Manual trans only?

[DeuceCoupe]

Originally Posted by Greg Reimer 7376

In an older combo, like my aging fleet of antique iron, some engine combos came with a manual trans only requirement in the Tech Bulletins. I need to update my tech bulletins, but does that stipulation still exist? Question revolves around a 68 Chevelle with a 327/325 horse engine in Stock . Has that manual trans rule been deleted?

April 1968 issue of Car Life tested a 68 Chevelle 327/275 powerglide, just an ordinary grocery getter, so I cant see how NHRA would not allow it. I have three 327/275 road tests in my database, all three are auto trans.


Those NHRA Excel sheets are not error free for sure, they have both typos, cut&paste errors on the weights, and just plain history errors. Maybe bring it to their attention and they will change it or defend it!


OOPS once again I was typing too late at night, I had 275hp in my tired eyes instead of 325hp. All the road tests I have on the L79 are 4speed only, nothing I can add there. So unless Chevy submitted some specific documents to NHRA that said "also offered with automatic" as Ford apparently did with the 66-67 Fairlane/Comet, I can see why NHRA would not allow it.

[Sean Marconette]

Originally Posted by Greg Reimer 7376

In an older combo, like my aging fleet of antique iron, some engine combos came with a manual trans only requirement in the Tech Bulletins. I need to update my tech bulletins, but does that stipulation still exist? Question revolves around a 68 Chevelle with a 327/325 horse engine in Stock . Has that manual trans rule been deleted?

Greg to further derail your thread!!

The 82 through 85 Mustang GT 5.0 cars were also stick only. Unless they had a CFI (Fords attempt at TBI), that engine combo was auto. A few years ago when the 82 5.0 was "enhanced with a lower HP" the classification guide did not state manual only. A few of these 82 Mustang GT's with an auto were built and in competition until the guide was clarified on the manual only. It would be unfortunate for a combo to suddenly be made illegal with the expense of a trans change. But if it was never a factory option, it would be like running the wrong carb, intake or head. Everyone that class races has an agenda and that is to push the rules. The clarification and getting a letter for a "paper car" is what it turns into.

Sean

[Greg Reimer 7376]

I guess the purpose behind the story regarding my brothers' 64 Falcon Sprint was to call attention to the nightmare that can ensue when converting stuff over, even though we did a simple engine rebuild that led to one thing after another. Had he had a Nova or a Chenille, the conversion to a 4 speed would have been far simpler. The thought in my mind was to try to imagine the nightmare of converting a '64 Fairlane from the big Lincoln trans to a 4 speed. FE stick parts were definitely around, but when did the top loader come out? Was a factory Thunderbolt 4 speed a T-10? That swap could have been a real problem.

[Bobby DiDomenico]

The 1972 351C High Output (low compression Boss 351) engine was stick shift only from Ford, IIRC I've seen a few racing with automatics.

[Rich Biebel]

My time spent working in a machine/engine shop easily confirms the Ford engine family parts issues stories...

I recall one attempted dyno session of a CJ 428 and the engine was literally trying to jump off the dyno stand !

The engines owner brought the wrong flywheel is all I can recall........don't recall the details on the parts issue....

Ford engines always seemed to create issues.....

Well we were GM racers.....not much on Fords....

My son-in-law has an original '66 Mustang 260 2 barrel carb, 4speed......
It sat for years and I had to swap parts from 2 starters to make one fit in there.

After freeing up the stuck carb and checking a few things, it started and ran so smooth you could balance a nickel on the intake.......ran flawless...

[jimmyparker]

I was told many years ago that parts from a Green Ford wouldn't work on a Blue Ford and vice versa.