Projects Hotrob's fiasco of a "Model A Coupe" build thread

O.K, O.K., here is some Falcon stuff.
I finally finished up the floors. Then I installed the engine and transmission. It is an overbored 302 with Windsor JR iron heads from World Products (www.worldcastings.com). I have used the Winsor heads before and they make alot of power in the 302.
I installed a Crane cam with about 550 lift.

I used Doug's Headers. I must say I was very impressed with the quality and fit. It is nearly impossible to get headers to fit in an early Falcon. You can see below how tight it is between the shock towers.
I did have to grind just a little off of the steering box, it was just too close for comfort. It did not touch, but it was CLOSE!!!

I also was impressed with the transmission mount I got from WWW.Falconparts.com.
Nice fit and a heavy duty piece.
Check out the pics

 

I read an arcticle somewhere about using a late model "3G" alternator for a "one wire" installation using a Ford alternator.
essentially 90's ford v6 cars use an alternator that bolts up to early v8 mounts, and is internally regulated so it can be wired such that the only hook up is a single charge wire to the battery, or hot side of the solenoid. The Alternator was $80 on ebay.
Then I picked up an aluminum waterpump. I like this because I can plug the heater outlet and I can cleanly bypass the heater. There is no funky looped heater hose this way.

 

I was checking craigslist as i do every few days, and found an add for 64-65 falcon fenders.
They were listed as standards with no trim holes and in great shape for $125, or $20 for the pair!
For those who are in the know, these fenders are not repopped. OEM used is the only thing out there.

They were at www.bellsspeedshop.com. The guys there were super cool and had tons of Falcon parts, new and used.

The fenders were in really good shape, especially the passenger side. Unfortunately the passenger side was not as important as the drivers side. That side was not quite as nice. There was some poor bodywork covered by bondo but still much nicer than what I have.

Nice buy at $200 a pair.

 

Looks like the Falcon's coming along great,Rob.Great tip re the alternator.May come in handy for my 289.Thanks.
Mark.

 

Mark
I can send you a diagram of how its wired, but it is easily found on the www if you search "3G alternator" or "ford one wire", something of that nature.
I am also told that it is imperrative that an inline fuse is installed and that 10g wire be used for the output.

I am not personally experienced, however my research shows that it is becoming a common conversion for early mustang and Bronco owners and that it works well.




Rob

 

Thans Rob,I'll check it out.
Mark.

 

Just wanted to say great thread. Your photos and descriptions are top notch!
g

 

I just got a few pics of the coupe's progress from Tim at irrational metalworks. As you all know I took it to his shop for a little bit of metal work that was beyond my present skill set.

It does not look radically different than it did before, but I assure you alot of work has been done that makes alot of difference in the end.

Here he has completed the rear quarter patches and the wheelwells.

Next is the subrail notches to clear the rear axle and spring.

 

Oh and you can also see where the firewall was patched. It was pulled out and torn where the grill shell rods attach, as they typically are.

 

Looking great Rob!Looks like they're doing a fantastic job on the body.Car sits nice too.
Mark

 

THanks Mark. I am really happy with how the car sits. Not too high, and not too low. THe angle in the last few pics is weird but the wheelwell in the body follows the contour of the rear tire really nicely.
I hope to have it back in the garage in a couple weeks and we will fire up the engine for the first time.

 

Cool.

 

Both cars are looking good.

 

I hope you thought about using tensile rod to make your U bolts.

 

Thanks Solid, Its cool how similar our Birds are turning out. I have a straight axle for mine, but I am kinda digging the coil spring spacers.

The further it moves along the more I am liking it. It was supposed to be a quick project so I would have something to drive while the coupe went together but it has turned out to be quite the build as well.

fiftyv8, I don't know what the hell your talking about.

 

Update.
Here is a shot of the rear subrail notch on the left side. shots from the inside and out.

Looking better than I imagined.

 

Both wheelwells are notched and the body is back on the frame. The rear tire is now perfectly aligned in the wheelwell.
Thanks Tim!

 

I brought the coupe back home today. It is nice to have it back in the garage. Tim really helped with some of the more complex metalwork and now I can get back to the build.
Here is a side by side of when I picked it up last year and as it sits today.

 

Rob, That is looking good! You can't go wrong with a metal artist working on your car. You and I could have done that, but not THAT clean and nice! I say, good use of build dollars! You will be hours and hours ahead when you start the body work.

 

looks great!!

 

Hey this is Rocky meet in the ER yestrday. Going through the build..it's awesome!!! Hope you havnt painted it. It looks great already can't wait to meet it...I'll be calln..

 

Rob, as a relative newcomer to the hobby who is about to embark on a similar adventure, I just wanted to say thanks for posting up all your ups/down and highs/lows regarding your build. It's nice to see something built by a mere mortal who hasn't been building hot rods since they were an embryo. Don't get me wrong, those are great builds to watch, but yours is similar to what mine will be so I find it especially inspiring.

I also had a long road trip to pick up my donor A coupe body (just this past weekend, in fact) and I'm now in the planning stages trying to prioritize what I need to buy and start working on first. Hopefully I'll soon have enough to start up a build thread of my own...

Fantastic build and please keep the updates coming!

Tommy

 

the coupe looks great man

 

Tommy:
I have been shocked at the number of posts and PM's that thank me for keeping it real and posting up the mistakes and fumbles as well as the triumphs. I know exactally what you mean about everyone and his brother claiming that they have been building hot rods since the early days. kinda reminds me of that thing where every guy I have ever met that was in the Navy was a SEAL! I mean really? We can't all be superstars, but we can all have a hell of alot of fun builing these cars and digging the scene.

Rob

 

Any up dates,Rob?I'm needing a fix!

 

I hear ya... There's a hell of a lot of talent on the HAMB and it's real easy to look at those builds and think, "I could never pull that off" and lose motivation. Granted, I get great ideas from those guys and I'm thankful that they post their builds and share their experiences with us. But it's nice to see an "average Joe" building his car, too. And I mean that in a complimentary way! I hope to be in that group soon myself...

Tommy

 

So, Tommy, Your saying it is OK for me to post how I am "re"-pulling my motor and trans because I screwed up the linkage and burned up a clutch? Cuz that is the truth. I love reading Rob's posts because he is a very good story teller. I need to hit your shop some time soon too bud!
Jay

 

Heck yeah, Jay! Sucks that it happened, but if you wrote about it, I'm sure I'd read it.

So Rob, any updates in the build?

Tommy

 

The coupe is looking great.... I like all the attention to details that you are doing....

 

The hot Texas summer is here and my excuse that it is too cold in the garage has conveniently transformed into complaints regarding the sweltering heat. Not withstanding the intense heat and the various distractions of summer, I have been able to get a little progress going on the coupe.

I am really having alot of reason for delay trying to figure out the body mounts. I will show you what I have so far.

I also tacked in the Vega steering box and mount.

THe body mounts are cut out of square tubing and shaped with a grinder. I added a diaganal piece of square tubing in the floor and then a gusset where I intend on bolting the body down to the frame at the fabricated mount. I have gone really slow so no real entertaining drama or mistakes to report.

Check out the picks and then I will show you the wish bone modifications I did to get the caster right.

The last shot is a ride in Jays 29 sedan.