Thanks John.

56 VIC  Gene Stoehr Sr.

I never have, but never thought about it.  I couldn't hurt to wipe a little ATF on it though.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

I am in the process of reassembling the torque converter halves. My question is once the o-ring is place in position on the back plate and internals are in place do you use any lube on top of the o-ring prior to placing the other half of the TQ?

56 VIC  Gene Stoehr Sr.

John I found a site Automatic Transmission Parts Online that has friction plates. I hope to eliminate the bronze plates. My trans had the bronze in both drums. I will mix up the clutches to reduce the spacing. Thanks

56 VIC  Gene Stoehr Sr.

Here is a link to a Cruise O Matic ( same as a FOM but name changed in 1958) rebuild that may be helpful. Pete
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-B936QdbLY

Gene, you can mix and match plates anyway you need to.  You mentioned bronze plates, I personally do not use them in the rear clutch, but if you are comfortable with that, I won't criticize.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

John, your info is what I was looking for. Fordomatic shop manual does not show those clearances. I have the .069 flat steels now in the rear clutch. My shift has been good and solid into 3rd gear. I would have put the new coned plates in but now I will use the flat plates. All 8 bronze clutches are .062. The steel plates are .069. I have about .045 clearance in the front drum and about .060 in the rear drum. I have 2 new steel plates at.088. I have 3 new flat steel plates for the front drum at .070. Can I use some .080 fiber clutches with new .062 fiber clutches to reduce clearances? Is it normal to have to use a press to install the pressure plates with new O rings. I had all O rings and metal surfaces well lubed.

56 VIC  Gene Stoehr Sr.

Gene, the specs I found show that the front clutch stack needs to have a MINIMUM of .010 clearance when installed.  No maximum specified, but I would think no more than .040.  The rear clutch needs .035 to .050 clearance.  The original steel plates in the rear clutch are dished .010, and if you re-use them, make sure all the "dishes" face the same way.  If you replace the dished ones with flat ones like FMXs use, you will get a crisper shift to 3rd with less slippage.  You can use the thick pressure plate from the rear clutch to check the clearance of the front clutch. 

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

there was info on this site regarding a trans guru who used clutch plates from a later ford auto. the info you want  try a early motors repair guid,also try a marine trans dealers they used same discs swell same front pump

Thanks Pete, What I have is clutches I bought a long time ago. As I said I don't have the rear drum apart yet but the clutches I have for that measure .105. The bronze that were in the front drum were .062. They look pretty good and I may have to reuse them but would rather put in new. I will look to the FMX and see what I can find.

56 VIC  Gene Stoehr Sr.