A/T Troubleshoot Question...

[adak57]

I'm helping an older fella detail out his '69 Ranchero. It has , I believe, an
FMX tranny. When you put it in gear, it does nothing.... then Clunk! it goes into gear , and sometimes slips back out, then in....

Is this more than a simple band adjust? It works better after it is warmed up.

I have a growing feeling that we're looking at a rebuild....

I attached a pic of it.... Really nice one-owner rig...

[fordman]

sounds like it may be low on fluid.

[rjewkes]

losing fluid somewhere. Probably the cooling lines or seals somewhere.

[adak57]

OK... the fluid checked OK before I initially fired it up. It had been sitting without being started for a couple years.

I was told by one of the farm-hands that sometimes the seals dry up or shrink...? after periods of non-use.

Initially it seemed to improve after being used for a couple days but after it sits idle for a day or so, it's back to not reacting to the gear selection.
It really clunks hard going into reverse.

I was going to change the fluid/filter and adjust the bands... but was thinking that if there was a major symptom you guys might know about... then I would probably save the labor and approach the idea of maybe having it kitted... Thanks for any input...

[fordman]

yeah that does sound like a good idea. changing the fluid and filter will help it alot. try adding some lucas oil or trans x or something similar to it when you do the change. yes seals do dry up and don't want to seal up correctly after sitting for a while.

['75-4x4guy]

check the vacuum lines that go to the modulator on the back of the tranny .
They might not be sealing causing a slight vacuum leak .
Little or no vacuum at the modulator will cause the tranny to bang going into gear ...

[adak57]

Sorry I didn't get back with a Thanks! to you guys for the advice...

Had to do some fill-in truck driving last few days...

Good advice... I'll let you know what results I get...

Thanks again !!