Ford-O-Matic vrs Cruise-O-Matic

[steve fritz]

Good friend of mine is considering changing out his transmission in a 54 Mercury, he is going from stick to automatic. Question is what year did Ford and Merc go to the true 3 speed automatic, I believe they were called Cruise-o-matic??? That would be where the trans actually starts out in a low gear and shifts into intermediate and then drive. Whereas the old Ford-o-matic actually started out in second(intermediate) and then shifted only once into Drive.
So when he is looking for the later 3 speed cruise-o-matic, what year did Ford/Merc start using those???I know you can tell on the steering column indicater, cause it would show the 3 speeds, but is there anything he can look for on the trans itself if it is already out of the car?
Thanks for any info you can give.

Steve

[JeffB2]

Both of those transmissions have been out of production for years and the folks that know how to service them are getting far and few between as well as parts availability you might consider this option:http://www.transmissionadapters.com/ford_y_block.htm The overdrive of the AOD will play really nice with the 54's stock rear end ratio,look for a 1988-93 donor AOD as they are non-computer you also should find a 1954 Merc automatic column unless you go to a floor shift.

[55Brodie]

Cruise-O was available from 58-62 for y-block cars. 61 and later featured a vacuum modulater. Other FE powered car green dot Cruise-O transmissions can be mated to a y-block if you have the correct converter, flexplate and bellhousing. 61 and 62 bell housings were aluminum and save about 50lbs.

[Daves55Sedan]

I like they way it is explained in paragraph #2 in this website
http://www.charlietranny.com/Fordomatic.htm

Oh BTW, I believe what everyone is talking about referring to the green dot is that there is a green dot next to the "D" on the P-R-N-D-L indicator and when you select the green dot, you have the 3-speed automatic but if you select "D" you are only using the intermediate and third gears like you normally have for a Ford-O-Matic. Not 100% sure as this technology is way too modern for me. I'm stuck in 1955. Somebody correct me if I am wrong.

[streetdreams]

1955 was a good year. I don't think you're wrong at all for being stuck there.

[paul2748]

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If you don't want an o/d, then a C4 is a good choice. All aluminum, less parasitic and easy to get parts and service. Flat-O-Matic makes a nice kit.

[Hoosier Hurricane]

C4 is not an overdrive transmission. John

[paul2748]

Your right and I said "If you don't want an O/D....."

Originally Posted by Hoosier Hurricane

C4 is not an overdrive transmission. John

[Hoosier Hurricane]

Paul:

Sorry. I didn't read your reply closely enough.

John

[Newc]

Hi all; My '53 / Fordomatic has become a nightmare of 3 rebuilds in 2000 miles, lots of metal as the pumps chew themselves up. The problem is the used parts lost original orientation in the early rebuilds and 'reseated' themselves. The parts houses have only used pumps and original orientation is lost. Only concours cars should have to go through this ordeal. later Newc

[Milt K from Pa]

I had a '60 T-bird which had Cruse O Matic. It was a three speed when in normal "D" drive position. There was also a "D2" position that would start out in second gear and shift to third. This was great in snow, it limited spinning the tires. Bought it new in 1960.
Milt K from Pa

[SJ13]

I have a merc-o-matic in my 60 Monterey but I'm going with the c-4 with a 351w reasoning behind this the y-block is shot and a rebuild for it far exceeds the price for the engine n trans to replace

[56 ford custom]

I had an air cooled fordo in my 56 mainline before I tore it apart but I will be installing either a 57 oil cooled or an Fmx . My uncle had an Fmx. In his 56 merc with a y block and it ran great!

[scicala]

Has anyone noticed that on quite a few posts on Ford Barn, that the person that asked the original question is never heard from again ?

[Daves55Sedan]

Originally Posted by Newc

lots of metal as the pumps chew themselves up. The problem is the used parts lost original orientation in the early rebuilds and 'reseated' themselves. The parts houses have only used pumps and original orientation is lost.

A reputable transmission rebuilder should give you confidence that they can do the job properly. If your gut is leaving you with doubt about a service/repair business, DONT use them.
I have a '53 Fordomatic off a 215 I-block 6-cyl on my garage floor right now, just finished cleaning the outside of the case. It has never been rebuilt. You CANNOT swap some parts from a Fordomatic for a V8 with a 6-cyl (such as the converter hub which drives your front pump). They are different lengths. And yes if you do try to swap, there will be metal shavings and then you will be going no-where.
Get the actual model number off the Fordomatic nameplate on the side of the case and you can use it to get the proper parts from transmission parts suppliers like Northwest transmission parts and others.