Notices
1957 - 1960 F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Box Style Ford Trucks

1960 F100 automatic trans problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 2, 2018 | 05:01 PM
  #1  
fomoco3904's Avatar
fomoco3904
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 11
From: Union, WV
1960 F100 automatic trans problems

I just revived this truck from a barn where it’s been since 1974. The 223 runs good now, but I’m getting nothing from the transmission. When I first cranked it in neutral it lurched a little, but now that the engine runs, there is nothing in any gear. It’s all original, so I assume it’s a cruise O-Matic. Anyone have a similar experience? Any suggestions?

I did try a search here before posting. Thanks in advance.
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2018 | 09:11 AM
  #2  
finn's Avatar
finn
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 585
Likes: 11
From: Upper penninsula
A friend had a later F100 with a C4 that sat in a barn for a few years. Transmission wouldn’t shift, so, before he had it rebuilt, he changed the filter and fluid and added some trans mouse milk in a can. The sticky servos, or whatever freed up and he drove the truck for years, all on the original transmission build.

you may want to drop the pan and look inside. Burned fluid will point you towards a rebuild.

why was the truck parked?
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2018 | 12:31 PM
  #3  
NumberDummy's Avatar
NumberDummy
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by fomoco3904
I just revived this truck from a barn where it’s been since 1974. The 223 runs good now, but I’m getting nothing from the transmission.

When I first cranked it in neutral it lurched a little, but now that the engine runs, there is nothing in any gear.

It’s all original, so I assume it’s a Cruise O-Matic.

1960 F100 223 I-6= 3 speed Ford-O-Matic.

FX Cruise-O-Matic: 1960/64 F100 292 & F250/350 223 I-6 & 292; 1961/64 F100 223 I-6.

Why was it parked for 48 years if the engine runs? Trans probably worn out.
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2018 | 07:55 PM
  #4  
fomoco3904's Avatar
fomoco3904
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 11
From: Union, WV
Ok thanks! Ford-O-Matic then. I may have to get myself educated on the difference soon.

It was very possibly the transmission that parked it. It has 109K miles on it, which was plenty for that truck I assume. The engine runs surprisingly well (no smoke or noise). It's interesting that it tried to lurch a bit when i first started cranking it, so maybe there's some sort of hope for the trans.

I will drop the pan to find out what's going on, change the filter and fluid and see what I can see. It's nice to know what to ask for / look for at the parts store. What is this "trans mouse milk" you speak of though?
 
Reply
Old May 15, 2018 | 08:33 PM
  #5  
fomoco3904's Avatar
fomoco3904
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 11
From: Union, WV
Sludge

I took the pan off.... It was the worst sludge I had ever seen. The filter was completely plugged and sucking closed, so the fluid was not moving. Basically the trans was starved for fluid. I replaced the filter after cleaning everything I could in the truck, drained the converter, refilled it and it works. I drove it for a couple hundred yards and it started puking fluid out of the dipstick and stopped again.

My theory is that all the remaining junk got flushed out to the pan and stopped up the filter again. I'll update when I change everything again.
 
Reply
Old May 15, 2018 | 11:22 PM
  #6  
G-Force junky's Avatar
G-Force junky
More Turbo
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 709
Likes: 38
The whole system is probably going to be full of the sludge and I don’t think a few drain and fills is going to fix it.
Do you have any pictures of the sludge?
 
Reply
Old May 16, 2018 | 08:57 AM
  #7  
finn's Avatar
finn
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 585
Likes: 11
From: Upper penninsula
It’s probably worth doing a couple of fill and flush exercises, but, I agree that a rebuild is in your future.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
58 ford
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Dec 13, 2025 08:42 AM
DDeffes
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
47
Oct 14, 2019 12:32 PM
76-F100
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Jun 14, 2013 10:08 PM
kyf100
3.8 & 4.2L V6
3
Jun 8, 2011 08:47 PM
kdawg
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
May 31, 2000 12:46 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:21 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE