Hello, 78 Ford Country Squire

Love the rims and the winking factor too.

aboard, we're glad you found us too.

 

Thanks Fannie! Eventually I will have to fix the "wink"! The headlight door tab broke, so the vacuum motor would go up and down and the door wouldn't. We'll see what kind of condition the vacuum system is in once I get her running again. I suspect the Vegas heat didn't help it out.. we shall see

 

Gordo, there is a place in Minnesota that makes an adapter kit for fitting the mechanical AOD to the 460. The last I spoke to them, they were coming up with a kit for the 351M/400M as well. From what I understand, the electronic transmissions did not come into being until the 90s. The transmissions in the 80s pick ups were a heavy duty version of the mechanical ones in the Crown Vics and Grand Marquis. If you find one, the 351 Trailer Towing version is already very heavy duty, as those cars were rated for 6,000 pounds of trailer, and the engines were putting out 390 lb/ft of torque at 2,200 rpm. That is the transmission my brother got almost 500,000 miles out of. They also have the kick down rod linkage that will allow simple connection to either the original Ford carb or the Edelbrock Performer square bore carb. No modification required. Also, the mechanical AOD is no more expensive to rebuild than the C-6, and is very common, hence inexpensive as a rebuildable core. With the lower revs, the gas savings will repay the upcharge is very short order. There are certain members here who don't believe me, but my brother, a Stationary Engineer, did figure out how to make his 79 Thunderbird achieve 40 miles to the Imperial gallon, using nothing but off the shelf parts. He figured that with the 460 done right, he would be able to come close to that same figure in one of the giant wagons. Some day, I will prove him right!

 

Welcome aboard! Love the wagon!

 

I don't disagree with you Mike. I actually have a AOD core sitting in my garage. You can actually use the drums and gears out of a 4R70W to make the AOD a bit more fun. Trust me an OD tranny is in my future. I can get the C6 done for $100. I will put a nice OD tranny in and build it tough, but I really need to get car running again asap, for the lowest dollar amount possible. Swapping out a tranny down the road is no big deal to me. Just a few hours work.

 

jrwscout, Love your Fairlane wagon!

 

to the joint Gordo
from a another fellow Ford geek

luv the yacht man !!

 

Thanks Rev, I'm definitely a Ford Geek!