How to spot a 6-speed trans in a 500

[jas88]

I have recently bought a 2005 FS with bad CVT from a neighbor and I want to use it as a test mule for 6-speed swap. So now I want to find a good 500 parts car. How do I visually tell if a prospective 500 has a 6-speed or a CVT? I *thought* all SEL and Limited 500s had the 6-speed, but yesterday I looked at a 2007 SEL and I could not tell for sure what it had (it was not drivable so could not tell that way). The sticker said trans code "A" which I understood to be the CVT. Also there is no visible dipstick as I would expect on a normal auto trans. However, the starter was mounted differently from my FS, which I thought was for the 6-speed. How can I visually tell when a 500 has the 6-speed? Should I see a trans dipstick under the hood? Isn't the 6-speed trans code "B"?

[mmsstar]

The engine will be the 3.5L with the 6 speed or the 3.0L with the CVT

[FordTaurus]

There were no 3.5L for 500. 3.5L would be the revised Taurus.

All 500 AWD would have CVT.

FWD SE standard CVT.
FWD SEL, Limited standard 6 speed.

(Did package changed in following years, not sure. But can check.)

[mmsstar]

right, got confused with the T-Rex

[FordTaurus]

2005 500 brochure specs.

[FordTaurus]

http://www.auto-brochures.com/ford.html

Guess there were limited image size attachment on the website. Here is the brochures pdf.

[jas88]

I agree with all that and that was my understanding as well, but this 500 looked like a CVT, and it was trans code "A". I did not think of AWD, wouldn't it have AWD badging on the trunk? Because this one did not. However, the starter was under the TB, not under the water pump like my FS. Is this a sign of a 6-speed? Does the 6-speed have a visible dipstick, or is it hidden like the CVTs dipstick?

[FordTaurus]

Wiki has general description of the Five Hundreds' transmissions. Search Ford Five Hundred.

ZF Batavia CFT30 CVT

Or

6-speed Aisin F21 automatic

I believe there are videos on YouTube has pictures of the 2 appearances or take a part.

[mmsstar]

Looking at the brochure, the 6 speed was standard on the SEL & Limited but was an available option on both on the '07s

[jas88]

I think that the trans codes must have changed in 2006, does anyone have a Ford service manual for the FS/500 for 2006 or 2007 that can tell me what the trans codes are? I have the 2005 manual and it says A is CVT and B is 6-Speed. However, my 2006 FS has trans code C, which my 2005 manual does not mention. It appears as tho the codes changed in 2006 to where A = 6-Speed and C= CVT. Can anyone confirm?

[jas88]

So yesterday I spent some time at my local Copart location and I have confirmed that Ford did change the trans codes in 2006. I looked at a 2006 500 and a 2007 500 that both showed trans code "A". In 2005 A=CVT but not in 2006, it's A=6-speed and C=CVT. The 6-speed can be spotted by the starter being up under the TB. Also it does have a dipstick but it's way down low close to the bottom of trans and over to the left side of the trans as you view it from above standing in front of the car. The 6-speed also has a finned pan that is up on the front of the trans whereas the CVT has it's pan on the bottom. If you remove the air hose from the air cleaner to the TB, you will see a sticker on top that says "Aisin".

By comparison, I found a 2005 Montego (same as 500) that had the CVT. Since it was a 2005, it was also trans code "A" but in 2005 this meant CVT. I am surprised Ford would do this such that the same code (A) would be for CVT one year and 6-speed the next. Confusing.