OK.... 429 it is...

[SofaKing]

I just picked up a 66 falcon that i posted here just a few days ago. It still has the 200 in it and i have been trying to decide what engine to put in it and i have decided to go big.. I found a 429 and a c6 with low mileage the other day and the price is right so i am snagging it.

HERE ARE MY PLANS FOR THE WINTER and some questions i have.

-Ok... Let me say this.. I am not going to make this a dedicated race car. the occasionala test and tune here and there ... maybe mess with a few ricers.. what ever..

first thing i know i am going to do is remove the old eng and trans and crate it up.. I would like to hold on to all the stocker stuff just in case i ever sell this someone can change it back if they want.

-i am going to convert the front end to 5 lug and disc's using the Scarebird conversion (any thoughts on this?)

-next i have a line on a couple 3:25 fairlane rear ends (are they the same) width and spring perch width?)

-Going to put a gasket kit in the 429 and check tolerances and stuff, clean it change the timing chain ,oil pump, water pump,change and other wear items.. blah blah blah.. dropping a edelbrock performer manifold and carb on it nothing too crazy..

Ok now here come the questions..

first... do the motor mounts (to the frame ) work or do i need to get the big block fairlane ones?

second...i am assuming the cross member for the c6 is wrong will it fit in the trans tunnel? Is there anyone that put a c6 in their car? if not can i use the c4 if i get it beefed up?

third... what headers should i use?

fourth... will a Fairlane bb Radiator work?

fifth... Will a power steering setup from a 68 mustang work on my car do i need any falcon specific parts to do it?

Sixth... is there any advice or call outs for you guys that i should know about..i am sure there are..

I can be talked out of this so have at it...

thanks all for your help!!

[gearhed1971]

Put the mustang 2 IFS in if you're doing it right- no strut towers.

[yank with ute]

I keep putting it on this board,the 66 up North American Falcon has the same undercarriage as the 66 up Fairlane. Anything that bolts onto a Fairlane bolts onto a Falcon, including the trans cross member.

Why spend money for a conversion kit when you can bolt on Fairlane disc brakes? Using Ford parts means that when you have a breakdown in "Podunk (insert name of state/providence)" it's easier for the parts counter to locate parts in the catalog.

By the way, Hot Rod Magazine did a 428 into late North American Falcon during the late(???) 80's. I don't recall the year or month but it had COMPLETE coverage. I suggest you leave a note on the Hot Rod Magazine site to see if anyone can provide the month/year.

K.I.S.S. is the best way!

[gearhed1971]

You have a good point,understandably,but what front end suspension parts are you going to have to replace in Podunk unless you're driving like Bo Duke? The IFS suspension is a nice upgrade for driveability and handling,not to mention that the front springs will have to be changed for a V8. I also appreciate the fact that like on my 1973 F100,there is PLENTY of room under the hood with no strut towers in the way.Ease of repair/replace is an important factor,sometimes a little extra ,which in the beginning seems to be overkill,greatly works out to future benefit.How many sets of headers is the car going to go through in its life expectancy?I believe the average amount of years for headers is somewhere around 4-5 ,less in some states.

[yank with ute]

And the IFS costs $1200 + to start with plus the cost of instullation...

My home town has hosted several street rod nationals and all the car parts stores have a run on the "small things" during the meet. Front wheel bearings are on the top of the list.

Yes, you can cross reference hard parts such as bearings but auto stores tend to hire young people cheap and few have the understanding of the catalogs and exchangable parts. They demand to know what you are buying the part for and then become fixated on that car, not the fact that you are telling them the part is from another car that you have adapted for your application.

And you don't need to drive like "Bo Duke". The off shore bearings being sold today in the US are NOT quality parts and I am seeing an increase in the number of failures in vehicles only a few years old. Just seeing the number of new cars with a light bulb out (already) is an indication of the problem, seeing a two year old car parked along side the street with a broken ball joint is more then a warning of the future.

K.I.S.S., especially when the car he has has a front end that is a direct interchange with the same era Fairlanes.

[SofaKing]

finding the disc brake spindles is a hard and pricey endeavor. Do you have a source? I agree..that all ford parts would be great...

i have looked at part numbers and from the small amount i have been the springs in my car and the ones for a V8 are the same.. I may be wrong though..

[yank with ute]

Are you trying to tell me with all the Fairlanes, Mustangs, and Cougars Ford sold during that time period there are NO parts to be found from the front end of those cars?

Come to Ohio, we have "junk" everywhere. (Actually we call it "ART") (LOL!)

[SofaKing]

i have been to 3 of the u-pull it yards in Omaha and most of the cars are 80's and 90's cars..

I am going to be in Fremont Ohio next week maybe i can find something there..

[yank with ute]

Nearby is Crestline just outside of Crestline, OH. The salvage yard was almost as large as the city last time I was there. And they don't folow the "smash anything over ten years" concept.

There are some cars dating back into the 20's out in the yard!

[yank with ute]

Funny thing about auto salvage yards. Back when Johnson was president his wife, Lady Bird, was totally behind Federal laws that forced junk yards to erect 8' fences around their property because she considered them an "eyesore".

After Johnson died I found myself in Uncle Sam's boy scouts and stationed in central Texas. Of course I was curious and drove past johnson's birth place and residence. They are located on a road that served no purpose except to get back to his ranch.

Now, get this, on each end of thyis road was an auto salvage yard. NEITHER had any form of solid, view blocking fences. Yet, all the yards between there and the Pan American Highway had the required fences.

Hummm, I have heard many tales of the Johnsons getting what they wanted at the federal and Texas taxpayer's expense over the yeears but why is it the salvage yards in their own back yard didn't comply?

By the way, I recall reading in Rod & Custom Magazine about several huge yards down in Kansas. If nothing else get friendly with a yard on the "network". They can locate parts in other areas and arrange shipping. Drives up the cost but in the long run it is cheaper then adding Mustang II front suspension.

Come to think of it I have yet to hear of that suspension being added to a 66 and up Falcon/Fairlane. Must be a good reason.