1964 ford-o-matic trans...are they junk or good?

I got a 1964 fordomatic with my 390 are these ok or should i dump an anchor?

 

What you have is a CRUISE-O-MATIC, a 3S Dual Range transmission. The FORD-O-MATIC (of this period) was a true 2S, the precursor to the C4.

CRUISE-O-MATIC is actually a marketing term. The FMX, C4 and C6 were also called COM over the years. You have either a small case (FX) or being a 390, possibly a MERC-O-MATIC (MX) medium case.

IMO, they are very good transmissions, are not heavy as old wives tales tell and parts are readily available. It is a personal preference. Some just decide to go with the later C6.

 

I just got educated by kultulz, but i have
a 64 thunderbird with a 390 and some 2spd
trans. I love it, plain and simple it's strong
and functional, not junk.

 

I've got the Merc-o-matic in my '64. Just installed a shift kit and adjustable modulator. shifts great. unless there's something seriously wrong with yours, or you're going to run a really high performance engine, keep it!

 

That's a scary comment to make...

No, you have a 3S MERC-O-MATIC in the BIRD. You think it is a 2S as it has a second gear start. To realize a first gear start, you either have to pull it into D1 or floor the accelerator at takeoff.

It is also referred to as a GREEN DOT as that position (D2) is suggested as the normal driving range.

The ONLY problem I have with them is that you cannot shift into forward drive while the car is rolling backwards over 5 MPH. It may damage the case. There is a kit available to prevent this or repair a cracked case. This was corrected with the introduction of the FMX in 1968.

 

Got one in my 63. Good trans as far as I'm concerned.

 

They're as reliable as a brick. Had a '64 Marauder 390 with one, blew the engine and wore the rebuild out, never touched the trans. Kinda strange shift pattern, L-D1-D2 where you can take off in Second in D2, but once you get used to it they work fine. To hold it in Second, wait until you're past top speed in Low, then pull the shifter to Low position, it'll stay in Second then. Weird!

 

Let me clarify this a little more in depth. I left out information that may confuse you and I don't want that. The true CRUISE-O-MATIC (58-68) was a DUAL RANGE trans. It will start in 1st gear when the selector is in the D1 position or will start in 2nd gear when in the D2 or GREEN DOT position. If using D2 (fuel economy), 1st gear start can be had with full throttle opening at start.

The FORD-O-MATIC (51/58) was a SINGLE RANGE trans that only had D and L on the selector for forwards gears. It would start only in 2nd gear unless the driver put it into L at take-off or floored the accelerator at take-off.

I hope that explains it. If not, I will try again. It can get confusing.

Getting hard to find good help nowadays with the war and all...

 

Yes it will stay in second (when shifting to LO above the required speed, usually 30mph), but when you go below the 30mph or so, it will shift back to 1st! And I think you could quicken the shift down if you gas it just above the cutoff speed of 30 or so. This happens because throttle valve pressure is raised and in conjunction with governor pressure might cause a downshift.

 

Sounds like you got enough information as to what you do have. They really do work just fine. I have one in my 59 Fairlane and a 2 Speed behind the FE in my Edsel. Personally I'd go to the C-6 just because it's a direct bolt in but only if what you have needs to be rebuilt. My reasoning for that is, The early starter has been a little hard to get for a while. The second generation, or short shaft starter is readily availoble everywhere.
The Wizzard

 

You can get around the starter problem.You can use the later starter on an earlier flywheel by subs***uting an aftermarket starter gear in the later starter that allows it to correctly mesh with the earlier flywheel's tooth pattern.The gear is larger to mesh properly with your early flywheel.You can get the larger starter gear from a place called "Marcs One".I put one in my 64 Galaxie with Cruiso and was able to use the 65 up starter.It meshes with the old flywheel just right and makes no noise.Just FYI

 

Ya, I've done that. They sell you a C-6 Flex plate with dual bolt pattern on it. Works fine.
The Wizzard

 

Not meaning to hijack this thread,but I have an additional comment: I only changed the starter drive on the starter,I didn't need to replace the teeth on the flexplate.The new starter drive is a larger diameter to properly mesh with the old wheel.This is the first I have heard of a c-6 wheel with a dual bolt pattern.With the starter drive replacement,you don't have to replace anything but the starter drive (some call Bendix).Well, you need to get a later design starter.Lots less work though.

 

The trans is pretty much bullet proof, studebaker used them as a flight o matic, they were also used to haul planes around

so I have heard

 

I have one and I always thought it was a Ford-O-Matic. Thanks for clarifying. I took it out of my coupe a few years ago and replaced it with a 4 speed. If anyones interested it's for sale. $50. It always worked great the whole time I had it in my car.

 

I just got a '60 Starliner and it has an auto in it. I'm ***uming its one of these ******s. So the kid I got it from had it towed to my place and the tow truck driver towed it from the front he just put the car in neutral I wasn't around when he showed to tow it but met him at the drop off. So do any of you guys think my trans is pooched now? It was working good when I test drove the car about 20 minutes before it got towed. But now its making a ticking noise and barfing fluid out. I haven't had it in my shop yet to have a peek. And haven't driven it yet since it got dropped off, besides just to park it about 25 feet away.

-Shiny

 

If it is the 3S CRUISE-O-MATIC and not the economy 2S FORD-O-MATIC of the period, the COM has a rear pump and the tow should not have hurt it if the driver kept his speed down. This feature will also allow push starts. If you have the Owner's Manual, it will give towing instructions.

 

Gentlemen,

This is the FORD automatic transmission guru and any concern with the COM or any other auto should be directed to him. He rebuilds, has service parts and is most helpful-

http://broaderperformance.com/

 

I've got one of those early starters laying around....somewhere... if anybody wants it. It was working when I took it off. I had to replace my flywheel and went with the later flywheel and starter just because of availability.

 

I have a 64 Fairlane with a Fordomatic 2 speed. It has D and L. Is it me or does it have a funny shift when it goes from 1st to second and the back down again? Also mine shifts at about 10-15 mphs. Drove back from Phoenix this weekend to LA with no issues at 65-70mph all the way.

 

well it starts out in second gear unless you stomp on it, mine shifts from 2nd to 3rd right around 30mph

 

I had one and it was great. Get to a light, drop in low gear...then shift through manually...lots of get-up and scoot!

 

it makes it a semi automatic haha, pretty fun

 

yeah, tip toe shift!!!

 

The 1959 to 1964 FORD-O-MATIC was an actual two speed single range transmission. It is easily identified by the one piece aluminum bell/main case. Think of it as a FORD POWERGLIDE.

The 3/S Single Range FORD-O-MATIC was discontinued after the 1958 model year, the replacement being the CRUISE-O-MATIC Dual Range introduced during the 1958 model year also. 1964 was also the first year of the C4 replacing the 2/S FORD-O-MATIC.

 

I had a cruiseomatic in my 1964 galaxie and I rebuilt my 352 after the drivetrain had over 100k. After the engine got rebuilt I went from Scottsdale to Vegas to San Fransico to San diego and up and down all over los angeles and drove the piss out of it as a daily driver and not once did I touch the Transmission. Great transmissions for sure. Im currantly building another project and yes im using another Borg-Warner product in my Ford.

 

Kul is almost correct, starts in low on green dot and next position starts in second to stop wheels from slipping in ice. If you want normal shift pattern bolt in a valve body from 67 up.

 

I am hooking a 70's 390 to the stock COM in my 61 Galaxie. Will I be fine using the later flexplate with the earlier trans?? Any other concerns I should have about the later motor/earlier trans connection??

 

where are you located?..I live in gainesville ga..