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.

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

Ron Grove

Wauconda, IL

I say keep the Fordomatic! I just got my rebuilt and it works great.

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.


Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

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...

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

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


Gary - 1958 Star Customline and 1940 Ford Deluxe Hotrod

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


Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

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...

Rowen
55CV
Woodland, Ca

57's also





54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

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


Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire