An ascMcLaren forum for 84-86 Capri and 87-90 Mustang based cars modified by Automotive Speciality Corporation, a Division of American Sunroof Corporation. (no affiliation)
We brought our '88 McLaren home last July...yesterday we found out that the acceleration issues we have recently started having are due to a transmission that needs to be either replaced or rebuilt.
While I grew up the daughter of a mechanic Dad never bothered mentioning anything about transmissions!
Can anyone help me figure out how to go about this? What are the benefits of rebuilt vs replacement? I would appreciate any information or personal experiences anyone has, as I have no experience with this kind of mechanic work.
MustangMacnMaggie wrote:We brought our '88 McLaren home last July...yesterday we found out that the acceleration issues we have recently started having are due to a transmission that needs to be either replaced or rebuilt.
While I grew up the daughter of a mechanic Dad never bothered mentioning anything about transmissions!
Can anyone help me figure out how to go about this? What are the benefits of rebuilt vs replacement? I would appreciate any information or personal experiences anyone has, as I have no experience with this kind of mechanic work.
Thanks!!!
Maria
LOL. Acceleration issues...... ya mean like putting it in drive, pressing the accelerator, and going no where? I can laugh because I've gone thru this.....2 years ago.
Summer of 2006 my transmission went out. I got a few quotes going the rebuilt route or the new trans route. Ford dealer and a reputable transmission specialist. Prices were surprisingly competitive (Ford is usually high) After talking with many "car guys" I decided to go the rebuilt route for one reason. Numbers matching. To some this doesn't matter, to others - it does big time. By the time it was said and done it ended up about $1,050 roughly.
How many miles do you have on your '88 and what issues are you having?
Mike
'88 ASC/McLaren #542 white/gray/black 20,000 miles trailer queen
'03 Mach 1 torch red 7,500 miles trailer queen-sold
'06 King Ranch F150 white over gold/saddle 34,000 miles-mustang hauler
When accelerating, the car feels like it "skips". The engine sounds like it is continuing to accelerate, but the wheels don't follow. If you let off of the gas and then push back down the car does fine. It happens every time at around 35-40 mph.
Had the local mechanic check it yesterday (he does the work on our 2001), and he said it needed a new transmission - now I am not taking him at his word on this...
So it seems to do it in second or third, but not the rest? Did your mechanic drop the fluid pan? Any metal shavings?
A lot of times the bands can be adjusted or replaced. However, this can be almost as costly as the entire rebuild depending on labor and such. I had a 1990 grand marquis that lost the high gear and it cost about 700.00 to fix it. The car only had 50,000 miles on it. The rest of the tranny looked like new so i didn't need the rebuild. I am a stock guy so I would stick with the original transmission if at all possible.
Mike
'88 ASC/McLaren #542 white/gray/black 20,000 miles trailer queen
'03 Mach 1 torch red 7,500 miles trailer queen-sold
'06 King Ranch F150 white over gold/saddle 34,000 miles-mustang hauler
I sold my '87 last year and it required a rebuild from sitting for 4 years. The new owner Roy had the rebuild done at his local mechanic here in Phoenix for about $1,300 (car had 130k on it). My '89 is leaking alittle, but not slipping at 177k. When it does I'm going to my local trans shop that does the fluid changes for me. He quoted about $1,000 and 48 hours to rebuild mine. I want to keep my transmission with the car.
MustangMacnMaggie wrote:We brought our '88 McLaren home last July...yesterday we found out that the acceleration issues we have recently started having are due to a transmission that needs to be either replaced or rebuilt.
While I grew up the daughter of a mechanic Dad never bothered mentioning anything about transmissions!
Can anyone help me figure out how to go about this? What are the benefits of rebuilt vs replacement? I would appreciate any information or personal experiences anyone has, as I have no experience with this kind of mechanic work.
MustangMacnMaggie wrote:The plaque says 1548, but it's really 1430 (thanks to Sandy)!
The last owner posted photos on this website - I'll see if I can move one over.
Maggie, I don't see your car in the database, do you have any pictures you can put on here? There is a gunmetal gray one, but not either one of the numbers you mention.
I'll get some updated photos on here soon. We have added chrome wheels - this was not my decision...I hate 'em But I won the fight in the end because we have the original wheels in storage, and they will be back on there eventually.
We had a new paint job done - same Cadillac Academy Grey color. It's really starting to look nice!
I'll get some updated photos on here soon. We have added chrome wheels - this was not my decision...I hate 'em But I won the fight in the end because we have the original wheels in storage, and they will be back on there eventually.
We had a new paint job done - same Cadillac Academy Grey color. It's really starting to look nice!
Ok, I remember that car now after seeing the pictures. I'm sure the chrome wheels look great on it. I did the same thing to mine. My anthracite wheels are safely in storage on a shelf.
Hi Maggie, its Dan Starley. Don't visit this forum much any more so was surprised to see you here. I can't believe its been a year. Sorry about your transmission problem. I'm looking forward to some photos with the new paint and wheels. I purchased a '90 Cadillac Allante to replace the McLaren. It's really a bear to work on...maybe I should have kept the Mustang! Regards.
But I won the fight in the end because we have the original wheels in storage, and they will be back on there eventually.
