Back, again, and have some progress reports to make. Just got a Cummins for my '54 big Job. Tried parting ways with it, but even at a really low $5700, no one bought it. It's here to stay, now. Picked up a '63 Falcon 2dr Sedan, and I also now have a '63 Falcon Sprint. The donor truck that the Cummins came in, is a 4x4 automatic, so i will be sending the trans. to a shop we use to have it converted to 2wd, and built up to handle the weight of the Big Job. Dang it, now I can't say it's all Ford anymore. Oh well, it's cheaper to have the Dodge auto built up then it is to buy a new heavy duty manual and all the parts to go behind the Cummins. As soon as the weather lets up, I'll start on the Big Job again. Until then, I'm busy on a pair of '63 Ford Falcons.

 

Welcome back! That sounds like a fun project you have going. Regarding your 'all-Ford-ness', it's my understanding that Ford has some interest in Cummins (not sure how much, or if they still do). And is the trans actually built by Chrysler? or outsoursed like so many other things, these days? If it's outsoursed, then it's not really a Dodge tranny, is it. ;-)

 

Yeah, it'll be a Chrysler 727 transmission, but the inards will primarily be aftermarket. As for the Cummins, yeah, Ford has in the past, and still uses Cummins, and Cat motors in their bigger trucks.

 

I was just outside looking it over, and I am concidering shortening it to a single axle truck. It would still be just as cool, as a single axle, and it would be cheaper when it comes to replacing the tires. I think a single axle would also be a little bit easier on the pick up sized power plant. Back to the drwing board, and will give some updates in the near future.

 

Ford once used Cummins engines, but Ford never owned or had any financial interest in Cummins.

 

As far as I knew, they never had any financial interest. I know they used Cummins engines, and I see that it is still an option in the commercial trucks (or was until last year). The Caterpillar was, and is (at least until last year) available as well. The Detroit were also used, and of course Internationals, and I have seen some White diesel engines factory in ford trucks, earlier ones of course. Then again, most auto manufacturers don't produce their own diesels anyhow, so it really makes no difference there. Chevy is an Isuzu, Dodge has (for now) Cummins, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freighliner, etc., etc. all use(d) other brands for their diesel power plants.

 

In 1979, "cornbinder" (IHC) was nearly bankrupt. Ford bailed them out by providing up front money and signed a contract to have them build diesel engines for light trucks (F250/350's) and Econolines.

IHC became known as Navistar. The 6.9L diesel was introduced in 1983.

Ford sold off their medium and large truck business about ten years ago. These trucks became Sterlings.

I'm not sure, but I think Sterling is owned by Daimler AG (formerly Daimler/Chrysler, formerly Daimler-Benz) who (I think) also owns Freightliner.

Ford recently re-introduced some medium duty trucks. But...what engines they are using, I dunno.

 

The F-650, and F-750 Ford runs are equipped with Power-Strokes, a Cummins, or an ambulance package Caterpillar. The Aeromax, and Louisvilles are the ones you are referring to about becoming Sterling. According to an area Ford Commercial facility, Sterling is still associated with Ford, at least to an extent, as they have many same part numbers, and most Ford dealers are able to get Sterling parts (at least in my recent inquiries that is what I have found).

 

Having owned and raced many Falcons (and Comets), I favor the 64-65's but keeping them alive is a noble endeavor.

I do have improper and lustful leanings toward building a straight-axled 60 Falcon Gasser to run at our local 1/8th mile track

 

Here's a Falcon story for y'all. In 1962, Iacocca came up with the idea of offering a vinyl top for Falcon Futura's.

When MacNamera saw it, he said it made about as much sense as putting falsies on grandma.