Fordnatics List Archive

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: "S. Leberman" <(email redacted)>


Re: Hot Rod Falcons,
Good project and relativly easy. Chucks right about the factory doing
Falcon Sprints,(and Mercury Comets) I think you could order the 8 in any
Falcon but it wasn't common. I might be wrong on that.( The editor of
HOT ROD had a hot 260 Falcon wagon with Shelby-ised suspension in the
early 60's)
Anyway if the factory did it the parts must be available. In Australia
there are several excellent mount kits that are easily reproduced in
plate ( 2 small triangle plates on each side of the engine bay with 2
bolts to the suspension towers and one for the engine mount, about 3"x3"
if I remember right) It is important to have a crossmember under the
engine as the whole suspension can spread..... a Mustang/Cougar one
will do here, the bolt holes might even be present.
The engine only weighs 60lb or so more than the 6 so springs are not a
big deal(good idea to use heavier springs and shocks)
The front suspension can be replaced completly with
Mustang/Torino/Cougar etc parts so disc brakes and heavier components in
the steering can be installed easily. Thats top and bottom arms,
spindles, tie rod ends. You might have to juggle with different sizes
though to match up.Gives 5-bolt wheels too
In back the 4-bolt rear is a little fragile and narrow with small brakes
9"and 8" can be persuaded to go in, but I'd look at Mustang/Maverick
rears for ideas.
In an old Hot Rod swap book there was one with a 351 C with good shots
of mounts and front end etc.
Cliff is only partly right about Aus. Falcons. They were released in
Aus.in 1960 but initially were too fragile for local conditions which
gave a bad name and took till the middle 60's to redress. The
suspensions were upgraded and the whole line while looking similar to US
developed an Aus. flavour until the 79 model year when the appearance
changed completly.
So the early ones are the same as US ( essentially) but as in the US
they changed to the Falcon/ Mustang/Cougar/Torino floorpan.
Cheers

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: "S. Leberman" <(email redacted)>


Re: Hot Rod Falcons,
Good project and relativly easy. Chucks right about the factory doing
Falcon Sprints,(and Mercury Comets) I think you could order the 8 in any
Falcon but it wasn't common. I might be wrong on that.( The editor of
HOT ROD had a hot 260 Falcon wagon with Shelby-ised suspension in the
early 60's)
Anyway if the factory did it the parts must be available. In Australia
there are several excellent mount kits that are easily reproduced in
plate ( 2 small triangle plates on each side of the engine bay with 2
bolts to the suspension towers and one for the engine mount, about 3"x3"
if I remember right) It is important to have a crossmember under the
engine as the whole suspension can spread..... a Mustang/Cougar one
will do here, the bolt holes might even be present.
The engine only weighs 60lb or so more than the 6 so springs are not a
big deal(good idea to use heavier springs and shocks)
The front suspension can be replaced completly with
Mustang/Torino/Cougar etc parts so disc brakes and heavier components in
the steering can be installed easily. Thats top and bottom arms,
spindles, tie rod ends. You might have to juggle with different sizes
though to match up.Gives 5-bolt wheels too
In back the 4-bolt rear is a little fragile and narrow with small brakes
9"and 8" can be persuaded to go in, but I'd look at Mustang/Maverick
rears for ideas.
In an old Hot Rod swap book there was one with a 351 C with good shots
of mounts and front end etc.
Cliff is only partly right about Aus. Falcons. They were released in
Aus.in 1960 but initially were too fragile for local conditions which
gave a bad name and took till the middle 60's to redress. The
suspensions were upgraded and the whole line while looking similar to US
developed an Aus. flavour until the 79 model year when the appearance
changed completly.
So the early ones are the same as US ( essentially) but as in the US
they changed to the Falcon/ Mustang/Cougar/Torino floorpan.
Cheers