1978 Lincoln Continental Coupe

[Maverick]

Ordered the Walbro GSS307 pump and Spectre FG30B sender/fuel pump holder from Amazon. UNFORTUNATELY, an installation kit with sock, plugs, etc, didn't come with it, just the bare pump. Some online listings for that part number included the kit; some didn't. Looked, looked, and looked for a kit for the GS307 but didn't find one. Called Walbro tech support, got a part number for a kit that will work with the GS307, ordered it from Amazon (glad I went PRIME) and could NOT see how the sock was supposed to mount on the pump. No instructions to be found anywhere. Felt really stupid but called tech support guy again and told him I couldn't see how to mount the sock. He explained it just slips on the pump -- they must have sent me the wrong kit. OK, I find that kit pictured on Summit and its EXACTLY like the kit I have. Now I'm REALLY confused and no idea what to do next. That sock won't attach to that pump no matter how I try to manipulate the gadgets in the kit. Do I call WXO and see if he can get me unconfused? Naw, too embarrassing. I HAVE to figure this out.

After another day or two, I remember there was a part number on the envelope in the kit. Out to the garage and ITS THE WRONG FRIGGIN' PART NUMBER ON THE envelope!! But, the parts in it are identical to the Summit picture for the one tech support says will work with the GSS307. Look around for kits for other Walbro pumps and find one on ebay that looks right for $13 shipped. Its on the way. I'm sure its going to fit.

(I'm doing the "Dear Diary" post because I'm stuck on the couch with my foot elevated because I just dropped a tree on my right instep. Don't think its badly damaged but I'm trying to keep the swelling down.)

Anyway, back to the in-tank fuel pump. I'm now thinking a universal sender will get installed in the top of the tank rather than mounting some sender to the same bracket as the fuel pump and some "creative" way to get the wires out of the tank. While putting fuel lines between the top of the tank and the trunk floor would be a problem I think the sender wire will go there without any big issues.

Pictures will be posted with the install is done.

[Maverick]

I posted the in-tank fuel pump install on the Lincoln forum in some detail. Posted it there because it includes a lot of info specific to installation in the '78 Continental. If interested, please have a look.

http://www.thelincolnforum.net/phpbb3/v ... =1&t=48071

When the pump was turned on, the by-pass regulator was only able to bring the pressure at the carb down to 11+ PSI. Problem is in a too small, 1/4", return tube on the Mustang pump bracket and a rubber nozzle on the open end of the tube inside the tank. It really should have a 3/8 line all the way.

With the rubber nozzle removed the pressure came down to 9+ PSI which I think is OK for the QuickFuel carb.

[Fred32v]

Quite an effort.

[wxo]

Just curious. Is the mechanical fuel pump in the circuit?

[Maverick]

Just curious. Is the mechanical fuel pump in the circuit?

No. I had it in to re-prime the electric, outside-the-tank pump but no need for it, or its added pressure, now.

[Maverick]

Been trying to get the Lincoln ready for the Carlisle trip. I won't feel comfortable till it makes a few runs with no new issues.

When the filler tube was reinstalled in the tank, there was some seepage around the grommet. Took a while to find a replacement grommet but fillernecksupply.com (no kidding!) had one. http://www.fillernecksupply.com/1966-19 ... -e1az9072/ It said it was good for Lincolns but none were listed in the applications. Looked right and measurements checked out so I ordered it. Came yesterday and I replaced the leaky one. Used some fuel tolerant Permatex around the outside of the grommet. I'll put fuel in it tomorrow and see if the seepage is stopped.

On the first test run after the in-tank pump install, the transmission shuddered twice. Adjusted the intermediate band and I'm HOPING it will be OK Only had one test run since then and I THINK its OK. Did something unusual once but I hope it was just an early, firm shift. It'll have to behave on a few runs if it wants to go to Carlisle. We don't want to get stranded with a bad transmission.

The header flange gaskets had a razor sharp piece of steel that protrudes about 1/8". While adjusting the band, one took a nibble out of my finger. Should have dealt with that hazard then but wanted to finish up. Then it put a 2" gash in the back of my hand. Knew I was headed for ER when I saw white stuff in the 1/4" wide gash. Got 10 stitches in the gash in 2 in the nibble. Stitches are due to come out while we're in Carlisle so I'm sending a youtube link to WXO and packing some small, pointy scissors. Took care of those header flange gasket hazards.

On the test run yesterday, luckily it was raining. Put the wipers on and there was an AWFUL smear on the windshield and a ridiculous chatter of the new wiper blades. Night time in the rain would be white knuckle for sure. Cleaned the windshield with lacquer thinner, then brake cleaner, then Goo-be-gone, then Rain-X washer fluid. Rain-X on the blades. Still has something on it but its much better. Ordered another pair of blades from Amazon which should be here Monday.

Tomorrow is the filler tube test and another test run. I'm hoping for no new issues.

[Basement Paul]

We would LOVE to see the Lincoln there! Good luck.

-BP

[Maverick]

We would LOVE to see the Lincoln there! Good luck.

-BP

We really want to bring it but ONLY if its going to get us there and back. Today, the trans shifted OK and no leakage from the new grommet on the fuel filler tube. Engine runs great. New wiper blades arriving Monday from Amazon (love Prime!). I'll take it for a little Interstate run tomorrow and see how that goes.

[Maverick]

Took the Lincoln out intending to do a "shake out" run for 30-40 miles on the Interstate. Aborted that plan when the out-of-round tires (balance and re-balance failed to cure it) shook me out of the plan to drive it to Carlisle. The 1-2 shift is also kinda shaky under light throttle. Chattered once and shifted hard another time. We'll bring WXO's TB SS.

I probably should drop the trans pan and see what's accumulated since installation with the stroker.

[Fred32v]

Nuts, seems never to be enough time, I'm sure you'll keep after it. Next year for sure.

[Maverick]

I'm thinking the occasional, faulty 1-2 shifts under light throttle might be from insufficient pressure. Typical (I think) of C4/C6 transmission, it shifts really early under light throttle, like 1-2 in 10 feet. Also wondering if the performance valve body, with larger orifices for more and faster fluid flow, might be causing reduced pressure at low RPMs.

Think I'll look for a 300 PSI oil pressure gauge and check it out. Ford shop manual says nothing about correct pressure but this was on the Ford truck forum.

The pressure port is right in front of the shift linkage on the left side of tranny. The pressures I found were in a haynes manual. My Ford manual I couldn't find any pressures listed.
Nuetral---engine idling--brakes applied---normal oil pressure 50-80 psi
Drive, 2 or 1---engine idling---brakes applied---normal oil pressure 50-95 psi
Reverse---engine idling---brakes applied---normal oil pressure 60-150 psi

If pressure is low on idle and just off idle but good at higher RPMs, maybe adjusting the vacuum modulator for later shifts at higher RPM will give it more pressure for the shift?

If major work is required on this transmission, I'll have to think about OD again. Would be GREAT to have OD, lock up converter, and 3.5-3.7 rear end ratio. There are 5 different paths to OD, ALL very expensive. Gotta get all this settled before a rear end ratio is chosen. SO many variables ...

[Maverick]

Since it looks like the C6 is going to need work at some point, I'm thinking about different options for an overrive. Just going to make some notes here in the project file.

GearVendors OD unit looks like an great choice except its horribly expensive. But, I'll at least look into it. Issues are:

. 17" tail housing. The Lincoln has a 17" tail housing and the GV unit only works with/replaces the common 14" housing. So, if/when the time comes for tranny work, going the GV route would mean a replacement transmission with 14" housing. Not a big issue if/when major transmission work is needed.

. Drive shaft length. The GV unit is 27.25" long compared to the 17" original tail housing. So, the original 64" driveshaft would be too long. Its also a massive 4" steel shaft with big honking double U-joints on each end. Would either need a new (aluminum?) driveshaft or get the current driveshaft shortened. I suspect the double U-joints were needed because the shaft is so long and heavy. Shorter sounds better.

. Cross member/transmission mount. The 17" Lincoln tail housing has two mounts, one on either side. The common 14" housing and the GV unit use a more conventional single mount under the tail housing. Fortunately, the cross member has a flat area 5"-6" front to back for the trans mount and rests on flat brackets on the frame rails. I expect a common (Mustang, truck?) C6 trans mount will work with that cross member with little mods, maybe just some holes drilled.

. Speedometer. The GV unit has a port for the cable so I expect that's not an problem.

. Lock up torque converter? I've been thinking that I'd REALLY like a lock up TC but the only way to get one is to put a GM trans in. REALLY don't want to deal with all those issues and it would be very expensive too. GV tech guy says that a lockup TC is not needed. Says a custom TC built for 500+ HP and 3000 or less stall would have very little slippage. TC would be tight because of the high HP. Hope he's right.

. Fit in the tunnel? Don't think it'll be a big issue. The tunnel doesn't neck down completely till it's past the front double U-joint. GV web site says no mods to the tunnel are needed on big cars or trucks. Claim the only mods for small cars is 1/2" dimples.

Looks like a good solution. Now I just need to win the lottery.

[Maverick]

If you use header gaskets with a metal layer, pound down the edges of the metal. Or, you also could have one of these.



Stitches come out tomorrow. Ex-nurse wife says she's not trained in removal but how hard can it be?

[wxo]

I have a pair of needle nose and my pen knife. I could come over.

[Basement Paul]

Just in time for Halloween! It looks so real...

-BP