Hi All, I'm putting a '69 250ci i6 and a '72 c4 into my 1960 Falcon, I'm looking at Mavericks as my model since this setup never ever existed in my car. I'm hoping that you can help me, she's a Mav at heart. We got every installed and are into the fine tuning now, but I think I might be missing something in the transmission setup. The transmission is having a really hard time shifting and when it finally does it it's really abrupt. I've read through the posts about vacuum modulators and I'm going to look at mine but I'm wondering if I should have a kick-down linkage/cable as well? I had to put a Carter RBS on for clearance issues, not ideal... but I don't want to cut up the hood! Thanks for any insight!
when you floor it it depresses the kick down and keeps you in low gear to give you more power, then when you lift off the throttle it will shift into 2nd. you can do this manually yourself, which is what i do anyway. just grab the shifter and put it in low/high gear when and for how long you want. i think the modulator or (hopefully not) something internal to the transmission is your issue be sure to check out the forums on www.fordsix.com/forum too
Thanks! It's all coming into focus. I was so familiar with the old setup, it's going to be fun getting to know this new one!
what was the 250 swap like BTW? i hear that to get a 250 in there you need to custom make motor mounts and the with the taller 250 you run into alot of hood clearence issues in old falcons?
It's been an interesting process! Here's a quick list: • We used the motor mounts out of a '60 Comet which allowed the engine to sit lower and a little further back. • The oil pan had to be re-shaped to clear the cross-member. • A transmission bracket was fabricated. • Shortened the drive line • Replaced rod throttle linkage/pedal assembly with a cable assy • Modified fan blades for clearance (need to install an aux. elec. fan now) • Using a Carter RBS 1bbl carb and a silly low-profile Mustang air cleaner It's been a long process and I really miss my car! But I think once we get all the bugs worked out she'll be amazing.
If you plan on shifting manually then you won't need the "Kick-down" linkage. If you plan on ever giving the engine full throttle in high gear below 50 mph then you will want the linkage. It is called kick down because it will downsift the C4 if the throttle is advanced to a point where the transmission needs higher pressure on the clutches and bands to hold the torque. The higher pressure over-rides the governor pressure and feeds pressure to the throttle pressure valve. Without it the clutches and bands can slip unless it is in 1,2 or R manually. When shiftted manually the pressures are as high as the regulator will allow so you don't need the linkage. The pressure drops back down as soon as you shift into Drive.
