1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha

[nlped]

I got my 5’ 2” 115lb wife to be my helper today. So, I got the transmission installed, but it was a bit difficult as I had to set the lift about 8” shorter than my 6’ 1” frame really likes. But gotta cater to the helper, so I have a few extra bumps and bangs on my head. But it’s in.

Got the x-pipe in (roughly), and the driveshaft in (figured out really quickly that the AOD vs the 4r70w slip yoke aren’t the same... DAMNIT).

Just to prove that I finally got something done. Here’s a picture.

[nlped]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Or get ya a good tool dog

Originally Posted by nlped

No to the squirrel, I hate those little destructive chewing critters. And my shop dog passed away a few months ago and her son doesn’t like being in the shop, he’s afraid of everything.

Sorry for the death reference. But here’s a pic of my girl and her boy a few weeks before she passed. She’s the Merle Aussie.

[Ol Blue K20]

I'm glad you got the trans installed. But my condolences on the passing of your girl. It's amazing how they become family but eh that's the way it works. God bless our dogs/pets.!!!

[Nut Case]

DOGS

The last example on this ole mud ball of unconditional love.

Wilie Post made this statement " If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."

I've had dogs my whole life, therefore i know yer hurtin!!!!!

Nutz

[nlped]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

But my condolences on the passing of your girl. It's amazing how they become family but eh that's the way it works. God bless our dogs/pets.!!!

Originally Posted by Nut Case

DOGS

The last example on this ole mud ball of unconditional love.

Wilie Post made this statement " If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."

I've had dogs my whole life, therefore i know yer hurtin!!!!!

Nutz

Thanks guys! Sorry for getting mopey about her, but she was my shop buddy for sure.

[nlped]

No pictures, but I’m theoretically done under the car as far as the transmission install.

-Shifter linkage in...check
-Torque converter...check
-Trans controller wiring...done under the car
-Starter & wiring...check
-Trans dipstick...check
-Driveshaft yoke swap...check
-driveshaft installed...check
-H-pipe install...check

I gotta put some trans fluid in, and get the controller wiring inside the car done. Then... I HOPE LIKE CRAZY It'll move under its own power. Hopefully that’ll happen tomorrow.

[nlped]

I didn’t realize that the Sniper EFI didn’t have a TPS output, so I’m at another standstill until I figure out how to get a TPS signal for the trans. I’ll make a few phone calls tomorrow and hopefully find a solution. Another bump in the road, but I’m getting really close.

[nlped]

Yet again, no pictures, but...

I spoke to Holley technical support (after being on hold for 20+ minutes) and was told very bluntly that there is no way to get a tps signal from the Sniper and that I needed to upgrade to the Terminator EFI. What? Why? I’ve already got over a grand in this system and it does have a GM TPS sensor on the side of the TB now. But in the Holley directions, it says not-to splice into the TPS harness. So, without actually saying it, it seemed as though ‘Tough $hit’ was their response.

So, I called US Shift...the folks who make the trans controller, and asked the same question (no hold at all...a human answered the phone immediately). I was quickly informed that Casper Electronics has a GM TPS breakout harness that works with my exact application. I was informed that I only needed the signal wire, & not the 5 volt reference nor the ground wires for the Quick 4 controller. I just have to make sure to ground the controller harness to the same location as the Sniper...this seems to be where folks run into issues. Kevin, from US Shift said that they answer this question several times a week and don’t have any issues with this solution. So, <$22 later, I have the breakout harness enroute. Maybe it’ll be running this weekend???

Oh, I also dropped off my front seats to my upholstery buddy to have him get the new foams, covers and such installed.

[mongocanfly]

dang the bad luck...!!!!

[nlped]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

dang the bad luck...!!!!

Greg, this time I can’t blame luck. It’s my fault that I didn’t realize the Sniper didn’t have a tps signal output. But I think I’m going to be okay.

[mongocanfly]

Yeah...I'm betting you'll figure it out...

[Ol Blue K20]

Boy, they don't make things user friendly.

[nlped]

Dale, again it’s my own fault. Had I known I was going to go this route, I could have gone with the pricier Holley terminator or even pricier dominator. Then I would have had the ability to control the trans and gauges all from one ecu. Had I researched it better (& known the previous trans was going to crap out) I wouldn’t have had much more money into this and I’d be dealing with one ecu rather than 3 that don’t like each other.

[nlped]

Well, I made a huge positive move forward today! I did a few checks, adjusted the neutral safety switch and topped off the trans. Hooked up the battery and ran the initial install setup and hit the switch. After 4 months, It fired right up on the first hit of the key. It went through the gears as intended and no apparent leaks noted. I’ll take it out for a short test drive tomorrow and then do another once over to make sure all is good under the car. If so, then I’ll get started on getting the interior into the car.

Small steps!!!

[mongocanfly]

Got to feel good..!!

[nlped]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Got to feel good..!!

Greg, I’m sure you understand! I’m so ready to get back on Walter.

[nlped]

Drove IT!!! Lots still to do, but it drives pretty dang good. Well, except that I don’t have the seats so I’m sitting on a box, so the 1-2 & 2-3 shifts really tried to put me in the trunk

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

That is a nice looking Falcon.

I would like a old 4 door Falcon or Nova since my mom can not drive anymore, and I need a family car. If I ditch my Silverado off at some point.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by nlped

After 2 days of driving around the local Mineral Wells/Weatherford we set off. My wife followed me in the 'chase' truck and we set off for Memphis TN to visit my mother. My mom's first car was a 1963 Falcon so I wanted to show her my new toy. Then I drove it the last 240 miles home for a total of 810 miles without much issue. It did seem to be using a lot of oil, but I figured that was probably something simple. Boy, was I WRONG!!! About 2 miles from home the car made a small 'bAnG' & quit running. It was a catastrophic bAnG. Turned out that the crankshaft broke in 2 and cracked the block, destroyed the timing gear cover etc and bent some rods and valves.

I had this happen 20 years ago to a 521 cubic inch Cadillac in a 68 Nova I had at 5000 rpm getting on the freeway very quickly for fun. It took the crank, 6 of the 8 rods, pistons, cam, and block were destroyed. The heads were in all likelyhood trash since a few pistons hit them at speed, and lifted both heads up off the block. Intake manifold was a 1/4 out when warped. Plus punched holes in the oil pan.

The crank shoved into the trans cracking its pump, and locking it up. Sheared the pinion in my 8.2 rear-end, and twisted the driveshaft almost a full revolution.

Only thing useable was the water pump, carb, and accessories.

With all the carnage it was amazing no accidents happened as I bloodbathed 3 lanes of the 10 freeway at Temple City on ramp. I had like 8 quarts of oil in the engine, and something like 2 gallons of tranny fluid. With all the coolers, and lines I had. As I spun out doing like 2.5 complete turns ending up backwards in the slow lane mostly.

[nlped]

Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust

I had this happen 20 years ago to a 521 cubic inch Cadillac in a 68 Nova I had at 5000 rpm getting on the freeway very quickly for fun. It took the crank, 6 of the 8 rods, pistons, cam, and block were destroyed. The heads were in all likelyhood trash since a few pistons hit them at speed, and lifted both heads up off the block. Intake manifold was a 1/4 out when warped. Plus punched holes in the oil pan.

The crank shoved into the trans cracking its pump, and locking it up. Sheared the pinion in my 8.2 rear-end, and twisted the driveshaft almost a full revolution.

Only thing useable was the water pump, carb, and accessories.

With all the carnage it was amazing no accidents happened as I bloodbathed 3 lanes of the 10 freeway at Temple City on ramp. I had like 8 quarts of oil in the engine, and something like 2 gallons of tranny fluid. With all the coolers, and lines I had. As I spun out doing like 2.5 complete turns ending up backwards in the slow lane mostly.

GeeZus!!! Makes me feel bad about my diatribe.

And, I would absolutely love to find a 4 door station wagon to restomod and drive as my daily.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I think a regular 4 door would be cool too, but a wagon makes fishing trips nicer.

[nlped]

Worked on the interior some today. The ACC carpet doesn’t fit very well, so I’ll have to do some ‘fitting’ to get it right. Also got the seats back from being recovered.

[mongocanfly]

seat looks good....

[Ol Blue K20]

That's one good looking seat.

[nlped]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

seat looks good....

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

That's one good looking seat.

Thanks guys. I like them too