1963 Ford 4000 SOS question

Recently got a non running 1963 4000 SOS. Got it running good and warmed up and changed SOS fluid. Shifts and works in all gears. Problem is I do not know how good they are supposed to shift. I would say it shifts pretty go except slams a little aggressive between 8th and 9th and also a little aggressive between R1 and R2. Would like to adjust the bands. Have the Ford service manual but am a little confused about correct procedure. I understand bands 2 & 3 are adjusted while engine running at 800 RPM and band 1 with engine off. Just confused with the released gear ratio and applied gear ratio, What gear am I in when adjustments are made?

Your service manual should specify which gear each band is adjusted in. The transmission needs to be in a released gear ratio in order to adjust bands.

[b:3a8a1b9a9a]Make dang sure your traction disconnect is disconnected[/b:3a8a1b9a9a] before attempting any of this!

I would expect shifting to be more abrupt between 8 and 9 because of the wider ratio difference. Also between 4 and 5 because 3 different components change on this shift. R1 and R2 don't seem that rough to me, but there is some wideness to the ratio between these two as well.

For the wide spaced gears at 8 to 9 or from 9 to 8, I just use the inch pedal as a feather. R1 to R2 is not that much of a problem on mine, though I usually go for one or the other depending on how far I back up.

Thanks for the information. I have a Ford service manual and an IT manual. I have now read the IT manual and it is much clearer. I will make the band adjustments and let all know what happens.

The following is a procedure that I myself came up
with years ago while trying to hold the screw in
the self locking nut from turning and not having
much luck. (necessity is the mother of invention!)

Be sure to disengage the coupling between the
transmission and the differential to prevent
possible injury.

The bands are easy to adjust but the hydraulics of
the trans. must be working in order to do it. If
you will put the transmission in the gear a
particular band is supposed to be engaged you will
be able to release the lock nut without the
adjusting screw moving. If on the other hand the
adjusting screw moves with no resistance when you
have it in the gear that is supposed to have that
band applied you can assume you have hydraulic
problems with what ever is supposed to be applying
the band.
After you have turned the lock nuts back on each
band then you can turn the adjusting screw in till
you feel the engine begin to load because you will
be doing the same as trying to put the
transmission in more than one gear by removing the
clearance in the band that is supposed to be
disengaged at the time. Then you need to turn the
adjusting screw out 3/4 turn. Put it back in the
gear that puts tension on the adjusting screw and
tighten the locking nut. The reason you do it this
way is because it is almost impossible to hold the
screw while tightening the lock nut when the band
is disengaged. Do this procedure on all three
bands except that the front #1 band should be
backed off only 1/2 turn because it is the
smallest diameter of the 3 bands.

Zane