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By Rono - 8 Years Ago
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I have been planning this for a while and this past weekend got it all done. The 3 speed Fordo in our 56 Ranch Wagon leaked really badly, but shifted just fine. I tossed around whether to go with a C4, but with the way my wife drives, the Fordo should be just fine. I bought a rebuild kit off Ebay for $100 as well as a shop manual and a friend down the street with a lift and transmission jack helped me. We were able to separate the transmission from the bell housing sliding it straight back (after removing the rear cross member) on dowel pins we made to replace the top 2 bolts. Using the transmission jack we angled the front of the tranny downward and to the side to clear the bell housing and out she came! Then we brought the tranny to a friend of a friend who owned a transmission shop and he tore that thing completely down, pressure washed it in a steam cabinet and put it back together in 4.5 hours. We got it back in the car that day and we drove it around town yesterday afternoon. "A happy wife is a happy life"
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By NoShortcuts - 8 Years Ago
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I'm glad to hear that it worked out for you, Rono.
Did you determine that it was the original Fordomatic for the 312 engine wagon application?
IMO, Fordomatics really aren't a bad transmission. 
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By miker - 8 Years Ago
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Well, tools and planning help, but that was quite a days work. Well done, Ron.
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By Rono - 8 Years Ago
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It was the original correct Fordomatic. Still had the bronze clutch packs and original bands. Our friend who pulled it apart and did the rebuild said that he didn't think it was ever apart. Here are some additional pictures that wouldn't post earlier.
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By Talkwrench - 8 Years Ago
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Great stuff.. So what was the torque converter like? Yours air cooled or water trans?
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By Rono - 8 Years Ago
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I didn't have any issues with the torque converter so I left it in place. I believe the tranny is air cooled. No water lines were disconnected, only 2 transmissions lines going to the bottom radiator tank.
Rono
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By miker - 8 Years Ago
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That's water cooled Ron, which is the new and improved version. The radiator water (engine coolant) goes around the oil lines in the radiator. The older air cooled have a scoop of sorts, one forward one back on the bell, and large fins in the converter. Essentially it's it's own fan.
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By ian57tbird - 8 Years Ago
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Yes that term had me confused for a long time, as I would refer to it as oil cooled. A very impressive turn around time, you'll put us younger guys to shame.
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By DryLakesRacer - 8 Years Ago
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The big question... Did you stop the leak Ron?....
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By Rono - 8 Years Ago
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At first I wasn't sure if I stopped all the leak(s) because I saw a small puddle under the bell housing when I got it home. It turned out to be just some residual left over from the bad front pump seal. So, to answer the question...YUP, the leaks are gone. We are hauling the car up to Idaho next week to our new house. I'll have plenty of room in this new shop to replace the front cross member on the wagon now and work on the 37 Coupe. This is the best shop yet...60'x40' heated with natural gas a bathroom!!
Rono
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By miker - 8 Years Ago
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Wow, and I've always felt privileged to use my buddy Steve's shop. 36x48, with a wood stove. But his bathroom has a urinal.
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By Rono - 8 Years Ago
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Hey Mike;
If you every get down to SW Idaho you will have to come by. Maybe go to the Boise Roadster Show. It's the 2nd weekend in March every year.
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By ian57tbird - 8 Years Ago
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That's a good size, mine is only 30' x 40'. Moving again!
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