I got a 62 Thunderbird a couple of months ago. It sat for a couple of years, but I rebuilt the carb, gave it a tune up, fixed some electrical and filled the transmission (it was almost empty when I got it). It's driven and shifted great up until this morning.

I went out of town last week for work, while I was gone, my girlfriend was driving the bird, and I had her truck. The car didn't have any problems while I was gone, but the day after I got back, it started heating up pretty fast. The motor has oil leaks, so I just added some oil, which helped, but it was still running hot on the stock gauge. She dropped it off at my house two days ago, where I noticed the radiator had some leaks. Overheating problem solved.

This morning I got the radiator back in, and started her up to drive to work. When I put it into reverse, it took a few seconds to shift (which has never happened before), and then on my way, I noticed the car wouldn't shift into 3rd. White dot D just stays in 2nd, big green shifts from 1st to 2nd around 10-15mph, very smoothly, but when it hits 25+ the motor is obviously revving when it should just shift.

I just replaced the rubber sections of the vacuum line from the motor to the modulator, and tested with my vacuum gauge. Both manifold, and the line at the modulator read a steady 15 psi. Just pulled the modulator, and there's no fluid on the vacuum side, and when the rod is pushed in, and then my thumb put over the vacuum connection, there is suction. The fluid is clean and looks new. I'm going to put a new modulator in tomorrow regardless, but I'm concerned it could be something else because of the sudden trouble with reverse on top of this.

I don't know if the transmission was ever rebuilt, it's doubtful. The car belonged to some old folks, who only put 69K miles on it, and last registered it in '81. The second owner bought it 20 years ago, and last tried to register it in 99. Because of a dispute with the DMV over keeping the original CA black plates, he never registered it, and he just had it at his house, and would start it every once in a while. He let it sit for 2 years, then I bought it and towed it home.

Sorry for the extremely long first post, but I wanted to cover everything I know about the car and it's transmission. Any suggestions will be a great help! Thanks folks!

No third and slow reverse means the rear / direct clutch is at fault.

More than likely hard seals.

That's 46 years old and if it's never been built let alone serviced it's not surprising.

Time for some wrenches.

Last thing I wanted to hear, because of the money and time involved. I'm damn good with a wrench though, and more than willing to learn. I know this site is going to be a great help.

So, where do I start?

EDIT:
So I looked around the web for a place to order a kit for a rebuild, but haven't found anything. Any suggestions? I'd like to get on this ASAP, as this car and my 79 F250 4x4 are my only vehicles, and the trans is out of the 79 because I had it rebuilt in a shop last year, and it already burned up. Just had it rebuilt under warranty, but it's a lot of work to get it back in the lifted truck, then get the NP205 in there... I suppose it's time to get on it though...

This fellow has lots of stuff.

I looked around on that site, but don't see any sort of rebuild kit for the Cruise-O-Matic. I sent them an email asking about one. I can't afford the cost to ship and have them rebuild it, and I have the tools and the time to go slow and do it right.

There are lots of places that have parts if Jay can't help.

Give him a chance then I'll have a go at it.

I got a reply message and they told me to let Fatsco have a run at it. I sent them an email, and they need the letters off of the tag. Just went crawling around under there with a flashlight, and realized there's no tag on any of the pan bolts. Anywhere else I'd find the code for my trans?

Take a pic of the pan, that will determine the size.

It's either a small or medium case.

I am betting medium.

Got under there and got some pictures...

Here's one


It looks like it needs some work anyways with all the leaking...

Yeah, kind of oily.

The pic is not good enough.
I need to see the pan configuration.

After looking on this site
http://www.autotran.us/fmABpg21.htm

I believe it's a MX, since it has the 'bulge' at the passenger rear of the pan.


Looks like 4 bolts on each side, and three in the rear (didn't count the front). It's not easy to get good shots under the car... This info help?

Medium she be.

That's one ugly mother.

Yeah, yeah... Thanks. I'll email Fatco and see what they have to say.

They have kits in stock. Asking clutches or no clutches. I'm guessing yes, since the transmission is so old and beat up. Any other specifics I should know about when getting a kit?

Clutches, fibre and steel.

Both bands.

Gaskets, piston seals.
Metal sealing rings.
Pump & extension housing bushing.

Yikes! Here's the email I got this morning...

The master kit is $123.54
The bands are $49.00 each + $50.00 core on each
The bushing kit is $56.53
The thrust washer kit is $69.58
The filter is $16.46
the modulator is $14.70

The modulator I can pick up at Kragen for under $10, and the filter I can get at our local parts place for $10.

I wanted to see if there's any ideas on where to get bands for a bit cheaper? Or any other parts for that matter... all this stuff adding up is killing me on a $600 car!

Why not rip it apart then see what you need?

Master kit for sure.
The bands may be good, the washers and bushings perhaps.
I doubt your local parts place has a filter for it.
It is a brass screen type and easily washable.
Do not attempt to install a dacron style filter or you will be looking for the ass kicking tree.

Alright, I'll get her parked where I can tear it out and tear her down. The local parts place around here is called Winchester Auto, and they can get about anything in a day or two (usually same day, since they have trucks running up and down this half of the state delivering parts).

This might take me a couple of days to get it out, since I don't have any hoists or lifts, and I'm working most of the week. We'll see how long it takes. I'll post up when I get it out.

ihateminimumwage,

I was wondering how the rebuild is going?

I've got a '63 TBird and the tranny is leaking like a seav.

Was wanting to tackle the rebuild myself (heck - I've rebuilt everything else on it).

thanx,

texastomeh