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On 2004-12-27 21:20, 69convert wrote:
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On 2004-12-27 19:51, Beoweolf wrote:
Cruis-o-matic, as mentioned often in the forum, was Fords generic term for automatic transmissions (along with Ford-o-matic, Merc-o-matic)..saved a lot of 'splain'en about which were better or the changes they made over the years.
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That's interesting - I've always understood that the Cruis-o-matic was first name for the FMX?

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Fordomatic
also known as Mercomatic and Cruisomatic

Was used 1951-68 in many Ford products. In 1953 for a three month period, they were used in Cadillacs after the Livonia, MI Hydramatic plant burnt to the ground. It was also used in some International and Dodge trucks and Checker Cabs. This was an hydraulically controlled rear wheel drive transmission. It had a cast iron case and either an aluminum or a cast iron bell housing. From 1951-57 it was a 2 speed transmission. In 1958 the Cruisomatic was introduced and was a 3 speed transmission, however many Ford products continued to use the 2 speed Fordomatic thru 1960. The medium case version was also known as the Mercomatic and was produced from 1951-68. The large case version was produced from 1958-65. In 1968 Ford came out with the FMX which eventually replaced all 3 versions, but almost no parts interchange. Similar to Borg-Warner BW8 and BW12, but few of the parts are interchangeable. 1968 was a cross-over year where the Fordomatic was used in some vehicles for part of the year before changing over to the FMX.

Rear cooler line is the cooler return line

The way I understand it...the type (forward speed, detents, valving etc) of transmission changed over the years, but the name stayed the same.