I purchased a 55 country sedan with a 272 and a Fordomatic. It's a decent car and will be used by my wife to do local home inspection jobs. She mostly wants to use it for advertising and also drive it weekly weather permitting. So here is my question. It is 100% stock and has all the correct linkage for the pressure control for the Fordomatic. It is set correctly but will not shift into high gear. I serviced it and changed the screen. It was clean whenever I did this but did anyway just to look inside. All looks well. The car has sat for many years and I just recently started driving it. My 56 sunliner had the same issue after sitting for 10 plus years during restoration and the Fordomatic in my sunliner was rebuilt about 15 years ago. But sat. Once my sunliner would shift into high 5 to 10 miles after the first drive it shifted fine the whole rest of the day. It finally got to the point where it is not an issue anymore and works fine. I'm about to go out in the wagon and drive it around and see what happens! Thanks in advance for any input or suggestions!

If you don't have it already, get the shop/repair manual for the fordo and see what it says about this condition.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

As suggested get a Fordomatic Manual which is very helpful in diagnosing Problems. My initial thought would be the Governor Valve is stuck. This can be serviced on the Car without too much trouble. There's a Cover on the Side of Extension Housing held on by 2 Screws. The Governor is held in place by 2 long Screws and is easy to remove. Don't drop the Screws or Governor into the Extension Housing. There is a Valve which should move easily within the Governor Body. If You are not sure the Rod down to the Pressure Lever on the Transmission is adjusted properly try shortening it by a turn and see if that helps. If not try one more Turn to shorten it more. If its too long the excessive Pressure in the Transmission won't allow Trans to shift.If its been sitting that long the Valves within Transmission are probably sticking from lack of use.If my Suggestions don't help You may have to to service the Main Valve Body or Pressure Regulator Valve which is probably best done by a Shop that is familiar with these Fordo's. Again a Fordomatic Manual is very helpful even if You have to take it to a Shop.

  

Mark!!! Thanks!!! You nailed it! Works perfectly! Thanks again!! Have a great weekend... Marlon.

Which Fix worked? The Pressure Rod I bet. The initial adjustment on that is to pull up gently against the stop in the Transmission and shorten it until it just goes back onto the Linkage at the Top and then lengthen it by 2.5 Turns. There is a Plug on the Transmission near the Lever that is there to screw in a Pressure Gauge. The accurate way to setup that Link is to adjust it until the pressure Gauge reads according to the Table in the Fordomatic Manual. 2.5 Turns should be fairly close. If it Shifts too early lengthen it by 1 more turn. If shifts too high shorten it by 1/2-1 turn. Lock the nut against the adjuster.

  

The valve was stuck! I got it out and cleaned it! Works like a dream. I am familiar with the rod adjustment and it is set perfect! Like I said thanks again!! I bought this car for my wife and have had it for 3 years. I sold the previous one because it needed a lot more work. Only thing holding me back on this one was the tranny. She is getting it for her birthday tomorrow! She is going to love it! She thinks it's just been sitting in the barn covered up. She has no clue!! Thanks again!!!

Gee, being that generous she is going to owe you a TBird for your birthday!

55 Vicky & customline

58 Rack Dump, 55 F350 yard truck, 57 F100

59 & 61 P 400's, 58 F100 custom cab, 69 F100, 79 F150, 82 F600 ramp truck, 90 mustang conv 7 up, 94 Mustang, Should I continue?

i just saw your comment! well my birthday is in next month and I bought her a Dusk Rose 57 bird 5 years ago for her 35th Birthday! She's a wonderful wife and puts up with me and on top of that she loves cars! that's good enough for me! ill probably end up with something well needed for one of my cars! she listens and always comes up with a great gift! hasn't been a car yet who know's! I wish i knew how to post pics but ill figure it out someday! happy holidays! Marlon