Classic/Antique Car Repair: 64 Falcon Tranny Noise, falcon futura, torque loads

Question
Hi there.  First let me thank you for volunteering your time and expertise to all of us "out here".  It is really appreciated.

I have a 1964 Falcon Futura hardtop.  It has the 260 V8 with the little 2 speed Ford-O-Matic.

There is a short lived "squeal" seeming to come from the transmission area.  When I first got the car several months ago, I thought it was a v-belt squeal.  It sounds very similar to that.

The noise manifests itself on start-up, when it shifts (but only if there are too many RPMs), and between the speeds of about 50-55 miles per hour.  It is a constant squeal driving between those speeds.

To clarify on the the shifting instance, if I gradually bring the car up to speed, it will shift without the squeal; if I try to speed up too quickly then I get the noise.

Aside from this squeal, there does not seem to be any other symptom or problem associated with the tranny.  It shifts fine, no slip, etc.  When I first got the car, I had my mechanic do a service to it.  He didn't replace the screen at the time, but instead, just cleaned it out.

I'm getting long winded here so will stop here.  If you have any ideas on what might be causing this, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you,
Danial


Answer
Well, I learn something new here every day!  This is not something I have heard before.  I really suspect it is something other than the transmission, but I suppose it is possible that one of the bands are slipping at high torque loads.   However, if the transmission was recently serviced, the mechanic certainly should have adjusted the bands.   Do make very sure that he used the proper fluid - these take "type F" fluid, which is getting hard to find.  If he used the modern Dexron/Mercon, he used the wrong stuff, and that will cause slippage!

Having said all that, my feeling is that this noise emanates from some other location - sort of like "referred pain" in your body.   How are your motor mounts?  Does the engine shift position under load?  Is this bringing something into conflict with another part?

You mentioned "startup". If by this you mean when you start the engine, that is very typical of fan belt slippage noise.   To investigate that, you could take the belt(s?) off and start the engine briefly, to see if the noise is gone.   Alternately, you can just spray some water mist in the engine while someone starts the engine - that should quiet down the belt at least for a few seconds.  Don't put anything else on the belt if this is the problem - replace the belt and clean the pulleys very carefully with alcohol based cleaner (like lacquer thinner) before you install the new belts.

Let me know what you find out, OK?

Dick.