How much rust is TOO much?

Post by **Mitch** » Fri Oct 25, 2002 7:42 pm

Thanks to Max 2050 and nelson! She's got the 302C (original), so we should be good on the fuel lines. I'll check and replace as needed. I'm going to have to neglect my other vehicles to get this up and running for the Dearborn show. Anyone else from here going? I'm sure there's some duplication between here and the Falcon forum, but so far, there's twenty some odd people going.

Another thought. Who do you US owners use for insurance? I'm going thru Progressive, but I was wondering if anybody knew of better rates?

What shocks do you guys use? I like the KYB variable rate, or even Monroe Sensatrac, but I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks to all for the input and info so far.

Mitch

Post by **Interdictor** » Sat Oct 26, 2002 1:09 am

KYB's ROCK! (Kill Your Back) I put them on my '66 Chrysler Newport and they took all the float right ot of her.

Post by **Wrinkles** » Sat Oct 26, 2002 8:02 pm

Mitch, you say to make a 351 you'll have to change cam and rods. ...that's probably meant to be "crank" and rods. ...and yeah, it's an easy swap - have done it a couple of times myself.

As far as intake and carb goes, depends what you're wanting out of the engine, and what other mods you'll be doing. If you're rebuilding fairly stock, you wouldn't necessarily need anything bigger than a 600 Holley, even on a standard intake. But if you're putting in a big stick and playing around with heads etc, the sky's the limit.

Post by **Mitch** » Sat Oct 26, 2002 11:14 pm

Wrinkles! Where you been? Missed you.

Yup, I meant crank. Simple brain vapor lock. Had camshafts on the mind at the time...

I'm taking this in stages, and the first step is to rebuild the 302 into a reliable 351with some horsepower increases. Nothing too wild this go around, but the final stage should be a blown 351that runs on premium unleaded.

So I figure a fairly stock rebuild this go around, with a new intake manifold and carb. Since I have the 2bbl heads, do I get a 2bbl manifold and put a 4bbl mounting plate on it? I'd like to follow in other's footsteps and not have to do a lot of experimentation, since I want to have the Goss ready for the Ford show.

Mitch

Post by **Wrinkles** » Sat Oct 26, 2002 11:40 pm

Mitch.. I've been missing from the forum for 3 whole days and, yeah, I'm sorry! - I should have told you in advance... hope you didn't miss me too much!

Your heads are 2V, not 2bbl. A 2bbl or 4bbl is just the intake (and carb obviously). The 302C heads will be fine for the 351 conversion, and having smaller chambers than the 351 heads, they'll increase your comperssion ratio slightly. (I've used 302C heads on a few 351's before)

(2V relates to the size of the ports and the flow of the heads - the 4V heads are a beautiful thing.. you can just about jam your fist in the bloody things)

For a fairly stock rebuild, perhaps an Edelbrock "Performer" manifold with a 600 vac-sec Holley (or a similar intake/carb set up), a mild cam and a set of headers/extractors.

...but of course, this is just an opinion - and I am in no way saying "if you don't do it this way you're an idiot" - because I'm sure there'd be plenty of people out there with a hundred differing opinions on which combination works best. I'm just a bloke who has played around with a few Clevelands, (and can quite easily get distracted during posting on the forum by talk of honey-wrestling lesbians - whoops!.. there we go again) and don't really consider myself to be an expert by any stretch of the imagination.

Post by **Mitch** » Sun Oct 27, 2002 12:55 am

Wrinkles, thanks for the info. That's just what I'm looking for-opinions. Especially from someone who's had some experience with the motor. You pretty much confirmed where I was leaning anyway. I've run Edelbrock/Holley set-ups before on my '79 Camaro and had good results. One surprise with this car was the manual choke. WTF? Felt like Snoopy the Flying Ace trying to start the car yesterday... Holley w/elec. choke is what I'm thinking.

As far as the compression, do I want higher or lower compression when I eventually put the blower on? Also want to use pump gas, nothing special.

Power steering would be nice, too. Gotta check into that...

Anybody else on the forum presently working on a Falcon?

Mitch

Not to distract anyone, but what are those two girls doing over there...?

Post by **Wrinkles** » Sun Oct 27, 2002 1:19 am

Keep the closed chamber 302C heads for now, and go looking for a set of open chamber 4V's for the blower. (watch for cracks, and worth getting x-rayed before you shell out the bucks). The 302C heads won't make THAT much difference to the compression ratio.. but you'll have to lower it dramatically come the arrival of the huffer. This will be best achieved with blower pistons anyway.

Another thing to be careful of - and this is critical to the entire engine lifespan, is k.... ...oh my god! You mean THOSE 2 girls!.... wow! ...er sorry, what was I saying? ...oh well, probably wasn't important anyway.

Post by **Dave D** » Sun Oct 27, 2002 2:05 am

Mitch,

Yep, I've got the '75 XB sitting in the garage at the moment & I'm now just trying to decide what to do with it both in the short term & in the long term. I bought the car with the full intention of making an Interceptor (hence being on this forum), but now I'm not sure anymore. My XB is a GT replica at the moment with the rear wing, four light grille & nice mags so I've now kinda fallen in love with the XB GT look. Everyday when I get back from work & open the garage to drive in I see the XB with it's lowered muscular stance & I can't help but smile.

At the moment I thinking that I'll restore it too be a GT & then decide later if I still want to do the Interceptor. I'm also thinking of making this one a GT & then buying a craper one to make a MM2 Interceptor complete with non perfect panels & a faded paint job.

You said that your XB has rust in the Roof Rail's I'm guessing that's what I'd call the roof gutters, that's the only exterior place that mine has any rust. I'll keep you in the loop if I find out anything on that area. So I'd also like to ask those more knowledgeable on the list (& wrinkles too) does anyone have any experience with this area. I'm hoping to do most of the work myself, I have a mate who just paid 6 grand to the body of his Monaro restored & resprayed. His also had rust here & came up great but I don't want to spend 6 grand on rust removal if I can help it.

Also anyone know how easy it is to remove the heater core & what they cost, the heater hoses on mine are cut off at the firewall & blocked off. So I'm guessing that the heater is stuffed.

Dave

Post by **Mitch** » Sun Oct 27, 2002 3:01 am

Hey Dave, have you checked out the Australian Ford Falcon Club Yahoo Discussion Group? Very helpful, and more inclusive of stock Falcon owners. Lot of U.S. guys, but a lot of Aussies and NZ too.

As far as the roof gutters (drip rails), it's a matter of finding a donor car to supply the area needed for a patch job, or body puttying over the holes and hoping for the best. At least that's the info I've gotten so far. If you hear different, let me know.

Glad to hear about your XB. I figure you can do the Interceptor replica, and return it to original w/o too much trouble later if you save your parts and make minimal body changes. Then again, you have much better access to another XB than I do. Two Falkys is a tempting situation. Better play it safe and get three.

Wrinkles, are you a mechanic, or just an inspired hobbyist? You seem to know what you're talking about. Concerning cars, that is... I've been thinking that whipped cream is far superior to honey for wrestling events. What are your thoughts on this matter?

I'm gonna try to post some pictures of the Gossy as is, so you all can see what I'm dealing with. Right now, just looking at the bodywork, I'd like to get a taillight panel, front guards (fenders) and a new trunk lid (boot?). The left doorskin is questionable, but I can deal with it for now. What shape is your XB in, Dave?

Well, gotta go...

Mitch

Post by **Wrinkles** » Sun Oct 27, 2002 3:58 am

Nah, I'm no mechanic Mitch.. and that's why I wouldn't want you to take anything I say as being gospel. (only about cars of course) ..just been playing with Fords for about 15 or so years. God that makes me sound old! ...let's make that 10 years! (I wish)

Whipped cream dissolves too quickly - honey leaves a mess to be cleaned up!