Re starting my build of a baby thunderbolt, New rear tyres 245/60/r14s on the back Front wheels are 15x5.5 hipo galaxie rims or torq thrusts Sent from my SM-N975F using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I built three T-Bolt clones over the years: 1st one was tubbed with a 512ci 385 motor - ladder bars and C6. 2nd was a 5.0 injected with a T5. 3rd was a 482 ci FE hi-riser with a 4speed Jerico. If I built another I would power with a 460" small block and a 5 speed Gforce.
Atm a stock 289, but will build a mild roller 302 and t5z that I already have Sent from my SM-N975F using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Nice how easy was the t5 conversion I'm thinking hydraulic throw out brg will be the easiest Sent from my SM-N975F using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I don't know how similar the Fairlanes were to a first generation Mustang but I did a Mustang and used the cable from a Fox body and a Firewall adjuster.
I second the cable clutch set up . I am using it on my southeast g***er super stock 65 Comet wagon. I modified my stock pedal to accept the cable end and used a Ford motorsports cable and firewall adjuster. Had to build a simple spacer block to give the adjuster room to work.
I second the cable/ fox mustang setup as there is no provision for a clutch pivot point on the block and the hydraulic throwout bearing is expensive. The cable setup works nice.
I used a six cylinder cross shaft, an aftermarket engine side ball that bolted to the bellhousing, and stock fairlane frame bracket. worked perfect. Also found the 6 cylinder throttle linkage worked with the efi. Stick shift headers cleared everything.
Unfortunately the plenum needs a fair chunk out of it on the fairlane for the cable setup from what I've read Sent from my SM-N975F using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Cheers for that, Unfortunately there aren't any manual fairlane bits around in Australia, so piecing all the bits together is a challenge, I think I'll go the hydraulic route and it may be easier on my knee Sent from my SM-N975F using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
IMG_0023 by unclechop posted Dec 7, 2025 at 10:22 PM IMG_0022 by unclechop posted Dec 7, 2025 at 10:22 PM Haven’t been here for a while- have been enjoying the car - has a 4 speed od auto now
IMG_0037 by unclechop posted Dec 7, 2025 at 10:32 PM IMG_0036 by unclechop posted Dec 7, 2025 at 10:32 PM IMG_0035 by unclechop posted Dec 7, 2025 at 10:32 PM IMG_0034 by unclechop posted Dec 7, 2025 at 10:32 PM IMG_0033 by unclechop posted Dec 7, 2025 at 10:32 PM IMG_0032 by unclechop posted Dec 7, 2025 at 10:32 PM IMG_0031 by unclechop posted Dec 7, 2025 at 10:32 PM IMG_0030 by unclechop posted Dec 7, 2025 at 10:32 PM IMG_0029 by unclechop posted Dec 7, 2025 at 10:32 PM IMG_0028 by unclechop posted Dec 7, 2025 at 10:32 PM
IMG_0027 by unclechop posted Dec 7, 2025 at 10:35 PM IMG_0026 by unclechop posted Dec 7, 2025 at 10:35 PM IMG_0025 by unclechop posted Dec 7, 2025 at 10:35 PM IMG_0024 by unclechop posted Dec 7, 2025 at 10:35 PM IMG_0020 by unclechop posted Dec 7, 2025 at 10:35 PM IMG_0019 by unclechop posted Dec 7, 2025 at 10:35 PM IMG_0018 by unclechop posted Dec 7, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Nice car, dad had a 64 compact Fairlane many years ago when I was growing up in Israel and I did look at one in Germany before I got the Comet (well I even tried to trace dad's car but according to IL DOT it was s****ped long ago) but the seller wanted a bit too much and it was an auto, so it was not to be.
That car was a recent US import but Ford and Mercury cars sold all over Europe back then, and I'm aware of at least 2 64 Comets sold originally here in Austria (not mine - mine lived its first 54 years in Oregon). Oh, I don't regret buying it, but the 64 compact Fairlane has a special significance for me...
IMG_0038 by unclechop posted Dec 11, 2025 at 11:57 PM IMG_0039 by unclechop posted Dec 11, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Good stuff mate - is that you? Was in Oz in 1986 (Melbourne mostly), some people were still using them as everyday cars... One more (yes those are eucalyptus trees, Israel is full of them, they imported them to dry out swamps).
Yes that is me - I wrote that one off a week or so after that photo unfortunately. I love the white and red combos on the 64s- great photo
Those lower rear quarter panel repair panels are not easy to fabricate, they have a curved lower edge and the outer edge is curved so your bending two angles at the same time. My 64 only had rust on the lower rear quarter panels, just a thin line on the very bottom body line where the water would collect. So I was lucky I was able to hammer forum the repair panels.
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