Yall I need help with a 76 Ford FMX Transmission (Still won't shift to OD)

[lemming303]

If yall remember I made a post a while back asking about why an FMX transmission wouldn't shift out of 1st gear. Yall said it was probably the vacuum modulator. So I went to take that off today and it's stuck. That's not the problem though. I tried to turn it by gripping on the line side of the modulator and obviously that didn't work. However, it started leaking fluid out of the side of the modulator. Is that supposed to happen? I was thinking that could just be because I have the front end jacked up pretty high on ramps. I guess I need to raise the rear end as well to prevent fluid from draining out right?

Oh and I checked the vacuum line all the way to the bank that it starts at and it seemed fine. Only about 6 inches at the transmission and 6 inches at the bank are made from hose, the rest is steel plumbing. Thanks for the help yall.

Oh also if you know an easier way to take the damn thing off that would help too. The problem is the wrenches I have are too fat to fit over the nut-shaped part, which is right against the transmission. The edge of the pan is kind of in the way too. I don't have job right now so I can't go buy a spanner wrench to fit on there. Thanks again.

[Stacked440]

I don't have experience with those modulators or the FMX in particular but on turbo 400's if you see fluid coming out of the modulator, replace it.

[tactransman]

Fluid should not come out of the modulator. If you squeeze it hard enough with pliers WHERE THE TWO HALVES MEET,it should come out with pliers.



Remember,there is a very long pin on the inside that has to be in there.

[lemming303]

Thanks yall. I got it on there, but we can't try it out yet because now the engine is acting up. I'll let yall know how it goes as soon as I find out if it fixed it. Thanks for the help.

[lemming303]

Well yall, we got the engine running again, but the car still won't shift into overdrive. It shifts through all three gears, but it won't shift into OD at any speed or gear. I don't know what else to check. Sometimes there is a very slight shudder sound at low RPM's, but I don't if its the same RPMs or not because the car doesn't have a tach. What should I do now? I hate to take it a shop around here because I really don't trust any of them.

[tactransman]

An FMX does not have Overdrive. 

[lemming303]

I thought it did. Then it's not shifting into 4th gear, if it is a 4 speed. At 70 mph it is running at high RPMs, it didn't run that high before.

[lemming303]

After doing some reading I see that it is only a 3 speed. I also asked my mom and she said it used to shift at 55 into a higher gear. Right now it doesn't shift after 30 to 35.

[tactransman]

So is it only shifting once? (1-2)

[lemming303]

Yeah, I don't really remember it shifting after 30 mph or so, and you can definitely here the high RPMs at 65 mph.

[tactransman]

You must have an internal problem. The "oil sleeve" in the output shaft can turn causing governor pressure problems and no upshifts. 

[lemming303]

So you're saying I need to take it somewhere? I'm not even gonna try to attempt to take all those parts out. I would probably ruin the thing.

[tactransman]

It sounds like it needs to go to the shop. The problem is,not too many people are familiar with the old FMX.

[lemming303]

OK thanks dude. I appreciate the help.