Thread: Putting Falcon on Ramps, what a job...

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Today I got ready to put my falcon up on the ramps, so I'd have room to drop the oil pan, and change the oil pump. figured, a tow chain and the lawn mower ( 16 hp hydrostatic Craftsman ) would do nicely. it wouldn't tow it up the ramps, just spun. so, my brother was up, he tried his little KIA sephia, w/ the front tow hooks, he couldn't do it, manual trans, motor didn't have it, and riding clutch didn't cut it. so being I'm the guy that will use what I have. I filled the Soda bottle gas tank ( 2 liter ) full on the '51 Chevy, knowing it had a good solid spot to put the tow chain. fired it up, and backed it out of the garage, and up to the front of the Ford. hooked on, and it ALMOST had it, but the tires broke loose on the lawn. forgot that I had winter traction cleets, for traction in winter, when u get stuck ( the fold out 1's ) so I got them, and stuck them under the tires. after that, it had lots of traction, but not enough go power, the old powerglide just couldn't pull it up the ramps from a dead stop, torque converter just wouldn't let it.. I'm shure if I backed the Ford away from the ramps a bit, then towed it with a little running start, it would have, but I was hesitant to do that, brakes are not great on the Falcon, got a little air from sitting. that is what my grandfather did tho, he brought his mini van up that has a tow hitch, and used just a slight running start moving, by moving the ramps forward just a little. so I gotta pull the pan tomorrow

You missed a perfect opportunity to take some video of that. It would have been interesting to see.

Next time grab a couple of 2X6 planks, lay them on the ramps, and make a longer, gentler slope that you can pull up on easier. just position the planks so that the tires will rest on the ramps, not jamming the planks under them. If that is clear? Bevel the ends of the planks so they make a smooth transition.

Yea. I should have gotten a vid or some pics. I didn't have any sturdy planks laying around, otherwise, I would have gone that route.

I don't know how high your ramps are, but if they are the usual ramps of about 6-8 inches, I just jack up the car and put the ramps under the wheels.

there like 10" high, there old. would have jacked it up like that but, I don't have a regular jack that will jack that high, and the bumper is removed so, can't use the bumper jack

put a 4x4 block on top of the jack. thats what I do.

hmmmmm. Maybe buy a floor jack and some good tall jackstands instead of investing the money in another project???? I remember you saying something about an S-10..... I'll take having the right tools and equipment over another project any day!!!!!

Nah, buy lotsa projects and invest in a couple of 4 x 4's to prop them up. Being safe under a car is highly overated IMO.


Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Nah, buy lotsa projects and invest in a couple of 4 x 4's to prop them up. Being safe under a car is highly overated IMO.


Don

There ya go Don!!!!! That picture sure sez it all, doesn't it!!!!!!!!!!!!????

Originally Posted by Road Agent

I would have dug a hole in the ground and moved the car over it then, less chance that it will fall on ya Matt! Should only take ya an hour to change it anyway!!
WHY didn't you put a new pump in when ya rebuilt the engine?? OR don't you have any pressure cause the clearances are to big or there is crap in the lines?

Well, I did replace the pump with a new Melling when I rebuilt the engine, but to rule out the oil pump as the culprit, I re replaced it with another new Melling, good gaskets ect...

however I got it back togther, primed the oil pump, and I still get just 5 psi. so, it must be the clearences on 1 of the bearings they were between .002 and .0015 rod and mains. I checked them when I built the motor, it's kinda weird, but maby I got a defective bearing, that now has excessive clearence. as there are no oil galley plugs that wouldn't cause a massive external leak, only 1 is at the back of the engine, it would spray all over the flywheel if it was out, and I would see it on the ground

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

hmmmmm. Maybe buy a floor jack and some good tall jackstands instead of investing the money in another project???? I remember you saying something about an S-10..... I'll take having the right tools and equipment over another project any day!!!!!

I have good jack stands, they extend 12" I think. Floor jack is the only good thing I lack. I have a 1 1/4 ton floor jack, dosn't go high enough.

Anyways, with this car still a waise off from being drivable, the S10 project is even farther off now. course, that S10, could also be a Ford Ranger, Dodge D 50 ect...

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Nah, buy lotsa projects and invest in a couple of 4 x 4's to prop them up. Being safe under a car is highly overated IMO.


Don

You mean, I shouldn't have lifted my car that way?



Just kidding