new guy needs help!

[Gerry]

That's the kick down linkage, it should be useing the year of trans linkage, 54 trans=54 kink down, 56 trans 56 kinckdown linkage. Might have to tweek it in a little, make a down shift rod or so. You can also wire the trans rod open a certain amount in order to make it shift won't be right but should work. Let's see what others say. Gerry

[54mainlinetim]

well after looking at my 54 shop book ,pics of 56 linkage and through my box of parts i have linkage that mounts to intake and the linkage that mount to fire wall and block but dont have linkage rod down to tranny ,and ran into some other problems as well the intake on motor doesnt have the two mounting holes for braket in it and the carb is not the orignal two barrel there is no way to hook up the old tranny or throttle linkage to it (im running a lokar throttle cable)! once again stumped? is there any type of aftermarket way to set it up maybe a manual setup? and is it ok to drive with out it hooked up?

[Daves55Sedan]

I recommend that you do not try to drive the car without the passing gear linkage hooked up and properly adjusted per the Ford-O-matic shop manual instructions. Improperly adjusted linkage will cause the trans to shift at the wrong time and damage the transmission. If the engine has any of the original intake manifolds, it DOES have the two holes for mounting the Ford-O-Matic link bellcrank. You need to remove the old bellcrank for the carb linkage (used on cars with manual transmission) and replace it with the Ford-O bellcrank in the same spot. Re-connect the carb linkage and connect the passing gear link to the Ford-O bellcrank. See the 1954, 55 or 1956 Ford-O-matic shop manual for illustrations

[paul2748]

I assume you have a two bbl carb? If so, the linkage on a 54 and I assume 55 and 56, was mounted on the back of the block/intake and connected with the carb on the RIGHT (passenger) side of the carb. 2bbl engines did not have a mounting point on the left rear of the intake (for sure on 54, most likely on 55/56). There should be one or two mounting holes on the back of the intake

What you should do is get a 54 steering column for an auto car, with the trans linkage, kickdown lever and carb linkage. The should be relatively easy to locate through Hemmings and www.1954ford.com. The only problem with this is the column and steering box is basically one piece (although they do come apart).

All the stock 4bbl manifolds I have seen, plus all aftermarket, had the mounting pad for the carb and automatic linkage on the left rear of the intake, with one mounting point on the block in back of the intake.

Get a shop manual or a Motors manual which should have a picture of the linkage for both the 2 bbl and 4 bbl.