Projects '61 Falcon Street/Strip Gasser Build

Yes. I got a like-new tank with the car so in the hole it goes! The stock tank kinda fits the period build, anyways.

 

You are doing a great job with that little Falcon - love the car and love your work.

 

Depending on how full you keep the tank it may not be a bad idea to put a sump in it while you have it out. At the same time weld in 1/2" NPT bungs for fuel delivery. Your quite handy with a welder and the fab work, car looks good.

 

Thanks!

 

Good point! The big block will definitely need a bigger fuel line fitting in the tank.

 

I added panhard and shock mounts to the rear housing and then checked it for straightness. It was warped as expected. A homemade straightening jig sorted it out.







I drilled and tapped a 1/4 NPT plug for a gear oil drain while I was at it.

 

Housing ends are welded on. The housing is 52.2" flange to flange and the axle width will be 56.95". With a 28" X 9" slick on a standard 3 3/4" backspace wheel, I'll have about 3/4" clearance to the leaf spring and the outer tire edge will be just outside the fender.

 

Nice work, weld looks great too. My falcon is 54" flange to flange, tires stick out just a little and fit nice with the stock inner fenders. 15x10s, 29x10.5's.

 

Dan, that's a Sweet little Falcon!

 

Very nice, Dan! Can you share some pictures of your steering set-up? It looks to be rear steer, which is what I'm planning.

 

So cool, Brian!

You're making some really neat progress.

 

It was rear steer when the pic was taken, falcon box in the original location when I was running the 302. When I changed to the cleveland, there was no way to get the headers to turn sharp enough to clear the box, so I mounted a saginaw box up front. Also note the motor is set back 3.5".

 

525 box with arm pointing forward and steering arms on the front of the spindles? That's what I'm thinking. I set my motor back far enough that the front edge of the oil pan is behind the axle. 6" from center of axle to #1 spark plug hole.

 

yep, thats exactly what I did. The ackerman angle didn't work out very well, but its a drag car with a spool so it's not gonna turn nice anyway...

 

True!. I'm actually going to run the steering arms and tie rod in the rear for Ackerman, down low to clear the oil pan. I'll run a third arm on the top front of the RH spindle for the steering drag link. A standard rotation 525 with Pitman arm on the front ought to work. That's the plan, at least.

 

South Georgia, where you can spray primer in January with minimal sag.

 

You said after you welded on the brackets to the rear end the housing was warped. How did you go about straightening it? I'm running into a similar problem.

 

See 3rd picture in post #96. You will need an alignment shaft, inner and outer blocks. I used Mittler Brothers 1000-001-3, 1000-001-4 and 1000-003-4. It will set you back about $400.
Then you will need to make a straightening jig that uses a hydraulic jack. Put the shaft and alignment blocks in the housing, find the low spot and jack until the outer block will slide into the housing.

 

That's cool. I'd like to see the straightening jig.

 

Rear shocks and panhard are worked out.

 

One that I took a photo of that was racing here locally at an event.


And another I photographed at Tompson



And a HAMB member's old wagon

 

Nice! I like the fender flares in the second pic. I'm guessing he used a donor fender.

 

I loaded the suspension down to see how it will sit. I'm at 12.75" from ground to rear rocker with 28" slicks. SEGA rules are 11" min and it will settle some. Of course I may use 30" slicks and I have one more adjustment hole in the floater bracket so it may end up right over the min. I'll have to cut out the fenders another inch or two.

 

I'm not sure how most fill the gap between inner and outer fenders after radiusing, but here's how I did it. Paper pattern to wood hammer form, then stretched into shape.

 

Inserts came out real nice.

 

1/4" fuel line was coerced into fender bead duty. It ought to radius out OK with a layer of fiberglass.

 

Great work, Brian! I love the SEGA Falcons and Comets. Very interesting to see your process and watch your progress. Thanks for sharing

Joe

 

nice work indeed,..that'll be a nifty lil car..

 

Good job. I am glad to see you inspired by your trip to Fl. to the SEGA race. Good to meet you and hang out.
See you down the road. We have another that's not too far in Alabama coming up on May 8th at Lassiter Mtn.

 

You are giving me ideas for my Aussie 64 Falcon....