Story on Car: The 65 Falcon Hard top had been sitting in a So Cal b-yard buried under a over grown tree (it was stuffed full to headliner with parts). The previous owner had a contact that would call him when the good cars were set to be crushed, He saved the car to build. He never got to it.... This car was far beyond dirty but Clean. Off the road since 1982 (29yrs) when I dug it out of the yard. A friend and my Pops were laughing. Surprise was the angry mother possum & babies jumping out of the car. This picture is after I got it home and cleaned out. I am trying to locate the filthy before pictures.
The car was missing the 6 cyl motor and trans, had a bad passenger quarter panel, bad trunk floor area. I intended to replace that, and restore to stock when I got the car two years ago.
First thing to fix, the Bad Floor are around gas tank. Opinion: Rusted out due to gas leaking & eating paint first. I was able to get new gas tank with the car purchase. Apologize these pics are not the best.
Trying to show the before trunk, cut out, fab replacement. It is a Calif built & owned car. The whole car is solid, but the falcon trunk is an Achilles heal for this car. This car was not an exception.
The last pics of the trunk flop replace w/ gas tank set in. In the second pic you can see my next job (the bow in the quarter panel floor).
The next thing I was able to do....out of the planned order (typical). Mostly due to no luck finding a good quarter panel to replace bad one. But I was able to locate a restored 66 mustang owner doing a rally car & he sold me the motor and trans. The same number engine that was stock in my falcon. I have to find the pictures of motor pickup & install later. But its done and runs great!
After a couple of months looking I finally located a Good Quarter Panel, and it was local! It was a four door section but perfect for what I needed to replace & clean. I buffed paint were to be welded in and cut out all metal not need (four door wheel well).
Quarter spot welds drilled out and proceeded to cut off! I measured once, twice, and a couple extra times. I was keeping the down turned floor and rear corner intact for the replacement. Cut only once... No do-overs! I did cut the panel length in two section for my final fitting. I was pleasantly surprised that all the measurements were exact and the new panel fit like a glove.
Here are some more of the final panel length cut before & after welded in Quarter panel. section. Liking the two tone Panels
Weld and finish, with a little shot of the 58 fleetside. that's pretty much it!! I have ran new brake lines & gas lines. Nice having a gas tank, clean body four corners. Needs wheel cylinders and master cylinder.
Thanks Plymouth52. Yes, one of the cleaner body styles. Love that its the last year for it. Good luck on your newest addition.
Throttle Linkage Issue: The original throttle linkage on the 64-65 falcon with a 6 cylinder is a little hard to find. Like impossible!! I don't have the linkages so any suggestions or other options? If I understand the linkage right it also controls the transmission kick down cable. If you are converting to V8 its a non issue, but 6cyl carb is on Pass side. Maybe someone can post a stock 6 cyl pic of linkage. Thanks for help.
The Jalopy Journal
