Features Doing Falcons Right

I just made my own off the dimensions I got from someone who had some.
I can't justify paying for something I can make.

 

Thank you. I wish I had a shop and time make this kind of stuff. Cheers!


1963 Ford Falcon Sedan Base.

 

finally picking her up, 3 inch drop and brake lines next ! wheels are just in primer.

 

I have the Granada front brake set up. I am using V8 suspension and steering parts from a 63 Falcon. I have been fighting bump steer ever since. I just read that this is a common issue with the Granada spindles caused by the location of the tie rod on the spindle. Any truth to this and is there a fix? I have thought about changing out the entire set up but I don't want mustang II. I am not removing my shock towers. I have been looking at some aftermarket set ups that use a steering rack and coil overs. They aren't cheap. I have been looking into bumps steer kits but not sure if it will solve my problem.

 

This is a common problem. Go to The Ford Falcon News (TFFN) and do a search on bump steer. The common cure is to install 1965 V8 manual steering components for about $500 new, or less $ if used. I did it last month and am very pleased with results.

If you're running '63 V8 components already, all you need are '65 manual steering center link, inner tie rods, and idler arm. You then need a 1967 Mustang power steering pitman (part# C7ZA-3590C) arm which a little harder to find.

 

thanks Mike

 

Oh, and if you can't find a C7ZA3590C pitman arm, the C9ZA3590A will work. All of this is assuming you are currently running the '63 steering box with the 1 1/8 sector shaft.

For a good deal on a pitman arm (if he has any more), reach out to www.stangerssite.com. He has a website, but you need to phone him to place an order.

 

I am using the 1 1/8 gear box. the center link is 63 1/2 model year if that matters.

 

Doesn't matter.

 

Going to drop my falcon 3 inches and do the Shelby drop. I'm also installing improved spring perches, and new suspension and steering components. Big question is how much do I cut on my coil springs.

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Shelby "drop" doesn't really lower the car.

 

Aware of this mike... it only helps handling. I just need the number of coils to cut in the front spring to bring it down 3 inches.

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Don't skip the Shelby drop. The handling change is huge.

 

I continue to fuss with my old car's 347 mostly because I can't leave well enough alone.


Before: Mid eighties Crown Vic/Mk IV 5.0 standard rotation serpentine water pump/pulleys with Breeze Automotive/Factory Five Racing driver's side 3G 95A alternator mount

After: Mezeire (rhymes with brassiere) 55GPM electric water pump with Speed Doctor Passenger side lower 3G alternator mount (note itty-bitty 1.9" alternator overdrive pulley), eighties vintage F-150 crank pulley and Speed Doctor driver's side cylinder head MSD HVC II Coil mount.

Alternator mount

Coil mount

Ron Francis CD-36 Adjustable Cooling System Shut down relay system that's supposed to be used to control cooling fans.
https://www.ronfrancis.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CD-36
https://www.ronfrancis.com/images/CD36-INST.pdf
I changed the included 4 to 8 minute timer to a two minute timer and added the fuse holder for the power feed to the water pump.
This relay pack controls the water pump- whenever the ignition is shut of, the water pump runs for an additional two minutes, circulating the coolant from the engine through the radiator and cools it by about 10-20F, no shit.

 

To reiterate /clarify, the message here is that the Granada/Maverick disc brake spindles work ok with the 65 V8 suspension components but create excessive bumpsteer with the earlier (63-64) suspension components.

The 65 Falcon suspension components are the same as the common and inexpensive 65-66 V8 Mustang parts except the Falcon uses a unique, but available centerlink

 

Yup, 'zacktly right.
With the caveat that you use the Granada outer tie rod ends that you already have, right?

 

Looks nasty Brett. I want those wheels for my wagon!

 

And remember to distinguish between V8 and 6 cyl parts, power versus manual steering parts, and 1 inch sector shafts versus 1 1/8 inch sector shafts. Even though you are using manual steering, you have to buy a POWER steering pitman arm from a '67 Mustang.

 

ok, lets if I got this straight. improved geometry spindles and outer tie rod kit from disc swap.com. I found 65 falcon center link, idler arm and inner tie rods from falcon parts.com and 67 mustang 1 1/8 pitman arm from a mustang parts supplier. I already have Granada disc brakes and v8 control arms on the car so all that will be ok.

 

If you already have Granada outer tie rod ends there's no need to buy new ones from CSRP, and you may not even have to buy new spindles either.

 

they claim their spindles have "corrected steering geometry". I am going to call them Monday morning. I put this car together about 20 years ago and want to replace the steering components for maintenance. I figure now is a good time to correct and upgrade everything.

 

I ordered new center link, inner tie rods, idler and pitman arm for 65 Falcon and will use my stock Granada spindles and outer tie rods and see what kind reduction in bump steer I get. I have been in contact with Dennis at CSRP and will get a set of his spindles if I still have bump steer issues. I will update after the parts are installed.

 

I'm going to be doing some lowering and suspension upgrades to help with driving my otherwise stock 62 4 door. I'm going to drop it 3 inches with the help of front coils from Dearborn and blocks. I am doing the "Shelby Drop" and doing the bearing upgrade on the spring/shock mount up front. New steering and suspension replacement parts. Frame reinforcement and connectors. Export Brace and Monte Carlo Bar. Anything else suggested?

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Lower control arm adjusters.

 

Where can I get them or info to make them?

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I would also like to know.

 

Mustangsplus.com

Variocentric camber adjusters, for a 65-66 Mustang.

http://www.mustangsplus.com/xcart/1965-1966-Mustang-Vario-Centric-Camber-Kit.html

 

I'm just about finished with my 60 Falcon 2sd Wagon. She was a hard build but I got to spend time in the shop with my Boys and Grandkids.
Our 60 Falcon Wagon only the Body is stock She has a 347 around 500 Hp Comp Thumpr Cam 521/507 Lift Roller Engine a TKO 5sd Trans and a Currie 31 spline 389 geared Truetrack 9" rear end. A Strange seamless 3" Chrome-Moly Driveshaft with Solid 1350 U- Joints. A Rod&Custom MII rack and pinion that I had to do some work to so it would fit. Custom motor mounts so I could move the engine back a couple inches. 4 wheel power disc brakes and Strange Adjustable coil overs on all corners. A custom 4 link setup and custom sub frame connectors. Custom transmission crossmember and mount. Doug's Try-Y Headers 2 1/2" Flowmasters Delta Flow 40 Dual Stainless Steel exhaust system system with an X pipe. I used a lot of parts from a 95 Mustang. A trick price I used was the brake and clutch assembly out of the 95 Mustang after some modifying of the brake peddle to clear the steering column it bolt right in giving me a clutch assembly that I can get parts for anywhere. I have learned a lot Building this Falcon if anybody is Building anything close to it I sure wish you would tell me what you have done. I would love to here your stories so I can learn even more and any info I can help you with I'm more than willing to share with you ask away. Thanks Veach


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update, I got the wrong pitman arm. it was my mistake. the center link, idler arm and inner tie rods look correct although the inner tie rods are much longer than I expected and look like they might be too long. I will get some pictures posted when i get home from work later.

 

Longer inner rods are the main feature of the '65 parts. I think they're 3" longer.