Projects '61 Falcon Street/Strip Gasser Build

I'll let you know how they ride - late next year if I can get it finished!

 

That looks closer than a year away to me

 

The schedule is purely budget-driven

 

I just read through the whole thread, nice work and outstanding results. It’s really taking shape, I can’t wait to see the engine go in and see it driving.
Makes me miss my ‘60 Falcon.

 

Thanks! I hope to get the engine to the machine shop in the next month or so. I still need a few short block parts.

 

Continuing the aircraft theme with some dimpled seat risers in .090 aluminum.
I'll fasten the seat with quick release pins for access the rear seat area.

 

just found your build, great stuff! Definitely an inspiration to get to work on mine. How far back did you move your firewall?

Thanks,
Rick

 

Thanks! I moved the firewall back about 8". It's 6" from the axle to #1 spark pug so that the block is completely behind the axle.

 

That's really close give or take where my 414inch small block mopar is located and ive been stumped trying to figure out how to do a firewall and throttle pedal when the exhaust port is 8" closer to me than my foot- i dont see room for a header tube unless i remove the toe boards as well. i've lately given up on that setback and been thinking of moving the mill back up to the engine bay and putting a firewall back in (and for the first time being envious of ford front mounted distributors). I'm no tin bender or experienced fabricator. I like your ladder frame additions-I slid 2x3" box section into the front subframes, and think i might add some more ladders to the rockers like you did.

Thanks!
-Rick

 

Gen

Generic advice: put the engine where you want it, remove the firewall and toeboard if you must, move the seat and steering back if needed and fill in sheet metal from there. The sheet metal is the easy part. Sketch it up on paper before you cut!

 

Things are about to get real. I dropped off the valve covers and timing cover to the machine shop for vapor honing. I talked to them about short block machine work while I was there. I should drop it off soon.

I threw together a cradle for transport. I needed something other than an engine stand to index the bellhousing anyway.

 

Dad rough-lettered the hood scoop. Black border will sharpen it up. I'll get him over here to letter the rest when the weather warms.

 

Going to do the stroker thing?

 

Nah, I'm just doing a .040" over 460. It will be enough to break parts.

 

That awesome…hope to see it moving under its own power by summer haha

 

I hope so! I've been selling a lot of old parts lying around to generate some funds.

 

We did a 460 with a stroker kit for a '72 Torino stock car.... I think it was a 496 when it was done. Much more than being able to break parts. Even the milder 429 was a stump puller with 10:1 compression and a mild "cheater" cam. That is the whole beauty of the 429/460 platform.

 

Oh yes. No replacement for displacement!

 

The stroker was a PAW kit, we had a sponsor spring for it somehow. We outfit the garage like an operating tent, no joke. My partner had sheets tacked up on the ceiling and all around the****embly area. We HAD to wear clean clothes.

It lasted about 4 races and then it blew... people still talk about it that were there. My brother was running my Nova right behind him and emerged out of the blue oil cloud. He wound up 3rd or 4th.

 

I dropped off the block at the machine shop. They do top-notch work decking, boring and line honing with CNC equipment. They have state-of-the-art balancing equipment but for some reason, they don't turn cranks.

This crank looks to be in decent shape but it did have 20+ years of surface rust. I gave it the old sandpaper and shoelace treatment.

 

Those old cast 460 cranks are good for 750-800 hp before you need to start thinking about 4-bolt mains.
Cleaned up quite nice, a polish and you might be good to go.

 

What the heck is vapor honing? Why would you do it to valve covers and t chain cover?

 

I'd love to build one of them with a blown y-block. Very cool car.

 

It's wet media blasting, aka wet blasting. It's effective for removing oxidation, paint and grime.

 

That would be sweet!

 

Yep. I sanded with 800, 1000 and 1500 grit before buffing with Blue Magic polish and a microfiber towel. The shine ain't there yet. I think I'll go back with some 2000 grit and then trying Brasso.

 

Dad came by to mock up the lettering. It was good to have him hang out in the shop. We'll paint when the weather warms a bit.


We'll add "Fort Valley, Ga." in 1" lettering under the gas cap.


I'm still thinking Georgia Cracker on the quarters.

 

The ol' oven cleaner trick didn't work that well for removing the faded anodizing on the grille and headlight rings. After a lot of sanding and buffing, I got it good enough for a drag car.

 

I'm converting the small input, small output toploader to a big in, big out for use behind the big block. Dan Williams Toploaders makes and supplies some nice parts.