Features Falcons done right?

Took my '60 out for a test-drive today, to evaluate the T5 conversion, and the 6-3/4" to 8.8 swap. The clutch linkage will need some ratio work (and the correct parts installed).

Seems good.

 

Here is my 64 bird. Building it as an BFX. 331 stroker/4 spd top loader/9" with 3.89 gears. Has undergone a minitub, subframes and rollbar. Gonna paint it wimbledon white and keep the interior original black.

 

Here is his sister. A 1960 Comet that sat in a garage since 1973. My plans for her is different. Current getting painted (silver moss with a silver medium flake roof).

Will be lowered 2" all around / Install astro supremes, bullets centers with white walls / Replace the cute little 144 with a 289 & 4 spd t-10. Etc.

 

Hey guys, I am looking for some help. I have a 63 falcon with a rod & custom mustang II front end. Anyone know what headers will fit? I have stock 289 heads.

 

Man, that thing is sweet!

 

Still can't wait to hear your seat of the pants opinion of the first gear in this deal. I have my T-50 for the wagon, but I would really like to look at a S-10 T-5 for it instead due to the bench seat (Staying!) and a 5' 1" girlfriend...

 

Here she is the day I dropped her off at the body shop.

 

Check into "Dougs Headers" I believe they have a tri-y headers that are made specifically for a Falcon with a mustang II front ends.

Product #D661Y or Product #D661Y-R for raw

 

I had a 65 Ranchero that I installed a t5 with a S-10 tailshaft. Absolutely gotta do. Puts the shifter in the right spot. Dont cut corner. Do it right. I bought the tranny from Modern drive line.

 

Where my concern is with Gimpy is he is running a S-10 with a 4.01 first gear. I really think that might be a bit low for these cars and run out of first gear too quickly. I have done quite a few 5 speed conversions, but I'm curious to see what he thinks of his deep first gear. I agree completely on the S10 trans and it's shifter placement. it's just about perfect for a Falcon interior.

 

To Nuts4fords the Doug's headers are numbers DOU-D66OYS TRI-Y but with the R&C rack and pinion you have to use RC-148 short pinion not the RC-149 5 1/2" pinion and also you will need a starter that can twist around before bolting up makes it easy to fit the starter in there and one more thing I didn't like the motor mounts that came with the R&C setup so I had mine made if you wish you can check out my pics to see what I did and good luck with your build

 

subscribed, not sure how I missed this?

 

Thanks for the info, I'm going to call them on Monday.

 

I don't much care for the R&C 4 link setup there are better for the same price but there are a lot of pit falls there also and if you wish I can tell you about them also

 

We, Doug's Headers make a Tri Y headers specifically for Falcons with a Mustang II front end. I had three different cars in the shop while I designed these, Two had Mustang II conversions (TCI) and mine has a Rack and Pinion on stock suspension. One had an AOD, one a C4, and mine has a T-5
They are part number D661Y in ceramic coating or D661Y-R if you want raw steel to paint yourself.

edit; Oops, thanks nuts4fords.
Veach, D660YA (Automatic) and D660YS (4 Speed with stock Z bar) are for standard suspension Falcons, NOT MII for Rack & Pinion (doesn't mean you can't make them work)

 

Ran into some trouble on that. My 4.03 gearset unit, rebuilt, but dirty, when cleaned, revealed 1352-145 on the sticker. Pulled the cover to confirm. Definatly not a 4.03 gearset, despite what the metal tag said. I put it in anyway, as it looked perfect inside. I will hit the freeway this week, and post an update. Either way at 3.41 to 3.76, I have a better first gear.

 

Thanks for clarification on the correct part number, I'll order them from summit tomorrow. They will clear a scatter shield?

 

Maybe so sounds like you would know but I put DOU-D66OYS TRI-Y on my 347V8 4sd with a MII from R&C and they fell right into place bolted right up with no probs other than the 5 1/2 " pinion shaft was to Long plus the 60 Falcon has the tightest engine compartment.I took lots of pics if you care to look maybe I missed something but it looks good to me

 

The whole reason I designed the D661Y was so that they would fit well regardless of the length of the pinion shaft on the rack.
The set you used were designed by Doug back in the 1960's when no one ever heard of rack and pinion in an American car. LOL

 

I run a T5 in my 63 Falcon as well. I used a Mustang World class with a V6 bell housing (the bolt pattern is the same as the 289/302) and it puts the throw out bearing fork in a lower position and when used with Modern Drivelines cable conversion it cleared ALL three of our Falcon Tri Y headers, D660YA (designed for automatics with stock steering) D660YS (designed for stock steering with factory 4 speed clutch linkage) and D661Y which is for the MII conversions.
I like the shifter location with the standard Ford set up - I think the S-10 would be way too far forward for my comfort

 

I have never tried them on a car with a scatter shield so I can't say for sure

 

I have a top loader in my car, and no clutch linkage. I have a McLeod hydraulic throw out bearing, so clearing the bell housing would be my only concern. I'll order them from summit, and as soon as I get them in the car, I'll let you know how they fit.

 

So, I took the '60 144/T5 out on the freeway today. It held it's own with the 0.72:1 overdrive 5th, found with the 3.76 S10 gearset. Not a torque monster mind you, but this is supposed to be a gas mileage friendly commuter car. For my purposes it will be just fine, right after I put some fresh u-joints in the random driveshaft, that happened to fit, from the driveshaft stack. It has a little play and shake at 75. I will NOT be going with a taller tire (currently 23.2"). If you have anything bigger than an early 144, you should do just fine, so long as you don't put a really tall tire on the back. My 8.8 rear runs a 3.55:1 gear, in place of the 3.56:1 stock ratio 6-3/4", for reference.

 

That is a bitchin' little beater there, and I love the idea of a 144 / T5 combo.

 

Thanks! I'm not a Civic or Corolla kind of guy. Made 30mpg with the 3-speed. The T5 should only help.

 

I did the modern driveline t-5 conversion to my bird. I highly recommend doing it fir yourself! It was the best upgrade I ever did to my car....well, maybe it's second place to my triple weber carb setup.


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As far as I can tell, early Falcons from the prior to V8 era, have a tunnel that is a good degree smaller than the later ones. Using anything but an s10 tail housing would require that the middle unibody support be cut, in order to accommodate the shifter tower. Contrary to what many believe, this support does not simply hold up the floor but provides the primary lateral structure between the front subframe rails. It is not in any way recommended to cut this support, without recreating the structure by other means. It might even still be an issue with the later cars, I am not sure. Either way don't cut it, unless you are building it back up otherwise.

 

Those Doug's Headers #D661Y looks pretty sweet to me

 

I have cut that brace in a couple of Falcon and Ranchero's over the years. My 64 Ranchero I had to cut it for an AOD. It was behind a pretty stout 5.0 that I beat on for a number of years, never had a problem.
the 63 convertible it was cut for the SROD that was in it when I got the car. It now has a T5 and a 450 HP 306" motor and It has been autocrossed to within an inch of it life - again no problems.

BUT - Both of these had pretty stout tranny crossmembers to make up for any loss in strength across the chassis. Either way I think you made a valid point.

 

sorry to side track a little guys , Can anyone confirm for me that an early " pan fill" type C4 trans will fit in the stock tunnel of a '60 ?
I have 289 and C4 here ready to drop in the car next week , reading Gimpy's post on the previous page made me wonder is all .


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