There was overlap, both transmissions were available.
http://www.oldcarbrochures.org/NA/Ford/1959_Ford/1959_Ford_Brochure_1/1959-Ford-09

~DJ~ AKA "Bleach"
1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan 30K original miles

If you check the case there should be an ID tag with letters and numbers.If you can post those I have a Parts Catalog.Failing that measure the main case from bellhousing to tailshaft housing The Small case type is just under 10 inchs.

  

hi guys, well after a lay-up forced on me by work, I have been abke to have another look at the trans.
I changed the gasket and she's still leaking, so I ran a bottle of Lucas trans fix through her and she's still leaking.
So I guess formchristmass the trans is coming out.
So I can order an overhaul kit, I need to work out which tranny I have. I have studied the details in the thread so far and then looked on the Macs Auto web site and they don't seem to match.
Macs mention either a FOM small case or medium case, how does this relate the trans itself?

thanks in advance

Cheers, Taff

1959 Ford Galaxie 2dr sedan, 292 (just woken up after a 38 year sleep!)

Finally got under the car at the weekend (how I wish I had a ramp at home...)

Pease excuse the state of it, I scrapped as much muck of it as I could! The picture is taken from the rear of the tranmission, passenger side, facing forward. That is the trans crossmember at the bottom of the picture.



The blue arrow is pointing (roughly) at the gasket, I guess this one is leaking (even though it is only a few months old - I guess I didn't get it seale properly)

The red arrow points to a pipe that appears to have trans oil coming from it. What is this, some kind of vent to atmosphere?

other than these, there doen't appear to be any fresh oil elsewhere on the trans, though there was a good sized oil spot under her. I also removed the torque-converter inspection plate and it was dry in there too.

any ideas?

Cheers, Taff

1959 Ford Galaxie 2dr sedan, 292 (just woken up after a 38 year sleep!)

Hi peeeot,You are correct. The Cruse-o-matics (Ford spelling) were all 3 speeds as were the earlier 1951-1957 Fordomatics; as you point out first gear only available via either a full throttle start (after I think by 1953) and /or by starting in Low and then manually shifting to D. All old drag racers knew this (Yes, I am one of these)

Beginning in model year 1958, there were 2 automatic transmissions offered on all Fords ( and perhaps some Edsel's and some Mercury's) being the lower cost now 2 speed Fordomatic and the 3 speed Crus-o-matic. All were derived from a Borg Warner design which Ford licensed in 1951. Ratios for the two speed were the same as the 2-3 ratios (1,82/1.00) of the 3 speed 2.49.1.82/1.00. My antique ATRA manual ( 1971) says the converters differed
(higher stall) for the 2 speed units and varied by engine. The 1-2-3 shift auto sequence was made possible by the addition of the low sprag clutch and hydraulic circuit and valve body modifications. Thant all I remember without digging deeper.

Many or most, especially later than 1958, but possibly not all 2 speed Fordomatics have the one piece aluminium case; I think I worked on some with a iron gear case and a separate Alum. bell housings back in the day.
WJ

Taff, I had a '59 Galaxie 292 2-barrel and it had the aluminum case Fordomatic 2-speed. It had only 2 gears, first was 1.82:1. I would imagine your car has the same transmission. The FE-powered 59s used the 3-speed fully automatic Cruiseomatic unit. I don't know whether the Cruise-o was available with the 292 that year, but I would guess it was uncommon.

The Fordomatic 3-speed of 1957 and earlier was unconventional in that it started in intermediate (1.47:1) unless the throttle was pushed through the detent at very low speeds. The 2.40:1 low ratio could also be manually selected.

I'm pretty sure the Cruisomatic (which had 2 "drive" ranges, one of which behaved like your typical 3-speed) came out in '58. I am not sure whether there was any overlap in production of the 3-spd Fordo and Cruiso.

1954 Crestline Victoria 312 4-bbl, 3-speed overdrive

Taff, This is a link to the website The Old Car Manuals project. Use it to find information on almost any car ever made and all the components that are on that car. Carbs, transmissions, etc.

Here is a link to the 3 speed FOM/COM http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/manuals/Ford/1958/Service/04/FordOMaticandCruiseOMaticT/index.html

Pete

project with a j got a g

TAFF, yes selector shaft seal is where the levers are on side of box, if i remember rightly, have to drop valvebody to remove levers to get to the small seal. Check thoroughly 1st to avoid unnecessary work. From my expeirence, the FOM has removable cast iron bellhousing and later Cruiso has removable alloy bellhousing ( 62 galaxie). Regards bill.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

thanks all for the info.

I'll check the trans, I didn't actually look to see if it was all-ally or not, but I will check under it this weekend.

I know what you mean by the front & rear seals, but there didn't look to be any "fresh" oil at the rear seal. Though I'm concious that the car hadn't been driven in nigh on 40 years, so the seals are likely to be a little dried out!

is the selector shaft on the left? by the kick-down arm? there looked to be fresh fluid all over that!!

And good news about macs, i have an account with them!

Thanks and keep the info coming, your helping to get a '59 Galaxie back on the road over here!

Cheers, Taff

1959 Ford Galaxie 2dr sedan, 292 (just woken up after a 38 year sleep!)

Apart from usual front pump to converter seal leak! usually more than rear housing leak, i have come across selecter shaft seal in side of box that will leak if overfull and when engine turned off, will fill case with oil past that seal and leak also. just pays to checl.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia