1961 Ford Falcon Build

[3rdgeneration]

Hello pro-touring board! I have a 1961 Falcon under build process that I thought I would share with the board. It is a 42,000 original mile, original paint car. A mere decade or so has been spent with me thinking about building a Falcon. Once Total Cost Involved started fabricating suspension components for the early Falcons, I figured no time like the present. The car originally had a 170ci inline six cylider with 3 speed on the tree. One fairly rare option for '61 was factory bucket seats with center console.

The plans are typical for this forum. Focus on performance in regards to suspension, brakes, and engine. It is being built mainly out of my garage with some work farmed out to a great friend of mine. Thus far, suspension is in and brakes are hung.



I will post specifics later, but I will start with some pictures, because pics are more fun!

[Rod]

welcome

[Cole]

Love Falcons. Great start!

[68EFIvert]

Looking good so far. Keep us posted on your progress.

[77tony]

Love it T

[GNon18s]

Nice car to start with!

[Bryce]

more falcons, woohoo

[rustomatic]

And another one... Jeez. It's like when I caught myself with a 350z after the second Fast and Furious came out...

Seriously, I love the paint and wheel choice--it looks like you've got a great start.

That pickup looks familiar somehow--it doesn't have a diesel four-banger, does it?

[turboclevor]

what are those rear wheel/tire specs, the reason i ask is because i am trying to buy a '62 falcon

[3rdgeneration]

Rustomatic. My truck is a 76 f100 with a 429. No diesel

Turboclevor. The rear wheel spec is et wheels LT III in 17x8 with 5" back spacing. 245/40 tire size. Note: the rear end is a narrowed 8.8 so do not extrapolate my wheel sizing to your application. TCI has wheel specs for their set up with an 8" rear end and I believe they recommend a 17x8 with 5.5" back spacing

[rcrown]

You mentioned that you narrowed the 8.8 rear end. Did you go 9" axle ends then custom axles to get that width? Speaking of that, how narrow did you actually go? Looking at doing the same to mine, 8.8 out of a explorer though. I actually Have a 62 Falcon. Would appreciate any information that you accomplished on the rear end of your car. Links, axle, diff mods, coils ect....
Thank you for your time
-Ron

[neongreen]

Nice! You and I have very similar builds. Mine is a 62.

One question for you. How do you get your rear wheels on?
I wanted 16" rims and maybe that was my downfall. I can only fit 225s on 16x7 rims. I narrowed my housing 3" and then had my axle shafts narrowed another .450 per side.

http://ironhydroxide.blogspot.com/

[Munssey]

I like where this is going so far. Subscribed!

[85coupe50]

That is a sweet looking truck and a great start on the Falcon!

[windsor]

Nice! Subscribed.

[3rdgeneration]

Rcrown; the rear had 3" removed from the axle tube. The axle ends are the stock 8.8 from the explorer. I made no changes to the differential. I also did not make any changes to the axles. I simply utilized two passenger side axles. The explorer rear is offset to the passenger side so it worked out well taking the 3" out of driver's side axle housing. The wheel fitment is all about proper backspacing.

I get the wheels off in a very difficult manner. I have to unbolt the shocks to drop the axle down. I would not have a problem getting them off if I did not run the 3" wheel studs.

The car now runs but is not to the driving stage. I am currently working through a clutch slave cylinder issue.

[Dave B]

Sweet, I love those early Falcons.

[pro67coupe]

this thing is awesome man. thanks for sharing keep us updated

[AndrewNTX]

Nice, I love the falcons. And original paint is very cool too. Gonna look sweet on the road.

[Munssey]

Don't leave us hanging... what's new to update the build thread with?