Hot Rods POLL: 4 Speed or Slushbox? 1962 Falcon Futura A/GS "Strange Bird"

I KNOW you folks like a thread you can put your opinion on....so here we go..

I'm building myself a 62 Falcon Futura A/GS style car, and am at the point where I need to choose a transmission. I am totally on the fence on this one, and need a shove in direction. The car is powered by a built up 401 Buick nailhead with a Littlefield blower that is set back the maximum allowable by the 1966 NHRA rule book.

Heres Some pics and the build thread:

BUILD THREAD HERE







Yes, I know.....a Buick in a Ford. Get over it....thats why it is called the "Strange Bird"

Help me out HAMB'rs!

 

I was always told real cars have three pedals..............Hell even super stock hemi powered Mopars came with 4 speeds............By the way that thing is flat wicked evil....strange bird indeed..........

 

4 ****in speed!

 

That's also why they call it hot roddin brother and that Falcon is or will be awesome. For the cool factor as well as the look I'd go a strong 4 speed BUT let's face it, you can't outshift a properly working auto either. Go with your gut on this one. Either way you go, you won't go wrong IMO.

 

Yup, but Ford made 2 special BOSS 429 Mustangs that were a lot bigger than 429 & both had automatics in them.

 

nothing wrong with a good slushbox, and yes the sodium filled valved 429's were a force to reckoned with......

 

Oh...almost forgot....

The Trannies I'm looking at are:

4 Speed Super T-10
4 Speed Muncie M21
ST400 Switch Pitch
Powerglide

Use the poll!

 

Nothing like banging some gears!car is looking great. I've got a Muncie in mine but the super t10 if it has an iron case might be a better choice

 

I voted for the slush box because it might be little more forgiven then the 4 speed when running it all out. But the 4 speed would be the coolest combo of course. I would not run a P/G because its nice to at least make the extra gear change when going down the track. No matter what you choose your ride is one of a kind cool.

Jon

 

I'd probaby go with that switch-pitch TH400. It's probably not in the cards unless you luck into one, but even better- and definitely 'period correct' as well - would be Clutch-Turbo, or a Clutch-Flyte ******! By the way, Winters (Maverick Performance) apparently still offers a kit with all the required bits and pieces to build one
(see www.wintersperformance.com/catalogs/SideWinder/31.htm - and

www.wintersperformance.com/catalogs/SideWinder/index.htm)

As far as running a 4-speed goes - with a blown nailhead, the car's gonna' have so much torque that I think you'll have a hard time keeping a 4-speed in one piece for very long! Plus, given the power-to-weight ratio, the car will much more consistent and and quicker with an automatic anyway.

 

Depends on... 1. can you shift? and, 2. Can you afford a good enough clutch to stand up behind a blown motor. Figure a grand for a good two disc set up and linkage that will hold up. I have a very strong muncie saved up for a g***er project, but would not put it behind my blown motor.

 

--------------------------------
Yep. 'Back in the day', just about the only
true 'g***ers' running 4-speeds were the
smaller engined and/or unblown, lower gas
cl*** cars. In A/GS, automatics or clutch
***isted-autos were pretty much universal
- both for reasons of consistency and
*especially*, for reliability!

Mart3406
=============================

 

a t 10 will die wery soon
go with a bigblock ford
toploader
or jerico if you go 4 speed

 

Two speed cast iron Powerglide built to kill. All you need.
What my pops used, behind all kinds of stuff.
There ain't too much slush on a properly built one.
Of course I have a four speed in my daily, but a PG is going in my 51.

 

Well...if you are planning on actually running it, more than showing it, put a Th400 back there.
The right converter, and it will be a killer...it will take all the abuse in the world, perform good, and exist more comfortably behind the blower motor, and it is cheap-ish to build.

Screw "period correct" if you are racing...I'll take safer, more reliable, and better performance, in these cir***stances, any day. I'll say no to the 'Glide, too, for already mentioned reasons.
Are you planning on running those tires?
Hang on!
Very cool looking car...I like the blown Buick, and I'm a Ford guy.

 

Ya need 3 pedals, otherwise your just going for a ride.

 

I think that anything you can do to reduce expenses and breakage can add a lot to the enjoyment of racing. Considering the VHT goo used today, I'd definitely go for an automatic.

 

Super T-10..... 13 years and still taking the abuse in my street driven hot rod.... Saying this, it does not have slicks...

My drag car, I am running an auto..... Less chance of breakage.....

 

I'm leaning toward the switch pitch 400. Probably gonna pull the trigger on a pair of them.

 

Switch pitch is very kool, change your stall using a dimer switch on the floor....

Tell us more about your nailhead blower intake...

 

The intake is still up in the air....either gonna make my own out of the eelco 6x2 intake I already have by adding a common plenum to the top, or I may make one from scratch from aluminum using the eelco intake risers for a base. I have noticed alot of need for them, and may produce a limited number of them. We will see.

 

I'd consider going with the switch pitch depending on how wild the Buick is really going to be. A 4speed in a heathly blown street/strip car is cool but a set to kill blower motor is something else. Bum a ride in a serious blown stick car and then decide or even check out a UMTR event. After that you'll know which is right for you.

 

I have a Super T-10 behind my nailhead. It's held up fine on the street, even with slicks out back (the motor puts out around 400 hp). That being said, if I were going to race it I'd opt for a glide or built TH400.

Plus if you run gears and want to race you'll need a shatter-proof bellhousing.

-Lee
Atomic Radio
www.atomicpinup.com

 

If it's a real A/GS car that you race, go powerglide. With all the torque of a blower you won't need the low gear of a TH400. Plus, they'll cost you 25-75 HP depending who you talk to. If it's an entertaining street/strip car, the stick will be a lot of fun. There's a pretty recent thread about stick cars with blowers.

 

If you want it to actually be quick, run an auto. If you want it to last a long time, run the PG.

Blower engines like a lot of load, so the 2spd will work well.

If you have deep pockets, byp*** all the options you've mentioned so far and get a Jericho. You get hero points for having a stick, it will be dependable, and it will be quick.

Hey, you asked for opinions!

 

I believe someone said it, but I opt for a 4 gear all day....but of the Ford flavor. Toploaders are tough as nails and can take a lot more than people give it credit for. Otherwise, a T-10. If this is a strip only car, I would go for a well built glide. That's just my .02....which honestly isn't worth much!

 

man that setback looks more than legal! Too Cool For School though

 

Do you have to ask here 4 speed real hotrods have three pedals I love felling every part straining to hold togather before shifting OH YEA !

 

Thats just mean looking.

 

I had to vote "Jazz flute is for fairy boys" just simply because the right answer wasn't there - Tremac TKO600. Damn near indestructible, the right number of pedals, and an overdrive if you actually want to go somewhere in this thing! Fast cars with automatics are just a foreign thought to my brain, too easy. Stupid question though - are ya going to put the side trim back on? If not, Ya want to sell the drivers door piece?