From my 57 service specs, hope this helps.

Thank you djfordmanjack that is exactly the information I was looking for.  I have the manual I posted and there is nothing in it on the automatics.  I plan on painting he bellhousing to match the engine and as long as I have the transmission cleaned I'll likely paint it too just because.

glad you can use this.
I believe the engine and transmission in my 57CS to be untouched, and there is no trace of red paint on the bellhousing/transmission. both appear to have had a very thin coat of black on the cast metal parts. There is not enough surface rust imho, for me to believe it was just as cast without any paint on it.

1957 was the early days of the FOM.  Dealers had neither the parts or trained techs.  IF a FOM had a failure, the dealer would get or had factory new or reconditioned transmissions on a skid in the parts room.  The tech would R&R the transmission and the parts room would strap the failed unit to a skid and return to FOMOCO.  Since Borg-Warner was providing the transmissions to FORD, I wouldn't be surprised if Ford shipped the transmissions back to B-W to handle replacement or reconditioning.  Early parts and service manuals were printed with very little FOM service information.

I did recall those were the early start of automatics most everything earlier was standard 3 on the tree. 

Quote from: Edd505 on 2025-06-02 18:55I did recall those were the early start of automatics most everything earlier was standard 3 on the tree. 

My Fairlane is 3 on the tree with the O/D...a T-85.

Quote from: mustang6984 on 2025-06-02 19:38My Fairlane is 3 on the tree with the O/D...a T-85.

I would have preferred the standard but I couldn't pass it was just too clean.

Understand.

Waiting on the converter O-ring.  Next question, I normally use a thin coat of Vaseline on o-rings, lube this ring? .

I don't mean to change the subject, but I just noticed in your signature that you have a '58 Ford with a '57 front and rear sheet metal. Is it yellow by any chance?

The attached images show the FOM Service Manual pages for re-assembly of the converter and it does not mention any kind of lube for the large o-ring, but if you normally use Vaseline I can't see how that would hurt and it might help keep the o-ring in place. 

The manual also shows the assembly placing the converter cover (the part with the o-ring) being placed front down on blocks and then dropping the impeller assembly onto the cover.  When I reassembled my converter, I did the opposite, leaving the impeller assembly facing up and placing the cover with o-ring down onto the impeller assembly.  It seemed much easier and less likely for parts to fall out.  You do have to make sure the o-ring stays in place either way. 

Good Luck, hope this solves your leakage issues.

Just one more thing to consider when reassembling your transmission.  The video below is quite long, but if you fast forward to about the 2:03:00 time on the video you will come to the section where the converter cover is being installed and this mechanic is using Permatex "Ultra Black" silicone sealer over the o-ring and also onto the mating surfaces of the bolt flange.  I did not do this when I reassembled mine, but it might be something to consider.  He seems to know quite a bit about the 57 Fordomatic (this video is a complete overhaul).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwenorNpQtY

Quote from: RICH MUISE on 2025-06-16 08:27I don't mean to change the subject, but I just noticed in your signature that you have a '58 Ford with a '57 front and rear sheet metal. Is it yellow by any chance?

Partly yellow still a work in progress, 95 Mustang 5.0 HO roller cam 5 sp.

Quote from: oldave57 on 2025-06-16 13:06Just one more thing to consider when reassembling your transmission.  The video below is quite long, but if you fast forward to about the 2:03:00 time on the video you will come to the section where the converter cover is being installed and this mechanic is using Permatex "Ultra Black" silicone sealer over the o-ring and also onto the mating surfaces of the bolt flange.  I did not do this when I reassembled mine, but it might be something to consider.  He seems to know quite a bit about the 57 Fordomatic (this video is a complete overhaul).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwenorNpQtY

Thanks Oldave57 I will watch that and read the manual pages.  I can see where the ultra black could be of help.  I was told front seal when I bought this and the front and rear seals are dry so I have little doubt it was the converter O-ring, still waiting for it to get here.  Oh never thought about balance on the converter but got lucky, I did mark it.  I also have a broken shift lever  on the  tran and was not sure how it was installed inside, simple bolt inside.  Video is a great help, thanks again.