Saving Granddad's Falcon

[dhbfaster]

Whew....endless thanks Roger.
Saturday is a go as far as I am concerned.
Kenny, any chance you feel like making it down to finish the doors? or help with these last 2 brake lines?
I'm going to try and focus tonight and tomorrow night on the other stuff it will take to go for a drive:

• Last 2 brake lines at least bent into shape (then I'll need advice on bench bleeding the master if we don't have time to do it...but that seems easy enough.)
• Tranny fluid (quick one), getting the tranny linkage back on and working.
• IF I get a chance...muffler bracket and turn signal...but I can do that stuff any time.

Got your message on the other stuff Roger...



Huge thanks guys, and it will be only apple fritters this time.

[Luva65wagon]

Don,

I forgot to mention I went to make the wire for the Pertronix last night and... I think my wire connectors are at your place along with the thread insert kit. Hopefully you have two orange trays there.

If the carb works and the engine runs good, I should have some extra time left for some of the other mechanical bits like brake-lines. We will play it by ear.

I can tell, you are getting antsy to drive her! Been there so many times. It will be worth the wait, always is.

[dhbfaster]

Don't worry, your orange tray is here (but two of them? I'm thinking 1 big one- not sure about a 2nd one.) Plenty of connectors. I had moved it off the work bench so I could see it. I was thinking about doing a picture of my connector kit (about 1" by 2" by 1" in size) compared to your connector kit (about 18" by 12" by 2" in size) and making a comparison of my falcon knowledge compared to yours...but I decided yours wasn't big enough for an accurate comparison! Now that I hear there's another tray somewhere...

I am getting a bit antsy...I would be anyway, but especially with that potential "extended business trip" I was telling you about. It is not all bad, but that is looking more and more imminent...more on that offline this weekend.

[dhbfaster]

PS...stopped by Napa at lunch. I'll have the valve cover gasket tomorrow just in case and the hose couplers for when I can get to extending and rerouting that heater hose. I looked in the old pictures, and it was slightly different than how I have it now. It still went left, but didn't hug the metal lines like I have it doing now.

[Luva65wagon]

I looked in the old pictures, and it was slightly different than how I have it now. It still went left, but didn't hug the metal lines like I have it doing now.

It's bad enough that they didn't add a heater control valve to shut off the flow of water through the base of the carburetor - so even in the middle of summer hot water flows through that. It's just not needed except on those cold foggy mornings which are perfect for inducing throttle plate icing. In general fuel likes to be cool. On my wagon I added a manual heater control valve to stop the flow of hot water through the heater hose. Car ran so much better in the summer after doing that. Anyway, a heater hose hard-up against the fuel line should always be avoided when you can. Easy fix, though you'll have to drain some water to do it.

[dhbfaster]

Roger, do you feel like taking the upholstery stuffing and my old gas tank to the upcoming swap meet- is it worth any money for the club? Also- what about the engine stand? I don't have any room for it, but if it will bring the club some money it's a good thing. (Although I do hate to jinx things...you know how that goes. ) I also have some other salable stuff if you feel like taking it.

Unless anyone wants the old hood (tweaked a bit) it's also going to recycling Saturday. It's some great yard art or painting practice for someone...but it has to go. This darn storage unit is costing me a fortune. Storage unit costs more in a year than all the stuff inside it is worth.

[dhbfaster]

One more question Roger...do I need to buy some kind of "ratchet strap" (I'm sure you called it something else) for the suspension, or are you confident we can get it done with the strap I have? or do you have one you can bring?

Meanwhile, I also have your cherry bomb to get back to you...and (of course this could be anywhere in my garage...but) I seem to be missing a 5 point 1/2" 3/8 socket if you happen to see an extra one floating around in your bag...

[Luva65wagon]

Don't worry, your orange tray is here (but two of them? I'm thinking 1 big one- not sure about a 2nd one.) Plenty of connectors. I had moved it off the work bench so I could see it. I was thinking about doing a picture of my connector kit (about 1" by 2" by 1" in size) compared to your connector kit (about 18" by 12" by 2" in size)...

So this sounds to me as though I did bring my connectors. Yes, I also have a couple smaller sets I've made up. Can never have enough connectors.

Now that I think about it I may not have brought the Threadsert tray, just grabbed the tool and a couple inserts for your mirror install (which we should do as well, if possible). I'll verify that I have the tonight or in the morning, so if you don't see a 2nd tray, not to worry.

[redfalken]

Whew....endless thanks Roger.
Saturday is a go as far as I am concerned.
Kenny, any chance you feel like making it down to finish the doors? or help with these last 2 brake lines?

I wish I could but I'm booked this weekend. I'm shooting for a yard sale in a couple of weeks so I'm pulling up my stash from the basement. And am going to detail my old Ranger to get it ready for sale. Plus my poor Falcon is covered in a thick layer of pine tree pollen! And taxes!!!

But next time, I'm there. It's getting close!

[dhbfaster]

Thanks Kenny...I know how it goes. good luck on all that this weekend. ( Taxes? Glad my wife does that.)

[PhilC]

Too much to read to catch up right now. IIRC, Ford's name for the advance system used on the early Falcons was Load-o-matic.

I did like you Roger, ditched the original and went DII when I built the 200 for my '62 with 32/36 Weber clone.

Many replaced the rubber bushings with polyurethane when they became the rage. Poly is great when the suspension components are built to handle the additional stress placed on them, not so with the meager Falcon parts.

As mentioned before, it's been about 15yrs since I messed with this stuff, but if my foggy memory is close, there was a compromise between poly and rubber in a material called "milodyne" or some similar name. This material was stiffer than rubber, but not as stiff as poly, and prevented problems with cracking strut rod frame mounts. I can't remember now if I actually found a correct set or ended up using the more plastic version (not true polyurethane).

Anyway, a few thoughts before I head off to other demands.

Phil

[ew1usnr]

Many replaced the rubber bushings with polyurethane when they became the rage. Poly is great when the suspension components are built to handle the additional stress placed on them, not so with the meager Falcon parts. ... there was a compromise between poly and rubber in a material called "milodyne" or some similar name. This material was stiffer than rubber, but not as stiff as poly, and prevented problems with cracking strut rod frame mounts. I can't remember now if I actually found a correct set or ended up using the more plastic version (not true polyurethane).

This may be what Phil is referring to. From my notes:

High performance strut rod bushings:
http://www.jegs.com/i/Global-West/45...oductId=760572

Fits 1962 – 1965 Ford Falcon. “If adjustable strut rods are not in your budget, high-density rubber strut rod bushings would be your best alternative. The rubber bushings are stiffer than the factory type and have just enough forgiveness to allow the suspension to move without overstressing the strut rod. These bushings are recommended if the car is used as a daily driver and is not raced.” “High durometer bushings will control lower control arm location with limited deflection and still allow pivot over standard factory durometer. Provides better alignment, cornering, and braking control. Easy installation. No modifications needed. Too high of a durometer bushing in this location can cause strut rod failure due to too much resistance in the direction of pivot. That is why there is rubber in this location over other high density plastics.”

[dhbfaster]

Thanks Rogers help this morning...Falcon purrrs like a kitten. Carb perfect now. Strut rods on. Air cleaner on. Holes drilled for mirrors with Rogers coaching, all brake lines on (still have to bleed it all). Heater hose also rerouted.
After the Sounders game tonight I plan to install the sway bar and call it a day.

[Luva65wagon]

Thanks Rogers help this morning...Falcon purrrs like a kitten. Carb perfect now. Strut rods on. Air cleaner on. Holes drilled for mirrors with Rogers coaching, all brake lines on (still have to bleed it all). Heater hose also rerouted.
After the Sounders game tonight I plan to install the sway bar and call it a day.

Wish I would have had another hour to give today, we might have got the brakes bled. It was good to hear it purr though.

[Luva65wagon]

Too much to read to catch up right now.

No doubt my meaningless ramblings.

IIRC, Ford's name for the advance system used on the early Falcons was Load-o-matic.

Yep, that's it. I like Spark-o-Magic better tho.

...a material called "milodyne" or some similar name. This material was stiffer than rubber, but not as stiff as poly, and prevented problems with cracking strut rod frame mounts.

Don will just need to watch these. See how they last. I'm pretty familiar with Poly, these were not that, but it might be this Milodyne stuff.