Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

X2, I love my truck but sometimes my modifications bite me in the butt

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

:lol: I totally know this, but for some reason, I’m still always surprised when things go sideways.

I did another test fit to confirm my BFH work on the trans tunnel and my new offset crossmember mounts are going to work. Looks like they’ll both pass muster. Now just gotta get the driveshaft shortened and throw it all back together.

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

I'm hoping everything goes smooth now

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

Thanks Dale! Me too!

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

I got the PTC torque converter and the correct Lokar shift shaft ordered today. I’m gunning to have this one ‘done’ by the end of the month.

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

Best of luck!! I'm hoping the gremlins moved on to someone else's garage. ...

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

Dale, from your mouth to my shop. Gremlins be GONE :lol:

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

When youre done all the Heart Ache will be worth it , I love this build .

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

Thanks Flashed! I’m really hoping that I’m getting close(r). I’m hoping to get it running and driving before the end of the month. I’ve been invited to a vintage ford groups run of the Dragon. I want to do this something fierce. Even if I just putter through it.

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

I got the PTC convertor today. I also received the US Shift Quick 4 controller this week.

But, I’m still waiting on the Lokar shift shaft, so I’m stuck on hold until it gets here. I have to have it so I can get it installed before I’ll be able to install the transmission. I ordered it well before I got the other stuff... AGGRAVATING.

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

Made a list of parts and jobs I still need to work on to make the Falcon done’ish once I get the transmission installed. So, I Ordered Redline ATF, an external trans cooler, trans pan with a drain plug (I hate pulling a pan full of fluid).

I also test fitted the transmission controller harness and started investigating how hard the new front seat covers are going to be to install. I figured out really quickly that my original seat foams are HAMMERED, so I ordered new ones from Distinctive and called my buddy who does interior work. I’ll be taking these to him next weekend, as these look to be quite a PITA.

If the stars align, I may have the Falcon ready for Tail of the Dragon in November.

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

nice...just keep at it...

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

Absolutely!

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

I got the aluminum driveshaft back from being shortened, rebalanced, and new ujoints. Almost all the parts are here. Maybe I’ll have it in by the end of the upcoming weekend. #fingerscrossed#

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

Hopefully you get to enjoy it soon!!

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

Thanks Dale!

Tracking #’s seem to lead me to believe that I’ll have all the necessary parts by Thursday evening. If that’s the case, I’ll be busting my hump to get it done by the end of the weekend.

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

Well, everything except the DAMN shift shaft is here. The SECOND place I ordered it from seems to have bs’ed the sale too. So, if I don’t have an accurate tracking number by tomorrow I’ll be held up again.

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

I think Dale jinxed you...

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

That's a terrible thing to say.......

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

haha...all in fun..

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

I know. ..lol

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

I have the opposite problem with my build to be , my 70 stepper . My living room and shop are well stocked with parts , just waiting still for the truck to come home from the bodyshop so we can officially start the build . Got the LS donor sitting in my pasture with the other future projects .

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

You guys are a hoot!

Yeah flashed, I have gaggles of parts for Walter, but just he just sits there :(

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

Still no pictures, but I finally received the shift shaft today. So I got it installed, and the new pan with a drain plug put on. I also got the new 10” PTC convertor installed. Got the trans off the engine stand and back on the trans jack.

But before I could put the Falcoon back on the lift I needed to do my 6k mile service on my daily driver. So I changed the oil & filter, rotated & balanced the tires, and checked the related filters. Once that was done I got the Falcoon back up on the lift. That’s when I realized that it’s gonna take more than one person to get it stabbed back in. I’m afraid that I’m going to have to do some trans tunnel work to make this biga$$ trans fit.

So I shut down the shop, took a much needed shower, and now I’m watching motor trend. I’ll get back on it tomorrow.

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

I didn't mean to jynx ya.......lol.....thanks Mongo, now I am feeling guilty. ....lol

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

No jinx here Dale, just tough to put big modern engines & transmissions in little old cars. I’ll get there! D@mn Falcon. :lol:

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

Thanks, lol.....back to the regular scheduled thread.

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

Just trying to help Dale...doing all I can do...

Cater maybe you can get deez nutz to help ya...

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

Or get ya a good tool dog

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

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.

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

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.

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

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.

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

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.!!!

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

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

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

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

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

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.

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

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.

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

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.

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

dang the bad luck...!!!!

Re: 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha
 

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.