tow dolly and an automatic?

Thoughts on using a tow dolly as opposed to a trailer to tow my 62 Comet with a 2 speed Merco/fordo matic. Can I do this with it in neutral . Help asap as Im trying to leave in the morning.

 

the handy instructions in the old chiltons say to tow no more than 30 miles per hour, maximum of 15 miles distance....if you leave the driveshaft in.

so pull the driveshaft out if you're going very far.

 

Going almost 200 miles, whats the reason to have to disconnect if its in neutral? oil/ fluids?

 

Probably the pump will be starved of fluid.. Pull the shaft. It would be ok if it was a newer car, different design.

 

When the engine isn't running, oil isn't being pumped through the trans. The driveshaft turns the output shaft but with no lubrication pressure in the trans.

 

Got it, so tow it on the trailer , or tow it rear up on the dolly?

 

If you tow it rear up, you'll need to lock the steering wheel so the wheels don't turn.

 

Not being a smart *** but I figured that Nelly! Im just figuring it will be an easier tow with the dolly than with the weight of the car and the full trailer

 

if you have a big enough truck to tow it with, it would be better on a trailer....

 

Trailer it is , thanks to all of you for the ***istance! ill post pics as soon as I get home tommoprow night!

 

I hate to hi-jack your post... But, why does a newer style tow dolly pivot in the center??? The older ones I've seen do not pivot and your supposed to unlock the steering wheel so it will go around corners.. Because I have a good axle I would like to build me a tow dolly, but can't see why it needs to pivot as long as I unlock the wheel.

 

I've towed comets with that transmission on a dolly before, so here is what I know:

You *should* be able to tow in neutral with the rear wheels on the ground. This is because the ford/mercomatic is one of the few automatics where the pump is driven off the output shaft of the transmission, so the pump will be spun and thus the trans will be lubed and won't eat itself. This is also why you can push-start a ford/mercomatic falcon/comet.

As for dolly towing with the front wheels on the ground? We did that and it wasn't fun at all. We had two ratchet straps, one from each front door to the steering wheel, cranked down til the doors started creaking. As soon as it got above50-55mph the comet was whipping back and forth so hard it dragged my buddy's diesel G30 GMC van across two lanes of highway before he got it back under control.

That all being said, I personally would dolly it with the rear wheels down, but pull the driveshaft, just to be on the safe side. All the tows I've done were under 50 miles, and I wouldn't want you to inadvertantly ruin the transmission.

leadsled: from what I understand the pivot allows for both tighter turns, and makes it less likely you'll crunch the car's fenders into the trailer's fenders if you turn too sharp or jacknife while backing. But I'm not sure.

 

lotsa ifs in there....I'd just put it on a trailer, if a trailer is available.

on the dolly pivot thing, with the newer dollys you can strap the front tires tightly to the dolly, less likely for the car to get away

 

You can tow it with the rear on the ground and in neutral if you leave the engine running. You have to have the pump running in order to keep the fluid circulating to not burn it up.

J

 

The pivot will let you turn like a wagon. Without the pivot it wouldn't turn. Now, with a tow bar........the car should follow you around a corner, but not as easily as with a dolly.

J

 

the pivot is to ease backing up. try backing up with a fixed tow dolly. using a tow dolly with front of the car on the ground is asking for disaster, the extra weight of the motor will have you whipping all over. i have a trailer and tow dolly and only use dolly for front wheel drive cars that have current licence. state of washington requires it. use the trailer and be safe!

 

Seems to be 50 50 or so , ok who posted on this does not have a pompador?

 

I do not have a pompador!!! The backing up thing makes sense. But the not turning thing does not, With the steering unlocked the front wheels will turn just like you where steering the car. Or have the drugs really fried my pea brain?

 

Former Tow Truck driver of seven years here.........do not tow that car that kind of distance with the rear wheels on the ground unless you pull the driveshaft, period. If you fail to take my advice your intelligence will be called into question and we will be forced to laugh at you while you replace a what was perfectly good transmission.

 

Uhh....if you tow something with the steering wheels on the ground you must secure them so they dont turn. Its best to wrap the seat belt around the wheel and also use a rope around the steering wheel that gets shut in the door and knotted so it cant slip back in the car.

 

Busted Kunckles, Back the car onto the dolly so you are pulling the car backwards, I do it all the time and it works great, I have pulled cars that way for years, on over 1000 mile trips.

 

Again thanks to all of you for the wisdom . I will not be ruining any ****** as the other issue is with the huge Lincoln front end fitting between the dolly fenders! Im geting the trailer tonight and will be off to Naples Florida in the morning to get my 49 Lincoln!!!! yipee for me. i know I wont sleep at all tonight, Ive wanted one of theses since I was a kid.

 

trailer is the better method. ya wide cars **** for dollys

 

No, NO , you misunderstood me. Car facing forward, steering unlock, on an old style dolly that does not pivot.

 

I've towed with both a pivoting and a non-pivoting dolley. I prefer the non-pivot. You can make tighter turns with the pivoting dolley but you have a chance of the dolley fenders hitting the towed car. Don't ask how I know!
You should not try to back up with a dolley! Too many wheels to turn in diffferent directions.