Dennis (aka Skyhunter) mentions that the transmission body is aluminum.  That makes his transmission the 2 speed model and not the Ford-O-Matic.  While those two speed automatics were durable and could take a lot of abuse, they were considered sluggish in the performance department.  I had one in a 1961 Fairlane with a 292 and can vouch for the sluggishness.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Don't know if this info is helpful at this point ? But the poster describes the Fordomatic in his car as a  2 speed, but lists the shifts as PRNDL. This is a common misconception, it's not a 2 spd transmission!. But, low has to be selected or forced excellerater shifted. There's nothing preventing using low range for normal drivng. For instance, shifting to low range at stop, starting out & then shifting to drive at say 25 mph will select 2nd gear or Drive, depending on throttle position. Or, from a start in low, at above 25 mph, shift to Drive & "immediatly" back to low range, locking the trans in 2nd gear until you return to Drive or it's forced shifted out at high speed.. Caution however, best to shift up to Drive when slowing to under 25mph, to avoid a hard low gear downshift...

P.S.- Have been reminded that with the introduction of Ford's later Auto transmissions, beginning in 1959, the Fordo's were reduced to being 2 spds similar to GM's Powerslide transmissions.. But I've never encountered one.. 


Paul

Yes, that was my concern also. I believe I have a rubber gasket in there, but can't recall exactly. No leaks there though that is confirmed. That would be a terrible compromise.

       A  L  A  N   F  R  A  K  E  S   ~  Tulsa, OK    

I, more often than not begin or end a day riding to a show or what not finding myself in a driving rain and that opening is what gives me pause.  Some type of a rubber boot would be better than that big opening that in their own web site shows plenty of carpeting exposed to work as a sponge.





1959 Edsel Ranger, 1916 Ford "speedster"
"I may not be a rich man, but I can give you a million dollars' worth of bad publicity."

Funny, sometimes I get notifications via email that I have responses and sometimes not.  So, I did not see this latest run till now.  I think with all the suggestions I may have this figured out, or at least a better look at it for now.

Yes Ted, it's the aluminum cased 2 speed OEM trans that was used for a few years on FoMoCo products.  The one with the odd shaped trans pan gasket #18109 and not #18106 trans gasket that almost all auto parts give you when you ask for a 59 Edsel with a 292 automatic trans.  

I am going to try and use the Lokar t.v. cable set up using their bracket off the back carb base bolt and the OEM throttle set up with a trimmed down stock bracket and the rod attached to the Lokar selector shaft and arm at the bottom end and the t.v cable set up per their instructions.   I just need to make a bracket to hold a post for the OEM shift rods to piviot off of like they do the Mile-O-Matic now.

Only question I have left is how did you all mate up the AOD neutral safety switch into the stock column?  I have not had a functioning NSS for a long time and would be nice to not have to check (with my OCD) a dozen times that is it actually in park before starting the car. 





1959 Edsel Ranger, 1916 Ford "speedster"
"I may not be a rich man, but I can give you a million dollars' worth of bad publicity."

I used this option for the throttle when I did my AOD in my 55 bird. I too was reluctant to use it but it has worked out very well. I also used their additional floor mount spacer under the foot pedal to get the correct angle. All this took some head-scratching and over-ordering of some parts but basically, that's hotrod 101. You will have to do some figuring and adapting. But in the end, I believe you can make it work. And work well. I was originally told I would not be able to make my stock bird floor shifter work, but lo and behold I figured it out. Again, works great. Made my own bracket for the manifold for the trans and throttle too. Looks better and works better than Lokars flimsy mount I think. IMHO! Here is a pic of both. the angle of the throttle thru the firewall is hard to see, sorry. It is actually better than the factory ford throttle setup. I'll have to see if I can look and see how it is insulated from the engine bay as I can't honestly cannot recall. But like I said I have zero issues with it.

       A  L  A  N   F  R  A  K  E  S   ~  Tulsa, OK    

While you’re poking around the Lokar site for throttle and TV cables, you might have a look at this shift cable for columns. Might work, might only be an idea to look at.

https://www.lokar.com/auto-trans-access-parts.html

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

PF- I was on the same page.  Tonight was the first time his full title appeared for me and it says he wants to use an AOD tranny.  Before today it didn't say anything about the AOD on my screen.

From what Dennis has mentioned, he has the Ford two speed automatic and is wanting to switch it out to a modern overdrive automatic transmission.  Not sure if he has the Ford-O-Matic or the true two speed automatic but in this case does not make much difference as he is wanting to upgrade to an OD auto trans.  My ’62 Fairlane with a 292 had the two-speed auto trans.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

I'm confused as to what transmission you are referring too?  You made reference to an Edsel trans (1958-59 & a maybe a few 60's).. then to an 80s transmission?. Original Fordomatics from 1951 - up thru 1958 (I believe) are actually 3  spd transmissions, with low range by select, unless floored from stopped.. Then your explanation about never using low range except down a a steep hill, why?  And is your trans now defective?. Sorry you lost me...        


Paul