Technical Ford-o-matic problem, maybe not a problem?

Please advise if this post doesn´t belong here. I need some good advise from someone familiar with the 3-speed single range Ford-o-matics. I have a 1959 Mercury Monterey with 312 Y-block and Merc-o-matic transmission. It´s the small case trans, starts in second gear and shifts to third when started in Drive position, same as the Ford-o-matic. The only way to make it start in first gear (Low) is putting the selector in L.
Now for the issue: After making oil and filter change, band adjustments and throttle lever adjustments according to the shop manual it shifts wonderfully, the hard shifts 2-3-2 up and down are gone and shifts are smooth and fine. Reverse and Drive engage fine from neutral cold and hot but shifting from neutral to Low there´s a delay. At first there is kind of a "clunk" that you can hear and feel but then it takes a moment before the next "clunk" when car begins to move forward. Shifting directly from Reverse to Low there is no delay but from Neutral or Drive there is.
There are no strange sounds, no whining or rattle, no slipping in any gear, the bands are properly adjusted, oil level is OK, throttle rod is adjusted to specs and there are no oil leaks.
Is this a problem or to be considered normal?

 

I don't think it's normal but somebody will know more about these.

 

u-joint?

 

U-joints are in great shape and the delay doesn´t occur in reverse or drive

 

anymore ideas?

 

I suspect there is a common component in the trans that is used for both low and reverse...probably a band that holds the planetary drum. If that is the case, it sounds like the servo for that band is filling very slowly....for some reason. But when going from low to reverse, or vice versa, the servo is already full, so no delay. That's about as much as I have to suggest....if you have the Factory Shop Manual for it, is there any mention made of this condition in the troubleshooting section?

Ray

 

There is no direct mention of this condition in the troubleshooting section, only for no drive or chatter. Sounds logical that the servo is filling slowly but the strange thing about that is if the reverse and low has the same servo, why doesn´t the same delay come when going from neutral to reverse? Reverse always engages directly. I´m puzzled.

 

I suggest you hang out here for awhile it is a 100% Ford transmission site: http://www.network54.com/Forum/260730/

 

When you put the trans in manual low the reverse and applies to give holdback when you take your foot off the gas. Maybe when you adjusted the bands you changed the clearance so the timing of the apply is slightly off therefore the second clunk. When going from reverse to low the band is already applied so no clunk. Maybe try loosening or tightening the rear band slightly to see if it makes a difference.

 

Also try y-blocksforever.com

 

I tried adjusting the rear band half a turn looser which made the delay much worse, tightening the band half a turn made Low engage faster but made the gear shift 2 - 3 much harsher and tightening even more made the transmission lock in low when pedalling so I´m beginning to think that it´s internal leak and loss of pressure from ageing of seals.

 

Sounds like a problem that you could probably live with for a while, eh?

 

Study its habits and get some intel on the problem, sounds reasonable as long as it doesn't get any worse or do something else. They're not a bad transmission to overhaul. If you take it out, you may find a local shop that'll do work on carry-ins.

 

Yes, I guess I can live with it for a while as long as I´m not stranded in the middle of summer season with a trans that doesn´t work at all. If I feel for it we have a very experienced but expensive transmission specialist nearby who has promised to take care of it if I pull it from the car. Just wanted to check if someone on the forum recognized the problem and knew an easy fix. Thanks all!

 

Try some KW Trans-X. It will soften the seals and dissolve any varnish. If it doesn't help, it will clean the inside of the transmission.

 

X series cruise/Ford/Merc -O-Matics all share common quirks. One that I had a lot of trouble with was the valve body in my old medium case T-Bird tranny. I finally just removed it and played with the valves until they all functioned smoothly. I had to smooth them out with fine crocus cloth and polish them and the bores as best I could. After that, I only had delays in shifts when the transmission was cold. After it warmed up, it shifted perfectly. Some conditioner added to the trans fluid helped some but not a lot.