The trans in my '57 fairlane is starting to slip after about 5 mins of driving.  If I put it in 1st and start out slow it's ok, but if I just hammer on it in drive it squeals.   The plate says "Ford Automatic Transmission, 103D-150896, Marvel Schebler Prod. Div., Borg-Warner"  Haven't been able to locate any information on it, is it an original ford-o-matic??

I talked with a local shop, and the guy was very familiar with the 50's fords and said he could rebuild them in his sleep (unfortunately i didn't have the number information when i spoke to him)

Is it worth it for me to rebuild it?  He said it would be about $800 to pull it apart and go through the whole thing.

I got the car 2 summers ago, and while it didn't run when i got it, its slowly turning into a great running car.  I've got a 312 w/ holley 570 street avenger on 1" spacer, MSD dist/blaster coil/ignition control/timing control, headers to 40 series flowmasters w/ rear axel dumps.  I'm looking to do intake and cam next - I want to build a fast car, but i don't want to rebuild the trans only to trash it again.  Any thoughts or recommendations???  I'm doing some body and paint work and then maybe i'll get a picture up.  I've got tons of questions and a lot to learn, but that's enough for this post.  Thanks in advance for your help! - John

John: Lake Forest, IL



'57 Fairlane 500 - Looking better every day.

Yes, its worth a rebuild, but you have several other options. Upgrade to FMX, C4, or AOD. The price $800 seems a little high to me, I got $75 in the 60's to rebuild one, but in todays $'s it may be a fair price. The upgrades will all cost you more than $800 unless you do your own work. The FMX could be done for about the same price if you can find the flexplate and a rebuildable core. This topic has been discussed  and debated in great length and looking through old post should give you an idea of other members ideas. For my money the FMX is the least expensive and best option.

Glen Henderson



Freedom is not Free

Letohatchee, AL

Yeah, yesterday I spent most of the night reading through all the old posts after I put up my note.  I also wasn't sure what the concensus was on what people were running and felt was the battleship of the drivelines. Thanks for your help!

John: Lake Forest, IL



'57 Fairlane 500 - Looking better every day.

After lots of reading and $$ considerations, I'm going to stick with the FOM for now.  Anyone know where I can find upgrade parts (if they exist) for the FOM.  Also, is there anything you guys would recommend that I check or change while I have the trans off?  I saw John Mummert has the aluminum flywheel, any advice is greatly appreciated.  THANKS! - John

John: Lake Forest, IL



'57 Fairlane 500 - Looking better every day.

Ask Jay about using a later Cruise O Matic valve body to get a true 3 speed shift. 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 am in the same boat as I am contemplating on rebuilding the mercomatic, which I am going to take out as soon as it warms up around here,or switch to a later Tranny.. I am researching the adapter kits for the newer ford transmissions,FMX,C-4 or AOD to the Y-block.   I was wondering about the cooling part of this switch since the fordomatics,mercomatics are air cooled. Also, does the driveshaft have to be modified?. Can anyone fill me in on this?  Thanks, Mike

     

You will need a good aftermarket cooler , unless you replace the rad with one with a built in cooler. The drive shaft will have to be replaced or reworked depending on the trans that you use. One option would be to use the front pump, torque converter,tailshaft, tailshaft housing from the FOM in a FMX case. This would give you a trans with the same dimensions as the FOM and allow you to use your stock driveshaft.

Glen Henderson



Freedom is not Free

Letohatchee, AL

I was planning on adding an aftermarket cooler.  Should I just bypass the rad. cooler all together, or put it in seriers with a new one?  I can't imagine having both would do any harm.

- John

John: Lake Forest, IL



'57 Fairlane 500 - Looking better every day.

I am just running a aftermarket trans cooler behind my front bumper on my 56. Keeps the FMX plenty cool.

Rob

I love the smell of burning rubber in the morning!

Basicly the more cooling area the better. But you also have to factor the hose length and the number of connections. The more stuff the more likely a failure. I think I'd just get a good tranz cooler and go with that. 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