Transmission / Overdrive: Flight-O-Matic no 3rd gear

[Yatipope]

My 59 SilverHawk is gradually returning to life but after learning about this Flightomatic transmission, it is obvious that it is not shifting to third gear. The engine is doing well but I am limited at about 40 mph as my rpm’s scream up to 4000 rpm but no amount of playing with the accelerator pedal will not prompt it to upshift. I feel the single shift from 1st to 2nd but nothing after that. I guess it may be time to perform the transmission fluid pressure tests that the shop manual describes but wonder if the linkage may need a slight adjustment or there may be another less laborious thing to look at? It has gone through two fill/flush cycles with Type F fluid in its limited 20 miles of driving during this resurrection. I don’t have a Studebaker Shop manual but a Motor Manual that is quite detailed though.

[Bo Markham]

Normally, the transmission in your car starts out in 2d gear and then shift into 3rd. The only way your going to tell if it's shifting through all three gears is to manually start in in low, shift to second and then into drive for 3d. If it will manually shift through all three gears, then you possibly have a throttle linkage adjustment problem, possibly an internal problem, possibly pressure related. Something would be out of adjustment enough to prevent the valve body from automatically shifting. If it will not manually shift into 3d, then it is possibly clutch pack related.

Kinda very simple explanation, as there are other possibilities..... Hard to diagnose the problem without having it in the shop and testing for the different scenarios....

Remember, this is not a 1st gear start transmission, unless someone has installed an early 1st gear start valve body......

Bo

[64LarkLover]

Just curious-at what speed does your "single shift" occur at?

[Tturley]

I am wondering the same thing

[StudeRich]

I am guessing that this '59 Silver Hawk is a 170 c.i.d. Flathead Six !
Sixes were all Standard with a Low gear start Flight-O-Matic transmission, when Automatic was ordered.

They were available, and are identified from outside by the lack of Wheelwell Stainless Mouldings on all the fenders.

The "Transmission Fluid Tests" you mentioned ARE to adjust the Throttle Pressure Rod (Linkage) length that you also mentioned.

Does it appear to be "moving out" commensurate with the 4000 RPM?
I am thinking maybe it is just doing one shift and slipping (not accelerating).
This would indicate the Throttle Pressure Rod adjustment is backed all the way off, or disconnected.

OH, look here comes one Now !

[Bo Markham]

Rich,

I hadn't thought about that, was going on the assumption it was a V8. Good catch. Now, we wait to see

[Yatipope]

My SilverHawk is a 259 V8 and I am beginning to believe somebody did install a 1st gear start valve body. It really bad trying to start in Drive as it hammers between 1st and second gear back and forth. If I start in Low and shift to Drive around 15 mph, it goes up to maybe 25 and shifts once but at 40 mph it seems to be really revving and needing to shift. Did some research here on forums and maybe slight adjustment of the throttle linkage might fix it. I believe lengthening it is correct?

[Hallabutt]

That is precisely why Studebaker management chose not to include a 1st gear start in the Flight-O-Matic (Ford had it). The company could not afford a bunch of dissatisfied customers complaining and try to get the service department to do something about it.

[Tturley]

We have a 1960 289 Hawk and just had the transmission rebuilt. I guess it shifts so smooth that I can’t tell it is shifting into third. Tach does not work because it has been converted to electronic ignition. Just took it out and drove at 75 mph, engine reving pretty good but I guess it wouldn’t run 75 in second.

[Yatipope]

Update. I did extend the threaded shift linkage clevis pin about four threads and it seems to have helped considerably regarding the low speed constant gear shifting. About gone. Will try to get back out on the main road tomorrow (it’s raining today) and see if it behaves above 40 mph. I will say the throttle bracket assembly mounted on the back of the cylinder head has a LOT of sloppiness in the shaft and shaft openings. Likely part of my problem. The car does have 93,000 miles on the odometer so that wear is probably expected. I might try to investigate making some nylon insert bushings or spacers to correct this. Getting more and more pleased and confident that this “old gal” will be gracing the roads of Lexington SC and Ocala FL when we move there in November. Very appreciative of SDC and all the support available through the forums.

[Harryhawk]

Hi Yatipope, the length of the throttle rod on my 62 GT from the little elbow to the lock nut is 11 and a 1/2 inches, under light acceleration it shifts to 3rd around 20MPH under hard acceleration it shifts to 3rd around 35-40 MPH thought this might help. You also mentioned the throttle bracket has some slop, if you bend the bottom tab down where the shaft passes through that should reduce the slop a fair bit but don't bind it. Cheers Harryhawk

[Yatipope]

Very good info HarryHawk. I have definitely improved the shifting characteristics by adjusting the throttle linkage. Making a new wear area by slightly bending the tab is a great idea. Seems my actual throttle rod that attaches my pedal to the bracket assembly is just to short. I basically have it floored at 40mph and no throttle left. Doesn’t feel like the tranny is slipping. These rods have quite a few bends in them that I believe may be non-factory. Gotta address that as well. At least it is getting pleasant to drive up to 35-40 mph! HaHa

[StudeRich]

It sounds like your stretch Rod (Throttle Rod) at the Carb. needs adjusting to get full throttle opening.

[Yatipope]

Okay I removed the throttle rod shaft assembly mounted to the backside of the drivers cylinder head. WHEW that was not easy to do and I accidentally removed the engine temp sender with two bolt plate at the same time. Thoroughly cleaned and inspected the assembly and installed a nylon washer on the upper shaft that raises the rod enough to create a new wear area and man it really improved the throttle response and shifting. All the slop is gone. Coincidentally I happened to measure the length of the throttle shaft going to the transmission and it was exactly 11.5” from elbow to locknut which is precisely what HarryHawk measured on his Hawk. Very good tip. The transmission still does not seem to shift to third gear though. Still troubleshooting that.

[Yatipope]

Conclusion!! So happy to have my 3rd gear return from the dead. It required significant shortening of the carb-to-throttle linkage to get enough pedal to convince an upshift. Wow I am so relieved that it is not an internal problem. Gotta thank this forum for helping me navigate this process. The car is now maybe worth what I have monetarily invested in it. All the labor has been love. I can now take it to local and regional gatherings and shows. Yippee!

[Bo Markham]

It's value can never be found in what is monetarily spent on it. It's true value may be found in the memories you and your family will make along the open highway, in your garage/shop and in the parking lots, where ever you share it and it's story with others.

While the car may not last you a life time, and I'm a serious follower of Dick Datson in regards to this, those peachy keen memories you'll will make will. Enjoy them, good, bad, ugly, and keep the faith brother,,,, it's all about the car........

Bo