No problems at all mate. Installments should be a little bit more frequent as we head toward Christmas.
Aussie Falcon update: 4th quarter 2022. I have stalled somewhat on starting restoration on the '64. Primarily because I have a few competing priorities around home and family. Just when I thought being newly retired from work I would have plenty of time but alas ... not! That's ok. I am using the time to really think hard about what I want the final look to be. Do I want a mild custom? Maybe something a little wilder? or Perhaps a street neat cruiser with a few personal touches? My thoughts so far have me heading in the direction of "An Aussie Falcon Sprint". I like that idea so now I just need to think more in that direction. I have toyed with a few body modifications along the line of enhancing performance. Air induction through the standard bonnet mount. Still sitting in the waiting shed whilst I create some space in the garage workshop. Some late nights putting my ideas down... Stage 1 ... remove the mount and mark out the slots to cut in the bonnet. Stage 2 : Drill and cut out the alloy from the mount. Stage 3: Place to check fitment on the bonnet before getting the angle grinder out. Happy for people's thoughts??? Underneath I want to create an induction setup that feeds directly into the air cleaner. Of course factoring in rain etc....
I like the look! I’ve never had a scoop, etc on a car before. You mentioned the rain, I wonder it you could come up with a vent closure of some sort. Might need to be electric though, using a cable might be more difficult than wires.
Yes, I have given it a little bit of thought. I am thinking along the lines of an Early Thunderbird system where the water went into a small lip and drained out via a rubber hose ...
I intend to get some stainless wire gauze and have that on the inside... that should also break up the water as it enters and should also do the same for insects.
Maybe something like Doane Spencer built for his 55 ‘bird (dual quads). Round paper elements inside on each carb, IIRC. Fit right inside the scoop.
Even though I call this a refresh it is turning into a full resto. As I dig into the condition of fifty - eight years of motoring I can see I am not going to get away with a scour and clean an drop a new driveline in.
Lol. I just changed a “refresh” into “take the block/crank and rods” in for proper machining, bearings and new pistons. Now just waiting on a dry day when I’m off to load it up and take it in. I hope I have more control when it comes to some minor bodywork and painting it
I have been gathering parts here and there as they become available. Some of them essential to driveline and steering, brakes etc..etc... other parts are more finishing 'bling' parts like decent external mirrors. I know that once I get into the disassemble the panels and repair the body It's going to be a full on job getting through the foundational work. I intend to leve the block as is, and simply upgrade the bolt on components. Trans and differential will be overhauled as will brakes. An added booster and discs up front will complete that side of things. While the traditional aspect to the build is important, I think simplicity is the key element for me. Driveability first up... followed closely by performance.
It's been a while since the update on the Falcon. So this is not much but something at least. A couple of months ago I let the registration run out. Mainly so I would stop driving it and start stripping it down for driveline mods then panel & paint. I managed to find a quality panel guy who is about an hour from here. he said it's a 5 month wait and I thought that was pretty good. The car is fairly straight but does have rust in the usual spots. He was happy to take the car on so it is booked in for May this year. In the mean time I have to clear the garage floor of my wife's daily and get her '56 T-Bird running again. That way I can do the car shuffle (insert Kingswood Country quote here) and start. One thing that did happen this week is the rotisserie arrived at the local freight centre so I went to pick it up. All things going well the daily will be running soon as will the '56 ... so it will be systems go for the Falcon...
The last hoorah before letting the registration run out and commence the pull down of everything. Countryside drive around the rural block ... 2 hours. A late evening photo ... On my last day before retiring from the military I drove the old girl off the base for the very last time... Doing some cruising in town with a mate before parking it up ready for rebuild. Dam thing wouldn't start when I needed it to. Call the tilt tray truck ! Now home for good and the metamorphosis will begin in the new year. The wide open road awaits a reborn Falcon with highway cruising in mind.
Looks great.....don't mess with it....but find the starting gremlin.....and thanks for your service !
The Jalopy Journal
