Looking for a CruiseOmatic expert opinion... I have a 59 Merc with a 430 and I believe an MX automatic transmission in it. Don't believe it's ever been rebuilt. The car was a daily driver for a long time up until a few years ago. I've siphoned the ancient fluid and refilled it with type F, as well as drained the converter and let it refill. It always drives fine in D2 which starts in 2nd and shifts to 3rd. So I know 2nd gear is "ok". But in D1 where it starts in 1st, it doesn't even try to shift to 2nd if it's still cold. When it starts to warm up it will try to shift to 2nd but sometimes it basically neutrals and just starts freewheeling. No engine braking when this happens. It will then make a quick jump to 3rd. Sometimes you can really get on it in 1st and it will make a nice firm shift into 2nd, then it will continue to shift nicely for awhile. But usually until you drive it awhile the shift into 2nd is pretty mushy. Once it's fully into 2nd gear it doesn't slip at all. I was thinking it might have a sticky servo or valve somewhere? Is there anything I can clean out without pulling the trans out of the car? I haven't checked the throttle valve adjustment yet but since it shifts great when warm I figure it's probably not that bad. Planning on a full rebuild but would like to cruise it awhile longer if it won't hurt anything... Thanks
Yes you can take valve body out. Clean it very carefully, take all valve spools out, polish with very fine sandpaper, dont round the edges.install valves soaked fresh atf. They should move freely in the bores without springs when you tilt the valvebody. also there is inspection cover in the tailhousing where you can take governor out and clean it too.its a pretty simple transmission.be carefull with oil pipes, dont bend them.
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