62 Falcon - $5k challenge, how will it rise from the ranger's ashes?

[STINEY]

Holy sweet turn of project directions! That is some absolutely delicious patina, dents and all.

I wouldn't change a thing (except seats and removal of dirt) until I had about 10,000 miles under the new powerplant, and looking for something else to do to it. Use that future motivation for dent removal.

I just gotta ask one thing.......

How does it smell? Looks like something was using the top of the backseat as a lookout perch? Hope sitting in the seat and making engine noises doesn't make you

Awesome project.

[milner351]

Stiney - that thought has crossed my mind - the blue paint was literally coming off in the car wash - I was hoping more of it would come off because I would much prefer the original faded / dented paint under neath it to the grind and brush job some one did... the grinder marks are painfully obvious - and I can't figure out why someone ground on it in the first place.

The back seat has a small animal skull in it - not sure if it's from a racoon or a possum or where the rest of the skeleton is - but - it will be leaving shortly after a pic for the thread.

The trunk still has the spare, jack, matt, etc, and a cool old bag (looks like a bowling bag maybe) full of spare parts.

No keys - so I will have to get a key set for it, the trunk lock is all busted out, the door locks look fine and still have the swing away deals on them covering the key holes.

The smell is..... well..... that old car moldy musty smell mixed with a bit of mouse pee smell. It's not horrid, but I did leave the windows down to let it air out in the shop. The shop vac will be going to work soon to "defunk" the interior and trunk. I'm very glad Matt and I took the time and braved the 40's temps to power wash it before getting it off the trailer, it looks much better now.

[STINEY]

Ah then, you'll have to troubles with the smell then. It will practically remove itself, and the old car smell that remains will be nostalgic.

Use the skull for a rearview mirror ornament? Hood ornament? Lol!

Follow this link for some excellent hints at removing crappy repaints to get down to the original stuff. Its a fascinating read if nothing else..... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/vie...affiti+remover

I've tried most of the approaches with good results myself, just for grins and to satisfy my curiousity. I don't think you can get there with just a Comet-Wash.....though perhaps a simple good pressure wash will turn the trick in this case, since the carwash was so effective?

[milner351]

I will check that out (I still have to post the 14" vw caps for sale over there)

The more of the shabily applied blue paint that came off, the more I liked the original paint under it.... I'm not a green car guy usually - but the light blue/green paint color is actually pretty nice. I think there are lots of sins under the blue in a lot of places.... the grinder marks have me scratching my head.

I've listed the inline 6 power train on craigslist - we'll see if I get any interest. I'm going to try to get it running just for fun.

[milner351]

New fuel tank and sender $107 plus $25 ship

New stock replacement rear springs (2" wide - nothing I have will fit) Auto parts warehouse - free shipping $175

[STINEY]

You probably already have this info, but I thought at the least it would be a nice addition to this thread. This fellow has dimensions for Subframe Connectors SFC that would fit the Falcon if I'm not mistaken. Also his home page has a ton of neat DIY stuff for the Falcon/Mustang platform.

http://dazed.home.bresnan.net/sub-frame.html

[Teddyzee]

Awesome!

And that dazedcars site in common among the Ranger folk... For clutch slave ideas.

I'd like to see the wheelwells kept, if possible.

[VTJUNK]

As for tire size, the largest I have put into a stock wheel well is a 235-60-14, although a 245-60-14 was tried and would have fit with the lips rolled or clearanced. 26x8x14 slicks will fit fine and should give you all the bite you need at the track. If you are narrowing your rearend you may have the opportunity to have a larger tire by splitting the wheel tub and moving it slightly inwards towards the frame rail. Check it out and you will see what I mean.

[VTJUNK]

Check your ball joints and see if they are the small three bolt style or the larger Granada spindle compatible 4 bolt units. I would leave the steering alone, converting to V8 components is unnecessary and expensive. The tie rods just need those bushings I spoke of.
Last one I converted I did all, suspension, tie rods, springs, shocks, and the disc brake conversion for around $500. Far cheaper than a Mustang II setup and alot less work too. You can have it all done in a weekend.

[milner351]

Thanks VT!

The existing upper control arms are the dinky ones - 3 bolt - I've found some 4 bolt upper armes complete new for around $65 each.

The door tag is intact, there doesn't appear to be a VIN tag at the base of the windshield.

According to the door tag it's a 61 model year produced 18 January of 62.
2 door sedan
ming green, turquoise interior
144 inline 6
2 speed fordomatic trans

all that info seems to ring true with the car - so I guess it's a 61 that someone put a 62 grill on at some point along it's 50 year old life.

Had a craigslist guy offer $100 for the engine and trans, doesn't that seem more like scrap value? The tag is still on the carburetor...

[VTJUNK]

Looks like a '62 to me. Does the VIN begin with a 2? Check the door tag against the number under the hood. It will be stamped on the driver's side inner fender support to the firewall. They would have had to change the fenders along with the grille and bezels as the 60-61 fenders and hood are different from 62-63, that's a '62-63 hood, and the side trim is '62 only. The interior looks like a mix of different years. Front seat out of a '63? Yeah, I know way too much about this stuff lol.

Also, 62 was the first year for the Thunderbird roof as they called it, with the flat back glass, but you could still get the bubble rear window. I'm glad yours is the buble rear style, it's more attractive.

That $100 may be a fair offer for the engine and trans as is. Running units are as low as 250 around here. I just picked up a solid '64 Falcon 2 door post with a narrowed 9" rear that is all rebuilt, 2 extra posi centers, and a SB C-6 for $330. I also bought a 347 that's complete with Trick Flow heads for cheap, maybe that will find it's way in there.

[milner351]

YES - the VIN starts with a 2 - that indicates 62 does it not?

I like the way the front seats fold in at an angle - maybe I'll reconsider more modern buckets. I have a line on a full interior out of a 96 cougar in good shape for $175 - but I'm not sure how it would fit / look yet. Interior kits are not getting any cheaper - if I want to restore it all to as original - I'm looking at $1500 minimum.

Good Lord VT - do you give seminars on buying antique auto parts? I thought I was doing pretty well! You make me look like a school girl.

I may take the $100 eventually - but since it's the first offer and I don't even have pictures up on the CL ad yet - I'll wait.
I want to get it running just for fun - at least get compression readings to help a buyer know condition before the sale.
Time will tell.

I'm working on the front end of my wife's car to make sure all that work is done in plenty of time before she gets home and needs the car. Upper and lower ball joints, and ready - struts in a 200k mile car. Yes - there was swearing, hammering, air hammering, more hammering, rental of a balljoint press, and I only got one side partially done. I did resist breaking out the blue tip wrench and burning the car to the ground. ;-)

[VTJUNK]

LOL, yeah I get my aggravation at work. Finishing a 59 MGA right now, then it's on to a Jag XKE but it's worth it in the end. This is a '49 MG TC we completed recently.

[milner351]

I'm not worthy - that car looks amazing. You lead a blessed life my friend.

[STINEY]

THAT......is no possum.

Doesn't really look like a racoon either. Not from this angle anyways. I hate to say it, but I'm going with dog (eek! Now all I can think of is the movie "Blood of Heroes", go dogboy, go!)



Wills' Nova has the same angled folding front seats. Darned things....the drivers side, when flipped forwards, is placed in exactly the right spot to hit the horn button. Everytime the boys would climb in or out, they would lean on the seat back and give the rather loud horn a good long one. I curse GM for that little engineeering oops! Hopefully the Falcon doesn't suffer a similar flaw.