[rotorwrench]

The Ford-O-Matic and Merc-O-Matic are reliable as any of the early automatic transmissions. There are still a few folks in the US that specialize in parts for them. Adds would be in Hemmings or the Early Ford V8 Club magazines.

As to oil seepage, it just depends on where it's coming from. The pan gasket is the easy source. The others like the front and rear seal & torque converter are the harder ones. Type F ATF is fine, Ford formulated it in the late 60s for metallic clutch type transmissions to minimize the chance of slippage. The original type A is not available in its original blend anyway. As long as oil isn't drooling out all over the place and only spotting the garage floor then it's up to the operator if they want to correct that.

The C4 is a very good transmission but it would need provisions for an oil cooler and of cource it would need an adapter and a vacuum line for the modulator control system. The FOM and MOM use a throttle control valve with associated linkage to control shifting. A person who runs one of these units should get the proper factory manual for maintenance and adjustment if nothing else. Anyone that can do a good job of overhaul on hydraulic transmissions in general should be able to work on an FOM but they will need those Ford publications to get them in the right spot. These units aren't like any modern units and many techs have never seen one before. Some one with experience on them would know all the quirks and adjustments to correct for that.

If its still shifting in all three forward gear selections and reverse then that's a good thing. If it shifts too soft & mushy or too fast & harsh then the pressure should be tested and the TV control adjusted to get it right.

Don't be skittish about starting a new thread. These old threads just keep getting longer if folks add on to them.