Projects The Adventure of a Boy and His Edsel

Ok...good deal. I had another one of those sinking feelings when you asked what we were using knowing I hadn’t looked it up.

 

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/MERCON

 

It takes type A which isn't really available any more. Dexron is very close to type A and works well in the old Ford automatics.

 

Thanks! I remember that now from when I researched what to use in my 56 Ford-o-Matic.

 

Just curious if it would be more easy to pull the transmission and have it professionally rebuilt, than to go through all of the modifications it would require to convert it to a manual three speed shift on the column?
I know you guys have this figured out, I hope the Lucas treatment, will cure the slipping for a long time.

 

Cool story thanks for posting it.

 

so... what is that bracket behind the carb?
my '57 has the mounts for it, but no bracket.

 

I'm not a lube expert, but my understanding is that Type F is "less slippery" than Dexron/Mercon. Lot of drag racers use Type F in GM automatics for racing, as it helps minimize the clutch slippage. Here is the logic as was explained to me: Dexron/Mercon in factory GM design have more slip so the clutch engagement is softer. Ford slowed down the clutch engagement so it was softer. So the end result is quicker shift and less slippery Type F fluid gives a more firm shift.

I agree that the Lucas additive might help, it seems one of the few things that can actually help as i have heard others report the same. I know that stuff is thick as honey at room temp. Or could try the Type F fluid if the problem is clutch slipping. Regardless changing out the fluid is a good idea. If the trans slips more after, it was already on last legs. It wasn't the fluid change that caused the failure.

 

Are you referring to this bracket circled in red? If so... I happen to have the one that came out of the 57 wagon that this motor is out of that I don’t need...

 

im more wondering, what is it? my '57 doesnt have it, but its a manual, so i dont know if its supposed to have one.

 

Oh, it is part of the kick-down linkage for the automatic transmission. I assume that is why yours would be different since all you are controlling is throttle.

 

also, why did you change the coil location from under the air cleaner to on the firewall?

 

Mainly because it was on a homemade junk bracket when we got the car and it crashed with the original air cleaner. Now that we have everything pretty much correct according to the 57 motor, we can probably move it to the stock location now that you mention it.

However, we also blew up 2 coils having them mounted horizontal as well now that I am remembering why we stood it up vertical. I know I have mounted them horizontal before, but haven’t got away with it on this car for some reason.

 

ive never actually seen a coil fail... even the one the car came with was seemingly functional, it had just been exposed for who knows how long. and someone removed the screw inside of the coil.

 

This is the first one we failed on this car. It split open on top and spilled out the oil.

 

maybe its because i use oem stuff... and not performance parts.

 

It has a stock one now after blowing up the Pertronix one that came on it and then another one we picked up on the road on the way to the Gathering at the Roc last year.

On a related note...it now has points again since we left the Pertronix unit in the 292 we pulled out. I am one of those silly guys that would rather deal with points than electronic ignitions which is what came in it.

 

Smart man. I had a Pertronix in my 66 vette & it left me stranded roadside. Paid a chevy garage thru the nose to put another one in & One day I left it idling while I did something else, it stalled & damn near burned up my vette. It was points after that. I heard that they have fixed that problem . I won't use them ever.

 

You guys are having all the fun. I miss those days with my son. It may be stressful at times, trying to patch something back together so he can drive it to work, school or an event, but in the end it's worth it. The only upside for me now is I get to make better progress on my own junk and since mine went into the bodyshop side of the business, he has knowledge and skills I don't.

Devin

 

Well...still going so far although we need to find out where it is puking out transmission fluid every now and then. We had our local small town car show yesterday here in town and even though Silas didn’t enter, he parked in the midst of it. I told him that someone had to be cool in the midst of all the cookie cutter show cars. Pic by Silas.

 

Slightly over-filled? Maybe a plugged vent tube?

 

Agree ^^^ I've had the vents get plugged up with those mud bees

 

Hmm...I’ll check that. This thing has mud dobber nests all over it. So, that is very likely. Almost done swapping the clutch on my other sons car, so we can put it up on the lift to see better.

 

My OT truck with a TH400, would have the dipstick sticking out after a drive across town. The vent was plugged. But it never spewed fluid out.

 

This spits out the dipstick and pukes. I’m willing to bet you all are right. Thanks for the help!

 

I found mud dauber nests everywhere in my car. Between the body and chassis, under the dash around wires, in the defroster plenum. Spider NESTS in the brake drums and I got bit. Good times.

 

55 first series Chevy there in the foreground. My first ride was one of those. I miss it.

 

Go to a big show and you can see a dozen show queen cameros but no edsels. Car is coming along great.

 

I was at a local show on Sunday. Someone had a retractable '59 Edsel, supposed to be a prototype one-off. It was badged as a Suncruiser on the roof.

 

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/...corsair-skycruiser-retractable-hardtop/692979

Interesting did not know they existed