1961 Falcon 2 Door front/rear swap

[dwpsharky]

I have a '61 2 door that I am putting in a 270 hp 289. It currently has the 6 cyl, 2 speed transmission. I want to swap out the rear end with a 9 inch axel. I also want to swap out the front to disk brakes, 5 lug all around. My question is, I found a 70 something Maverick will it swap front/rear with the 61 Falcon? Also what transmission will fit without a bunch of retrofitting or a big hammer. I have heard the C-4 is a good fit. Any input is greatly appreciated. This is my first project car so I am learning as I go.

[Falconstein]

Originally Posted by dwpsharky

I have a '61 2 door that I am putting in a 270 hp 289. It currently has the 6 cyl, 2 speed transmission. I want to swap out the rear end with a 9 inch axel. I also want to swap out the front to disk brakes, 5 lug all around. My question is, I found a 70 something Maverick will it swap front/rear with the 61 Falcon? Also what transmission will fit without a bunch of retrofitting or a big hammer. I have heard the C-4 is a good fit. Any input is greatly appreciated. This is my first project car so I am learning as I go.

The 289 with a C4 trans will go right in without a big hammer. As for the rear end a 74 Maverick will bolt right in. As for the front end you can either go Mustang II or use a 65 V8 Mustang front suspension which is a exact fit except for the center link iand you can get it from a 65 Falcon.

[yank with ute]

The Granada/Falcon swap is very much the same for the earlier Falcons. You will have to slightly enlarge the opening at the front of the trans tunnel as the later C-4 had a larger bellhousing.

You will need to swap the upper control arm for a 63- 65 Falcon or Mustang V-8 (through 66). If you switch to a later lower control arm you will need a later locating bar as the mounting holes are spaced wider then the early bird's.

Might as well replace the steering box as the early cars had a billion to one ratio, quite a handful with a V-8.

Trans mount, if you have an auto now either switch to a stick trans mount with a new spring the length need for your application, or copy the Castlemaine drop out crossmember I mention elsewhere (easy to make if you can fabricate!)

Rear axle from the Maverick will fit BUT the early Falcon uses narrower width springs so you need to add some sort of spacer on each side of the spring pack to keep the spring centered under the axle mounting pad.

Mavericks have staggered rear shocks, the mentioned Garanada conversion offers one solution so you don't need to remount the top of the shock on the Falcon (but Falcons NEED staggered shocks to control the rear spring windup).

You will need to either go with a floor shift for the C-4 or find the proper PRNDD2L shifter housing from a 65 up Ford product and use it to replace the one on your car (add the better built 62 up turn signal housing too, slight re-wiring needed)

Etc. See the above mentioned artice, he's doing a good job and unlike me willing to get his camera dirty! LOL!