Steve

Survivor cars like that one dont come around too often. I would encourage you to leave it as it is, or if you must modify, change only what can readily be changed back eg put a V8 in it but leave the column auto. Next best would be to convert it to an aussie 4spd, which means a floor holes but nothing much else that cannot be changed back.

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If we all had the same (good) taste, who would buy all the Fords?

I had meant to add that I was open to suggestion, I want to do the swap to manual because it currently needs a new transmission anyway.
A friend suggested to me that a 5-speed would run better he hinted that a lot of old 4 speeds redline at like 110-120km/h I dont know how accurate that is though.

But yea, this is why I posted here, to get input and advice on anything I decide to do... nothing is concrete.

Cheers, Steve

I am keeping it my grandads car but if its to be drivable then it needs some work done including the new transmission.
For that reason I have pretty much two good options, either replace the old transmission with another 4-speed column shift auto OR replace with a manual transmission.
I got a bit ahead of myself, I meant to ask if going with a 5-speed would be a good option, by the looks of things Id be better off trying to find one of the 4-speed manual boxes that were an option with it originally.
Im not by any means trying to make it into a racer or anything silly, Id just prefer a manual and since it needs the work done anyway this is the perfect oportunity.

I did some stuffing around with it in photoshop and so far this is the best Ive come up with, lemme know what you guys think:

A 4spd conversion is easy. When you get more serious ill give you a shopping list of all the bits to buy. Id try to do it authentic HQ. It may be easier also to buy a rusty HQ 3spd for all the conversion bits. All you need then is a 4spd and shifter. Rare Spares sell the console brackets, or you could leave the bench and fit a bench seat 4spd dhifer and boot. Id still leave the trimatic on the column though. Heaps better box for an everyday driver.

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If we all had the same (good) taste, who would buy all the Fords?

OK, its a factory bucket seater with seta separator. Id even further recommend you leave the column auto! But you can do a 4spd conversion with the buckets, using a factory console.

_______________________________________________________
If we all had the same (good) taste, who would buy all the Fords?

Not sure if I wrote something misleading previously but she already has the 253ci V8 so Im not looking to change that out, just the transmission that needs doing.



Bastard rats got into the engine bay and chewed through some of the piping.

Cheers, Steve

if i was you, i would put another auto in it and just drive it. too many original cars have been altered. just my opinion. nice car by the way......

They"re all confirming and agreeing with me and Byron and each other....thats gotta tell ya something!!

Jim in Adelaide...Hindsight is bad vision!

I had a HQ Prem 253 Tri column shift and full bench, excellent cruiser would do 140 all day, the rust got in the sills and killed it :(.

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You only have to be in front at the end of the race.