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By DryLakesRacer - 7 Years Ago
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A very reputable transmission shop here in So Cal that I went too because my stock 56 air cooled Ford-O has been leaking and has gotten much worse. I brought along all of the adapter companies information and discussed with the owner on what his suggestions would be.
He mostly wanted to know what I used my car for, which is local cruising and some but very little highway, and since he had built racing transmissions and torque converters starting in the late 50's he suggested the easiest thing was an early 60's CruseO. He actually did much of the Ford automatic trans drag racing development.
It would give me a 1st gear start and if I wanted to replace the rear with something higher than 3.21's to help with highways I would be fine. I have considered an 8" Mustang style and using 3.0 in the past.
He also said the installation is easy, almost bolt in, and the later trans used a vacuum modulator only needing a vacuum port which would be easy on my rear carb. I already have the cooler in the radiator for the cooling lines. He said the kick/passing gear will work with the stock linkage with a little work.
He actually has one ready to go that was done for a friend of mine for a later T-Bird restoration. The gentleman has pasted on and it was never picked up. He stated that he would do anything I wanted and was making the suggestion because it was easy, I would get something strong, not leaking, water cooled, etc...
Any thoughts out here other it won't have an overdrive and is heavier than newer non OD trans like a C-4.
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By miker - 7 Years Ago
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Seem’s to meet your needs, and who knows how many million miles they went behind big FE’s. If it’s built right it’ll be fine, and it’s probably still lighter than the fordo. Probably doesn’t use any more hp. Sounds like the price is right and the guy knows what he’s doing. Every time I mention my favorite modern o/d they shoot at me here.
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By Lou - 7 Years Ago
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Go for it ! A friend of of mine put a cruse-0 in his 55 convert about 20 years ago, he still has the car and it still runs fine 40,000 miles later
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By DryLakesRacer - 7 Years Ago
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Thanks guys, I was afraid I wouldn't get any positives as everyone today seems to lean towards modernization on everything.
Eventho the owner doesn't do much of the physical work himself because he's getting up in age I did go back in the shop where they were servicing a 67 Mustang and another 70's station wagon and met the 2 mechanics. This won't be a freebie by any means but it is a very trusted shop and he's well known in the auto trans industry. By reading more about them the mid case looks to be a very good one do to clutches and plates.
Anyway thanks, it also doesn't hurt we are members of the same Elks Lodge.
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By Stanley Stevens - 7 Years Ago
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I put one in my 1956 Ford Crown that was mated to a 312. What your transmission guy said is totally correct. It was an easy swap. I was pleased with the results particularly the ability to start off in 1st gear. I drilled a hole in the back of the intake manifold for the vacuum modulator connection. I wanted to keep the vacuum line hidden since it was a show/driver car.
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By DryLakesRacer - 7 Years Ago
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Thanks Stanley, I'll put a hose fitting on the rear carb which currently feeds the vacuum wipers and has an additional port which is plugged and plug it for them. I'm pretty good with steel lines if you've seen the photo of my dual quad lines and will probably make a line which follows the rear of the block, bellhousing, and trans body with an Adel styled clamps along the way to near the vacuum modulator finishing with a short hose. Thanks again.
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By 57RancheroJim - 7 Years Ago
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It almost sounds like Art Carrs as a wild guess..
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By DryLakesRacer - 7 Years Ago
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57RancheroJim, you are wise beyond your years...
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By 57RancheroJim - 7 Years Ago
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DryLakesRacer (10/16/2017)
57RancheroJim, you are wise beyond your years... I don't know about wise, just old and remember some of the great names. His reputation with trans was on top.
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By DryLakesRacer - 7 Years Ago
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Made the tentative deal yesterday. The trans he has ready is from 1962 Thunderbird.Unknown if it was original to the car. I'm not that good on the cases but it has 14 cap screws on the pan and a vacuum modulator at the left rear. There is so much info on the net that's confusing but it has a 10-7/32" case without the spacer so I'm guess a medium case. He needs to schedule it with his installers in the shop who are great at swaps do to their experience with so many 200R4's. Looking to have it done by the first week in November as I am not in a hurry and he may need to make a converter; everything is done in his shop including the dynoing of the transmissions to assure they work properly before leaving.
As is well known older transmission guys are getting harder to find and Art just hired another gentleman in his late 60's looking for something to do and works the old fashion way. Hope everything goes fine and looking forward to the change especially the red oil being missing from under the car.
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By DryLakesRacer - 7 Years Ago
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Thought it would be done before now but today the car went to the trans shop for the swap. I added a vacuum fitting to the rear carb for the modulator and included a bag of fittings as I don't know if the top will be hard line or not, Looking forward to it returning and if it works out i'll take the stock indicator off the dash an make a new one in lexan (polycarbinate) with new letters on it to show the gear selection; might even put on a green dot....
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By miker - 7 Years Ago
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The green dot would be the finishing touch. Subtle.
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By DryLakesRacer - 7 Years Ago
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Picked up my 56 from Art Carrs today with the swap to a 62 "green dot" mid case Cruise-O-Matic. It works just as I had hoped it would. Kick down, 1-2-3 or 2-3, speedo, radiator cooled, vacuum modulator, etc. Not EZ swap they had planned but they were able to overcome every obstacle. Some parts that were easily available in the 60's are just harder to get and if there would have been a little more time they could have been found I'm sure.
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By Pete 55Tbird - 7 Years Ago
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Glad to hear of your success with the conversion. Can you please expand on you statement "Some parts that were easily available in the 60's are just harder to get and if there would have been a little more time they could have been found I'm sure." What was it that they could not find? Does it make any difference? Pete
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By DryLakesRacer - 7 Years Ago
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Pete, there were 2 major problems and one minor.
#1. A 292 flexplate for a Cruiso was a problem for them as I expected but hoped in their stash they would have one. I suspect one from a Mummert C-4 conversion may have worked but they didn't know of him and I wasn't contacted. The original air cooled torque converter has at least one set of the splines that did not work with the newer trans. They build their own converters so the changed which ever were incompatable and used the original air cooled converter, flexplate/starter gear, and bell housing. They said my converter was in Excellant shape and with fluid maintenance last forever.
#2. The 62 speedo gear fed at the top instead of the bottom on the side of the tail shaft housing and the new trans did not have one AND the teeth spin in the opposite direction. No big deal, use the original, nope, the main shaft is a larger diameter (read stronger) so my trans yoke was changed to fit but since it was a bigger the tail housing was machined to accept the larger bushing and seal. Yes my speedo gear was used on the shaft and the rest fit.
#3 minor. The trans was longer so the had the drive shaft shortened and balenced.
As for the air cooled converter which was the only cooling for the original trans, perhaps will be now in addition to the lines to the radiator will be better. I was hoping to eliminate that from under the car and the cast iron bell housing but it was not to be. I did get all of the non used parts including the original yoke, 62 aluminum bell housing, and 62 tail housing. If I can get an original speedo gear for the Cruiso trans output shaft I might go to it because I think my current nylon speedo gear on the cable is the biggest one and reads correct with a 3.30 rear gear. My next move in modernization is a 65-6 Mustang 8" rear with 2.80 gears which is the real reason for the true 3speed trans....enough ranting for now...I'm happy and little lighter in the wallet but have all Ford parts.
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By 2721955meteor - 7 Years Ago
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seems to be somewhat of a waste of money,still have air cooled converter,the old trans will start in low if the throttle pressure rod is adjusted correctly and trans pressures are at spec or a touch higher..ther are several posts on using later clutch plates in the fordomatic. yes the later trans is stronger as where used in models with fe,s. . regarding cooling there was a water to oil cooler on 56 f1s with auto trans. I have a frend with a 55 merc that we cleaned up the throttle pressure linkage and with part throtel when leaving the stop sign she starts in low every time.
by staying with air cooled torque you still have the spindly front pump drive. But if 1 has a very strong y a c4 would be my choice
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By DryLakesRacer - 7 Years Ago
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If you read my reply you will see they upgraded the converter to work with the larger front cruise O pump. If I ever find the proper y to cruiseO flexplate I'll change it. As far as I know the 62 converters are still available.
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By 57RancheroJim - 7 Years Ago
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I feel another advantage to the swap is the Cruise doesn't use a rear power robbing pump like the Fordo..
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By 2721955meteor - 7 Years Ago
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rear pump supplements the front pump swell as insuring lube so you can get towed home and push start the vehicle. rear pump was removed to save 10$ per trans to the cost of building the trans. there are no benefits to not having the rear pump.Ido not fault putting the newer trans in only feel it was not a advantage for guys with early fordos to go this rout,but mainly inform thes transmissions ar Not 2speed. the rear pump was used i cruzomatics into the 1960s.not sure when rear pump was eliminated ,my manual shoes it in 1960.models. the 2 speed trans ford offered was a very different trans,was less than sucksesfull. yes the crusomatics could handle more torque and hp,but fore a 292-312 not required
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By DryLakesRacer - 7 Years Ago
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I'm sorry I posted this ... I appears I wasted some of my children's inheritance.
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By kevink1955 - 7 Years Ago
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I think the swap is worthwhile as it gives you factory designed 1st gear starts (with out fooling the kickdown linkage) and vacuum modulated shifts. I am currently planing an FMX swap. If it makes you happy and makes driving more enjoyable just go for it. Sounds like you have a shop that knows how to make things work, around here if it is not front wheel drive they just give you a dumb look.
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By 2721955meteor - 7 Years Ago
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if 1 takes the time to read the throttle pressure adjustment procedure they are only telling us how the adjustment should be made,no trickery. the vacuum modulator makes the linkage less cumbersome. the earley kick down and throttle linkage was prone to wear and needed adjustment . also a lot of restorers eliminated it,not aware of damage to trans. with the vacuum modulated it is adjustable and will if adjusted correctly start in 1st the dual range just insures start in 2 or 1 ,most likely to compete with the power glide(gen2)..
i think the start of this debate is great and makes the site worth while, i am 77 and still learn a bunch especially engine issues.
talk about squandering inheritance to kids i did a great job of that when putting a 292 and 4speed trans into my 49 mercury truck
hope all of you a merret xmas and prosperous new year. cliff from bc canada
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By DryLakesRacer - 6 Years Ago
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A little update on the conversion. For all purposes it's complete. While I had the car up in the air to make the colum linkage work the way I wanted it to, I found a slight leak on the governor cover and made a new gasket solving the problem.
For linkage I extended the stock column arm the size of the 3/4" hole for the grommet plus clearance for the rubber. I made it so it would slip on and held thru the original grommet hole with bolt/nut/washer combination. It clears the rear of the exhaust header with ease and gave me the extra length needed 6 instead of the 5 original indicated positions.
As luck would have it and the 56 having a very easy way to adjust the dash indicator all worked out well. P for park, R for reverse, and L for low were extremely close and D for drive ended up between the 2 drive positions. I was able to purchase another plastic indicator and am waiting for it to show up. I will put a white dot on the left side of the "D" and a green dot on the right side when I get it installed I'll post a photo. I guess you say I have a green dot cruiseOmatic now. I just want to save the original clear plastic original.
As for performance, it's exactly what I was looking for. Normal driveing 12-15 in 1st, 25-28 in second, and then to third. Since the 62 I used has a vacuum modulator shift points adjust easy with more throttle and the down shift arm is adjust with a slider part the shop made and it does it job.
Everyone makes their own decisions on deals like this, and this was mine and right now I could not be happier.
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By FORD DEARBORN - 6 Years Ago
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DryLakesRacer, I know the feeling 100%. When I put a c-o-m in my 57 Fairlane it really woke that car up. Like, changed the whole personality of the car. With the 3.56:1 gear it would produce a very nice squack going into 2nd and a chirp into 3rd. You will never regret it. In my case, it really wasn't very difficult. Using a c-o-m form a 63 390 Mercury was pretty much physically the same as the 57 f-o-m. Splines were the same, length same and if I can remember correctly, the yoke was the same. For the shift linkage, I drilled several holes along the shift leer on the trans, then it was simply a matter of selecting the right hole to gain the correct throw. That provided all ranges for the existing 57 shift linkage. It actually lined up with with P R N D L. The problem, if it is a problem was the extra range, the green dot, which was in the neighborhood of D on the 57 but I know the feel for it so wasn't a problem for me. Your idea of producing an new glass window including the green dot is awesome. For the throttle linkage, keeping the stock "grass hopper" affair was easy. I bored out the threads in the clevis so it would slide on the throttle control rod eventually striking the adjustable stop nut and that was it. Had proper kick down point and the modulator was fool proof and adjustable by changing the length of the modulator push rod if desired. Kits were available for this purpose at the time. This is how it worked in my case and sounds like you have a winner. Thanks for sharing, JEFF.......................
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By cokefirst - 6 Years Ago
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I have a 57 Skyliner and have been reading your saga of the Cruise-O-Matic transmission swap. I want to put a higher geared rear end in my skyliner so that I can reduce the cruise RPM at 65 to the low 2000 RPM. I am worried that the Ford-O-Matic will have problems from a dead stop getting up to speed with just 2 gears. I am hoping that I too can convert to the Cruise-O-Matic to solve this problem. Please keep us informed on the outcome.
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By DryLakesRacer - 6 Years Ago
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coke.. The original begining of what I did was to put in a rear end with a higher ratio gear and that is in the future. I too had reservations on changing gears and finding starting out in 2nd would not make me as happy as the way it was. So the trans is done and the car performs the same as it did starting in 2nd and when in "green dot" more of a pleasure. In 1955/56 there were very few Interstates and the speed limit in Ca. was only 55 so a lot of this didn't matter.
My rear gear is 3.30 on the tag and I'm looking at 3.0 or 2.89 if I go to an 8" and 3.0 if I go with a 9". The next higher ez in a 9" is 2.75 which may be a little much for me. A 2.89 is available but it's not a Ford gear and is available to NASCAR and I had a set once that went to a Bonneville racer.
My only wish was that if I could have found a complete trans with flexplate, TC, and trans and not modify some of my parts but the trans shop knew their business and did a good job only leaving me to figure out the indicator which I knew was coming.
Good luck with your project..
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By 2721955meteor - 6 Years Ago
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cokefirst (1/16/2018)
I have a 57 Skyliner and have been reading your saga of the Cruise-O-Matic transmission swap. I want to put a higher geared rear end in my skyliner so that I can reduce the cruise RPM at 65 to the low 2000 RPM. I am worried that the Ford-O-Matic will have problems from a dead stop getting up to speed with just 2 gears. I am hoping that I too can convert to the Cruise-O-Matic to solve this problem. Please keep us informed on the outcome. ]your trans is a 3speed,just adjust the throttle linkage and especially throttle pressure rod. owned a 57merc and if 1 puts the throttle down at a light it started in1st.wher do you think low comes from. light throttle the will start in2. if you go to a library and find a 56-57 motors repair manual it will walk you threw the adjustment procedure
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By cokefirst - 6 Years Ago
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Yes, I realize that the Ford-o-matic is a 3 speed transmission. i was not aware that it could be adjusted to start in low. This may be a viable fix. In the mid 1960's I converted my 61 Ford with a COM to a 4 speed. I sold the transmission to a guy with a 56 Ford. He said that he would manually shift the trans from low to drive to use all three gears. The FOM in his car was damaged and he was told by an automatic transmission shop at the time that the transmissions were not designed to use low all the time and that his practice of manually shifting damaged the transmission. I have only limited understanding of the operation of the automatic transmission, so perhaps the transmission shop or the guy that bought my COM was misinformed.
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By DryLakesRacer - 6 Years Ago
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miker, this for you, and of course everyone else. I'm done with the swap, with a little extra work from me and the front harmonic balancer/ steady rest snafu. I'm showing some photo on the dash indicator. Had to add a white ring so you could see it.
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By DryLakesRacer - 6 Years Ago
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Didn't show park and reverse, Reverse is perfect and Park is just slightly under. Mine has a park start added by the previous owner and it still needs a slight adjustment but I start it in neutral just like I did on my Moms in the early 60's.
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By miker - 6 Years Ago
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Thanks DLR. Those are the subtle touches that make a car “yours”. It’s the kind of little details I look for, and just smile when I see them.
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