Hello, 78 Ford Country Squire

Just want to say hello and introduce myself.
My name is Gordon, I'm an auto mechanic in Las Vegas. I have a 1978 Ford Country Squire that I've had since 1992. Currently I'm building a fresh 460 engine and a C6 tranny for it.
I love my old wagon, and I will post up some pictures soon for everyone to check out!
Glad I found this forum!

 

Welcome Gordon!

 

Welcome! Looking forward to seeing some pics.

 

Welcome supergordo!

 

Welcome to the nuthouse! Sounds like you will fit right in around here. If you drive the wagon regularly, though, you might want to rethink the C-6. The late-80s mechanical AOD from a Ford pick up gives you the torque converter by-pass, and the benefit of overdrive. After all, if you want, that tank of a great wagon can be almost economy car affordable to drive.

 

whooya, tooya, booya!!!

 

Welcome Gordon

 

Thanks Mike!
I build transmissions for a living. I'm actually looking out for a E4OD that Icould stick the 4R100 guts inside. That's on the list for the future. At the moment I need to get her back on the road asap on a budget. That said, my C6 is sitting there and can be built up relatively inexpensively. Eventually I'll go with an OD trans. But for now it has to wait.

 

Thanks for all he warm welcomes! I'm happy to have found a wagon forum!

 

Here are some pics. These are a few years old, but she basically looks the same. Except that the motor and trans are out of it right now.

 

Gordon, that is one beautiful wagon you have there! I'm curious, though, why you want an EAOD. The old mechanical ones are stronger, and don't need the computer to make them work. I'm curious because I hope to have one of these big old Fords soon, and an overdrive is most definitely in its future. I had planned on the heavy duty out of an F150 with tow package, unless I can find the trailer towing AOD out of a factory 351 equipped Grand Marquis or Crown Vic. I know how though those are. I had 185,000 on mine when the 89 was totaled, and my brother had very nearly 500,000 on his when the body mounts broke. Both transmissions were working like new, and had never had anything but basic maintenance over the years and miles.

 

Glad you like my Wagon Mike.
As far as the tranny choice goes, I don't know of an AOD that will fit behind a 460. The 460 has the same bellhousing as the old Ford 351/400M but it's not the same as the 351w. So unless I'm wrong my only OD choice would be the E4OD, as you can find them in mid 80's 2wd trucks and vans with 460's.

Overall I'm open to different ideas. Bear in mind though that the most important goal right now is to see it drive again, and that's why I'll use the C6 for the time being. Quick, cheap and easy..

I have LOTS of future plans for the car. As well I do all my own work, so that isn't an expense for me. So doing some parts of the project in steps is ok.

 

Here is a little more info about my car.

It came with a 460 engine, C6 trans, 9" trac loc rear end with 3.00to1 gears. IT has hydroboost brakes with factory 4 wheel disc brakes. I installed polyurethane front end bushings and kyb shocks years ago.


The car is almost rust free. It has some little spots in a couple of places but nothing cancerous. Eventually I'll post some other pics I have. I originally had a 77 Country squire that I loved but it was VERY rusty from years of Detroit Winters. In 1994 I moved to San Diego. While living there I found a guy selling a 1978 Country Squire with a blown engine, and basically no rust. Seemed like a perfect match. So I got that one, transferred the entire driveline into the new one. Then I took most all of the usable parts off the 77 and boxed them up.

3 years ago I sold the original 200hp engine. I started building a 1970 460 I pulled from a Lincoln Mark 3. The 1970 motor is rated at 365 HP stock. The block is presently being bored over .030, the crank is being ground and polished to .010/.010. I'm porting the heads currently. Not going for an over the top port and polish. Just trying to massage the ports some and help it breath better. I figure when I'm done It'll make over 400hp, and have plenty of stump pulling torque.

 

Welcome to the forum Gordon! Nice looking wagon you have there!

 

Welcome SuperGordo.

Love the fact she's winking in the last two pics!