Automatic Transmission Swap


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By 43mike - 17 Years Ago
Hi everyone,

I am looking at buying a 1955 Ford Townsedan parts car to work on my own Townsedan.  One of the things I'm thinking about doing is changing out my three-on-the-tree for the automatic in the parts car.  This would be a straight swap from one to the other, but are there any pitfalls to doings this?  I thought about the fact that my car wouldn't be original, but it's not like it's a Crown Vic, just a car that's been in the family for about 45 years.  Currently, I am the only one who can drive the car, but one of my daughters would like it if it were an automatic. I'm getting ready to do a ground up restoration on the car, so it seems like the best time to do it.

So what do you guys think?  Thanks in advance.

Mike

By Hoosier Hurricane - 17 Years Ago
Just pull the pilot bushing out of the crankshaft and switch all the parts over from the parts car.

John

By marvh - 17 Years Ago
One other thing you should check is the differential ratio as the automatics in 1955 were 3.30:1 or 3.55:1 and non overdrive standard transmissions were 3.78:1 or 3.89:1



If you install the automatic your speedometer will read to fast for the speed you are traveling and gas mileage will be down

marv
By PF Arcand - 17 Years Ago
Mike: If your Daughter wants to drive your vintage Ford, it would be a lot easier & cheaper to teach her to drive a standard..
By 43mike - 17 Years Ago
My plan is to also use the rearend from the donor car as well as the steering.  Also, the car has some additional parts that I will be able to use, like steering wheel and linkage, radiator, some moldings, exhaust manifolds and a rear bumper.  Since my car is going to be taken down to the frame, this seems like a good time to do the updates.  Sorry I wasn't more clear about how far I was going with this swap.

Mike