Used to fly a converted -231 into a freighter. Had -219s on the sides and a -17 in the center. Ferrying with 2,000lbs ballast for CG purposes with 20,000lbs of gas the only direction on is going is skyward with IVSI pegged. Controllers used to ask "You guys really a 727?"
Now for the old autopilot with dual channel. I used to engage the aileron portion and hand fly the pitch rather than using the speed/Mach mode on the pitch as too much porpoising resulted. Probably because of CG shifts do to Pax and galley cart movements. On the old -7 powered lead sleds at heavier weights and warm OATs, one may have to descend to regain climb speed.