transaxle Svt Contour Trans

Hey everyone, the final drive went out in my contour (theres a shocker) and put a hole in the case. I found another trans for it and want to put it in which brings me to my question, Is it possible to do a trans swap on this car without a hoist? Would I be able to jack it up high enough and then use jackstands and drop it out through the bottom or should i pay the $800 bucks and have it done. I've heard it can and can't be done. If anyone has done one or knows for sure whether or not it can be done, any info would be great. Thanks, Derek W.

i don't reccomend doing it your self unless you don't plan on driving it for some time.

you sure the stock diff didnt take a crap instead of the final drive?

i took my trans apart and my stock diff had the spider gears chewed up. The magnet in my trans was filled with metal. If that metal gets stuck in you gears to my knowledge you can crack your case.

Well, I was told by a trans shop that a roll pin in the differential shot out and caused the hole in the case.

The car is parked right now, but I mean on a scale of difficulty 1 to 10 how bad would it be to change the trans? I don't mind it taking a while.

You can do it on jack stands provided you can lift it at least 1.5' to 2' up at the front. But you need a hoist too, to hold the engine. I've dropped a few trannys like this and it's not too bad. It will take you a while the first time you do it, trying to find all the bolts and crap you need to unhook. Especially fiddling with the hook up to the steering rack - although my g/f's dad, who was a Ford tranny mechanic says it's easier to unhook the link from under the dash than the one at the rack itself. I'll have to check that out with the next job I do.

Fastest I ever did a trans swap in, was 8 hours. That's with having a new trans standing by readiy to go in, and it was using a hoist.

I changed my clutch in my garage on jackstands. A hoist is a very good idea to hold up the engine, but not 100% required. The service manual says to use a 3 bar engine support (remember you still have the passenger side motor mount attached). You will need some buddies or a tranny jack to raise and lower the transmission, it's just to heavy to manage by yourself on your back.

I did mine very ghetto, jack and a 2x4 under the oil pan and a couple 2x4's accross the engine bay with cables through the lift points "just in case". I wouldn't "recommend" to do it this way, but I know another San Diego guy who did the same thing with no trouble.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help.