Draining the automatic tranny 1953 Merc ???

[bigd1101]

So, crawling under the car ( always fun) I'm going to drain out the old tranny fluid and put in the new, however, there doesn't seem to be a obvious drain plug, like on the oil pan. Just where the filler tube goes into it. Is that where I drain the fluid out? Not the easiest looking position.....and I'm worried about leaking after I remove that tube/nut going into the tranny pan,

Don

[51 MERC-CT]

Yes, you have to back off the filler tube nut at the side to drain.

And also, to properly drain, the torque converter cover has to be removed to give access to a drain plug in the torque converter.

[bigd1101]

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

Yes, you have to back off the filler tube nut at the side to drain.

And also, to properly drain, the torque converter cover has to be removed to give access to a drain plug in the torque converter.

Where is the torque converter cover located? Is there the same fluid in there also? Will filling the tranny automatically fill the torque converter?

[Lanny]

Check with a transmission shop in your area, most
have a machine that pumps the old fluid out and
puts new fluid in.
They usually recycle the fluid thew the trans cooler
tubing lines.
Check with a tranny shop for their advice.





.

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by bigd1101

Where is the torque converter cover located? Is there the same fluid in there also? Will filling the tranny automatically fill the torque converter?

The same fluid is in the converter and if you don't know what fluid was used previously, not draining it could cause issues with the fluid being installed.
The converter will fill when the engine is running.
There are 2 plugs 180 deg apart, either one can be used.

[Merc Cruzer]

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Originally Posted by bigd1101

Where is the torque converter cover located? Is there the same fluid in there also? Will filling the tranny automatically fill the torque converter?

Just a few pictures of my 53' Merc, to help you on your way.

Picture #1 - filler tube in to trans pan. It is really not an issue to take it off and put it back
on.

Picture #2 - access cover plate - some times it has been lost. It is held in with just spring
pieces of metal. Mine was gone when I bought the car. Here is a prior Ford
Barn post addressing the plate:

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?
t=247736&highlight=converter+cover+plate


Pictures #3 - torque converter access plate on the car .

Picture # 4 - side shot of torque converter access plate

Picture # 5 - Trans pan bolts, for pan removal

Picture # 6 Torque converter access plate off the car. (I thought I had lost mine, so I
bought another then found the original)

[34PKUP]

Originally Posted by Lanny

Check with a transmission shop in your area, most
have a machine that pumps the old fluid out and
puts new fluid in.
They usually recycle the fluid thew the trans cooler
tubing lines.
Check with a tranny shop for their advice.





.

Wonderful idea BUT seriously doubt the ability to drain converter.
'51-'53 Automatics don't have "trans cooler tubing lines".

[bigd1101]

Originally Posted by Merc Cruzer

Just a few pictures of my 53' Merc, to help you on your way.

Picture #1 - filler tube in to trans pan. It is really not an issue to take it off and put it back
on.

Picture #2 - access cover plate - some times it has been lost. It is held in with just spring
pieces of metal. Mine was gone when I bought the car. Here is a prior Ford
Barn post addressing the plate:

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?
t=247736&highlight=converter+cover+plate


Pictures #3 - torque converter access plate on the car .

Picture # 4 - side shot of torque converter access plate

Picture # 5 - Trans pan bolts, for pan removal

Picture # 6 Torque converter access plate off the car. (I thought I had lost mine, so I
bought another then found the original)

OK....this is sounding a little more complicated that just draining the Tranny fluid. Do I just remove the "half moon" shaped cover and behind that is a drain plug for the converter? Or is it more involved than that?

[34PKUP]

Originally Posted by bigd1101

OK....this is sounding a little more complicated that just draining the Tranny fluid. Do I just remove the "half moon" shaped cover and behind that is a drain plug for the converter? Or is it more involved than that?

Just the half moon cover then rotate converter to place drain plug at bottom.

[Merc Cruzer]

Just a few pictures from the manual. I would pull the pan just to clean it out. I will also give you a chance to see if there are any particles in the bottom so you can judge the ware on the friction plates. Anyway it gets all the stuff out of the pan, that you don't want to go back into the trans, after you change the fluid. This process is really not hard, and you will be glad you did it, for peace of mind, when you are on those fun drives. Today, laying on a cool concrete floor is allot cooler, than working on the rest of the car!

[Merc Cruzer]

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

The same fluid is in the converter and if you don't know what fluid was used previously, not draining it could cause issues with the fluid being installed.
The converter will fill when the engine is running.
There are 2 plugs 180 deg apart, either one can be used.

Thanks 51 MERC-CT, that picture just went in to my transmission manual, it is soooooo much better than the one inthe book!

[bigd1101]

I'm going to let the shop do it.....on a lift. I'm 69 and really don't want to be squeezed under this beast. They will do it right and do a good flush of the old stuff.

Question: what is a good Merc shop manual to buy? eBay has a lot on crap on there and nothing really specific...detailed.

[Merc Cruzer]

Originally Posted by bigd1101

I'm going to let the shop do it.....on a lift. I'm 69 and really don't want to be squeezed under this beast. They will do it right and do a good flush of the old stuff.

Question: what is a good Merc shop manual to buy? eBay has a lot on crap on there and nothing really specific...detailed.

These will give your collection a good start.

[bigd1101]

Originally Posted by Merc Cruzer

These will give your collection a good start.

Great......now sell me them all.......LOL! No, I'm wondering where I can purchase shop manuals that will help me work on the Merc? Like I said, eBay is not been fruitful in that quest.....maybe on this site perhaps? Anyone???

Don

[rotorwrench]

The Old BW design transmissions are all about the same as far as draining the ATF. Most folks drop the pan but disconnecting the filler tube will reduce the amount that remains in the pan before removal. Remove the pan to clean & check the screen. Previous entries cover the fluid drive draining. I'd purchase a new pan gasket for the job.

Draining the trans fluid is not something that has to be done a lot. Folks that pulled a trailer would be on a tighter schedule but most folks that just drive the car a few thousand miles a year may never have to drain it unless there is a transmission problem. If you sell it some day, just tell the new owner what you use for ATF in it. Previous owners that don't know whats in there likely never changed it but that doesn't help the new owner much. Too much water under the bridge.

The original Lincoln Mercury service & overhaul manual is usually the best manual you can get. I'm not sure if the 1952 & 53 use the same manual but they might. 1949 thru 51 Lincoln & Mercury cars all used the same manual. Then you have the chassis parts catalog, the body parts catalog, and accessories books too.

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

The Old BW design transmissions are all about the same as far as draining the ATF. Most folks drop the pan but disconnecting the filler tube will reduce the amount that remains in the pan before removal. Remove the pan to clean & check the screen. Previous entries cover the fluid drive draining. I'd purchase a new pan gasket for the job.

Draining the trans fluid is not something that has to be done a lot. Folks that pulled a trailer would be on a tighter schedule but most folks that just drive the car a few thousand miles a year may never have to drain it unless there is a transmission problem. If you sell it some day, just tell the new owner what you use for ATF in it. Previous owners that don't know whats in there likely never changed it but that doesn't help the new owner much. Too much water under the bridge.

The original Lincoln Mercury service & overhaul manual is usually the best manual you can get. I'm not sure if the 1952 & 53 use the same manual but they might. 1949 thru 51 Lincoln & Mercury cars all used the same manual. Then you have the chassis parts catalog, the body parts catalog, and accessories books too.

Lincolns used the GM Hydra-matic, doubt if they used the same Merc-O-matic manual.

[Merc Cruzer]

Originally Posted by bigd1101

Great......now sell me them all.......LOL! No, I'm wondering where I can purchase shop manuals that will help me work on the Merc? Like I said, eBay is not been fruitful in that quest.....maybe on this site perhaps? Anyone???

Don

Most of mine have came from swap meets. I have picked up a few though, from e-bay.

This one is Mercury from 51-55 and Lincoln in 1955

You are right, most of the books these days, on e-bay, are the parts books. You might consider a few of them though, as a good exploded view of what you are working on, can be very helpful.

[cmbrucew]

Try Amazon.com?

[rotorwrench]

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

Lincolns used the GM Hydra-matic, doubt if they used the same Merc-O-matic manual.

I wasn't referring to the transmission but publications for the whole car. Not all early Lincolns had the hydramatic. After the hydramatic plant fire at GM, Ford had to come up with the BW large case transmission for the Lincolns. Ford always had separate manuals for the automatic transmissions in that era.

[Merc Cruzer]

Books: https://www.summitracing.com/search/...3A20-50&page=4