69 Catalina Rescue

[TheSilverBuick]

That's right you replaced the radiator, was it new or re-cored? I'd doubt it'd spring a leak then. And as Milner351 says, there should be a ton of ATF in the anti-freeze considering the pressure and pump volume of the transmission.

Hopefully it's either something simple or at worse a simple TH400 rebuild, which tend to be on the cheaper side of things for a stock'ish trans. Don't forget to price the parts stores as well as trans shops, never know if NAPA or such can sell one cheaper than to get your's rebuilt. It will likely require a torque converter in both cases for warranty purposes. This assumes it has internal trans issues. Have you changed the filter and fluid before? Maybe the filter is plugged?

[mrocketscience]

It's a brand new aluminum replacement. I had the transmission flushed and the filter replaced around the same time I put in the radiator. Hey, it could be a cheap fix, who knows? It's possible I could get lucky!

[TheSilverBuick]

It's sounding cheaper all the time! Check that the vacuum line to the modulator didn't melt on the exhaust or wear against the body or something simple like that, though that usually results in delayed and harsh shifting, but you never know.

[mrocketscience]

All right then, it's time to ditch that cheap fix fantasy /: The trans is full of antifreeze and water. After draining the pan and refilling with fluid plus a little trans repair snake oil, it will drive ok, but it's just a matter of time before we get complete failure. So, it's going in the shop for a rebuild, and paint & body will have to wait a while longer. Bummed.

[TheSilverBuick]

So the radiator must be compromised too :*(

[mrocketscience]

Oddly enough, I still don't see anything in the radiator. I'm just going to plug the inlet and outlet for the trans fluid on the radiator and install a separate trans cooler. I believe I'll do that for the 57 wagon too, as a precautionary measure. Also, I want to plug Remac Transmission, operated by Stock Eliminator racer Leo Glasbrenner. He built the C4 in my Mustang drag car and I've been completely satisfied with his work. If you live near San Dimas, I'd recommend them.

[mrocketscience]

The Cat is back home again, with a fresh TH400 underneath. My wallet is quite a bit lighter, but she runs better than ever. With this car out of service, the Caprice wagon out of service, and my wife needing the Jeep the last week, I was down to using my 57 Ford for commuting to work(70 miles round trip), and it's not suited for commuter service for sure. It runs fine, doesn't heat up in traffic or anything, but driving with 1957 brakes in freeway rush hour is, let's say, not ideal...
Anyhow, since last year when I drug the Catalina home I've invested perhaps a little over $3000 in it to this point. I still intend to get it painted this year, so I'll be into it for $6000. And, hard to believe, we have recieved offers in excess of that just the way it sits right now.
The wife does not want to part with it, though. She is looking forward to driving th Anti-Tour with it.

[Huskinhano]

Look for a set of 65-67 Tbird or Galaxy disc brake set up. These suckers are huge! 12" x 1.25" vented rotors and 4 piston KH calipers. I believe they'll bolt up to your car. They'll haul your car down with no issues. One of the guys on my Mustang forum who road races has a 65 Galaxy wagon that weighs 5,000 pounds. He says they stop this thing with no issues. The down side is that the rotors are not cheap. Do not sell that wagon or I'll hunt you down. I want one too!

[mrocketscience]

Yeah, a disc brake upgrade is in the plan for sure. A couple of places offer kits to get it done, I believe they're based on Granada style brakes. Probably not in the budget this year. No plans to sell the wagon, I dig it! The problem is, with 4 "project" cars, I have to divide up the available funds between them. Blah! Come on, PowerBall....

[Huskinhano]

The Granada is too small. You can find the Tbird stuff in swap meets and fleabay Or you can get the 68 and up which are single piston and 11.75" x 1" I believe.

I hear ya on the cars. Trying to keep two dd's running as well as working on my 66 and 69 Mustangs to get them road worthy. Especially the 69 since we want to sell our houses already in NJ and move to PA full time. The 66 is already in PA. Oh ya, the two house deal is sucking us dry.

[Scott Liggett]

Properly working drum brakes are fine on surface streets, but no fun at all at highway speeds. Single best upgrade I have done on the Impala for road trip driving. That confidence when you hit the brakes and the slows quickly without fading or the car dancing all ovwr the road is without equal.

[Huskinhano]

Until you get discs, maybe drill your brake drums. http://www.tffn.net/drilldrum.html

[yellomalibu]

Until you get discs, maybe drill your brake drums. http://www.tffn.net/drilldrum.html

Interesting. While I can't imagine this guy is/was the first one to have done this, it's the first time I've ever seen it.

I don't know if drilling those holes weakens the drums in a way that encourages cracks between holes he drilled - but if I were to ever try this, I would not put the three holes one rib apart, but rather space them two ribs apart as he initially did.

Also, having turned hundreds of drums in the machine shop, I never turned one that was drilled - I don't know if turning them would be an issue; if the bit would try to bounce when it passed the hole...

[Thumpin455]

The problem is, with 4 "project" cars, I have to divide up the available funds between them. Blah! Come on, PowerBall....

4 projects? You're adorable. Good to hear the Cat is going good, what color are you thinking on it?

[mrocketscience]

Lol! Yes, I am adorable.. at least my wife thinks so. I should clarify, I have 3 project cars and 1 race car. One of the projects, the 48 Anglia, is a looong term project. We're going to paint the Cat 69 Pontiac Crystal Turquoise base/clear.
Interesting about the drilled brake drums, never seen that before. The power drum setup on the Cat works great, the the 57 Ford is a different story. I especially want to get rid of the single pot master cylinder. A disc upgrade will happen eventually.