Technical No reverse 2 speed, Speed O Matic

Hey guys, looking to buy a 59 Edsel. Has a 292 and a 2 speed Speed O Matic . It runs great and shifts gears great, but has no reverse. I was told this is a common problem with the Speed O Matic and Ford O Matic. Is this a costly fix ? would I be better off getting an adaptor and putting in a later model trans ? Worse case I guess I could just push it out of a parking lot if I had to . Any help on this issue would be great !

 

Ford-o-matic, very rare, no reverse, pin or strut breaks on rear band

 

When I bought mine, it had no reverse also. I took the pan off and found the reverse servo was way out of adjustment. It looked as though it had been adjusted in the wrong (opposite) direction.
I made a 1/4 " feeler gauge out of aluminum and and adjusted the band without the special tool they call for.
I used a small crescent wrench and a box end wrench to do the job.
This is what I followed:
NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH ADJUSTMENT: Check
starter circuit in all selector lever positions. The circuit
must be open in all positions except "N" (Neutral) and
"P" (Park). To adjust, loosen screws securing switch
to mounting bracket on lower end of steering column
and rotate switch as required to obtain starter operation
in "N" or "P" positions. Tighten switch screws.
BAND ADJUSTMENT: Adjust bands every 24,000 miles
(Ford), check each time oil pan is removed and adjust
when necessary (Edsel).
Front Band (Low Range): Loosen locknut on adjusting
screw on left front side of transmission case, then
tighten- adjusting screw with Tool T59P-7730-A (Ford)
or Tool 7345 (Edsel) until tool handle snaps (breaks)
over center. NOTE - These tools are pre-set torqu
wrenches which overrun when torque on screw reaches
10 ft. lbs. Back off the adjusting screw exactly tw
turns. Hold adjusting screw at this position and tighten
locknut to 35-40 ft. lbs.
Rear Band (Reverse Range): Drain transmission and remove
oil pan and screen. Loosen rear servo piston rod
locknut and adjusting nut, then install tool as follows:
If Ford Tool T59P-77409-A used, place tool on rear
servo rod so two forks straddle band apply lever.
NOTE • The inner fork must engage flat on servo pist n
rod. The outer fork is a %" spacer and must be inserted
between piston rod seat and adjusting nut. If Edsel Tool
7355-A used, insert tool between adjusting nut and
piston rod-to-actuating lever seat, with opposite end
of tool resting on raised boss on control valve assembly.
With wrench T59P-77423-A (Ford), or No. 7355-B(Edsel),
tighten adjusting nut until wrench handle snaps (breaks)
over center. NOTE - These tools are pre-set torque
wrenches which overrun when torque on screw reaches
45-50 inch pounds. Back off adjusting nut exactly two
tums. Hold adjusting nut at this position and tighten
locknut to 15-18 ft. lbs. Remove tools from servo piston
rod. Install oil pan and screen using a new gasket. Fill
transmission with Automatic Transmission Fluid Type A

I've been running Type F in it with no problems. I don't think you can get Type a any more.

Good luck

 

Thank You for all the info you guys ! This is gonna help me big time ! I think I'm gonna pick it up I cant pass up the deal !

 

Damn it man, pics!

 

You have no idea how hard it is to get a pic from a PDF file but here it is =]

 

Thank you bewards !!! As soon as I pick up the edsel I'll post pics

 

Love pics! BTW, I've been driving mine since Jan like it is. I have a persistent small tranny leak but has done well. Be sure and follow directions on adjusting the tranny/throttle linkage on the 2 speed as it makes a very big deal on how they shift and perform. Don't trust the parking pawl either =]

 

Do you have the complete Pdf file for a 2 speed? I would be very interested, I have troubles with mine, it could be very helpful.

 

That 2-speed is a real orphan these days. Ford only built it from '59 to early '65 then discontinued it. I've been told that with some parts swapping a later FMX 3-speed can be used. You'll need a '55-58 Fordomatic or '58-64 Cruisomatic Y-block bell, and a torque converter with the right input splines to match the trans. You also have to verify that the input shaft length mates properly. You may have to re-drill the flex plate for the torque converter.

 

The advise you've been given is accurate. For some reason the rear band is not applying. It could be adjustment. I have seen the bolts for the rear band servo loosen which will eventually break the case. If adjustment doesn't cure it, you need to drop the pan and take a good look at the servo and band.