C6 Transmission Need an expert!

[Pearl 94]

I recently purchased my second 66 Landau. While repairing, replacing, many things, I noticed when driving, that the transmission selection is very odd and opposite to the standard operation. When the selector is in the D2 position, (small dot), the car starts in 1st, shifts nicely to 2nd and 3rd. In the D1 position (normal), it starts in 2nd, and stays there, will not shift. There is nothing wrong with the selector mechanism, as I had to replace the neutral safety switch, aligned it and it is working properly as are the detents of the operation of the transmission.
So, my question to any C6 transmission specialist, is, what can cause this opposite anomaly? When driving the car with the selector in the D2 (small dot) position, it shifts properly and smoothly, will downshift when necessary, and also when using the "kick-down" function. Large dot, (normal), D1, starts and stays in 2nd and does not shift at any speed.
I do not know the history of the car or transmission, so I do not know if anything was done to the transmission prior to my purchase.
Waiting and hoping for an explanation.

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[fordrodsteven]

My first thought was that maybe someone removed the lever from the shift rod then put it on in the wrong direction. (say maybe downward instead of facing up) but then the car would be in "park" when you would think it's in "LO". Hmmmm. Gotta think about this one some more!

 

[captrick]

I would check the owners manual for the type of transmission. I remember Ford having a FMX transmission that had that same sequence of positions. I think it was for bad weather conditions so you wouldn’t spin the tires when you took off on ice and snow. The way to tell the difference between a C6 and a FMX is the C6 has an all Aluminum case and the FMX has a cast iron case with a removable aluminum bell housing. Good luck Rick.

 

[Pearl 94]

I would check the owners manual for the type of transmission. I remember Ford having a FMX transmission that had that same sequence of positions. I think it was for bad weather conditions so you wouldn’t spin the tires when you took off on ice and snow. The way to tell the difference between a C6 and a FMX is the C6 has an all Aluminum case and the FMX has a cast iron case with a removable aluminum bell housing. Good luck Rick.

There is no doubt the transmission is a C6. It is all aluminum, and the VIN states that it was built with C6

 

[Pearl 94]

There is no doubt the transmission is a C6. It is all aluminum, and the VIN states that it was built with C6

The option you speak of is the small dot, or D2 position. The transmission started off in 2nd gear to lessen any wheelspin, in mud or snow. That was standard on all C6's in '66. Also, if for some reason it is an FMX transmission, I would think that the selector quadrant would reflect that.