Transmission Question - "clunk" noise when shifting

We have a 1992 Ford Mustang Convertible with
a 2.3L L4 FI OHV engine and an automatic tranny.

We love this old car and really hate to sell it. It has
always been very dependable and fun to drive. We only
drive it with the top down, which is only a day or two each
month. We have recently purchased a newer convertible
and will sell this one shortly.

The ONLY problem that I have never been able to understand, or fix,
is a "clunk" when you start it up cold, then shift into either drive or
reverse. You hear a clunk noise similar to what you would expect
if a U-joint was really bad. I have checked the U-joints, and there
is NO play in them.

Is this a common problem, and how do I fix it?
Is there an adjustment to the transmission that will let
me "take up the slack"?

Another unrelated question: Where was this little 2.3L engine made?
It's been a REALLY solid one. I am guessing that it was made by
Mazda, but not sure.

THANKS in advance!
Gene

I pulled the rear-end plate & it is DEFINITELY the rear-end.
There is a LOT of play in the center gears of the rear-end.
If anyone has a URL to the steps needed to re-shim
the rear end of this 2.3L 1992 Ford Mustang with an
automatic tranny, PLEASE post the link. I have a Chilton's,
but can't find it today.

THANKS!!



"Gene" > wrote in message
...
> We have a 1992 Ford Mustang Convertible with
> a 2.3L L4 FI OHV engine and an automatic tranny.
>
> We love this old car and really hate to sell it. It has
> always been very dependable and fun to drive. We only
> drive it with the top down, which is only a day or two each
> month. We have recently purchased a newer convertible
> and will sell this one shortly.
>
> The ONLY problem that I have never been able to understand, or fix,
> is a "clunk" when you start it up cold, then shift into either drive or
> reverse. You hear a clunk noise similar to what you would expect
> if a U-joint was really bad. I have checked the U-joints, and there
> is NO play in them.
>
> Is this a common problem, and how do I fix it?
> Is there an adjustment to the transmission that will let
> me "take up the slack"?
>
> Another unrelated question: Where was this little 2.3L engine made?
> It's been a REALLY solid one. I am guessing that it was made by
> Mazda, but not sure.
>
> THANKS in advance!
> Gene
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>