[78Macho]

Ok, the Efe valve is under control, but I might have incorrectly described the difference between an automatic v 4 speed units. The 4 speed unit does in fact have the vacuum pod behind the exhaust outlet. Sorry for the confusion on my part. We have a correct unit.

The saga of getting the engine closer to being done and ready to install was going pretty well until I dug the tranny out of storage. You know, one step forward and five giant steps back. The original tranny was gone, period. It wasn't hiding in the barn, stuck in some corner forgotten, but gone. I could deal with that because I had the original engine and was able to get the original, born with, rear end back under the car. About a year and a half ago, I went on the search for a correctly date coded BW, Super T10 unit. The search was crazy, and most folks I talked to thought I was even crazier to be searching. Very long story short, I was about two hours too late on a lead on a tranny in the south. Unit was from a one-owner, 45k mile car that had sat outside for too long for the car to be saved. Date code was December, 1978, BINGO, perfect. I nearly died when he told me he had just sold it. He sold it to a man who was going to surprise his son with a complete 4 speed set up for his '73 Formula for his birthday! Quickly, my wheels started turning and I asked the question, could I have his phone number. I called, he answered and I pleaded my case. He could care less about numbers and date codes. I said, if I find you a replacement unit, will you trade me yours for mine? He agreed! Lots of details later, he got a newly rebuilt unit and I got a perfectly date coded tranny for my car. Well, you can guess where this goes, huh? Joe Hand is ready to mate the tranny to the engine and I take the unit over to his house. He emails me a few days later, Jim, this doesn't look good. Said 45K mile unit is a NASTY mess inside, which necessitated a full rebuild ($$$). The clutch and pressure plate that were included in the complete set up were bad as well, of course. While the rebuild is not done and the dollars are continuing to flow out the door, question is, was it a bad choice on my part? Most would say yes, and I understand and would have to agree with them, but, I would do it all over again for the correct unit for this particular restoration. Joe Hand is a saint and I am grateful for his passion and efforts!

Here are a few pictures!

[starlightblack]

Originally Posted by 78Macho

Ok, the Efe valve is under control, but I might have incorrectly described the difference between an automatic v 4 speed units. The 4 speed unit does in fact have the vacuum pod behind the exhaust outlet. Sorry for the confusion on my part. We have a correct unit.

The saga of getting the engine closer to being done and ready to install was going pretty well until I dug the tranny out of storage. You know, one step forward and five giant steps back. The original tranny was gone, period. It wasn't hiding in the barn, stuck in some corner forgotten, but gone. I could deal with that because I had the original engine and was able to get the original, born with, rear end back under the car. About a year and a half ago, I went on the search for a correctly date coded BW, Super T10 unit. The search was crazy, and most folks I talked to thought I was even crazier to be searching. Very long story short, I was about two hours too late on a lead on a tranny in the south. Unit was from a one-owner, 45k mile car that had sat outside for too long for the car to be saved. Date code was December, 1978, BINGO, perfect. I nearly died when he told me he had just sold it. He sold it to a man who was going to surprise his son with a complete 4 speed set up for his '73 Formula for his birthday! Quickly, my wheels started turning and I asked the question, could I have his phone number. I called, he answered and I pleaded my case. He could care less about numbers and date codes. I said, if I find you a replacement unit, will you trade me yours for mine? He agreed! Lots of details later, he got a newly rebuilt unit and I got a perfectly date coded tranny for my car. Well, you can guess where this goes, huh? Joe Hand is ready to mate the tranny to the engine and I take the unit over to his house. He emails me a few days later, Jim, this doesn't look good. Said 45K mile unit is a NASTY mess inside, which necessitated a full rebuild ($$$). The clutch and pressure plate that were included in the complete set up were bad as well, of course. While the rebuild is not done and the dollars are continuing to flow out the door, question is, was it a bad choice on my part? Most would say yes, and I understand and would have to agree with them, but, I would do it all over again for the correct unit for this particular restoration. Joe Hand is a saint and I am grateful for his passion and efforts!

Here are a few pictures!

Your choice to find a correct T-10 was on the mark, good effort. Your belief that a used T-10 would not need a rebuild is where you fell down - they ALL need something inside. Keep going - you're almost there - don't look backwards.

[78Macho]

Well, good news and bad news...

Joe had the car running! That is a huge win, hands down, I am stoked!!!

Unfortunately, the punch list grew much larger.
1. Heater core is shot and leaking like a sieve.
2. Neutral safety switch wires have been cut.
3. Steering column key cylinder is not working properly.
4. Rear brakes are absent.
5. E-brake on vacation with the rear brakes.
6. Oil pressure sending unit is for a warning light and not a gauge.

Nothing on the list that can't be fixed within reason.

Some other good news is that Joe's brother Tom is working on a project to complete my exhaust from the cat back. Details to come.

[78Macho]

I swore after restoring the '78 turbo Macho that I would never buy another project car that wasn't complete. Ask me how that worked out? Not so good. The allure of an Atlantis blue with white and blue appointment mix interior, W72 project made my eyes glaze over and my judgement fail miserably. Five years down the road I have been on many of parts chasing trails. Here are my top four trails that were the needles in the haystack...

1. Center console, manual transmission, non-power windows. I purchased a nice unit for a Camaro several months after purchasing the car. Later I realized the mounting brackets were different and I decided to find a unit for a Firebird. Of course, the Camaro unit sold very quickly. I have been looking for about 3 months and every so often someone says, yes I have one but am saving it for a future project myself. Some even laugh after my inquiry! Max from down under has been on a search to help me. I have a Rayjay turbo charger he wants that I said I would trade him for a console. He can't believe how hard they are to find either. Long story short, he came across one that I am assuming was in a show car and covered in velour material. We are both gambling that the unit under the said material will be nice. Time will tell. Any guesses as to whether it is the golden needle or a nasty turd?

2. Reverse lock out linkage. Again, I looked for several months and nothing. Obviously, everyone has the linkage sitting around for an automatic set up, but nothing for a 4 speed. The one I found turned out way nicer than I could have ever expected. Thanks Don J from IN!

3. Distributor, 1103315. So how many folks have thrown out an OEM distributor for an aftermarket unit for better performance? Evidently more than you can imagine. This took several months of searching before finding one to purchase. Thanks Paul Knippen from IL now TX! No doubt Paul took pity on me for this purchase, and I sincerely appreciate your generosity, sir!

4. Quadrajet carburetor, 17059263. The carb was a challenge for sure but at least folks weren't laughing at me. Legitimate need and who doesn't have an extra carb sitting on the shelf. I actually found several before making a purchase! Thanks Poncho Dave from NY!

The car is far enough along now that I would say the needles are almost all found. Let's see if I eat my words down the road.

I am certainly not an expert, but if someone was to ask about a project '79 W72 car, these are my warnings for parts searches for sure!

[JUDGE3]

confused on the console search. reproductions are very very nice. mine is anyway.

[TAKerry]

Beautiful.