Questions about Ford Falcons and parts for them...

Post by **Hunter** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 12:40 pm

Hey guys,

Here are a few questions I have about the cars themselves. I have read through almost every thread and replies but still have questions, so here goes....

1. What kind of brake pads do you use on the 4 wheel disk brake cars? Can you use mustang or some other brakes, or does it have to have Falcon brakes?

2. Tie rods and linkage.... How easy is it to get parts to rebuild the front end? Are the parts availible in the US?

3. What about window glass? This includes all windows, including windshield. If it gets busted out for some reason, can I replace it easily?

4. Rear quarter panels... How easy is it to come across these? I know that you can get front fenders from overseas, but what about the other panels, repair panels?

5. GT steering box. I read that the GT is 4 turns lock to lock. Are these on most cars and if not, how easy is it to find one, and is it a direct bolt in?

6. GT dash with the Speedometer that reads both KPH and MPH. I have heard that these are out there. Having a car in the US, do you need them for it to be legal? And if not what do you do about figuring out how fast you are going without doing some math as you are driving down the road? Can you find these dashes with the speedometer?

7. Rear ends. I know that you can put in a ford 9" rear, but is this a standard part? I.E. can you bolt up any ford 9", from lets say a mustang, or are there mods you need to make to make it fit?

8. GT traction bars. I saw pics of this, but am curious about how it bolts up. Is this something you can put on any falcon, or are there mods you must make to have it fit and bolt up?

9. I read somewhere on here that with a ford engine from oz, the intake manifold is different than the us counterpart. Is this true? Or can any USA part be bolted up to a OZ V8 and vice versa?

10. Does the offset wheels really wear out the wheel bearings faster? And if so, are the wheel bearings innerchangable with USA parts. I.E. can you find wheel bearings in the US that would fit perfectly? Maybe off a mustange or torino?

11. Which tranny is better as far as longevity and abuse it can withstand? A 4 spd toploader, or a borg warner? Are these tranny's different than there USA counterparts? What do they mean when they say single rail 4 speed? Is this a toploader or a borg?

12. What about bell housing for the enging to tranny? Is this a special for OZ or is it the usual standard that is commonly found in the US? I.E. if I crack mine, would I be able to replace it with one from the US, or do I have to order one from down under?

I am sorry that there are so many question. I just want to make sure that there are parts availible so when I break something, I will be able to easily replace it without needing to scrounge around for it. I have read that a lot of different parts are innerchangable with the falcon as it is a ford, BUT, I just want to be sure. I dont want to buy a car and have all kinds of headaches finding replacement parts for it, when I break something or something wears out. (and it will happen. Of that I am sure).

Thanks for all your help guys and thank the heavens there is a site like this on the internet to be able to get this kind of good information.

Have a great day everyone,

Craig

Post by **AussieCoupes** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 6:13 pm

Craig,

You got mail!

Phil

Post by **ddavidv** » Wed Mar 12, 2003 4:30 pm

Phil, buddy, pal, hombre;

At least post some of the answers here so the rest of us can learn.

Post by **AussieCoupes** » Wed Mar 12, 2003 5:13 pm

ddavidv,

Sorry mate, didn't mean to cause offence. I started answering it here and then after I was all done I thought it was a little more focused towards what Craig and I had been discussing off the message board.

The long and the short of it is that a majority of mechanical parts are interchangeable except brakes which can be changed to US items but I personally don't see the need. Steering box and pitman arm are of course different. All glass and body parts have to come from Australia.

If this is not specific enough either email me or post the questions you want answered in more detail and I will attempt to do so.Phil

Post by **Mitch** » Thu Mar 13, 2003 4:39 am

I was curious about # 6 and #10 myself...

What's a good US intake manifold and 4bbl carb combo for a 302C?

We need to get ol' Craig on the Yahoo group if he's serious about buying a Falcon. More info than you can eat in one sitting.

Mitch

Post by **AussieCoupes** » Thu Mar 13, 2003 8:33 am

>6. GT dash with the Speedometer that reads both KPH and MPH. I have heard that these are out there. Having a car in the US, do you need them for it to be legal? And if not what do you do about figuring out how fast you are going without doing some math as you are driving down the road? Can you find these dashes with the speedometer?

No it is not required to have a MPH speedo to be legal. Yes they come in both MPH and KMH.

>10. Does the offset wheels really wear out the wheel bearings faster? And if so, are the wheel bearings innerchangable with USA parts. I.E. can you find wheel bearings in the US that would fit perfectly? Maybe off a mustange or torino?

Not sure about the offset wearing the bearing out unless it was extreme. I have heard spacer plates are not good on bearings. Some bearings are available here in the US and others are Aus only (or hard to fine hey Bill?).

Phil

Post by **torinoscj** » Thu Mar 13, 2003 2:55 pm

No,not hard to find,just hard to get someone in Oz to send over.thanks Lawrie

Bill

Post by **Hunter** » Thu Mar 13, 2003 7:20 pm

I tried to join the yahoo group. But I am still waiting for my account to be activated. It says that my membership is pending. Any clues? Thanks

Oh, by the way,

I am serious. heeh

I just western unioned Gordon money for the video on the last interceptor to LA. So hopefully for next week I can have it in my grubby little hands and watch it. And if possible, maybe next weekend after watching the movie, take a drive up to Niagara falls and have a look at 5.7interceptors ride. heh, you out there interceptor?

Have a good one guys......

Craig

Post by **Hunter** » Thu Mar 13, 2003 7:38 pm

Here are some more questions for anyone who knows the answers.

13. Is there a kit to convert the brakes over to, lets say a mustang disc brakes? Or if not a kit, can you do it anyways just using some other ford brakes? Has anyone done this. What about brake rotors and or drums? Are these only aussie, or can you use an american counterpart?

14. What is different about the xa, xb and xc dashboards? Since they are all the same body car, (essentialy) cant they all interchange easily? I heard that you have to modify to go from a xc body to a xb dash. What is the story on this.

15. Was the GT only in the xb model? The reason why is pointed out in question 14.

I am thinking that I am going to want a xb car, unless there really isnt much difference between the other models. I am going to want a gt interior, but if it is going to be a hassle because of the difference between an XA XB XC, then I am going to have to do a lot of thinking on it.

By the way, for all those out there buying parts for your cars and shipping parts out, here is a question for you. If you all are rebuilding these cars, wouldnt it behoove all of you to ban together and set quarterly ordering times? I mean, lets say that I need a hood. bobby needs a windshield, and Tommy needs a door and some other misc parts. I am not sure but thinking about it, if everyone were to order the parts at once, and have them delivered over in the US together, everyone could share the shipping charges. And then the parts could be shipped from port to wherever they are going, where the person could then pay their own shipping here in the US. Of course this might not be feasible if someone is ordering just a set of brakes and someone a hood. Depends on how the shipping charges are handled, and how parts are shipped. Just a thought. I might have to look into all this. Hmmmmmm.......

Have a good one guys...

Craig

Post by **AussieCoupes** » Fri Mar 14, 2003 12:21 am

hmmm my last post didn't go for some reason...

Your approval will come soon on the club.

>13. Is there a kit to convert the brakes over to, lets say a mustang disc brakes? Or if not a kit, can you do it anyways just using some other ford brakes? Has anyone done this. What about brake rotors and or drums? Are these only aussie, or can you use an american counterpart?

Personally I don't think the cost is justified to do this so I have never looked into it but I know some people have done it.

>14. What is different about the xa, xb and xc dashboards? Since they are all the same body car, (essentialy) cant they all interchange easily? I heard that you have to modify to go from a xc body to a xb dash. What is the story on this.

Covered this in my other reply. I think Grant or Gordon said they did it once and would never attempt it again.

>15. Was the GT only in the xb model? The reason why is pointed out in question 14.

No, the XB came in the Falcon 500, Fairmont and GT. You could then option the 500 and Fairmont as a GS.

>I am thinking that I am going to want a xb car...

Always easier to start with the right base car unless things like the dash and rear markers etc don't bother you. I mean anyone reading this would probably know it was not "movie correct" but 99% of the people will be too busy tripping over their jaw to notice. Depends if you are a member of the "Fussy Buggers" club

>By the way, for all those out there buying parts for your cars and shipping parts out, here is a question for you. If you all are rebuilding these cars, wouldnt it behoove all of you to ban together and set quarterly ordering times?

We usually have container space available and provide free trans-Pacific shipping on parts for our customers and the like.

Phil