hey folks. let me start by saying that i don't waste time with pressing the shift key. i just bought a solid and running 2dr 63 fairlane 500 with the 170 cid engine and a 2sd fordomatic. it drives fine(a little bit of roll here and there), but i already have the itch for eight cylinders. i have been told that the most logical and cost effective choice is the 302. wonderful. however, i have read in a couple of places that i need to upgrade my whole suspension system, rear end, etc in order to do this right. i also have read in a couple of places just to find some stronger springs and go man go. any opinions? i know parts are plentiful and interchangable. i am not in a hurry. any advice on how thorough i should be and order of operations? i appreciate it!
If you have an 8" rear, then its OK. If it has an inspection plate on the rear, then its not an 8". Also, you can run the 6 cylinder springs with a 260/289/302. Its pretty common actually. ****** offers a header for the swap as well. 6134's. Keep me posted. I have few 62-64 Fairlanes and lots of parts if you need any help. Thanks--------Lee
I always like the looks of a 63 Fairlane. As a teenage back in the late 60's I had a friend that had one he sent to Holman-Moody in Charlotte,N.C.,,It was one of the fastest cars in town. HRP
This is an 8" rear http://www.google.com/imgres?sa=X&b...4_W8gTHuYHgAQ&zoom=1&ved=1t:3588,r:3,s:0,i:92
I think (???) a Maverick rear end will give you a little more tire room in a Fairlane. I recently bought a low miles V8 4dr Comet (Maverick style) just for a donor car. Lots of good parts to use.
Here's mine Now lets start with some simple facts: 1. The cruiso is about 1.5 inches longer than a C4 so if you do a 302 and C4 swap you will need to make a longer drive shaft. Also the factory drive shaft is a 2 piece with a rubber cushion in the middle. Get rid of this. 2. Addco makes some great sway bars that will greatly improve your handling. 3. Use good shocks. 4.The rear springs are mounted in rubber so if you want it to handle you will need to remove the rubber and make up busshings so everything will fit. This will get you going. PM me if you need any more help.
A 289 or 302 with an aluminum intake will not weigh enough no make heavier springs necessary. Either would be a great choice. A 5.0 roller engine is also a good choice-------although it is not a traditional engine. Just keep in mind that the 289/302 and later 5.0 are balanced differently in case you do a swap for a later 50 oz balanced unit. Lots of info here, so feel free to ask. MORE PICS PLEASE!!!
I did this swap back in the late sixties. Use V-8 motor mounts and a homemade crossmember. Front springs are ok The throttle linkage should be also changed. I used a 9" 4:11 rear on the original springs but an 8" should work. The car most likely has one already. Mine was a 4 speed and I modified the 6 clutch linkage. A V-8 3 core radiator and you are good to go. This was one of my favorite cars wish I had it today, only sold it becouse I bought a 66 tri-power GTO.
Yes it was awesome information indeed. I think it is now time to check few things in garage and hope i could find some useful items
Threw some seat belts in the back and went for a three hour cruise. In 80 degree weather, it never got above 210 degrees. Biding my time. Hope to buy a running 302 and a c4 by the end of the month! (And a new radiator) Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Ok. Saved up some cash and have been looking for a good shop. A friend named tim haase has a shop(bare bones customs) that is about to handle minor bodywork and paint. Shaving the trim, it seems to be getting in the way of the lines I want to create with paint. Here I go. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Mine is a 6cyl car to 302 1965 Fairlane. Used an eletric fan on the radiator. Many came with no fan shrod. Probably a good addition
Finally sent her off for paint and bodywork, and a new front windshield. Will most likely replace all weatherstripping and window seals at the same time. Here we go! Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
idontwastimewitthespacebarorspeeeelchekeither.ahkingitaholelotmorebettertypingdonmorefasterdisway. I do like fairlanes but I am afraid that it is going to be a pretty sloppy build. You can tell a lot about a man by the attention he pays to detail.
I have a good 8" with a 2.79 gear in it just laying out back. (great cruiser gear) It's 59 1/4" wide, flange to flange without the drums installed. It has backing plates on it but no brakes. 5 on 4 1/2" bolt pattern. $75 if you want it - I'm not too far from Houston either.
Come on, man. That's a pretty big reach. It is my first build, so I don't expect everything to go perfectly. Also, I don't make a lot of money, I have a mortgage payment, a wife, and three kids. I'm doing everything I can to make this car as nice as I can. I hope to make you eat your words, my good sir! I was gonna do the bare minimum, but when it came down to it, I realized that I don't wanna do things again because I didn't do them right the first time. Trust me when I say that with the amount of money I dropped for paint, it had better be pretty spectacular. I do appreciate all the advice I can get from hambers, as it is hard for me sometimes to figure out which way I want this build to end up. As of now, it is heading in a mild custom direction. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
My 63 has the 5.0 roller motor from a 95 Mustang and I am running it carbureted. That together with a T5 and I average 23mpg on the road. As far as the radiator, I would suggest re-coring it to a 4 row or bite the bullet and go aluminum. Good luck on the build. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Cool ride. My advice would be this - it's like taking any 40 or 50 year old basic 6-cylinder car and adding more to it - more power, more torque, maybe or maybe not more weight... probably if so not enough to imbalance the car. But combined with the potential handling issues and braking concerns the higher speeds bring and the increased stress on light duty parts, you want to find a good balance between safety and go. Safety is a relative term with old cars with tiny drum brakes to begin with. So your end use (cruiser, aggressively driven driver, drag car, etc.) will guide what you start to upgrade now. Hope that helps.
yeah, i hear ya. i will only be driving this car on the weekends. and i am not interested in racing. i just need a little v8 in my life. i guarantee ya, most of the time i am driving this car, i will have my family with me. i most likely will just pull a stock 302 outta something. i have a few months to figure out while my wallet recovers from the damage done by paint and body!
First problem and I usually see that lead to an unfinished car and lots of money spend redoing things. Make a plan and stick to it, changing your mind along the way will only cost you money, and if you dont have it the car sits unfinished. I should know because I have bought lots of unfinished projects over the years and heard the same story over and over.
The Jalopy Journal
