1960 144ci automatic speed and power?

Winums2 · 06-18-2009, 12:58 PM

Our 1960 with the 144ci two speed automatic transmission seems most comfortable under 50 mph. Should it be able to make the car go faster than 50 mph without sounding and feeling like it is being pushed too far?

Just wondering whether it is at capacity or whether by working on the engine a bit we might be able to make it run a little easier at 50 mph or above.

59falcon · 06-18-2009, 06:06 PM

i have a 60 2dr sedan and have experienced the same thing. after much work and tuning i have been up to 65mph, it feels uncomfortable, the car is 50 yrs old after all. my u joints are making a little noise and the ball joints are shot, i figure you probably have some issues also.

yank with ute · 06-19-2009, 08:24 AM

If your engine is vibrating or sounding like it is stressed at speeds above 50 mph it's past time for an engine rebuild. Back when the Falc's were new people drove them 70 mph (speed limits were just going up to 60 on major highways) and I recall seeing more then one doing 80 on old route 66 in the California desert.

The real problem is that in the US we have had "big enigined" cars for so long that we have forgotten how to drive small displacement engines. We expect instant gradification (up to speed quickly) while people in other countries continue to live with engines of less then 2 liters and don't complain. "The times they are a changin..."

Winums2 · 06-19-2009, 12:44 PM

The previous owner told me the engine was rebuilt 9,000 miles ago.

A fellow down our street works at an engine rebuilding shop. Maybe I should have him take a look.

Or, maybe I will take it out on the highway and see whether I can slowly creep it up to 65 or so.

yank with ute · 06-24-2009, 09:42 AM

Starting to sound like a bum transmission. if it is lotsa ruck as they stopped making rebuild kits many moons ago.

The two biggest problems with the first Falcons was the weak transmissions and lack of brakes. Other then that the early Falcons, when new, would have no problems with today's traffic and would give 24-30 MPG. Won't pass the smog tests but...

Back in 1962 our family pulled a 12' Shasta trailer from Central Ohio to LA and back with only automatic trans overheating problems (we should have had an inline cooler). That was back before Route 66 was replaced by interstate highway.

sdbcivic · 07-03-2009, 06:48 PM

you can get a rebuild kit for a 2 speed auto tranny still. i found them. also i have a ford-o-matic service manual on cd.

R62HOPE · 07-31-2009, 06:37 AM

If you still have 13 inch wheels 50 is right near the engine's sweet spot.

The 144 makes peak torque at 2,000ish RPM in stock condition. That's where a car will feel the best at cruise.

With 185/80R13 tires (about 24.6" diameter)

a 3.50:1 axle ratio

at 50 MPH

your cruise RPM will be about: 2,454 RPM, past the peak but strong enough there to maintian that speed.

At 70 you would be turning 3,436 RPM, still coming close to that peak HP number at 4,200 RPM, but well out of the engines comfort zone.

Remember, too, that the 144 and the 170 only have 4 main journals holding that long crank and were never meant to be a high-RPM engine.

chukar · 07-31-2009, 08:48 PM

there were a lot of different rear end ratios listed for falcons, 3.50 is very common, but there are some 3.89's and such. i have seen some listings for 3.00's too. keep in mind that you only have a 2 speed tranny. i am spoiled with a t-5 behind my 170 (NOT a direct bolt in!) and 3.00:1 8"rear axle. more gears and the tall rear ratio makes highway travel very pleasant. a c-4 auto or the srod-4 manual would give you great results, provided you don't mind a little wrenching. i can't recall when the c-4 came along or how easy it would be to swap it. yank probably does know. the srod-4 overdrive manual came in granadas and such. a little modification and a tranny crossmember are needed. use the 3.03 bellhousing and turnthe retainer down a few thousandths. a 1983 4 cyl mustang clutch disc is also needed.

R62HOPE · 08-01-2009, 07:30 AM

I can only find 3.5 and 3.89 as options (3.89 would make cruise RPM even higher) for the 1960.

Switching to a auto or a 4 speed (unless final drive is less than 1:1) won't help cruise RPM.

A five speed eith a .67 or .7 OD would make a nice difference - about 500 RPM.

I have a T19 in my F250 and 4.88 gears, I can't do 50 with the stock configuration. I added a GearVendors overdrive and that speed is now attainable. There are tons of apps - that could be another route!

chukar · 08-01-2009, 12:13 PM

the srod-4 has a 17% overdrive. having the c-4 with that extra gear between low and high would help performance and you can switch to a little newer rearend with taller gears to help with cruise rpm. the ford falcon 6 cyl performance handbook lists some codes and rearend ratios for the first and second gen. years. it refers the stock rear as 7.5" though. they are actually 6.75" ring gear size.