Projects 61 Falcon - Father Son Project

We got the car to shift, and it was such a minor problem.

There is a small piece of rubber vacuum hose that goes from the trans modulator to a steel line that runs up to the carb. You couldn't see it without taking it off, but a small piece of that line melted and fused shut. So even though I could pull a good vacuum at the carb, it wasn't reaching the modulator.

We cut off the bad section and now the car shifts. I will replace that hose as soon as I have a chance to grab some fresh vacuum line.

Now onto why it overheats...

 

We're making some progress on the fan shroud. We need to make mounts for it next.







Also we pulled out the radiator and flushed it. Its not great, but we managed to straighten out a bunch of bent fins.

The thermostat was 195 degree, so I will put in a 180, and we ordered new radiator hoses since the old ones were a bit soft and lined with rust scale.

If this isnt enough to keep it from overheating, then we will be forced to buy a new radiator. But I wanted to teach my son that its not always about throwing money at something...

 

The shroud is just about ready for some paint...

 

Is it normal for the thermostat to be smaller in diameter than the recess on the thermostat housing?

 

No, looks like wrong t-stat.

 

Ya thats what I was thinking too. I have a good local parts shop. I will take the housing there and match up a 180 degree t-stat.


In other new, weather it does any good or not, the shroud came out great!!

 

The shroud and the radiator look great. With a fresh flush on the radiator along with the help of the shroud I wouldn't expect that you would have an overheating issue. The shroud should make a big difference. I thought about adding one too but so far I have not had any overheating issues and I can feel the fan pulling pretty good air from the front of the radiator without it.

 

We got the car to not overheat! The new 180 thermostat combines with the shroud made a huge difference. We're running a gallon of coolant and the rest distilled water and the temp sits right at 185.

 

We have a strange sound coming from the motor. If you guys could please take a look at this video, and let me know what you think, that would help a lot.

As Always, Thanks in Advance!

 

For what its worth, the noise seems to start later when under load. Like if we are driving, it takes more gas/speed before that noise begins.

 

Double check the fan/shroud possibility, also check the generator/alternator fan. Could the smoke be burning paint (look at manifold paint discoloration)?

 

Pull the fan belt and see if the noise goes away…

 

Thanks for all the advice. It turned out to be a cracked fan. We pulled it, welded it back together, and put it back on and the sound is gone.

I love a simple fix!!

 

I don't want to be a wet blanket, but if one if it was stressed bad enough to crack in one spot, there may be others. Do yourself a favor and find a good replacement.... an airborne fan or blade can be dangerous!
Nice job on the Falcon!

 

^^^^ I'll second that!

 

Great point!

Thank you for that. When I say it was cracked, I mean the 2 stamped pieces were separating from each other. We welded them together with a 1 inch bead in 4 spots on each side. I wish I would have gotten a pic, but I didnt...

 

The Falcon got some new shoes! Its crazy what a difference tires and hubcaps make to the look of a car...

 

Sharp!

 

A little Photoshop fun...

 

I think it looks better all in blue.

 

My son likes the white roof, but not the white side.

 

That's a stock layout, from Australia.



White roofs were at thing.

 

My Australian '64 sedan is pale yellow with a white roof, and the two wagons are blue with white roof.

 

This has been a common sight lately. He is trying to get the current paint as good as it can be. He started with a clay bar, and will move onto polishing and waxing. He wants to try to do all his own bodywork, which I am 100% supporting.

Quick dash question. Whats under the dash pad? Is it painted metal, and are there any holes we would need to fill if we removed the dash pad? The current one is REALLY cracked, but its still in 1 piece...

 

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2014/11/28/detailing-tips-for-vintage-single-stage-paint

May find this helpful.

As for the dash, I can't speak to Falcons but I once had a '57 Fairlane with the padded dash and when I pulled the mangled pad off I found no holes...just a lot of glue and a comb some poor sucker lost while installing all that glue and pad.

 

Like this:



The dashpads are out there as a repro: https://rhinofabrication.com/product/1960-1963-falcon-ranchero-dash-pad/

 

That dash looks nice. We will likely just go that route.

 

Well its time for our next round of questions. We have been enjoying the Falcon and took it to a local show last weekend. But its time to address the carb issues.

I am not 100% sure what carb this is, but I think it says B52 upside-down.



right now the idle is high, and if you push the choke all the way in, it dies. Timing is at 9 degrees BTDC and its an auto trans.

Im not sure if Im running lean or rich, or where to start. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Were also dealing with a pin hole leak in the radiator, but my buddy thats a certified boiler tech is going to solder it for me...

 

I'm guessing the marking is for that casting, not a carburetor number. Does it say Holley on the float bowl?

I can't help with adjusting it, but I'd have a filter before it, and run an air cleaner because a backfire can turn into an engine fire.

 

Basic Holley 1904.

There should be a pad with a number on it. The pointer shows where it is: