So this is what I did this summer....

After almost two years of doing what I could to my wagon to try and get it on the road, I had a series of miracles happen. Met a friend who has an amazing shop about 2 hours from where I live. He let me bring my car there to do a "little" work on it. Due to money I really just intended to work out a gas tank and get the 170 as dialed in as I could. No more than 2 weekends I told him. Well no thanks to the wonders of a proper compression test I realized the 170 really was not gunna cut it. Out of money before even starting I did not know what to do. My friend knew a tow truck driver that just had picked up a 72 Comet from this little old lady that had not put that c4 in park just right and she rolled and crashed the back end. Her kids had just spent money to get the 250 inline and C4 trans rebuilt but they decided dear old granny was done driving. So they gave it to the tow guy. We then had to convince him to sell it to me for penny's. Once he had his fun with the comet he agreed. Hot rod deathcamp then began. Working all week then driving 2 hours out late friday night or very early sat morning. Working all day and night sat and sun then driving back sunday night for work monday morning. Being that my friend has a real business I knew I could not keep the car there to long. Pulled the motor, trans, rear, and gas tank from the comet. Everything fit so surprisingly well right into the wagon. (except for the gas tank of course) The 250 fit with the original 170 mounts. Drilled two new holes and it went right in without having to cut anything apart. Everything that should not have worked just kind of did. It was almost weird like the car just wanted to be running so bad it to was fighting for the cause! Had to obviously get a new driveshaft, more money I did not have. Sold the 4 lug Cragars (thanks Nads) Sold the old 170 to another HAMBER. From the start I really had no intention to do body work. That was a way down the road thing. But again since my friend had EVERYTHING he showed me how to do the work. As my hatred for body work grew with each piece of sand paper my new found love of metal work and fabrication grew! I am a beginner in everyway but I am pretty proud of my little ride! In the end I spent from mid April till July, weekends only, getting her on the road. Of course There is still tons to due but its my driver now! If anyone is interested in seeing pictures I tried to put a photobucket album together. Thanks to everyone who helped me out! Thank for looking!

http://s175.photobucket.com/albums/w158/alirocksnorod/?albumview=slideshow

 

Pretty cool! Congrats.

 

Very cool. Good job.

Now if I can just get mine back out here, and get motivated....

 

thats the go!, all you need now is one of those Australian Falcon heads with the detachble inlet manifold and some disc brakes so you can stop it!
great to see people willing to help someone out!

 

Rock on!

 

Thanks All! It means alot!

 

The little Falcon wagon's looking good, nice job. Your hard work shows, your wagon is something to be proud of. We all had to start somewhere, I'd say you're off to a great start.

I'll bet the 250 runs good compared to the old 170, probably a little better on gas too.

Kinda reminds me of my first car that I had 30 years ago, it was a '61 sunroof Bug that I did a lot of work on with little or no money. I swapped in a bigger 1500 out of a '64 Bus to replace the old 1200, it was a nice power boost.

Warms my heart to see a young lady gettin' out the wrenches and making such great progress on an oldie like that.

 

WOW

way to go! You've accomplished so much, it humbles me! How low are you going to be taking it? (or are you dropping it?)

 

Hey! You did a damn good job. You should be proud crusin' around town, just in time for Summer too!

Ken

 

Thanks again! Its dropped about an inch an half in the front right now. But with the heavier motor in it is a little rough on the front end. This spring I plan on putting new springs in and replacing the upper and lower ball joints. Then maybe get a little higher sitting rear tires to still give it some rake. Maybe bags someday.... not sure it could handle it. The car is actually really light and even though mine was in pretty good shape they rust through really easy!

Draggin GTO, you are right the 250 moves that car like you would not believe!

 

loooow is the way to go

and I suppose your pooch lokes riding about in it as well?

 

Nice work, that car is sharp. Its funny how ALL falcon's rot out at the top of the wheel wells. Before I fixed mine it was like that. I have a '61 sitting at my Grandpa's garage in NY and I have a '62 Falcon Futura that I'm going to be picking up a motor for tomorrow.

- Jon

 

Yeah on the wagon the "rain gutters" empty pretty much on the wheel wells. Plus the vents are right there which usually leak! Cant wait to see your Futura!

(the dog loves the car but is not crazy about the pipes. Its REALLY loud when you get down on it!.......but I still love it right now so no packs in the plans just yet! She is dealing!)

 

awesome job! ah i wish i could find a girl like you down here.....

I really like the funky arse purple flake engine!

Try doing the "shelby mod" to the upper a arm. just four holes drilled and a realignment, drops the car 1 1/2" and handles heaps better..
search for 'shelby mustang suspension modification' should bring it up.

heres mine with it done..

 

Falcongrrl! you are awesome! I just showed my lady your work and she agreed we both think you are doing a great job. Love to see such an affort by someone who loves cars not just riding in them!


ENJOY! my hat off to you!

 

YOU ROCK GRRRRRRRRRLLLLLLL !!!!!!!!!!

go crazy on the inside, then some shiny color later on the outside!

the BIG BLOCK 250 gets you scooting!

 

HOT STUFF!!

Like the silver and black combo. Split manifold, cool! That's alot of progress for anyone without their own shop, let alone a self proclaimed beginner.

 

you are a total badass.

makes me feel like a lazy slob.

 

good job-keep up the good work

 

Lots of effort going on.
The Comet ... with it having the 250, should be a 5 lug rear end. Worth a few bucks to the Model A guys or put it under the wagon for a improved rear end.

like seeing folks getting their ideal ride going.

.

 

I'm liken it a lot! You GO girl!!

 

Falcongrrrl,

Very clean, great paint, nice engine bay, repowered.... turned into a hell of alot of work! Thank you for the inspiration to get off my butt.

s.

 

Great Job, You remind me of my lil girl, she is only 8 though. and loves to get down and dirty. We are pulling the Flatty out of the F1 today so she will be all dirty in a few hours

 

Thanks! Yeah Deuce Roadster I did actually take the rear out of the the comet and put it in the wagon. It is a 4 lug 8" rear. Think its the same kind they used in the Mustangs starting in 65. The 250 is also a inline which is how it fit so smooth. It is a little taller than the 170 so I had a bit of an air filter clearance problem. Thanks for everyones kind words! I know its not a traditional hot rod, but it means alot people recognize the work!

 

When I try the link it says the" album has no content".

 

FalconGrrrl! you rock!..nice work..those cars have always been a favorite of mine , never owned one, but always liked the lines. Good to hear there are people out there helping others reach a goal..Nice work Lady..always had a spot in my heart for the long roofs too.

 

Holy!!!! Can't belive your here.... What a great job Al! Guys, she's a good girl... hope to see you soon Al. Any time you want some more work, I got plenty!

 

Every Comet I ever saw that had the 250 six had the 5 lug wheels ... not the 4 lugs. The 170 and 200 Comets were 4 lug ...

 

Nice work,Stay with it.

 

Wow, impressive...

I undertook a similar project when I was 19-20..... Bought a '65 Falcon 2 door sedan with a 170 and a '78 Granada with a 250.... Swapped everything including the rear and the front discs, which were fortunately 5 lug... It was a lot of fun and ended up being my younger brother's first car. I wish I had a picture.

Your gumption makes me me feel kinda funny like when we used to climb rope in gym class...just kiddin'!

Have fun!