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

[milner351]

driver front window regulator, arm rests, steering column to floor seal, on the way

[milner351]

Found a deal on a pertronix read to run distributor with the mechanical advance up top where it should be. The pile of parts waiting to install keeps growing...

The foundation work is done on the house, which is good to have done and over with - but now I have to rebuild the sub-floor. Safe to say any shred of dragweek money is quite literally now in the ground under the house. priorities... ugh.

[RAIV70Judge]

Safe home is the most important- ... NOW- get back to work on the Falcon

[STINEY]

Ain't foundation work fun? Hopefully THAT is behind you now. Did you find a economical solution to the seawall yet?

[1946Austin]

Know what you're going through with "car funds" going into the house! We're deep into a gutted kitchen, and full remodel! I could build another car faster and cheaper than this kitchen! And it might do a quicker 1/4 mile than the kitchen too!

[Russell]

I am 98% done with the floor project I started a year ago and Jennifer wants to go ahead and remove the carpet and install hardwoods in the Guest Bed room. She also wants a linen closet.... I want to sand on my 98....

[Beagle]

I am 98% done with the floor project I started a year ago and Jennifer wants to go ahead and remove the carpet and install hardwoods in the Guest Bed room. She also wants a linen closet.... I want to sand on my 98....

this will explain why I stay single... you know what women want? MORE.

[milner351]

The house projects will never end - what is elusive is the balance between them, and the other projects.... which also seem to never end.
Stiney-
Nope - the seawall, and the driveway - both $10k+ projects will have to wait at least another year or two. The foundation work is done but I lack the motivation and time to put down the new subfloor, and re-install the hvac ductwork which should probably be insulated before it's installed. For now that room will just get a heavy duty subfloor and that's where we'll put the work out equipment. Still have to decide what to do with the '80 anderson sliding door - I'd like to replace the door with wall and a big sliding window, there's another sliding glass door a few feet away.

I did take 5 minutes to work on the falcon - installed this breaker into the charging system - the green-red wire is the charging wire from the alternator - the red/black is power to the msd, and the large wire in the black sheath is the wire leading to the + battery terminal in the trunk. I suppose to be even more safe - I would put another breaker or maxi fuse on the + wire back at the battery?

[milner351]

OK - back to the offset shackle vs. sliders decision.

I already built a set of offset shackles based on the crites kit pictures - I buil them from tubing with gussets - they are plenty strong - but - I neglected to spec out aluminum or urethane bushings, and over the winter the factory replacement rubber bushings deflected due to cantilever loading - and this made me realize the situation required attention.

It appears the 99 (and surrounding years) Chevy truck uses the same OD spring side bushing as my car = 1-3/8" OD,
prothane 7-805 or
Energy suspension 3.2126G
or similar kit would have bushings I could probably make work (if I can confirm the ID is compatible).

Urethane or aluminum bushings would be a quicker fix than fabricating a different shackle mount, or a mount for the leaf spring sliders.
(picture a short section of frame inside the existing frame with a tube to receive the upper shackle mount, or bolts to mount the sliders)

I THINK camaro sliders could be made to work - they are too wide (falcon leafs are 2") but there's bushings for that, and the spring bushings are too large (1.58, mine are 1.375)
but those could be turned down.

I realize there are advantages to the sliders I'm probably lover looking in this comparison - I know Mr. Fowler has had success with his by doing some cleaning / lubricating to make them survive lots of street miles / drag weeks / etc with his '71 which is way heavier than my falcon.

What say you?

I'm already committed to removing the factory fuel tank (already bought an RCI 30x12x12 fuel cell that fits inside the trunk) to gain more room for tail pipes, fuel system, leaf spring mounts, sway bar, trailer hitch, etc down the road.

I'm looking at a very long to do list for the house, and the car, and trying to prioritize so I can get the car on the road quicker. I'm really hoping to make the meltdown drags since I bailed on DW this year (again)

Any one have a late 90's blazer / truck to confirm your shackle bolt diameter? I'm going to see if I can find a set of those bushings on the shelf, don't want to order them wait for them to show up and then figure out I have to ship them back..... but that's an option.

[68scott385]

Yes but my brain isn't fully engaged yet. Are you talking about the rear spring shackle?

[milner351]

Yes, sorry, rear leaf spring, rear shackle mount to frame.

I moved the springs inboard about 3" per side, the falcon rear frame rails get wider as they go toward the rear.
Stock the leaf springs are bolted to the outside of the frame at the front, and are centered under the frame (typical straight shackles) at the rear.

I move the springs inside the frame at the front, which moved them inside the frame at the rear - creating the need for the offset shackle, etc.

I went ahead and ordered the energy suspension bushings from summit - I'll likely get them tomorrow so I can play with them over the weekend, if they're way off I'll ship them back, less hassle than running around town trying to find a set in stock somewhere.

[68scott385]

This'll take an hour but I can give you some measurements that may or may not help.

The rear spring bushing set I used in my '97 C1500 is 3.2128R

[milner351]

hmmmm - OK - thanks - no need to spend your time - I ordered the bushings from summit - if I can't make them work I'll ship 'em back and come up with another plan.

The camaro sliders from speedway are about $60 a side, they will need machining after that to make them work, plus fabricating the mount.

We'll see if trying to take the easy way out bites me in the tail like it usually does.

[68scott385]

My rear spring bushings are 1.5" +/-.01. Seems like they were a snug fit in the spring eye. It's been three years since the work was done and apparently I tossed the old shackles in my last scrap run. The bolt diameter is .545" but it's a metric bolt, 14mm iirc and the springs are 2.5" wide.

IDK if this is what you were looking for or not, hope it helps.

This is the only vehicle I've ever owned with rear leafs, my last truck had coils in the rear.

[milner351]

I figured the springs were 2.5 or 3" wide - that means I'll have to cut the bushings down - no biggie. Looks like they'll be here from Summit today - one good thing about living in the midwest - from summit (and probably jegs too) order today, get it tomorrow.... at the normal shipping price.

Looks like the falcon has the same bushings in the frame side and spring side - so hopefully with urethane all around - the problem will be solved.