fordamatic
- Thread starter jailbar Joe
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Crestliner2
Junior Member
So just getting onto this site, I have a 52 Crestline Victoria with the Ford a Matic. I have a few questions concerning this beast of a transmission, taking into consideration that one is in good shape how reliable is the Ford A Matic? and my second question is where to get a rebuild kit for one should I eventually need to rebuild the trans. I know a C4 could be put in but I like to keep it original if possible. Currently I have a little bit of a wine coming from the trans i think? is this something that I should be concerned about or is it old age? I am using Type F trans fluid which I think is correct. Is there an additive that folks are using in these transmissions I'm not big on snake oil but thought I would ask thanks guys
rotorwrench
Well-known member
The Ford-O-Matic and Merc-O-Matic are reliable as any of the early automatic transmissions. There are still a few folks in the US that specialize in parts for them. Adds would be in Hemmings or the Early Ford V8 Club magazines.
As to oil seepage, it just depends on where it's coming from. The pan gasket is the easy source. The others like the front and rear seal & torque converter are the harder ones. Type F ATF is fine, Ford formulated it in the late 60s for metallic clutch type transmissions to minimize the chance of slippage. The original type A is not available in its original blend anyway. As long as oil isn't drooling out all over the place and only spotting the garage floor then it's up to the operator if they want to correct that.
The C4 is a very good transmission but it would need provisions for an oil cooler and of cource it would need an adapter and a vacuum line for the modulator control system. The FOM and MOM use a throttle control valve with associated linkage to control shifting. A person who runs one of these units should get the proper factory manual for maintenance and adjustment if nothing else. Anyone that can do a good job of overhaul on hydraulic transmissions in general should be able to work on an FOM but they will need those Ford publications to get them in the right spot. These units aren't like any modern units and many techs have never seen one before. Some one with experience on them would know all the quirks and adjustments to correct for that.
If its still shifting in all three forward gear selections and reverse then that's a good thing. If it shifts too soft & mushy or too fast & harsh then the pressure should be tested and the TV control adjusted to get it right.
Don't be skittish about starting a new thread. These old threads just keep getting longer if folks add on to them.
As to oil seepage, it just depends on where it's coming from. The pan gasket is the easy source. The others like the front and rear seal & torque converter are the harder ones. Type F ATF is fine, Ford formulated it in the late 60s for metallic clutch type transmissions to minimize the chance of slippage. The original type A is not available in its original blend anyway. As long as oil isn't drooling out all over the place and only spotting the garage floor then it's up to the operator if they want to correct that.
The C4 is a very good transmission but it would need provisions for an oil cooler and of cource it would need an adapter and a vacuum line for the modulator control system. The FOM and MOM use a throttle control valve with associated linkage to control shifting. A person who runs one of these units should get the proper factory manual for maintenance and adjustment if nothing else. Anyone that can do a good job of overhaul on hydraulic transmissions in general should be able to work on an FOM but they will need those Ford publications to get them in the right spot. These units aren't like any modern units and many techs have never seen one before. Some one with experience on them would know all the quirks and adjustments to correct for that.
If its still shifting in all three forward gear selections and reverse then that's a good thing. If it shifts too soft & mushy or too fast & harsh then the pressure should be tested and the TV control adjusted to get it right.
Don't be skittish about starting a new thread. These old threads just keep getting longer if folks add on to them.
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Just a reminder of one quirk of this trans. It is a three speed, but normally starts out in 2nd when the lever in D position. 1st has to selected manually by putting the lever in L. It will not upshift in L so must be shifted back to D.
If I remember correctly, the first years of the FordoMatic did not kick down to 1st with full throttle but later years did. Try it on your '52 to see if it does.
Gene F
Well-known member
I would love to convert my 57 Skyliner over to a 5-speed, but it's done except 2 pieces of weatherstripping. Gosh I hate to start in again. And I might add, that every time I try to hire something out; 1) it ends up costing about 3 times more than I think it should, 2) I have to take it back because something is found to be not right, 3) I end up fixing it myself because I don't trust em' to fix their screwup.
Besides, I have heard hanging that 3rd pedal in there is no fun.
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paul2748
Well-known member
Crestliner2
Junior Member
your memory serves you correctly on how these girls go through the gears. My Dad told me once long ago that you can shift these manually if you know what your doing or maybe if you know how to abuse them, something about holding it in low then up to drive then back to low to hold second gear, then back to drive for high gear? anyway that was back in the days of plenty of spare parts when you blew it up. I have tried the kick down and it only goes to second on the kick down, either thats the way it suppose to work or my kick down needs adjustment. Thanks guys for the feedback. Can anybody recommend and good Dodge/Plymouth flathead six forum hope thats not sacrilegious! on a Ford site.
rotorwrench
Well-known member
The go to transmission replacements seem to be the later AOD transmission if an automatic is favored but the conversion kits are up there in price to do it.
The guys that likely know the Chrysler flat 6 are the ones that play with the old Sherman tanks that had the Chrysler Multi-Bank engines in them. They had five 250.6 engines grafted together into one engine.
Chrysler made a butt load of different flat six engines over the years. They used them clear up until 1959 or so. There are bound to be some computer savy internet surfers that are into the old Mopar flat sixes.
The guys that likely know the Chrysler flat 6 are the ones that play with the old Sherman tanks that had the Chrysler Multi-Bank engines in them. They had five 250.6 engines grafted together into one engine.
Chrysler made a butt load of different flat six engines over the years. They used them clear up until 1959 or so. There are bound to be some computer savy internet surfers that are into the old Mopar flat sixes.
KULTULZ
Well-known member
Operating the SINGLE-RANGE FORD-O-MATIC here -
http://oldcarmanualproject.com/manuals/Ford/1956/Owners/pages/Page13_jpg.htm
1956 FORD OWNERS MANUAL - Look @ PAGES 13-15
http://oldcarmanualproject.com/manuals/Ford/1956/Owners/pages/Page13_jpg.htm
1956 FORD OWNERS MANUAL - Look @ PAGES 13-15
down-the-road
Member
Check in at this site: "The forums of P15-D24.Com, Mopar cars and trucks from mid 1930s to late 1950s"
I found some helpful information there.
delco1946
Senior Member
Kultulz - does this only work in early fordos that dont kickdown by gassing it? if i touch the gas in low it drops me in to first. The only way i can "drive" in second while in low if i was going fast in drive, downshift to Low and then coast (really only used when descending hills).
KULTULZ
Well-known member
As far as I know, all FM's would start in 1st gear if the throttle was at WOT at START (depending on correct TV ROD ADJ).
The 1950-54 FM was a joint design/manufactured by BW and FOMOCO so there is probably a lot that I am not aware of with those model years. 1955/1960 was FORD design specific.
The above description was how to use for maximum acceleration on street/track.
As for downshifting, you are correct. On a down
grade you would pull the lever into L to slow and control vehicle speed and the trans would go into 2nd gear. As the vehicle slowed and the road speed and RPM was at a certain point, it would go into first (with selector lever still in LOW).
All of this depends on proper adjustment(s) and calibration of the trans being used.
55blacktie
BANNED
My 1988 Mustang 5.0/w AOD held 2nd the same way as my 55 Fordomatic. Once the transmission goes into 2nd, you have to quickly downshift to L/1st. The AOD, however, does start out in L/1st, unlike the Fordomatic. Like the Fordomatic, the AOD does not have a vacuum modulator valve.