Spotting the Changes to Ford 6R80 ’15-Later Valve Bodies

Ford has made some changes to the ’15-later 6R80 valve bodies that you’ll want to note to prevent any interchange and drivability problems. Following are some of the key identifiers and details on the one valve lineup change to help keep you building successfully.

Valve Body Casting Identification

Some quick external visuals are the use of RF (rough forging) numbers FL3P on the upper (Figure 1) and lower (Figure 2) valve body castings.

Figure 1 – Upper Casting RF Number

Figure 2 – Lower Casting RF Number

The separator plate has also changed, and now also has an FL3P part number and a new angular cutout (Figure 3).

Figure 3 – Separator Plate Number

Another distinctive external identifier is a large hole in the lower casting, beside the clutch A control valve (Figure 4). If there is not a similar hole on the upper casting (Figure 5), this hole is connected to voids in the casting and separator plate and serves no purpose.

Figure 4 – Note hole in lower casting beside clutch A control valve.

Figure 5 – Note absence of mating hole in the upper casting.

However, some valve bodies have a similar hole in the upper casting (Figure 6) beside the low/Reverse clutch latch valve. These valve bodies are used in auto start‐stop applications. Passages in the case changed as well, which allows this area to be connected to the auxiliary pump.

Figure 6 – Upper casting used in start-stop applications.

PR Valve & Sleeve Identification

The only valve train to be aware of is the pressure regulator valve and sleeve. The late 6R80 introduces a fourth size variation to the ZF6HP/6R60/6R80 family. The sleeve has two identifying grooves, one on the outer face and one on the diameter, which should help distinguish it from other versions (Figures 7 & 8).

Figure 7 – Small Groove on the Sleeve O.D.

Figure 8 – Outer Groove, Between the Center & O.D.

The mating diameter of the pressure regulator valve shown in Figure 7 changed dimensions, as well. To avoid potential main line pressure and related shift issues, make sure to measure both sleeve and valve if performing any bore repairs (Figure 9).

Figure 9 – Key Valve & Sleeve Dimensions

Maura Stafford is a Sonnax product line manager for transmission components and remanufactured valve bodies. She is a member of the Sonnax TASC Force (Technical Automotive Specialties Committee), a group of recognized industry technical specialists, transmission rebuilders and Sonnax Transmission Company technicians.