I have a fmx trans, and it seems to slam into second gear to quick!
Ive adjusted the modulator valve screw in about 3 full turns, helped a little but still not right? should I get a new valve or keep playing with it, plus, am I turning the screw the right way? ..thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

I would check to make certain you have a good vacuum source with no leaks or kinks then replace the modulater.

The symptoms sound somewhat odd. An early shift would normally be accomanied by a soft engagement, a late shift with a harsh engagement. Late/harsh shifts are symptoms of a low vacuum. Also modulater adjustment/issues affects all automatic upshifts, so you shouln't just have an issue in the 1-2 shift.

Been a long time since I've done an old fmx, so I can't remember the inside very well. But it sure sounds like a broken accumulater spring.

Steve g

 

Thanks Steve! will check on a new modulator, but it shifts out like a monster between second to third, and no change in the shift times, just from first to second shifts within twenty feet out of first unless I put the throttle to it, then it shifts about right!
Just at putting speed it shifts really fast and hard, ps U joints are fine! thanks again..

 

You do not have an FMX unless it was swapped in.

FMX introduced in 1969, used in some Passenger Cars thru 1985 and in 1973/77 F350's with the 300 I-6.

1965/67 F100/350's w/352's & 1965/67 F350's with the 300 I-6 use the MX Cruise-O-Matic.

The MX was once known as the BIG Cruise-O, to differentiate it from the small FX Cruise-O that was used in some 1958/67 Passenger Cars & 1961/64 F100/350's.

While some parts interchange, some do not, one example is the trans pan gasket. The FMX pan gasket will not fit the MX trans pan. The MX pan has a notch in it.

1965/67 F100/250's with the 240/300 I-6's use the C4 Cruise-O-Matic.

Be careful when removing the old modulator valve, it has a 1/8" diameter, 2 7/8"" long "Throttle Control Rod" in it that just slips in. If the rod goes missing, the trans will not shift.

 

Huck is there a kick down rod coming from the carb to the tranny on that one, it might be siezed up, make sure the rod bounces back up when you push it back at the carb, make sure you have good vaccum down at the mod & make sure the vac line is not wet inside with trans fluid, Gigger

 

Bill, what years did Ford use the FM trans?

 

1951/57 Ford & Merc passenger cars / 1958/64 Ford/Merc passenger cars (except with FE & MEL engines) / 1953/60 misc F Series trucks / 1961 F100's with the 223 I-6.

There were two versions of the F-O-M, 3 speed and 2 speed. The anemic 2 speed was mainly used with 144/170/223 I-6's.

The MX C-O-M pan gasket (B5SZ7A191B) is the same as the 3 speed F-O-M used in 1955/57 Thunderbird's.

 

Thanks Bill, it's all comming back to me now, that makes sense, you said the FMX came out in 69 & the FM was to 1964, that's when the C4 came out to fill in the gap in years.

 

C4 introduced in 1964, but it was not available in Falcon's until 1965.

1964 Falcon's w/170/200 I-6's and the 260 V8 were only available with the anemic 2 speed F-O-M.

 

some or all 64 galaxies with the 223 with 3 speed used the c4.for anyone looking to put a c4 behind a 223 this is the only year.

 

ND I forgot to mention it is a replant 351w 69 year! sorry for the confusion! Gigger, the kickdown lever was never installed and am having trouble finding one, if your talking about the kickdown for passing gear? ND, thanks for the heads up on the rod just slipping in, it's been a long time since changed a modulator valve, I think I was 16 at the time, now 52 long years old..tired! haha...Thanks again everyone! and i'll let you know the results when I get the mod, PS, the vacuum tree is also pulling off a aftermarket a/c and heater valve, so I will check that for leaks...didn't meen to ramble but I just like talking old trucks!!

 

Try LMC trucks for old parts like that kick down rod, they have great books that they will send you for refferance.

 

Kick down rods were originally Ford dealer parts only. I doubt any of the repro parts sellers have any or reproduce any.

There's just too darn many different types and...the demand is slight. 1965/66 F100/350's use four different kick down rods.

C5TZ7A187B .. Kick Down Rod / Obsolete / Fits: 1965/66 F100/250 352 MX.

F100/250 240/300 C4 is different / 1965/66 F350 300 MX is different / 1965/66 F350 352 MX is different.

And, since the MX trans has been swapped to an FMX, will the C5TZ7A187B MX rod work?

 

There are several companies that make kick down cable conversions if you cannot find a kick down rod.

Mark

 

ND' thanks for the part#, will look into it and see if I can get my hands on one!
Will also check out the cable version? it would be nice to stomp on it and get more than a depleated gas tank, haha. I did find one out of a 73 T bird but it would not fit, maybe if I put a hammer to it? naww, anyway, Thanks everyone! and will keep you posted...