Yes,
and
YES!
Hi there!
The cross flow has nearly the same width at the sump as the 170, and it has three bolts per side, rather than two. It can take the stock 170 mounts without a problem, or, if you wish, you can change to the three bolt 'centre pecusion' mounts used in 1969 onwards Falcons, Mavericks, and Mustangs etc.
The bellhousing is more difficult. The pattern is a non American four bolt arrangement designed for 9 to 9.5" clutch plates. The best option is to just get the early Australian 1970-74 Toploader bellhousing, clutch, and 160 tooth flywheel, with its three bolt starter. That way you can have a T5, Toploader 4-speed or perhaps, an would then SROD fit in there.
If you get stuck, there is the option of converting to a V8 bellhousing using an adaptor plate. I am doing one for a friend in Texas, but I've been very late with the deliverables. There is a 'sticky' under the driveline section which I'm updating.
Your best option is the 3.3 or 4.1 carby alloy head crossflow. It is very economical, and weighes 470 pounds according to the Ford Australia shop manual. It's heavier than the 365 pound 170, but the cast iron headed 4.1 weighes 525 pounds.
The Oz Alloy Head II 3.3 is smoother, and has 121 hp and 177 lb-ft. The 4.1 rates in at 131 hp, and 225 lb-ft. The compression ratios are quite high, but all he valve seats are inserted, and the heads are very good castings. The years are form mid 1980 to mid 1993 (with the last five years having the engine relagated to the Falcon utility range). Carburation is ADM Weber 34, which is a modern Pinto Weber Holley 2-bbl. The Holley 2300 350 CFM carb can be used with a penalty in fuel economy. In US mpg, the 3000 pound vehicles would average 27 as an 3250 pound auto 4.1 to 33 mpg as a 2900 pound 5-speed manual 3.3. It's possible to get well over 35 US mpg with the 3.3 in a blunt faced 80's Falcon.
As far as Ford I6's in general go, they are very reliable. The worst that can happen are headgasket, main seal, cam gear, cam or rocker stud maladies if the engine has been really thrashed. Nothing different to a log head or any other OHV engine.
I plan to use a SROD behind it but I understand there is a concern about it's gearing. Any one out ther care to share their opinions or experiences? Thanks in advance!
Now sweating it hoping someone doesn't tell me it won't work. I'm not seeing anything that will give me problems though. Can someone now share the scoup on the starters? 
