Please advise if this post doesn´t belong here. I need some good advise from someone familiar with the 3-speed single range Ford-o-matics. I have a 1959 Mercury Monterey with 312 Y-block and Merc-o-matic transmission. It´s the small case trans, starts in second gear and shifts to third when started in Drive position, same as the Ford-o-matic. The only way to make it start in first gear (Low) is putting the selector in L.
Now for the issue: After making oil and filter change, band adjustments and throttle lever adjustments according to the shop manual it shifts wonderfully, the hard shifts 2-3-2 up and down are gone and shifts are smooth and fine. Reverse and Drive engage fine from neutral cold and hot but shifting from neutral to Low there´s a delay. At first there is kind of a "clunk" that you can hear and feel but then it takes a moment before the next "clunk" when car begins to move forward. Shifting directly from Reverse to Low there is no delay but from Neutral or Drive there is.
There are no strange sounds, no whining or rattle, no slipping in any gear, the bands are properly adjusted, oil level is OK, throttle rod is adjusted to specs and there are no oil leaks.
Is this a problem or to be considered normal?