I figured I needed to start a new thread for this one..... Okay so here is an update on my ride.One I never found a decent shoe in decent enough shape for the right amount of money seems that most of these needed way too much work for the money they wanted to sell them for.So back to my original plan which was to get the old 64 falcon on the road again.So here is my dilema with the Falcon it came with a 170 cid. - therefore all of the suspension is set up for a six and the engine that I want to put in is a v8. I have broken down all the front suspension already and have bought new upper and lower ball joints.The lower's came with the brand new control arms ( these parts are the same on the v8's so no problem there ).I have also bought the inner and outer tie rods for the six application so no problem returning them if I should have to go with the v8 set up along with the tie rod adjusting sleeves.They are for power steering but that's another story will get to them eventually and exchange em. 1. Should I change out my center link to the v8 set up or will the original 6 set up hold up fine for basically road use.Im not going to be on the track with it mostly crusing and a little highway action from time to time. 2. I have heard that I would need to get a center link off a 65 v8 so that I would not have to change my steering box ? Price of new center link $300.00 from Kanter.Been looking around for a donor with no luck. 3. Also will the original pitman arm work on the 65 v8 center link and tie rods ? Price for new pitman is $ 75.00 I found some on here http://www.thunderbirdconn.com/summa...Group=Steering and it looks to be the same part for the years 60-65 <TABLE bgColor=#afeeee border=1><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle>[SIZE=-1]1960 - 65 [/SIZE]</TD><TD vAlign=top>[SIZE=-1]PITMAN ARM[/SIZE]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right bgColor=#add8e6>[SIZE=-1]$75.00[/SIZE]</TD><TD vAlign=top bgColor=#add8e6>[SIZE=-1]3590-A-C0DZ[/SIZE]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> 4. On keeping the original drum brakes.Will the outer tie rods fit onto the original spindles or will I need to swap these out as well ? ( I guess depending if I go with the v8 set up or not ) 5. The other alternative would be to go the route of finding all the parts for the disc brake conversion. Just trying to see what is more sensible waiting to find another v8 center link or going with what I got ? Been asking around here and the local falcon club has been very helpful but no leads on a center link.Some people have told me it won't hurt the suspension if I go with the original set up.Just wanted to get some input before I start mounting things up.Once I install the parts there is no turning back as the parts are non refundable after being installed. As a last resort I guess I could always build a hot 200-250 cid.Would just need to find one from a junkyard.The old 170 that came in it just wouldn't cut the mustard.Didn't have much power when I drove it in high school just kind of putted down the highway winding a little high with no real p***ing power. The 289 /302 ( it's been bored .30 over ) that I yanked out of the fairlane is ready to roll other than a few gasket changes and maybe a new carb.The engine is fairly new with a little over 300 miles on it since being rebuilt.It just has been sitting for a while now. Pics to follow.....Any input is appreciated !! Thanks everyone in advance for your help !! <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
as far as fitment, i don't know if a 6 cylinder center link will work with a v-8, but as far as strength, i'd say it's up to the task...barely. mine is running early six steering with a well abused airbag suspension, it hits a lot of potholes and bottoms out a lot, my front end sheetmetal, export braces etc. are showing the abuse, the steering is fine...so far. that said, i'd go with the six! a 250 will bolt up to whatever ****** you were gonna use with the v8, the money you save from not finding the v8 steering stuff and flipping the 302 you have would get you a real good start on the new aluminum head available for the sixes. they can be found in granny cars all the time for cheap. mill a bunch off the deck, throw a cam and the alum head on and have one helluva sixer. i'd run the six though just for the sweet exhaust rap.
This is probably going to get me in trouble; I have seen a falcon with a MII front suspension and it looked great. I will try to find the pics or the link.
Everything you need to know, right down to the price and where to buy it. http://falconparts.com/Manual_Steering_Conversion.htm for the disc brake swap: http://www.discbrakeswap.com/
the 6 cyl steering box is smaller than the v/8 box. none of the steering parts work on a v/8 change over. if money is a consideration, use a 200/250 6 cyl ,and auto trans and it will be a lot less expensive. go to tffn.com for all of the answers.
I would switch over to 65 Mustang steering parts. I have a Ranchero that is a V8 car, the parts are hard to find and expensive.
All of these parts cleaned up really well with a grinder and wire wheel.I will post of some shots in a bit.
Ok I checked out the link to falconparts.com by the way thanks La Grasta ! So I have a couple of questions for the falcon guys out there. 1. I hear that I will have clearance problems with the center link and the oil pan on the v8. Saturday I will be attending the Falcon club meeting here in Houston to hopefully get a look at one of the members cars that still has the original 6 set up but with a v8 in it.I hear that is has the spindles for a 5 lug as well. 2.Does anyone know for sure if the 64-65 spindles are the same size.Reason I am asking is if I have a chance to buy some 64 5-lug spindles with the whole ***embly but just wanted to make sure that they would work for my kit which is for a 65 falcon but with everything I would need for the conversion with the exception of the spindles. My car is a 64 falcon but from what I ve read at falcon parts is that this kit for the 65 will bolt right up and fit. Thanks
One thing we know here in OZ is that Falcons from 1960 to 1980 are all interchangeble ,so to up grade just bolt in the later parts and that includes disc brakes .Ford used the same basic design for 35 years before the more modern EA series came out. you know about lowering the front? Just drill the upper mounts higher in the shock tower 1" and down you go . Simple.
TFFN is a great source of Falcon info, a search there will give you pages of good info to work with. But basically, I'm hearing a whole bunch of wrong stuff here. *The steering boxes are the same from six to V8, the '63 and '64 V8 boxes had a larger 1-1/8" sector shaft, but the '65 V8 had the same size 1" sector as the six cyl cars, so just reuse your steering box with the '65 V8 steering. *The part number you have for the '60-'65 pitman arm is for a six cylinder, and won't work with the V8 steering. *The six cyl steering will hold up OK for a 250, borderline for a V8, but the main problem is that it mounts higher than V8 steering so it will hit the lower mounted starter motor on a V8 or a 250 in a full lock turn. You can space the engine up to clear it, but then you have problems with clearance, fan placement, vibration due to the engine being at too much of an angle, etc. so just go with the proper steering. *'63-'65 V8 Falcons have two different types of V8 steering, the '63.5-'64, and the '65. NOTHING can be mixed between the two, it's all early or all late right down to the spindles. You can't use '64 spindles with '65 steering or you'll get weird geometry and the resulting bump steer, but you can use the Granada disc brakes with the '65 steering - far less good with '64 steering. Not sure if you meant this in your questions, but you cannot use the six cyl four lug spindles and brakes with either V8 steering setup, not that there would be any good reason for that anyway. Use V8 five lug spindles, either disc or drum. *The entire '65 Falcon V8 steering setup is identical to '65-'66 Mustang except for the center link, which is 1.5" shorter on the Falcon. Reproduction '65 Falcon V8 manual center links are available for around $160 from most Falcon parts vendors, order everything else from the Mustang outfits for best price, like the pitman arm, idler arm and bracket, inner tie rod ends, control arms if you need them, and get the outer tie rod ends for whatever the spindles came from, Granada tie rod ends are cheap at the stores. What you've heard about the '65 setup being far better than the '63.5-'64 setup is true, due to the longer tie rod ***emblies that give a more gradual arc of motion while going up and down, thus tracking better because of reduced toe change during suspension travel. It helps that everything is less expensive, owing to the fact that it was used on Mustangs. -KK
Right on kustonkomet thanks man for the info you nailed it.I that's what I was wondering about the 64- v8 spindles.They told me they would work with the 65 v8 suspension so I was going to but them.Guess it's time to start looking for some 65's.For now I don't mind riding with drums I have asked the local falcon club and no leads on any garnada spindles.And donor falcon's with the v8 set up are hard to come by.Would be great if I found one but most of what I seen are either I6 for sale or with the v8 engine and all for a lot more money.Looks like I going to have to take my time and shop around for some spindles.Thanks once again man !!
Grenada/Monarch spindles shouldn't be that hard to find. I'd think some wreckng yards in the Houston area would still have late 70's early 80's cars. As Kustom Komet said, search around a bit on the parts because there is a pretty good price compe***ion on early Mustang parts. I wouldn't leave out checking Places like Partsamerica.com for price comparison. They are the online store for Kragon/Shucks/ Checker but their online prices are usually competative if they have the part.
Try FlatTopBob for Grenade spindles, '65 V8 Falcon center link, Pitman and idler arms, and strut rods. I think it's Canadian Mustang that has a good deal on the Mustank front end super duper kit. I'd buy the rest of the Grenade parts new. Thanks, Kurt
Brand new Granada Disc Brake set-ups: discbrakeswap.com/ It's the only way to go. No questions, no part runs, no defective used parts. Just open the included instructions, bolt it in, and go. Total package I believe is less than $500, every nut and bolt included.
I have a complete 5lug, disk brake swap out of my old 64 falcon i used from a granada you keep you control arms and ball joints they pop right into my spindles with 77 granada rotors and calipers i also have both outer tie rod ends needed as they need to be changed with this setup but i have a whole power ***ist rack still attached, this will go right to your pitman arm everything is a complete bolt in application i would say rotors should be resurfaced since all the rust from sitting in storage but plenty of meat to cut them on, $200 plus the shipping and the whole setup is yours also i have the granada 5lug rear end if your intrested but with shipping cost it may be better for you to find one near you.
forgot to mention my email adress is Psychobilly351W@yahoo.com or you can give me a call anytime at 732-575-8122 my names Joe
This is not that difficult I have a 63Fairlane Wagon Same basic frontend Ford as we have figured out did not change allot I looked at the conversions and the cost I am thrifty I went to wrecking yard wandering through one day it was 50% day Notice a 75 Granada I notice looks same I figure 50% I go ask how much $60 I figure why not I pull spindle ***emblies complete rotors calipers breaklines Tie rod left upper and lower arms They would not let me take brake hose in one piece that ok 2 piece still can match I go home with my pile of parts I dis***emble one side measure Same as far as dimensional diffrence I notice is Old spindle where tie rod end smaller than new spindle Granada Also notice tie rod end from Granada Right hand thread So I load up and go to local auto part store This is the tricky part Find A Real Parts Person Look up Tie Rod ends for 70-73 LTD Big end for Granada spindle Correct thread direction for Origional stearing linkage in Fairlane From there I ordered stock parts for Granada brakes did Inverted flair adapter for brake line Master cylinder from Granada fit right on origional fruit jar location Split out brake line At wrecking yard at 9:00am go out for Ice Cream by7:00 with disk brake front Total About $140 Recap find spindle ***emblys from up to about 75 mid size Ford Granada/Monarch/Mavric Look at tierod ends from early 70s full size for correct thread direction and taperfit to spindle get proper brake line adaptors split off front and rear brake lines Works great O and my Fairlane is a power steering car the experts told me I needed to buy a special steering linkage to put **** brakes on my car Did conversion about 7+ years ago not a problem O car stops great no more pull I hope this helps you Good luck Ray
Sorry My Bad I looked up in my file on car Found my receipts 76 Granada on spindle ***emblies Tierod ends were from 72 Galaxie #ES426RL Outer Tie Rod Pep Boys Sorry for the mistake Just cant trust the FNG Ray
Cool thanks ray for the help a lot of people have been replying and this really helps me out a lot.I have never done this before so every little info helps.
Picked me up some 5 lug spindles along with the whole brake ***embly and drums for a v8 over the weekend.Any one know of any good books that will give me the specs on torquing everything...?
Springs and control shaft kits came in a couple of days ago.The uppers have been stripped to bare metal - primered and painted.Ready for re-***emble just been raining a lot this week but the weather man says the weekend is looking good...
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