Project BLUEprint, 1965 Falcon

[fordsbyjay]

Way to go!

[andrewb70]

Bryce...do we need to have a "birds and bees" talk?!

Andrew

[Bryce]

Thanks guys. I guess that means less car parts next year. But im building my future race team. Haha

[j-c-c]

After reading 97 pages, I hope i can remember and be somewhat accurate here. So:

1. With your 3 link, and using Performance Trend to solve unknown link lengths/angles, etc, what/how did you decide on the initial lengths/measurements, ie available space, longer is better, or?
2. Your double shear 1/8" arced upper chassis flanges made me nervous, and since you have power to have a tranny let go, and lately a wheel hop issue, its a painted friction restraint, and any noticeable flex/movement in this connection?
3. You have made little references that i have seen to the rear, reg watts, linkages, etc, was the initial dial in that close, or have you tweaked it?
4. Your 8:1 steering is impressive, but with your tires, autocross/street use, I know the numbers check on the outer tie rod bolts in shear, and with the alum additional spacer, but with that much offset relative to stock type TR, seems like the steering arm would sure want to flex/twist a lot, especially with the 8.5D caster added to the mix, Any concerns?
5. How much negative camber are you at now?
6. Seems to me Sway bars are mainly to keep outside tire close to vertical, NOT transfer weight to inside, a common misconception.
7. The current new front sway bind issue is correctable with higher misalignment joints?

And now for the non tech stuff,

A. You are certified true "engineer" in my book, proven by:
I. lists
II. how clean your work space is
III. you have kept the front fenders painted as delivered
B. You have received many glowing compliments, all well deserved, and you haven't gotten a "big head"
C. You likely don't fully understand how cool it is having your dad as a sidekick on a project, but one day you will

[wfo guy]

Congrats on the family expansion. Hope everything goes well.

[soloracerSD]

Is the trick machine ready for Saturday DECEMBER 7th San Diego SCCA.From what I saw in a recent picture.You might be busy with another addition to the family by then...

[Bryce]

finally some updates. Here is my version of a power steering ram drop bracket:

I started with some 4"x4"x3/8" aluminum angle.


and here is the evolution of the 3 brackets.


and here is the progression of the inside bracket.




and installed.


the stock bracket was too high and the ram contacted the headers.
the aftermarket drop bracket was not strong enough and flexed over an 1" and none of the holes matched stock.
the one I designed wraps the frame rail and ties into the steering box bolts. This really helps stiffen that entire section of frame.

[Bryce]

Congrats on the family expansion. Hope everything goes well.

Thank you, Im building my pit crew. LOL.

Is the trick machine ready for Saturday DECEMBER 7th San Diego SCCA.From what I saw in a recent picture.You might be busy with another addition to the family by then...

I am working Saturday, I have to pay for car parts some how.

[Bryce]

After reading 97 pages, I hope i can remember and be somewhat accurate here. So:

1. With your 3 link, and using Performance Trend to solve unknown link lengths/angles, etc, what/how did you decide on the initial lengths/measurements, ie available space, longer is better, or?
2. Your double shear 1/8" arced upper chassis flanges made me nervous, and since you have power to have a tranny let go, and lately a wheel hop issue, its a painted friction restraint, and any noticeable flex/movement in this connection?
3. You have made little references that i have seen to the rear, reg watts, linkages, etc, was the initial dial in that close, or have you tweaked it?
4. Your 8:1 steering is impressive, but with your tires, autocross/street use, I know the numbers check on the outer tie rod bolts in shear, and with the alum additional spacer, but with that much offset relative to stock type TR, seems like the steering arm would sure want to flex/twist a lot, especially with the 8.5D caster added to the mix, Any concerns?
5. How much negative camber are you at now?
6. Seems to me Sway bars are mainly to keep outside tire close to vertical, NOT transfer weight to inside, a common misconception.
7. The current new front sway bind issue is correctable with higher misalignment joints?

And now for the non tech stuff,

A. You are certified true "engineer" in my book, proven by:
I. lists
II. how clean your work space is
III. you have kept the front fenders painted as delivered
B. You have received many glowing compliments, all well deserved, and you haven't gotten a "big head"
C. You likely don't fully understand how cool it is having your dad as a sidekick on a project, but one day you will

Thank you for the compliments.

1. I did not use performance trends for my 3-link. I wrote my one excel program that calculated link locations and lengths based on desired anti squat and Instant center. My limiting factors were the stock leaf spring buckets were going to be used for the lower links and I had a height limitation for the chassis mount on the upper link. I maximized length without completely cutting out the stock sheetmetal.

2. That bracket is now 3 holes, I should have a picture somewhere. There is no movement there now. The painted surface would have still yielded a minimum .1 coefficient of friction and the force in that direction is minimal with the rod end allowing rotation. The wheel hop issue has been resolved by switching out the rear shocks to ridetechs.

3. I started in the lowest position and raised it for on event. The rear was loose and I couldn't put any power down coming out of the turns. So I went from 225 springs to 300 and lowered the rear roll center. Should help....

4. I understand your concern. The vintage mustang trans am guys run similar setups without issues. This is in the back of my head though and will be remedied if I ever switch spindles.

5. between 1.5 and 3 depending on the event. and what I am trying.

6. Main purpose is to reduce body roll.

7. I now have high misalignment rod ends and now no more bind.

A. Thanks, I bring my training home, my wife hates it.
B. HAHA
C. I think its awesome, we have 3 active builds going on between us.

[rustomatic]

Sweet bracket! So few people at car shows realize that the good stuff is underneath...

[Bryce]

Sweet bracket! So few people at car shows realize that the good stuff is underneath...

And thats why we autocross. Haha

[Bryce]

Finally ready for a test drive tomorrow.

[Bryce]

The car is lower than I remembered. But I love the power steering. Just the right amount of feel.

[bs46488]

Wow that is very low.

It might be camera angle, but what is that...a couple of inches from the ground to the header?

[johnny68]

looks perfect bud how was the drive sunday hope all is well with everyone
lets try to get together before xmas
john

[Bryce]

Wow that is very low.

It might be camera angle, but what is that...a couple of inches from the ground to the header?

It scraped the garage when pulling out. On flat ground its about 1.5 inches.

[Bryce]

looks perfect bud how was the drive sunday hope all is well with everyone
lets try to get together before xmas
john

John, it was nice to drive the car again.

Christmas party at my place.... I think the 21st. I will double check with the wife. Bring the family and the nova.

[Racer351C]

Its been a while since I have been on the forum to check out any updates on the Falcon. Life has been very busy. Nice fabrication on the assist cylinder bracket. How did you get around the flange on the outside of the frame rail? I remember using one of the brackets sold by one of the header manufacturers on my 67 Cyclone. They do flex alot. Those nuts that are factory installed in the bottom of the frame rail aren't very solid to begin with. Your design definitely ties it all together well. Congrats on the addition to your race team. HAHA!

[j-c-c]

It scraped the garage when pulling out. On flat ground its about 1.5 inches.

This solution is from a car guy, you need a concrete grinder.

[rustomatic]

It's shortie time! With my shorties (pipes tucked high), I've got somewhere between three and four inches, and it's still a pain at times; they do have ball flanges though, which helps with adjustments, for whenever I get around to making my big single. Mufflers are too thick... Still, I'll resist running a Supertrapp through the passenger door...