The Ford Barn

365356 · 05-02-2011, 10:20 AM

Sigh. After working on trying to rebuild my fordomatic, I am about to admit defeat. I went through the transmission, admittedly it was my first. I followed the shop manual and replaced every thrust washer, the front pump and impeller hub because they were damaged. I put it back in, refilled, started the car and it leaked terribly and won't move. What are my options for replacements? How hard is it to convert to a later year transmission? I hate to change it, but the car is wasting away for lack of a transmission. I hate that even more. If it is something one of you has done before, I'd appreciate a little guidance. The engine is a nice 292 Y-block that runs great and I want to at least keep it.

Thanks in advance.

Dave72dt · 05-02-2011, 11:45 AM

I can venture some guesses but I'm not familiar with the internals of a Fordomatic. I assume there is a seal in the front, may have been damaged ofr incorrect. The wear surface on the torque converter may be excessively worn where the seal rides. If the trans has a sprag clutch in it, there is the possibilty of it being in backwards. Band adjustment is always a possibilty and valves sticking in the valve body. Damaged piston seals internally.

If the torque converter didn't go all the way on or dropped partially back out during install, the pieces in the front of the trans may be damaged, again.

It'll have to come back out either to repair or replace.

Good luck.

Dee · 05-03-2011, 07:25 AM

It could be as simple as the front seal was installed backards allowing a massive leak and pressure loss from the front pump.

JeffB2 · 05-03-2011, 01:17 PM

You may find some great advice here,it is an all Ford Transmission forum. www.network54.com/Forum/260730

hotrodart · 05-03-2011, 08:02 PM

If you wish to convert it to a stick shift....all the parts from a stick shift donor are 100% bolt-ins. Not a difficult change out. I did it in a few hours without helpers. If you want the column shifter, you will need to swap that also.

Daves55Sedan · 05-04-2011, 01:03 AM

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You replaced the CONVERTER hub ? Thats probably what the problem is. Did you compare the depth of the new converter hub with the original one before installing it ?
If you acquired the hub that is deeper than the original, it would be a big problem.

365356 · 05-04-2011, 07:00 AM

The impeller hub was the same depth as the original.

05-02-2011, 10:20 AM	#1
365356 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Augusta, GA Posts: 23	'56 Fordomatic Sigh. After working on trying to rebuild my fordomatic, I am about to admit defeat. I went through the transmission, admittedly it was my first. I followed the shop manual and replaced every thrust washer, the front pump and impeller hub because they were damaged. I put it back in, refilled, started the car and it leaked terribly and won't move. What are my options for replacements? How hard is it to convert to a later year transmission? I hate to change it, but the car is wasting away for lack of a transmission. I hate that even more. If it is something one of you has done before, I'd appreciate a little guidance. The engine is a nice 292 Y-block that runs great and I want to at least keep it. Thanks in advance.

05-02-2011, 11:45 AM	#2
Dave72dt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SW WI Posts: 359	Re: '56 Fordomatic I can venture some guesses but I'm not familiar with the internals of a Fordomatic. I assume there is a seal in the front, may have been damaged ofr incorrect. The wear surface on the torque converter may be excessively worn where the seal rides. If the trans has a sprag clutch in it, there is the possibilty of it being in backwards. Band adjustment is always a possibilty and valves sticking in the valve body. Damaged piston seals internally. If the torque converter didn't go all the way on or dropped partially back out during install, the pieces in the front of the trans may be damaged, again. It'll have to come back out either to repair or replace. Good luck.

05-03-2011, 07:25 AM	#3
Dee Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Port Orchard, WA Posts: 67	Re: '56 Fordomatic It could be as simple as the front seal was installed backards allowing a massive leak and pressure loss from the front pump.

05-03-2011, 01:17 PM	#4
JeffB2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 1,417	Re: '56 Fordomatic You may find some great advice here,it is an all Ford Transmission forum. www.network54.com/Forum/260730

05-03-2011, 08:02 PM	#5
hotrodart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Shenandoah Valley Virginia Posts: 220	Re: '56 Fordomatic If you wish to convert it to a stick shift....all the parts from a stick shift donor are 100% bolt-ins. Not a difficult change out. I did it in a few hours without helpers. If you want the column shifter, you will need to swap that also.

05-04-2011, 01:03 AM	#6
Daves55Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granite City, Illinois Posts: 3,008	Re: '56 Fordomatic Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) You replaced the CONVERTER hub ? Thats probably what the problem is. Did you compare the depth of the new converter hub with the original one before installing it ? If you acquired the hub that is deeper than the original, it would be a big problem.

05-04-2011, 07:00 AM	#7
365356 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Augusta, GA Posts: 23	Re: '56 Fordomatic The impeller hub was the same depth as the original.