Hello, I have a '62 Comet with the 2-speed Mec o Matic transmission. It's slow to shift. Seems like it needs to build up pressure? I had one years ago, and it seems it also had this problem. I've recently bought this car, and it's been sitting for 9 years. I'm looking for a solution to help the problem and get me by for a while. Should I drop the pan and put in a new filter? I hate to ask, but perhaps some of the tranny snake oil with silicone will puff out the seals? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks, bertmanphx
Your transmission is old and tired. (like me) If you intend to keep the transmission and have it rebuilt then start saving for it and just put up with the sluggish engagement. If you would like to update the transmission to a newer C4 then start looking for it and put whatever you want into the old one to keep it running. (it is unlikely that you will get much of a result but it is worth trying if you won't need to clean it out to rebuild it) I swapped a C4 for my Ford-o-matic in a 62 Falcon without much trouble. The only thing I did that was a little bit off was to use a three-speed manual shifter to replace the column shifter that would no longer work with the C4. (too many gears, not enough positions) You can buy after-market shifters now but back then the after market wasn't ready for such swaps. The C4 was pretty much a bolt-in. I didn't have to change my driveline, transmission mount, or flex-plate. I used a V-8 C4 from a van and a C4 bellhousing that matched my starter placement. I bolted the cheap shifter to the extension housing bolts and used a piece of threaded rod and a couple of clevices to make the connection. I used the transmission mounted neutral safety switch. I hope this helps because i don't know many shops that will rebuild the older Merc-o-matic transmissions - or even where to get parts for a rebuild. Good luck.
