y block kick down for 2 spd auto

I have a 1956 ford 2 dr mainline with a 292 yblock/ ford o matic out of a 59 f100. I plan on taking off the original wide base 2 bbl manifold and using my tri power on it. Also I herd you have to run a 57 and up dizzy for the tri power. So Im thinking I will be good? I notcied the motor doesnt have a kick down for the auto. Would I need this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-...c0.m245&_trkparms=72:1171|65:12|39:1|240:1318

If I buy the kickdown what else would I need and how does everything hook up?

Or should I buy a c4? Also where could I get a c4 trans adapter kit? If I went that route could I still use my original column and everything? Would it be the same? If I go the c4 route what year c4 do I need?

 

With the true early Ford-O-Matic pattern (3 speeds, but only two on the indicator, and normal starts are in 2nd gear), people often find it better to shift manually & ignore the kickdown.

I would try to find a complete setup rather than the one part, if that's possible. Might check with Owens Salvage http://www.jalopyjournal.com/?page_id=176 ; also get a copy of the parts book or shop manual to see how it all goes together...it will make the whole process much easier. A picture's worth a thousand words, etc., etc.

I can dig up some other sources to check if Owens or your local places don't have anything.

There are several sources of adapter kits; some are simple plates, and some will do more transmissions than the C4 (which is the easiest trans to use for most people, though not the cheapest). Probably the best C4 adapter is the one from Flat-o-Matic: http://www.flat-o.com/carproducts/yblock.htm ;it's as close to a bolt-in as possible. The adapter plates work very well within their limits, but they are just that; everything else you get to figure out, which may be fine.

You will use a case-fill C4, and generally want one that was used behind a SBF. Another source for the same kit, with some more specific information: http://www.ford-y-block.com/c4adapt.htm

Either place is a good source. The man who owns Flat-O Products is a good guy; the website is a bit vague but he will be happy to answer questions over the phone & can also supply other needed things for the swap. The second source, John Mummert, is also very helpful & carries other interesting Y block parts.

 

Transmission gear selection on a pre-1961 FORD is done with throttle linkage (along with selector linkage) (akin to the AOD TV cable). It has to have that kickdown linkage to work correctly (and has to be adjusted correctly). You can find that info in any period shop manual.

The main reason you will be changing the distributor (try to find origional 57/59) will be to rid the engine of the LOAD-O-MATIC feature as you will be tossing the origional carb (list them on EvilBay).

Make sure the 3 X 2 intake will accept the bellcrank.

I can't see the expense of a C4 adaptor kit if the FOM is in good shape. Is you FOM air or fluid cooled?

 

My ****** is air cooled. I would like a liquid cooled one but cant afford it right now.

 

the easiest way to set up the kickdown is with a lokar, as long as you can stand the sight of the cable. I used one of their fmx kits on mine and the only hard part was the linkage on the carb. Saves a lot of the monkey motion adjusting with the hard linkages. My $0.02-dd

 

So I wouldnt have to use the stock bracket that goes on the back of the block or the linkage? They sell just the cable? Any info on the kit?

 

Please read -HERE-- regarding how an early FOM works. It is not a kick-down rod but a TV rod.

-LOKAR-

 

thanks

 

I understand your concern about an air cooled trans but for what it is…it can be made to work pretty well with an overhaul.
OR another compromise upgrade would be an FMX. They can be made to work for realistic monies and could withstand more than your engine could ever dish out.
Case in point, John Feistrizers, "Hoosier Hurricane"
I myself, came close to using a C4 in my setup but finally went to an AOD. The adapter I bought (Bendstens) will work for a c4 or an AOD, but if you are going to change an AOD gets you one more gear same overall weight, and better ratios for about the same costs. Just depends on what your after. Both AODS and C4s are laying around for cheap to zero and both cost about the same to get ready to work. So, again why not one more gear? just something to consider.

 

Here's is the one I used.
I first thought it was way overpriced but after all is said and done it wasn't It come with the starter and flywheel and some don't so you have to end up getting that stuff for more money anyway.
I'm real happy with it.
http://www.transmissionadapters.com/ford_y_block.htm

 

Why don't you use a Cruise a matic ? They bolt right up and will take a lot of abuse . They were putting them behind 352 & 290 !
I have a 55 Fairlane with a 272 & liquid FOM & I have all the p***ing gear linkage and it doen't work most of the time no matter how I adjust it . I just use the shifter and have no problems ! It will be comming out hopfully next month and will be for sale ! Good motor but trans leaks ! I am going with a 5 speed ! You can keep those FOM ! I would use anything over them . Put in a C4 and have fun shifting when needed !

 

Hey retro jim, the cruise o matic is a 3 speed correct? what year/make/ model can I get it from? I eant to be able to just bolt it up to my motor. I dont want to do much fabricating for it.

 

Retrojim: Were Cruise-o-matics (FMX) ever put behind 292's? I guess they were in trucks, but don't believe they were in cars. I guess you could use the Furd-o-matic bellhousing to adapt to 292?

 

The FMX was not introduced until 1968.

Both the FORD-O-MATIC and CRUISE-O-MATIC were 3S transmissions, the difference being the FOM was Single Range and the CRUISE-O-MATIC (FX) (intro 1958) was Dual Range. The 3S FOM was deleted during the 1958 model run and the name FORD-O-MATIC was then applied to the new 2S PX transmission (1959-1964).

The term CRUISE-O-MATIC was a marketing term and was used to describe the COM, C4, C6 and FMX over the years.

MERC-O-MATIC was the midsize main case until 1958 when it also went to Dual Range (MX) and the TWIN TURBO (HX) (1958) (LINC specific) was the large main case.

The FX and MX were used randomly in the FORD-MERC according to HP and vehicle weight.

 

Im gonna have to sit down and figure out what to do. I really would like to have a third gear. I just dont want to spend and arm or a leg or a whole lot of customixing to make the ****** work for the motor.

 

You have three speeds in your transmission. Being single range, it has a second gear start unless you pull the gear selector into L or floor the fuel pedal at start.

If you want a Dual Range where you can have an automatic first gear start, you are going to have to upgrade to either a later COM or FMX. The FMX will require drilling two new bolt holes in the bell.

 

True spelling:

 

Well mine is 2speed auto (ford o matic) and its air cooled.

 

If it's air cooled, it sounds like the original trans, in which case it is indeed, as Kultulz points out, a three speed trans. If everything is intact and properly adjusted, it will start off in Second Gear under normal acceleration. As he further states, if you push the accelerator to the floor on takeoff, it will start in First, then (usually) shift to High.

The old technique of shifting used to be to put the selector in L and accelerate under part or full throttle. When it's time, move the selector to Drive & immediately back to L. The trans will shift into Second; then you move the selector lever to D when you are ready for the trans to shift into High.

 

ok I gotcha, Thats what I have done the whole time. Works soo much better. I just need to find a complete kick down for it. I want the complete original one.

 

Well then, you have a very special limited production option. Don't see many of them, maybe you had better hold onto it.

Good Luck with whatever you decide.

 

You can adjust the TV rod a little tighter and get 1st while in DR range without flooring it, but it will shift to 2nd at about 40, then 3rd at 65. Floored it shifts at 65, then about 90. That setup is for drag racing! Go Furdomatics!

 

They 292 y block ans ford o matic (air cooled) That I have in my 1956 ford fairlane came out of a 1959 f100 swb. The guy I got it from said it was a rare combo in that truck. Well im still looking for that complete kick down if anyone knows where one is.

 

Ok so I found two more kick downs, but im not sure which one will work for me. Im going to be running a 1959 292/fordomatic (2 spd) out of a 1959 f100 In my 1956 ford fairlane. Also I will be running a tri power with 3 holley 94 (ebu)

First one
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-...c0.m245&_trkparms=72:1171|65:12|39:1|240:1318

Second one

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=190291995661

or the third

http://i465.photobucket.com/albums/r...anslinkage.jpg

Let me know, I would realy like to finish this thing up.

 

check with luvzccr. He was working on a y block in his 58 fairlane the last time he was on hamb.

 

Hmm...

I missed that the engine and trans was out of a later pickup. Sorry.

This trans has a one piece aluminum bell and maincase?

I would think you are going to have to find the pieces from a 59/ 292 F/2/S car or truck. I don't know if the earlier TV rod will be correct for the 2/S.

 

Definatly check the bellhousing. That's the only way to tell. 57-60 trucks could have come with either 2/s or 3/s. If I remember correctly, its the 2/s that's all one piece and the 3/s that has both -dd

 

I am not sure, I might just have to go with lokar.

 

Well its been a while since I have been under the car to even see what it looks likr. I got under it a while ago and I dont think the ****** came stock with the truck that the motor came out of. It doesnt have the 2 ****** mounts on the side of the bellhousing. It only has one in the rear as the ones for the cars did. When I got the motor and ****** the motor had a truck motor mount in the front, but that could have been put on for the installation in the truck. So now im not sure. Also the bell hopusing is detachable from the ****** case.

So no what do you guys think on the kick down?

 

You definitely have the real 2-speed Furdomatic(if you have the one piece bell and case), not the earlier Furdomatic (3 speed). Do you have side mounts on the 292? I sure hope so as the front mount on engine always had two mounts on the bell housing. You say the trans mount is in the back, which means you had better have side mounts for the engine torque or that engine will rotate the first time you start it. If you have the one piece two speed unit, the TV rod you need you will probably have better luck finding a 59-60 Ford with the 2 speed transmission and Y-block. good luck