Cruise-O-Matic Interchangeability

S

SanDogDewey

Junior Member
I have a friend with a 1964 Ford F100 with 292 Y-block and Cruise-O-Matic model PBW-L1 transmission. No modulator and a small cooling plate on the right side of the transmission. Will a Cruise-O-Matic model PCE-AU1 from a Galaxie swap into the F100? The PCE has a modulator and cooling lines that run to the radiator. Wondering about input shaft sizes, tail shaft and torque converter interchangeability.

Patrick
 
I think the PBW was an earlier design type from the pre 1961 when they were still using mechanical control through the throttle linkage. Most all the pre 61 types were non vacuum controlled. They likely carried over for the Y-blocks in heavy duty applications. I don't know if the bell housings will interchange though. The PCE is a later vacuum modulated model for the heavy duty FE 390 applications in Ford cars. Both are probably medium case cruise-O-matic types but I don't know what all the differences are between the two types. There were long and short tail shafts & housings for the PCE and may also be for the earlier type but this changes the model identifier. I don't have much information for the pickups so most of my info is for cars and I couldn't find much on the PBW type transmission. Later type torque converters can be used on these and I would recommend a change due to parts and conditional concerns.

It definitely won't just be a bolt in. The late 292 might be limited in what will work for it. Soft parts for the cruise-Os are available but the hard parts are getting harder to source every year. I like the Y-blocks but I'm more partial to the FEs so I'd probably go that direction and find a C6 & make it fit but it would certainly be a lot of work. It just depends on how sentimental your friend is about the 64 F100 and the Y-block 292.
 
Thanks for the info! He’s very sentimental about the truck, but it’s sentimentality on a budget. Kinda cool that he’s 22 and interested in this old iron. I found the PCE Cruise-O-Matic for sale and was hopeful we could drop it in fairly easily. We were quoted $1800-2000 to have the PBW rebuilt, all dependent on hard part failures. We may take it in and see if there are any adjustments that can extend its life.

I’m an FE fan myself with my 1964 Ford Galaxie 500XL Convertible.
 
SanDogDewey said:
I have a friend with a 1964 Ford F100 with 292 Y-block and Cruise-O-Matic model PBW-L1 transmission. No modulator and a small cooling plate on the right side of the transmission.

Will a Cruise-O-Matic model PCE-AU1 from a Galaxie swap into the F100?

The PCE has a modulator and cooling lines that run to the radiator. Wondering about input shaft sizes, tail shaft and torque converter interchangeability.

Patrick
Click to expand...

Does the trans appear similar to this photo? (later FE application shown)

Say no modulator valve but TV controlled?

Interesting Read- https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1510221-mx-cruise-o-matic-transmission-cooler-line-hookups.html
 

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SanDogDewey said:
Similiar to your photo.
Click to expand...

...hmmpf...

I cannot see detail of the cooler asm. Are engine coolant lines plumbed to the cooler asm or is it just hanging in the air as some type of heat exchanger?

No modulator valve, no sure what TV controlled is.
Click to expand...
1961/ trans (most) uses a vacuum sourced modulator valve to control shifting, etc. Pre 1961 used adjustable mechanical linkage.

TV- Throttle Valve

The later COM will work, but it will be a learning experience as you go through the swap. Most importantly will be the need of a radiator with an oil cooler.

BTW- Most truck trans of this period were MX. You would want at the least the larger case COM for light truck uses (IMO).
 
I have always heard that the early 55 T-Birds were air cooled automatics, and I have never heard anything bad about that.
 
SanDogDewey said:
Similiar to your photo. No modulator valve, no sure what TV controlled is.
Click to expand...

It appears this model is fluid to air cooling (with separate trans mounted cooler asm) and the other style I came across is coolant to fluid with the separate trans mounted cooler asm (not routed to an oil cooler in the radiator).

It seems the air cooled FOM began changing to coolant cooled in some models (pass. car) during the 1956 model year. It went totally radiator cooled in 1958 with the intro of the COM The FOM was also held over until the 1960 model run I believe for economy models.

Light truck seems to have held on longer. One would need the MPC's and TRANS SERVICE MANUAL(s) of the period to figure it out fully.
 
Gene F said:
I have always heard that the early 55 T-Birds were air cooled automatics, and I have never heard anything bad about that.
Click to expand...
Air cooled in '55 and early '56 T-Birds, changed/upgraded to the fluid cooled version during '56 to deal with the increased horsepower of the newer engines: 312, E and F code.
.
 

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