Real world driver...

Working on my 68 Ford with all stock engine and tranny(390/c6), I was asked a question. It was more of a "it's a 3 speed, how far do you expect to go?"
So this is my question... I'm sure these things were driving hundreds of miles at a time(back in the day), but are some of you guys doing that NOW with "stock" non-overdrive cars? I mean 250-350 nonstop miles(except for fuel, food, etc)@ 65 mph?

 

I've never had an AOD automatic. But other than fuel economy, on a high-perf engine, I sure do drive with my trusty 3-speed C4 automatic.

 

I'm not sure what you're asking, but my Dad had a '68 LTD with the 390/C6 like yours, and with a 4bbl carb, dual exhaust. It got 25mpg on the highway if you kept you're foot out of it. But I did see the speedo on 126mph one time...
If the engine is in good shape it should be able outlast you on a trip, at the very least.

 

What I'm asking is can you really take these cars on "real world" road trips, without damage to the engine or tranny? Cruise nights and such I know can be done, but how about a straight 370 mile trip, @ 65mph? I'm in NY and I was thinking Dreamcruise this year. Don't care about the gas or mileage, just don't want to hurt the car especially knowing 65mph will have the rpm's up pretty high.

 

As long as the gearing in the rear is not ignorantly low, you will be fine. I would not wanna run a motor over 3000 RPMs at highway speeds for any distance. At 72mph I am at 2000 RPMs in my 2 Roadmasters and that is about perfect, at 80 I am around 2200.

 

I had this conversation with a customer the other day....
...my response was..
..."ITS STILL DRIVING after all these years ISNT IT??"....

no 2 ways about it....cars were built better back then:banana:

 

I see no problem driving hours on end at highway speed with only 3 gears. We've taken my wagon on many trips that are multiday trips loaded down with people and a trailer and never once had a problem, still got the original motor and trans.
My dad's t/a and his 60 plmyouth (mind you, polar opposites of each other) have 3.23 and 3.31 gears respectively and we have taken them on many several-hundred-mile trips before without issue. The t/a is taching about 2600 at 70 and I'd geuss the plymouth is a little higher and mind you that one is a slant 6.

 

370 miles thats nothing IMO, I don't even bother to check the oil for a day trip like that

3700 miles, @ 65mph constant I'd make sure my motor and tranny is top notch and topped up.

Old car, blood red tranny juice and it shifts fine.....drive.

Tranny juice starting to get black, have it serviced. but in all seriousness...if it's an old car and shifts fine with black tranny juice I'd still drive it 350 miles and not worry.

Like the Rev said, old cars are better perioud!

 

I agree with most here, a long road trip such as what you describe should be no problem, assuming the car is healthy. These cars (like ours) were designed for the open highway. My '75 Chevrolet Caprice also has a 3-speed tranny, with a 400 engine.

The longest trip I've taken mine on thus far was the day after I bought it (three years ago). I drove from Chicago to CNY (about 700+ miles) in one day. (I did give the car a 10 minute break every 1.5 hours or so; not b/c it needed it, but simply b/c I try to be gentle with my car). I don't think I exceeded 70 mph; but then I generally don't go over 5 mph over the posted limit.

That trip was amazing in every sense of the word and I had no troubles. I miss having the opportunity to travel the NE highways/turnpikes. Out here in CA it's hard to find that without encountering major mountain-climbing.

I say go for it and enjoy!

 

I guess if you consider how many miles these cars traveled when they were new, and the fact that they were built for regular high way speeds then it will be fine.
Unlike cars in the 80's that I swear were geared different due to the Federal 55 mph (and in some cases just turds due to smog stuff.), most of these cars were built when the big interstates had been completed.
Our 64 Plymouth Fury, Wide block 318 w/ 727 TorqueFlite was used to haul my grandparents, dad and his brothers and sisters all over the state pulling an Airstream. From new in 64 through the 70's.
When my Dad grew up and bought it from my Grandpa as our family car (in 87) we once again used it to haul the family all over the state, even in bad weather. This was our family's daily mode of transportation.
Now that I own it, it doesn't get used as a daily driver, but I don't hesitate to fire that thing up and run it up to CleElum or down to the Tri-Cities at High way speeds (ok, maybe even slightly over at times)
The engine has never been out of it, no over hauls. Just basic maintenance. I had to rebuild the tranny in high school because reverse went out.
I say yes, they were built for this kinda use. If you are confident in the thing run it!

 

All my AMC/ Ramblers that has V8s were geared 2:87 or opt 3:15 using the automatics.. the 3 speed manual were 3:31 or 3:54 .. I drove to Kenosha WI 10 timesto the AMC Nat's from Lousville KY ( 7 hrs+) through the Chicago TOLL road ( ahhhhh!!!) with these 2:87 gears. with no problems even with stock or beefed V8s. One had the 2-4bb tunnel ram and a 4 speed.. but the tires were 28+ tall.. so that helped. Now with your C6 and the torque on the Ford 390 it should be fine,,, KNOWING what gear ratio you have will ease your mind to the RPM range.
I use this formula ( others may have one too)
65ph x 340 x2:87 ratio divided x 27" tire =2349
314sub for 340, 2169 rpm
I ve seen both used to figure RPM 340 seems truer to my own experiences.:2_thumbs_up_-_anima

 

My wife drove our purchased 67 Country Sedan with a 289/C4 3.00 from the west side of Iowa back to Michigan in a couple of days. No problems. And we got 22mpg at 70mph. I was very pleased with the old girl (and the wagon too!). That was about 500 miles total one way.

 

We average between 4,000 to 8,000 miles a year on our 57 wagon with a 455 (sixty over now) Pontiac engine, a turbo 350 automatic, and depending on my mood either 3:42 or 3:90 rear gears. 28" tall rear tire. About 90% of those miles are pulling our 1951 Airstream trailer. About 90% of those 90% miles is with my wife driving.

These cars were made for the highway. Treat your car right and it will do the same right back at you. If you are worried about it have it checked out by a local shop for abnormal wear and tear and fix those things and go enjoy it on the highways and byways of the North American continent. millions of these cars put on tens of millions of miles doing just that - seeing the USA.

Of course there are those who say if you don't have the latest and greatest, the biggest diesel with 6 speed transmission you'll never survive but guess what happens when a 7 speed transmission comes out - now they too are driving some antiquated vehicle and gosh, they'd better go get the newest one because how have they ever gotten where they have in the past? Oh my - if they figured out the depreciation costs alone they'd have paid for a lot of fuel in the 3 speed automatic car.

Go have fun. Take pictures and post them. Count the number of thumbs up you get and talk to the people who tell you they had one just like it and they too traveled all over the place with it.

 

My dad's 82 fairmont is that way, 200 I6/C5 and unknown gears. It's slower than molasses off the line and above 65 it's screaming. On the same note, my 87 cutlass 307/th200 has 2.14 gears, is slower than molasses off the line, but it'll pull like a freight train burring the needle. It cruises at 65 just about idling at 1700 rpm.

Yes, these older cars are built to be driven anywhere you want to take them, any distance. All it takes is some maintenance.

 

Wow... I can't wait to get on the road! I've been all over the maintenance part, just trying to get the body up to par now. Couldn't wait for my buddy to read the replies. Talking about a priceless expression! Thanks guys for making my day.