Author Topic: 61 Falcon  (Read 28125 times)

Offline opa1

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61 Falcon
« on: November 13, 2019, 10:18:37 AM »
After selling my FED, I needed something to keep me busy. I bought this a few months ago. I intend to build a street legal ride with a mild SBC. Going to keep it very simple and use what old parts I have in the shop. Some will be period correct and some won't.
I found a 8.5 posi rear with 3.42 gears so I used it. Installed with Competition Engineering slapper bars and fresh shocks. Still lots to do.
Working on front now.

  I'm guessing no one is allowed to post to this thread. Not sure what happened.   :(
« Last Edit: September 14, 2020, 07:29:52 PM by opa1 »

Offline THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER

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Re: 61 Falcon
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2019, 12:23:00 PM »
Nice.
I like Falcons.
Mine '64 Sprint had a 240 ci six. Ran 13s.

Offline opa1

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Re: 61 Falcon
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2019, 12:55:41 PM »
This one would of had a 144 or 170 six in it. I just bought the body. It is light. I'll have to put quite a bit of bracing in the subframe area. If this one runs in the 12's I'll be happy with that. Just wanna have fun.
« Last Edit: November 13, 2019, 12:57:50 PM by opa1 »

Offline Roger

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Re: 61 Falcon
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2019, 01:02:48 PM »

Fun. That's what it's all about!

Offline Paul New

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Re: 61 Falcon
« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2019, 07:52:43 PM »
Cool project I remember as a kid there was a little yellow Falcon that would come to the track with a 4 speed and launch with the front wheels sky high and would go through the traps in the 12’s wasn’t the quickest car but fun to watch

Offline jeff/21

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Re: 61 Falcon
« Reply #5 on: November 14, 2019, 02:18:25 PM »
the idea is to have fun! a friend had a 64/65? square body ran M/SA 289 2 BRL. C4  it was wheels up on launch ran not bad fun to watch
enjoy!

Offline opa1

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Re: 61 Falcon
« Reply #6 on: November 18, 2019, 02:57:36 PM »
Front axle showed up today! I'm still working on the front strut supports. Hope to have a roller again this week.   

Offline opa1

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Re: 61 Falcon
« Reply #7 on: November 19, 2019, 03:36:34 PM »
Front supports are in. Also welded the plates on the bottom of the frame rail for the axle shackle mounts. Got it all square and solid again. Hope to mount axle this Friday.

Offline opa1

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Re: 61 Falcon
« Reply #8 on: November 20, 2019, 02:56:05 PM »
More progress. Shackles are tacked in place. Going to set caster on the axle and weld it all up. Might roll by this weekend. :)

Offline THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER

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Re: 61 Falcon
« Reply #9 on: November 20, 2019, 03:06:35 PM »
How much caster are you dialing in? I ask because I originally put 11 degrees in my Willys and had shimmy problems. It worked better when I used 7 degrees. Also, I added a steering damper (from a Fiero) for insurance.

Offline opa1

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Re: 61 Falcon
« Reply #10 on: November 20, 2019, 08:44:58 PM »
I was told to run between 5-6 degrees. It was also suggested I move the axle forward between 1-2 inches. I increased the WB by 1". I'll most likely put 5 degrees caster and see how it works out. 

Offline THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER

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Re: 61 Falcon
« Reply #11 on: November 21, 2019, 07:54:58 AM »
IMO five will be plenty. The most I could take out of the Heim adjusters put me at seven on my Willys. I had an Econoline axle in my '64 Falcon. It worked well with a similar setup as you are doing.


Offline opa1

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Re: 61 Falcon
« Reply #12 on: November 27, 2019, 11:34:22 AM »
I didn't make the weekend but, it's done now. Rolled it out of the garage. :) Ended up with six degrees of caster and took off two leafs from the springs. Had to order the cross shaft for the steering. Should be able to connect it all up next week. Engine and trans mounts are next on the list.
 

Offline THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER

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Re: 61 Falcon
« Reply #13 on: November 28, 2019, 07:32:14 PM »
Wow - you worked fast. I can tell this isn't your first rodeo.
My builds generally take years to complete.

Offline opa1

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Re: 61 Falcon
« Reply #14 on: December 01, 2019, 01:51:31 PM »
Well I tried the SBC/glide set up this weekend. It's not going to work for me without a lot of firewall/trans tunnel mods. So looks like this will get a SBF/C4. All this will bolt in and 66 Mustang parts work also. Found a 289 and a 74 C4 trans today.