I love this site and have learned so much already. Maybe you can teach me how to get it in second gear? Just thrashed the transmission in my Victoria and I don't know anything about them. Is it rebuildable or should I just replace it? There was no gear oil all over the ground but 1st and 2nd are having some kinda brawl inside there and 3rd lets me move about 3 feet. Any info from the more experienced crowd is greatly appreciated, car is 25yrs older than me. Pretty numb I think I'll go throw up again and go back to bed before I wreck something else, Thanks

Casey Lake - Faribault, Minnesota

start off by identifying the transmission. you'll need to crawl under the car and tell us what it looks like.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

you are so right, I can't ask specific questions with my head up my arse. Kinda flyin blind right now. I can ID the tranny and let you people who have been there done that know. Also, looking for ballpark $ on my options, to fix it (parts even available?)  or buying a used replacement. thanks for taking the time to try and help me, Casey EDIT... this was on egay, titled as a 56 truck transmission but I think it looks alot like mine just from memory. Thanks

Casey Lake - Faribault, Minnesota

Might also be helpfull to the guys on here to know what you want to do with the car? Daily driver, go fast car want to install a four speed things like that. Gerry

Lake Forest California  5th inf 77 Armor Div. VN 68/69

If you put your town and state in your signature

help might be closer than you think.

ok here we go... 1956 ford victoria m code car so assuming everything is like it should be it's a 292 with manual 3 speed no overdrive. I ate up the internals in the tranny last night. I want it fixed, can I rebuild it (ie parts available and where) or should I shop for a used replacement? Any ideas of money that needs to be spent? Someone out there must have gone through this before or am I just asking that weird of a question? Thanks Y's guys... Casey

Casey Lake - Faribault, Minnesota

Randy:

What were you doing when it broke?  Beating on it, just cruising, fast shifting, fast takeoff?  That trans is not very strong in the first place, hence many guys are replacing it with something stronger.  That may mean there are some usable used ones around.  If you want to beat on it a little, the first step up would be a T85, which was available in wagons, police cars, and such.   Also into the mid 60s in big engined cars, such as 352, 390, 406, 427.  Next step up would be a "toploader", as strong or stronger than a T85.  Mustang 5 speed overdrives are the hot ticket now, all synchronized gears and an overdrive to boot.  This is not all the choices, but seem to be the most common ones.

John

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Casey:

Sorry I called you Randy.  Senior moment.

John

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

I have a 56 3 speed I just removed from a Country Sedan - it was behind a 292. I presume it was in good shape. I am in Winchester, Virginia.

Dan

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

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

Casey.  Those trannies are very fixable providing you haven’t damaged the case and if you can round up the necessary parts.  But you’ll likely find it less expensive to just pick up another used tranny that’s in a usable state.  As has already been mentioned, there are several options in upgrades as those original trannies are not very robust when it comes to abusing them.

 

Where are you located?  I’ve got a stack of these trannies and will let them go cheap if you can come by and pickup.  Easy enough to pull the side covers and examine for wear so you’ll  know right up front if you’re getting a good one before going to the trouble to install it.  I tore up enough of these back in the early days before upgrading to T-85 overdrives and then Toploader four speeds so I can relate to how easy it is to put the hurt on these.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

I greatly appreciate all of you taking the time to help me through this. It was a panicky 24 hrs and the internet is so handy to ease frustration. I have located a used 56 replacment next door in Wisconsin. If any of you have heard of or know Greg Nelson you know he is first class. He has helped me tremendously as I think he would anyone who asked. Thanks to Greg and all of you, look for his 56 glasstop on the Crown Vic Assoc. site. I gotta go to work on that car now... been a day and a half since I drove it, having withdrawls. thanks again Casey in MN

Casey Lake - Faribault, Minnesota