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1960 Lincoln transmission problem

Posted: Wed 2. May 2018, 15:15
by fhogeweg
Hello everyone,

We bought a 1960 Lincoln Premiere today, with the 430 MEL engine (of course).

The car will not go in reverse. It drives fine on forward, but does really nothing wenn put in reverse.
The previous owner told us; he bought the car, drove around the block, backed-up the driveway about 50 yards, then heard a metal sounding noise (like something snapped, broke, or fall) and had no reverse anymore. That's all the info we got on the problem for now.

Oil level is all right, engine runs (very) smooth and forward gear goes fine. Anyone any idea were to look next?


Other question: does anybody know where the VIN# is located on the 430 MEL engines? I also have a 59 Thunderbird convertible with the 430 MEL, but can't find the number!!! would like to know if i have a matching number car!

Many thanks in advance,

Ferdy

Re: 1960 Lincoln transmission problem

Posted: Thu 3. May 2018, 10:30
by Chris430
fhogeweg wrote:
Wed 2. May 2018, 15:15
Hello everyone,

We bought a 1960 Lincoln Premiere today, with the 430 MEL engine (of course).

The car will not go in reverse. It drives fine on forward, but does really nothing wenn put in reverse.
The previous owner told us; he bought the car, drove around the block, backed-up the driveway about 50 yards, then heard a metal sounding noise (like something snapped, broke, or fall) and had no reverse anymore. That's all the info we got on the problem for now.

Oil level is all right, engine runs (very) smooth and forward gear goes fine. Anyone any idea were to look next?


Other question: does anybody know where the VIN# is located on the 430 MEL engines? I also have a 59 Thunderbird convertible with the 430 MEL, but can't find the number!!! would like to know if i have a matching number car!

Many thanks in advance,

Ferdy
Sounds like a band broke but I am not familiar with the early reverse pump transmissions either. I believe the reverse band is in the oil pan. SOLD

Re: 1960 Lincoln transmission problem

Posted: Sat 5. May 2018, 12:46
by fhogeweg
Hi Chris.
Thanks for your answer, but a little extra information; I live in the Netherlands (Europe) so getting the trans of yours to me, would probably cost as much as a rebuild. But thanks for telling

I think it is not possible for us to repair this, so on to the rebuild shop i ques.

Thanks Ferdy

Re: 1960 Lincoln transmission problem

Posted: Sun 6. May 2018, 11:30
by Chris430
fhogeweg wrote:
Sat 5. May 2018, 12:46
Hi Chris.
Thanks for your answer, but a little extra information; I live in the Netherlands (Europe) so getting the trans of yours to me, would probably cost as much as a rebuild. But thanks for telling

I think it is not possible for us to repair this, so on to the rebuild shop i ques.

Thanks Ferdy
I see. What transmission does your Thunderbird have?

Re: 1960 Lincoln transmission problem

Posted: Sun 6. May 2018, 14:00
by fhogeweg
I'm not raelly sure, but I think it's the same engine + transmission set-up. At least the engine is the same!

If this would be the band that has broke, what adres do you know for parts?

Thanks

Re: 1960 Lincoln transmission problem

Posted: Sun 6. May 2018, 14:20
by Chris430
fhogeweg wrote:
Sun 6. May 2018, 14:00
I'm not raelly sure, but I think it's the same engine + transmission set-up. At least the engine is the same!

If this would be the band that has broke, what adres do you know for parts?

Thanks
I saw a 59 Thunderbird 430 with a three speed manual once, curious if the overseas cars had the same options. Here I get most of my transmission parts from Transmission Parts Specialists (TPS).

Re: 1960 Lincoln transmission problem

Posted: Sun 6. May 2018, 15:06
by fhogeweg
My Thunderbird is an import, so original from the USA, like sooooo much US cars over here. But i also own a 59 sunliner and Fairlane 500, both original european cars.
Because over here everyone likes to drive small engines (still havn't figure out why!?), our sunliner is equiped with the 223 6 cylinder and manual shifted witch is very rare for a convertible!

Do you maybe know where the VIN is located on a 430 MEL? I would like to know if it is a matching number car but can't find the number on my engine.

Re: 1960 Lincoln transmission problem

Posted: Sun 6. May 2018, 18:59
by Chris430
fhogeweg wrote:
Sun 6. May 2018, 15:06
My Thunderbird is an import, so original from the USA, like sooooo much US cars over here. But i also own a 59 sunliner and Fairlane 500, both original european cars.
Because over here everyone likes to drive small engines (still havn't figure out why!?), our sunliner is equiped with the 223 6 cylinder and manual shifted witch is very rare for a convertible!

Do you maybe know where the VIN is located on a 430 MEL? I would like to know if it is a matching number car but can't find the number on my engine.
As far as I know Ford didn't start partial vins untill mid 68. You can match the casting date codes up that corispond with your cars build date and get an idea. From my understanding the MEL series were built by hand and may or may not follow the typical 6 week difference between parts cast date and the cars actual build date. There is a MEL knowledge base that would probably give you a better answer.

Re: 1960 Lincoln transmission problem

Posted: Fri 25. May 2018, 09:29
by fhogeweg
We have worked on the car today. Started with adjustment check of the rear band, then the shifting linkage and wenn I put it out of park and into reverse, wheels where spinning.... FORWARD!!!!

Took the pan off and after a while we discovered that there where two bolds on a weird place. After checking with the manual, is discovered the whole front servo was out!! They put the bolds in place to stop the fluid, and engaged the front band by hand.

I ordered another servo on eBay today, so that would keep me waiting about 3 weeks to get the part here.

Does someone know on what torque the front band should be adjusted to?

Thanks in advance.

Re: 1960 Lincoln transmission problem

Posted: Thu 14. Jun 2018, 23:20
by fhogeweg
Here is a update about our car.

Received the servo about a week ago, and it was not complete!!! I was missing the piston, spring and retainer. This one missed the retainer! So $60 spend, no solution.
Bought a used transmission yesterday that was supposed to be out of a 60 Lincoln. Will be collecting it in two weeks and hope to solve the problem, maybe make one out of two....

Many thanks for the help so far!

Still looking for the trunk molding for a 60 Premiere and two red tail light lenses.

Anyone got some??