vanishing fluid in the transmission....

[Amigaboy]

In my Mark IV, when I bought it , there was about inch and a half of fluid to much on the indicator bar (above max). But , today , i tried to drive it, and it was almost imposible. The car needeh high revs to start (forward and reverse) , went to check for oil , there was under the minimum on the indicator bar. where did the oil go? Should I just put more oil?


P.S. The car wasnt driven for 16 years, and was parked in a forest....

[TonyC]

It's gone either into the engine or the coolong system. If the vacuum modulator has gone bad--very likely if it's been dormant in a forest--the fluid will be sucked into the engine and burned. If the fluid cooler in the radiator has a hole or crack in it, the fluid will mix with the coolant. However, you'll be able to tell that by looking at the coolant; if it isn't purely antifreeze green, then it's a bad cooler (radiator has to come out and undergo surgery in that case). If the coolant looks uncontaminated, then target the modulator on the transmission.

Warning: DO NOT mix Dexron-Mercon fluid with Type F (the latter is the fluid in the tranny already). If you do, the tranny will end up in far worse shape than it is now.

---Tony

[Milsteads Garage]

Another reason for a fluid level discrepancy is you have to check the transmission in park with the engine idling or else it will read overfilled when it is shut off. Otherwise Tony is spot on, see if there is transmission fluid in the radiator or pull off your modulator line and see if any transmission fluid is getting sucked through it.

[Silverback]

Looking for a new vacuum modulator, on the rock auto site.

How do I know if I have a 3 speed or T-Series w/ FMX Transmission?

Appreciated

[JimLinc62]

The simple answer: it's a 3 speed. Technically it is a PCA-D, "twin range, turbo-drive"

[Dan Szwarc]

I hope rock auto has them. Since the 61-65 tranny is unique to Lincoln, a lot of places don't really carry the right parts.

[Silverback]

They have the following listed

1962 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 7.0L 430cid V8 : Transmission-Automatic : Governor / Modulator

ATP Part # FX80 {#C1AZ7A377B, C3AZ7A398C}
3 Speed Trans.
CAD$11.27

STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS Part # TM10T T-Series
w/ FMX Transmission
CAD$18.87

STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS Part # TM10 {Click Info Link for Alternate/OEM Part Numbers19106951, C1AP7A377B, C1AP7A377C, C1AZ7A377B, C1VP7A377B} Direct OE Replacement; Part Finish: Brass;Number of Hose Connectors: 2
w/ FMX Transmission
CAD$25.44

AIRTEX / WELLS Part # 7R1030 {#88922366, C1AZ7A377B}
MX (C/M) Trans.
CAD$27.51

[Silverback]

Any recommendations on the above, before I throw caution to the wind?

[Dan Szwarc]

#2 I'd avoid, but the others look OK. Do they have pics? It should be screw-in.