1958 Ford/Edsel Automatic Transmission Questions

So I have a 58 Edsel Ranger with a 361 and Auto trans with 54,000 miles on it. When I got the car the tranny leaked ALOT!! I pulled the gear box out leaving the bell housing and torque converter attached to the engine and replaced the front seal. Put it back together and it stopped the leaking by 90%. It still is leaking from the front of the tranny. I plan on pulling it out again but this time the bell housing and torque converter will come out together with the trans.

My questions are as follows:
1) Where else could this thing leak from in the front other than the front seal? What other seals and gaskets are there?
2) While is out, is there anything else I should do or replace?
3) Is there a manual that covers the Edsel/Ford automatic transmission in detail that someone can recommend?
4) The trans seems to work well driving normal and gentle. The only thing I noticed is that if I step on it 50% throttle or greater, it slips a bit going into 2nd and the kick down does not seem to be adjusted because it does not go into a passing gear when it should. I was told that this is typical for these when the kick down linkage is out of adjustment...Any thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

There is also an O-ring around the front pump assembly that can get hard and leak oil, also possible is that there is a crack in the torque converter hub.

I would get a factory service manual that covers the auto. transmission for '58 for proper band and linkage adjustments, the rod is not just your kickdown, but controls the pressure applied.

---John

 

Big M,
Thanks for sharing the information.

Your name Big M- as in the yard in Williams area?

 

I go through this often being a 57-9 Ford guy. I also drove a 59 Edsel for a few years. In the blue Motors Manual for our years it goes through the complete step by step adjusting sequence. You rairly get away with doing just 1 movement to get things right. Follow the manual step by step to get kick down right.
The Wizzard

 

Thanks. Good to know. What manual do you use?


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There is only 1 shop manual for me. It's the "MOTORS" line. Us mechanics back in the Day called it the Bible.

 

What are your thoughts on this one?

I think I have a motors manual at home already. I will check it out for the transmission adjustment.


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