Hi all, Pulling the motor/trans out of the Merc to change gaskets, clean and paint the motor and engine bay, and fix the trans (4 spd manual) which is stuck in 3rd gear. My understanding is the trans is a 1960 as is the motor (352). The last thing I need to disconnect is the speedo cable from the trans. It had a retainer held on with a screw which I took off, expecting the cable to pull right out, but it did not. Should it? I am not familiar with this, so I didn't want to force it and break something. But if I know it should just pull out, I'll put some more oomph into it. Or is there something else holding it in? Thanks for any help.
There is an o-ring on it that can get stuck - the cylinder is about an inch long - gently pry or pull harder
Get a sharp ridged putty knife and tap it under the lip, then get some large screw drivers.It will come out! Also spray some lube around it , it will make the o’ ring slide easier! Bones
The valve covers would indicate a '65/66 motor, and the trans appears to be a Ford toploader which was first produced in '64. Ford didn't have a four speed until mid-year '61 when BW T10s were used (and that's not a T10). It may even be a toploader four speed overdrive; a pic of the other side of the trans/bellhousing will clear that up.
Steve, just because I’m curious. You looking at the rear shift rod appearing to be in the “up” position?
Crazy Steve, oh man do I have pictures! Just separated the trans from the motor tonight and took a bunch.
Yep, overdrive. The main case was cast with the extra raised area to clear the larger overdrive gear (which wasn't even necessary, in my experience).
Yep... The front lever is 3/4, if it's opposite to the rear lever it's an OD. Definitely an overdrive. Most were found in trucks, you appear to have a somewhat rare car version. The truck versions I've seen used stamped steel shift arms. The car versions have better ratios, not as big a spread between gears. The main flaw with these is 4th OD was 3rd gear in a normal 4-speed, so the heavier load on the cluster gear bearings/shaft accelerates wear. Ford cautioned owners that if carrying heavy loads or towing not to use OD or premature trans failure could result. The D8 on the stamped tag denotes it as a '78 trans.
Steve that makes sense. I was told by the PO that the trans was from a truck! And in the 6600 miles I've driven it so far I think I've used 4th gear about twice, and not for very long. Interesting to know about the year as I was told that the motor and trans were both 1960. Thanks for the info! I think I might like to just replace the trans with one with closer ratios and no OD, but I'll start another thread on that.
Found in trucks and vans, and Granada / Monarch cars. Maybe some more. Chrysler made an OD version of their four speed as well.
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