The Fordomatic is leaking pretty bad on the wife's 56 Ranch Wagon. It's on our "to-do" list along with the front suspension which we will be starting on next week. Already bought the rebuild kit for it. I knew these tranny's were heavy, but didn't know exactly how heavy (until now) and was trying to decide if I should pull the tranny with the car on jack stands using a floor jack with a trans cradle or use my friends lift (with my friend) and an adjustable transmission stand. I think the lift with the transmission stand is the better way to go. 
Rono

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

No short cuts:
They weigh 128# how's that

Just saw Hoozier in Columbus and he's doing well. Problem was his (wife's) computer died. I don't think they were much into them in the first place. Chuck 

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

I believe that John the "Hoozier Hurricane" used a Fordo/FMX hybrid transmission. He has discussed it in the past. Unfortunately, he's no longer on this site. I understood some time ago, that he ran into major computor issues. Hopefully it's not a health issue..   


Paul

I got to digging...

Click the link below for an exhaustive article written by Bob Martin about Harry Hutten's first hand experience in building a bullet proof FMX unit for his very successful racing efforts in his y-block powered Merc.

This article is listed on the Y-Blocks Forever web site in the 'Articles' section.  It's very detailed for someone looking to do this themselves...
http://www.y-blocksforever.com/tech/html/fmx_upgrade.html

Hope this helps those who are interested.  


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

There used to be an article on swapping FMX parts with a Fordomatic. One of our members did it with pictures etc. Also, as I understand it the Fordo will start off in 1st gear if you step on it. Adjustment and the right linkage springs is the clue. Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

A FMX is a ford-0-matic that starts in first gear, yes FMX parts fit Ford-o-matic.
1951 ,52, 53 fordos had different gear ratio, than 54.55 , 51 to 55 are air cooled, 57 up are the better units, and a much better flex plate.

I wish I could be of more help on this, Jim.  Automatic transmissions are a 'black box' to me.   


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

See, Charlie, the info is now starting to come out.
When I find the secret handshake/code word more info will flow.
Thanks
Jim

Hmmmm...  There are some variations in the FordoMatics.

The FordoMatic units used in the '56 & '57 station wagons with 312 engines, the '56 and '57 Birds with 312s, and the '57 'E' and 'F' code 312 cars have a difference in the case that I'm told connotes their having an additional (a fifth) clutch pack.  Apparently, the standard FordoMatic units used only four clutch packs.  The read on the case difference is a threaded plug on the driver's side, adjacent to the pan and on the rear surface where the rear extension housing bolts on.  Standard Fordomatic units do not have this threaded plug on the back surface of the case.

The Ford parts manual lists quite a number of different ID tag numbers for '57 Fordomatics.  Some of this is attributable to the difference in the mechanical shift linkage for the 'Bird vs. the passenger car.  I've mentioned the clutch pack difference that I've read about somewhere.  I wonder if there was a difference in the valve body for the different applications like 6 cylinder, 272, 292, or 312s with single four barrels, 2x4s, and SC as well?

I don't know how much a Fordomatic weights all total, BUT they're H-E-A-V-Y! 


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York