Expert: Brad Sears - 3/27/2008

Question
QUESTION: I've got an old '63 Falcon Futura Convertible with a straight-6 170cc in it and a Ford-o-matic 2 speed transmission in it. As of now the car tops out about 60 miles per hour. I can push it up to about 70 but the rpm's start climbing and I can tell it's stressing the car.

I've been told the only auto-transmission available in 63 was the 2-speed. I'd prefer everything stay authentic as possible, but I would like to do whatever I can to get a little more drivability out of the car.

Is the limitation the transmission and its gearing? Can that be tuned/changed at all to bring the top speed up to about 80-90 miles per hour for better freeway driving?

thanks for the help up front. I appreciate it.

trov2k@yahoo.com
(916)612-4087

ANSWER: Well you are running a six cylinder engine that is less than 2.8 liters, a single barrel carburetor, a 2 speed automatic, and a heavy convertible body and it is almost 50 years old. I would check that the vacuum advance on the distributor is working and holding vacuum and that the tune up is OK. Other than changing rear axle ratio there is no way to get more speed with less RPM without changing to a multi speed overdrive transmission.
Brad

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: (1) From what I was told, the C4 transmissions in the '64 and later models were a 3 speed automatic with the same stock high gear as the 2spd, just the middle gear provided better shifting ability in that it was smoother and more fuel efficient. if this is true, how in the world are these '64 V8s getting anymore speed out of their cars with the same gear ratio limitations in the transmission? or was i simply told wrong about the gears?

(2) how feasible is it to switch up the gears in the rear axel of a '63 like mine running the two speed automatic?

(3) As for the distributor, I recently put a pointless system in it, and redid the ignition coil and plug wires. Im gonna retime it again and make sure the choke/throttle linkage moves a bit more smooth. but for the most, its good. so forgive me for being a mechanically retarded guy, but im not sure what the vaccuum advance has to do with speed the car can hit.

thanks a ton Brad,
-T

Answer
The distributor in that engine does not use a centrifugal spark advance system. The advance that the timing needs as the engine increases in speed. If the vacuum advance is blown and does not hold vacuum the top speed of that engine will be limited. Changing the rear axle ratio will not probably increase top end as the engine does not have  the poop to make it go faster.
Brad