Projects 62 Falcon drive train decision.

I’d put the reliability of that old 6 up against that fuel injected v8.

 

This ^^^^^ for the win!

It'll make the car better ,more user friendly , and doesn't require butchering the tunnel etc. [except for the shifter]

221 5bolt bellhousing V8? or the Aussie 221 six?
The Aussie 221 six is basically a 200 six with a 1/2" taller deck height for the longer 3.46" stroke
And a lot easier to swap than the 250 [with tall deck, wider oilpan, longer waterpump]

 

I did both.

I have the old 6, and fuel injecton.

 

Either one can work.

I have a 1966 block, running an 8.5" clutch, with an adapter.

It is the early pattern. Not partial V8.

The later style can take a larger clutch, and may not require an adapter, depending on which T5.

 

Ok, that makes sense. I didn't realize one could find adapters, but where I have some of the later, I understand that i should be able to bolt straight on if I find a mustang t5 with bell housing and flywheel.
My gut still pulls me toward the 200.

 

200 with a T5. Some custom machining and fit some more carburetion on it.

 

The other piece of my indecision is that the 170 that is in the car now, just runs so nice. #2 cylinder had 149 psi, all others were 152/153 cranking.
I can probably find a home for the 170 in my dad's stuff as we clean it up, but just not sure where.

 

The turbo six could make a nice driver and give good gas mileage if done properly.......but you'll have to move to the "off topic" forum on the Hamb if turbo is your choice. If you want to increase driveability, why not start with upgrading suspension and brakes (9" rear and 5 lug wheels), maybe check the brake lines for rust ...and the fuel line as well. They often need replacement on older cars. Maybe even a new gas tank upgraded to an electric pump.

Take your time doing those things and drive the car while doing them. As you do them and drive the car, you may run into a deal on a FI 302 V8 or you may decide you really want the turbo 6.........but it gives you some time to investigate whats involved in each choice.........you don't have to decide right now, and all those things need to be done anyway. Take it a step at a time and keep the car driveable with only short downtimes as you add each piece of the puzzle.

 

A little off topic for your thread, you should list the slant sixes on the classifieds here, they are cool little engines I’d give you more than scrap for them if they’re free turning and not to far away. I hate to see old engines scrapped.
Dan

 

So, I am new to this board, I will absolutely utilize the classifieds on here as well as local classifieds before the scrapper comes. We have him lined up for next March/April.
My dad sold 1 vehicle during his lifetime and recently passed away. My siblings and I went for a walk through the junkyard, and chose the things we wanted. There is some really cool stuff still available like a lot of V8s in the 360/390 era, and a ton from the 351/400 all the way back to the flatheads. Like you, I hate to see old stuff scrapped, but i can only keep so many without turning into him.
There is so much stuff that the scrap man is planning to bring a baler on site when he comes.

 

What region are you located?

 

Sorry to hear about your dad.
I’m guessing a lot of guys in this site would love to walk through your junk yard before the scrapper gets turned loose. Good luck
Dan

 

Welcome to the HAMB
Dan

 

I'm in central Utah

 

If the original engine is running good now I would simply rebuild the original transmission or swap in a bolt in stick.

back in the early 70s a friend had a identical falcon as yours and I used to drive it a lot between South San Diego and LA when I was in the Navy. One day the flex plate cracked and I had to replace it. did the repair in one day ...

 

I've done the late 200/T5 swap into a '60 Falcon. I used an early 80's 200 for the "almost small block" bellhousing pattern (top two bolts are a tad lower than small block but not a problem), a T5 and bell from a Fox body , and an 8" Maverick rear. The 200 had flat top pistons, 10.5 compression using an early 200 head with small log intake for torque, a Carter YF carb from a 300 six, a neutral balance 302 flywheel and the clutch from the Fox body.(yes,it took some fiddling to make it fit properly). Had a nice small camshaft that was geared to low/mid torque and ran stock exh manifold with 2" single. That Falcon ran fantastic...pulled hard, cruised effortlessly with that T5 in OD and running a 2.79 rear gear. Yeah....1600 rpm at 60 mph uphill and down. Strong. Got 33 mpg on a 200 mile trip to the HAMB drags. Like a fool I sold it of course.

 

If it were mine Id just fix the trans that's in it or buy a good used one that's the same.

Second option is id install 302 ford a V8 and a OD trans depending on the gear ratio.

What is the gearing now ? A OD will not help if its already geared high .

3rd option is a SBC with 500 HP and a 9" rearend so its fast

 

You inherited a bunch of old cars and you can't decide which way to go with the Falcon. You mentioned wanting to keep it original (stock) but you want it to be unique. Those two things aren't going to coexist. You like the way the Falcon drives (so far, up to 40 mph), the 170 has good compression, and the two-speed trans has some issues. It's got a single-bowl master cylinder, and it probably has old brake components, so the brakes are hazardous. These days, I wouldn't drive it around for fun with hazardous brakes, a "spear" for a steering column, and no shoulder belts.

The stock engine and brakes should be satisfactory with a stock or stock-like engine and someone that keeps a safe following distance while driving it. When people manage to put a significantly more powerful engine in early Falcons, the brakes and some of the suspension and steering are usually upgraded. That's a fairly big decision point.

If you're going to work on the Falcon, then I'd start with trying to decide how safe or unsafe you are comfortable with for whoever will be driving and riding in it.

If I were working on it for me to drive around town, I'd work on fixing what's already in it and add a few safety things. The bare minimum would be getting the brakes in good working order and installing Juliano's shoulder belts for the front seat(s).

 

Brakes are an absolute must no matter which way i go with this. After getting used to modern brakes they already make me nervous!

 

What brakes to go with (4-lug or 5-lug) is a pretty big decision point for early Falcons.

 

Here's a thread if you decide to change to a manual transmission:

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/how-can-i-install-a-clutch-pedal-in-a-62-falcon.826615/

 

Among the cars I've claimed is a 61 galaxy 170 cid 3 speed manual, I'm hoping the pedal set and bell housing will transfer.

 

A '61 Galaxie won't have a 170. If it's a six I believe it'll be a 223, and no interchange of those parts with a 170 or a Falcon.

 

Id rock that 170

with a big ole grin

 

Dang, You're right. Not sure why I had convinced myself of that.

 

That is close enough to equal for a street cruiser.

I'd just fix the minimum and drive it.

 

Falcon with 4 lug slots today

 

That's gorgeous!

 

6sally6

 

???? "Nasty 221 ...really.
6sally6