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By rgrove - 10 Years Ago
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Hi guys, been a while since I posted. Have a problem and am soliciting info related to a trans issue/options, and Im hoping the experts here can help with some info. I have tried searching but cant seem to find a concise answer/options. (I apologize in advance for the long post)
Car is a 56 Sunliner, wife and I restored it about 15 years ago. 292 with a 3-speed ford-o-matic. Cant remember what case it is. It is air cooled.
Got the car out of storage and I have a bad trans leak. Im assuming its the front seal based on where the puddle is, but I haven't gone underneath yet to confirm. Car leaves a significant puddle when left idling for a few minutes. Probably loses at least a quart every few hundred miles. So basically I need to do something about it.
The car is shown regularly, done a few concours events, but we drive it a fair bit too. Really worked hard to make sure the car appears stock, even in cases where we made a few mods.
So at this point, I need to do something, and likely the trans will come out. my question is whether I should swap to an FMX, AOD, C-4, etc or just fix the ford-o. I know from a driveability standpoint any will be better than the ford-o, BUT the following things are important if I were to do a swap from stock:- Should look stock from above the car. Would prefer to keep OE linkages,
etc. Would rather not have aftermarket dipsticks, etc I figure I can
hide vac lines for a modulator though - Want to retain stock column shift
appearance. I don't need to access to 1st gear manually, but would like it
to look stock - Would prefer not to permanently modify the frame, mounts, etc
if avoidable. In a perfect world, everything would be
reversible. - Ideally, id like to keep the stock starter, although this is a
low priority and likely not feasible. (I know its stupid, but I just like
the sound....part of the fun of it being a really different car).
I think that's it....so, not sure what, if any, options are realistic? Can any of the trans swaps accommodate these items, or should I just get the ford-o resealed? Anybody know if any of the trans stop-leak products work (without damaging internals) to stem the flow while I sort this out?
Thanks for taking the time to read, and for any help/insight!
Ron
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By Pete 55Tbird - 10 Years Ago
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Ron I think that you have answered your own question. You should read your own post. Everything thing you list as important as far as keeping looking "ORIGIONAL" will be compromised by any transmission swap. It only came off the assembly line once. I do not mind making changes and or improvement to my cars but it sounds to me you do care. You have to decide. Bite the bullet and fix the leak. Pete
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By rgrove - 10 Years Ago
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Thanks Pete. Yeah, I guess I should have just asked if there are any trans swaps that allow you to keep the stock linkage and column shifter. In reading old posts I wasn't sure if the FMX (or some franken-trans with FMX parts) would allow me to do that.
Just trying to find options that would consistently start in 1st gear, as a lot of my driving is around town and the 2nd gear start gets tedious, as you can imagine.
Also wondering if anyone has used any of the trans stop leaks to slow the flow until I figure it out?
One last question; trans was rebuilt about 15 years ago and has about 25k miles; wondering if just basic dextron III would be ok?
Thanks for all the reads and replies!
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By Brodie55 - 10 Years Ago
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Ron,
What worked out real well for me in my 55 Customline was to use a green dot CruiseOMatic from a 1960 292 Fairlane. 58 to 60 COM's still have the mechanical throttle pressure set up (no vacuum modulator) so all the original linkage stays. You will need to swap the radiator to one set up for liquid cooling, but I think that was introduced in 56 so nobody should ding you for that. If I recall, Ihad to move the crossmember rearward slightly and have the driveshaft shortened a bit. I did this about 7 years ago and Iit has made driving the car a real pleasure. Good luck to you.
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By pegleg - 10 Years Ago
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You'll also find the a small block FMX fits with very little modification. Main issue would be getting a torque converter that fits the FMX and you Yblock.
No expensive adapters required, and uses mechanical throttle kickdown along with a vacuum source to modulate.
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By paul2748 - 10 Years Ago
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The FMX option is probably the easiest. The next, in my opinion, is a C4 if an overdrive is not needed. I put one in my 56 Bird with little or no changes. Dipstick is in the usual position, stock linkages should work (mine do) and the rear mount is a regular Ford piece that fit the factory crossmember with no alterations. The trans is small so it fits between the frame and the tunnel ok. There is a little bit of engineering for the down shift rod but it adjusts the same as the Fordo. One of the problems with a C4 is you may lose manual low as there isn't enough detents in the shifter. You will have to change starters. I know that the engine bay in then sedan has less room than a Bird, but it should work ok.
I have driven the car from coast to coast and trips halfway plus around the local area and I am very happy in the way it performs. Use a 1980 or later unit, make sure it is from a column shift car as the shift arm on the trans may be different than a floor shift car. Check if the arm on the fordo points up or down, make sure the C4 is the same. The trans I used has the arms for both.
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By stuey - 10 Years Ago
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an interesting read on this website
http://www.y-blocksforever.com/tech/html/fmx_upgrade.html
stuey
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By Rono - 10 Years Ago
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So I am a little confused about the FOM small case vs. medium case transmissions. I thought that the 56 medium case FOM were 3 speeds and only installed in the wagons, T Birds and Police Interceptors. So wouldn't that make Ron's 56 Sunliner transmission a small case FOM (if it is the original tranny)? If so, is it than a 2 speed? Also, is there a difference in the shift linkage between the small and medium case FOM? Just wondering if Ron would benefit by installing a medium case FOM if he does in fact have the small case FOM.
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By Brodie55 - 10 Years Ago
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Ron,
All FordOMatics of 55 & 56 vintage are 3 forward speeds with 2nd gear normal starts. The case length does correlate to the intended duty.
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By Rowen - 10 Years Ago
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Man o man!! 62 n I'm blessed ta STILL learn somthin ever day!! I've had my 55CV since march n I had NO idea that my "2" speed indicator, fordomatic trans, is actually a 3 speed!!! As soon as I get off work taday taken Diana out fer a spin n try that shift that 56roger spoke of! That is WAY kool!!! These old Fords, ya GOTA love em. Thanks roger. Never heard that before!!
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By Rowen - 10 Years Ago
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By th way, is that in th shop manual? Looks like I may have ta read a lil more thourally ifin it is...
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By MoonShadow - 10 Years Ago
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There was a Ford-O in the 60's that was a true 2 speed. Easy to ID as the case was aluminum. I don't know anything about them. I do know that you can take off in L (first) wind it out then up shift to DR and right back into L. That will lock you into second until you are ready to shift to third. If the transmission linkage is adjusted correctly and the throttle bracket springs are correct you can push the throttle to the floor and automatically take off in 1st. It doesn't seem to be a simple adjustment though. Most of my cars wouldn't do it although they should have. The springs on the throttle bracket that bolts to the intake have to be the correct Ford/Mercury springs for it to work properly. Chuck
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By paul2748 - 10 Years Ago
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57's also
Brodie55 (6/11/2015)
Ron, All FordOMatics of 55 & 56 vintage are 3 forward speeds with 2nd gear normal starts. The case length does correlate to the intended duty.
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By Rowen - 10 Years Ago
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I don't now long you guys have been runnin y blocks, but I will say that the wealth of information, experience and knowledge on this forum blows mind!! I only wish that I were ready to start doing REAL work on my 55CV (Diana). I am going Saturday to look at a 292 w/4bbl in a rear end wreck 56 Merc. His name is "big" John in Williams, ca. I was turned on to him by a local salvage yard that didn't have anything older than 93! The fella is supposed to have been doin old fords for a long time. Has anyone heard of him? He says it belonged to a friend of his that passed. Been sittin for 18yrs and supposedly turns freely. Anything in preticular I should be lookin for? It's in th car and will be a complete motor oil pan to air breather plus accessarys. Think he he said th trans comes with it. Not sure about that though. Thanks guys. I appreciate your knowledge and feed back...
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By MoonShadow - 10 Years Ago
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A number of people on this forum live in California. Perhaps one of them can help you out. Are you well versed in identifying the Y-Blocks? Most sellers think they have a 312 or "police interceptor" but they don't. If not the http://www.ford-y-block.com has a lot of information on the block ID. Hopefully some of the western folks can give you an idea of value where you live. If you don't buy right away try posting some pictures. Chuck
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By snowcone - 10 Years Ago
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From what I have read Ford didn't make any 272's or 292's. Every Y block engine that is for sale is a 312 
You will find a wealth of information on the Fordomatic on this forum
http://www.network54.com/Forum/260730
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By DryLakesRacer - 10 Years Ago
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Our original 56 worked as a 3 speed if you wanted. Dad and mon didn't but I did. Best way to tell is going about 40 with your foot off the throttle slowing down for a signal put it in "L" and it should go into 2nd, don't touch anything and as the car slows to about 15 it should drop into first. I check mime every time I come home by stopping on my garage ramp, put it in "L" and feel in change and idle into the garage. I won't do that in drive... Good Luck...
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By Daniel Jessup - 10 Years Ago
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When I ran a 55 272, 3 Speed Fordomatic as a teenager, it was bullet proof and the front seal did not leak after being replaced. An older fella that ran a top notch shop at the time had a 55 very near identical to mine. He was replacing the front seal every year, and always at the same time. When I was in the shop and we were working together he commented to me that the reason my 55 did not leak was because I ran it just about every day, and usually over 30 or 40 miles at a time. He said the worst thing to do was to let one sit for months and then take it out and drive it. For some reason he said that Fordomatics were known for leaking that way at that front seal. I don't know where he got his information but I was 17 and he was over twice my age and owned/ran a repair shop that was pretty famous with a good reputation in Manassas Park, Virginia.
I tucked that away and when I got older my 55 sat for months at a time and what do you know? the seal started leaking... even if a new seal was installed, if I did not the run car like it ought to be run on a daily basis it would eventually leak again.
The Fordo is an excellent transmission but the thing is MONSTER HEAVY and unlike other transmission you really need a cherry picker to move one around. But that is what makes it able to handle the abuse I guess. It is known for robbing horsepower so it is not a good drag racing transmission. If the one in the 55 I am converting over to a 3 speed was in good shape and not in need of a rebuild I would be running it again.
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By Ricks56 - 10 Years Ago
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I say keep the Fordomatic! I just got my rebuilt and it works great.
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By rgrove - 10 Years Ago
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Hey guys, just wanted to post a follow up.
First, thanks for the great opinions and comments. I really do appreciate it!
Bottom line is that we took it to a trans shop to look at it. Turns out is was the pan gasket that was leaking, and he had a replacement in stock. $80 and back on the road, leak free, so the FOM will stay put for a while.
He said there was some material in the bottom of the pan, but if its driving fine (it is) just keep an eye on it. Trans rebuild is somewhere in the future, but ok for now.
I was just surprised/glad he had a pan gasket in stock and fixed it in under an hour!
THanks again!
Ron
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By 2721955meteor - 10 Years Ago
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sounds like you need a front punp or ther was a time when the bushing was avail.if ther is aborgwarner or merc cruser dealer they may have parts.i sound like when the leak is fixed you need some one who knows how to set up the down linkage.i recently adjusted frends 55 merc and it will start in first while in drive. if you have axcess to a motors manual 1956 -57 ther is a good sturey i=on how to set up throttle pesure lever.stop the leak and adjust linkaj corectley and the old for o will serv you well.
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