Fiction or Fact ?

scicala

scicala

Well-known member
Can anyone say if Ford ever built an early Falcon with the 144 six cylinder engine and an automatic transmission ? I saw one advertised, but they said the engine was replaced and the air cleaner had a "144" sticker on it.


I always heard they didn't build this combination, because with the auto trans, it didn't have enough power to make it up the car hauler ramps without a running start at the assembly plant.


Sal
 
Here's a link to the Options page of a '60 Falcon brochure. It shows the 144 engine, and an automatic was optional.
It's also shown on the following Specifications page.
The text may have been written before actual production or release of the car,
it has a printing date of 8-59
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1960_Ford/1960%20Ford%20Falcon%20Brochure/image6.html

This Spec's page of a '60 Falcon Booklet (print date 2-60) also shows the 144 engine and optional automatic.
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1960_Ford/1960 Ford Falcon Booklet/image7.html

1960 Ford brochure index...
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1960_Ford/dirindex.html

.
 
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Yes, the 144 was the forerunner of the 170/200.


The AT was a F/M/2 aluminum case actual two speed.
 
It came with a 3.56 rear end so they should have been able to drive it up a ramp, worst case in reverse.
 
My parents had a '64 Falcon wagon. The bought it sometime in early '66. I think from Ralph Williams Ford dealership, in Encino, Ca. It had an automatic , and I am pretty sure it was the 144. I drove it a few times. was a pretty gutless car, but it was what the family needed and could afford. mom, dad, and 5 kids and at least one dog.
 
Thanks all for the info everyone. What I heard years ago must have just been a tall tale or exaggeration from a story teller. Don't think I would ever want something that enemic though.


Sal
 
Stumbled across this and couldnt resist.


Just for you Sal !
 

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Here is the Specification Page from the original sales Brochure for the 1960 Ford Falcon. You can see that the 144 Six was offered with the optional Fordomatic 2 speed automatic transmission.
 
The 2-speed aluminum case F/M came in in 1959 and was used in light duty applications in that year. It replaced the last of the old 3-speed single range small case FOM transmissions. The first 1960 Falcon and Comet cars would have had it as an option with the 144 6-cylinder.

The 144 CID 6-cylinder was all that was offered in 1960 for the Falcon & Comet cars. The 170 came along in 1961 but the 144 hung in there for a few more years. My Pop purchased a new 144 Comet in 1960 and he traded it off in 1962 for a Meteor with the 260 V8. The 144 was such a dog that he just couldn't take it any more.
 
rotorwrench said:
The 2-speed aluminum case F/M came in in 1959 and was used in light duty applications in that year. It replaced the last of the old 3-speed single range small case FOM transmissions. The first 1960 Falcon and Comet cars would have had it as an option with the 144 6-cylinder.

The 144 CID 6-cylinder was all that was offered in 1960 for the Falcon & Comet cars. The 170 came along in 1961 but the 144 hung in there for a few more years. My Pop purchased a new 144 Comet in 1960 and he traded it off in 1962 for a Meteor with the 260 V8. The 144 was such a dog that he just couldn't take it any more.
Click to expand...





Thanks Rotorwrench,


I never realized the 170" six wasn't available for the first year Falcons. So all '60 Falcons were pretty much dogs whether they has a manual or auto trans.


Sal
 
I guess I was wrong thinking the old mans Falcon wagon had the 144. It must have been the 177, it was still pretty gutless. It has been a long time since those days, and my memory is not that good. I can still picture the car and the eng.. The family took a lot of long trips in that wagon. It always got us there and back.
 
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