In this video Jay Robarge of Broader Performance will show how to properly disassemble Ford Ford O matic and Cruise O Matic transmission. This will also apply to the Ford FMX transmission.
Back in the early 90's I converted from a C4 to Fmx, had an older gentleman on the verge of retirement rebuild it with a Trans-Go reprogram kit. It was put in a very heavy mid 70's Torino with a mild 351W & nitrous. That trans took everything I could throw at it and worked excellent, was my favorite Ford transmission.Thanks for a look at the older version of that unit.
Have built a few of those large case BWs, a ton of FMX (medium case) and a few small case 35-series BWs. They usually work good but I have had a few FMXs give me fits. Hard parts can be a bear to find. I have a Cruise-O-Matic large case pump stator on the shelf that was sent incorrectly for a FMX, all the parts LOOK similar but vary in scale. Thanks for posting!
Love the rear pump! Old TF727s had them, a friend sold a '65 Imperial to some guys who were flat towing it like 50mi. You can do that with a rear pump trans because it lubricates in neutral with the rear pump (although I wouldn't!), but these guys had it in drive and headed up the road and the motor started turning, almost stalling their tow rig. Took them a MINUTE to figure out what was happening!! HAHA
Yep, it was common back then to push start cars. It worked ok but could lock up your bumpers if there was a mismatch between them. The push car would pull up slow then make contact with the car to be pushed started. Put the pushed car in neutral. Then start pushing with the push car and when the speed hit 30 MPH the driver of the pushed car would frantically wave their left hand out the window so the push car would back off. Then floor the accelerator, turn on the key, cross your fingers for good luck and drop the ole Merc O Matic into low gear and wait for the old flathead V8 to fire up and a way you go. It was a simpler time.😊
The 55-57 Ford O Matic valve bodies, second gear servo, pressure regulator will bolt into the 1950 -1954 Ford O Matics. The advantage of doing this is that the 50 - 54 transmission will now have the "Trigger Torque" feature. This allows a normal second gear start in drive, but when the accelerator is floored, the transmission will down shift to low gear and then shift to second gear about 30 MPH. This trigger torque feature was heavily advertised in 55 as Thunder Bird power for your 55 Ford. It was available on all 55 Ford and Mercury models. But people were triggering torquing at every stoplight causing low gas mileage complaints. So, for 56 and 57 all reference to the Trigger Torque feature was removed from Ford and Mercury advertising. The 50-54 Ford and Mercury transmissions had lower gear ratios than the 55- 57 transmissions. So the Trigger Torque feature could really kick in hard in the 50-54 units that could sometimes break low gear bands. But could create a satisfying power shift to second gear at full throttle. Great for hot rodding your flathead V8 😛.
Everything you are saying about be careful and save the old parts is very true! The needle bearings are a bitch and the kits have delicate interlocking rings that sometimes have the hook part of the ring broken off, right in the package!! Sometimes you bore check the rings and they are too big or small!! Uggh
The early Ford O Matics had the dipstick in the case. You had to pull the carpet back and remove a cover plate to access the dipstick. If you don't want to do this, just use a later pan that has the dipstick tube accessible from the engine compartment.
I've built quite a few FMX also , I can relate totally . Has to be someone real close now only. I quite like them . Just way too hard to get basic parts . Can't get any thrust washers , Bands have to be sent away to be relined can take up to 3 months. Only one place here does them.. Yes some bushes available but even the full kits don't have all bushes . That external bush on rear planet totally extinct :( Last I did for a friend I had to buy another core to make up one good one , the Torrington is the planet came apart and took out the whole gearset. I'd still like to do them but someone need to be on their knees begging lol FMX still had needle bearings in reverse servo up to 72ish . I've had a few had the rollers Those high drum roller bearings lol . Trap for young players These COM's are few difference to the FMX's , very interesting vid . Thank you
Thanks for the video! I'm restoring a 1960 Lincoln Continental with a large case, would you have a recommendation where I can have it rebuilt? I'm in the Chicago area. Thanks!
I you think hard parts are expensive & hard to find for this, try finding Chevrolet Turbo Glide, Buick Flight Pitch, or, Olds F-85 Roto Hydramatic parts! ;)
@@mikeholmstrom1899 The 50-54 Ford automatics had bronze clutches. They would not take much power before slipping. Later much better clutch material allowed more power to be used.
