The earlier M-8 and M-1x cast iron case transmissions are much stronger than the aluminum models, although the M-6x may handle as much power as the M-1x series.
The selector lever varies depending on years and car models the transmission is used in.
Early models have two drive positions marked with a "2" and a "1" (P-R-N-D2-D1-L; Park, Reverse, Neutral, D2, D1 and Lock).
This is useful for economy in relatively flat terrain and for starting on slippery surfaces (wet mud, snow, ice, etc.).
In both these instances, the transmission will automatically change down into 1st gear when the car speed drops below 5 m.p.h.
The automatic transmission provides three forward speeds, and one reverse gear ratio.
As the gears move faster or slower, pressure of the fluid increases or decreases in the case.
Mechanical switching of gears is triggered by the increase or decrease of pressure.
A secondary function of this cable is to down-shift ("kick down") to a lower gear when the Throttle Valve is in the full stop position (throttle pedal is fully depressed) and road speed is below a set point regulated by a mechanical governor on the output shaft.
The hydraulic control system consists of a valve arrangement and an engine driven pump.
Various speed ratios are obtained by holding or clutching various combinations of elements of the planetary train.
Prior and contemporary automatic transmissions were very inefficient and would work best with larger, more powerful engines, and even when used in those applications, the engines would often have higher compression ratios and more power than the manual transmission versions.
In addition, lower differential ratios differentials were usually used in other automatic transmission applications to improve gas mileage (again due to the inefficiency of the earlier automatics, especially when used with small engines).
In the mid-1970s, the Arrow & Avenger ranges switched to a B-W Type 45 4-speed transmission
[5][6] The gear ratios from the Ford Falcon XD specifications are typical of all and are as follows:[7] The 5.8 litre V8 came equipped with the Ford FMX-3,[8] which was an evolved three-speed Ford-O-Matic (designed by Borg Warner Corporation), via the "MX" and "FX" (Cruise-O-Matic) transmissions to become the FMX[9] in 1968.
The gear ratios from the Ford Falcon XD specifications are typical of all and are as follows:[10] From 1967 to 1981, the Borg-Warner 35 transmission was also used in the 6-cylinder Australian Chryslers, Valiants, Chargers and Centuras.