1964 Ford Falcon - Questions please

B

BetsyBabe64

Well-known member
http://fordsix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=47619

i feel like im spamming the forum with this topic, but i can't help myself, just when i thought i started the topic in a good place, i find an even better spot. ANYHOO, as you can see from that topic i started, i pretty much really need to know the specs of my car. I know its a six banger, but im not sure in .ci of what it is, or what would be a good upgrade for it. Basically there is SO much info on this site, and other sites related, that i really don't know where to start, i end up getting upset and calling everything a bunch of bull-sh*t and shutting off the computer.

I know that i want to KEEP the six banger in it, but not sure how to go about getting more HP out of it, or if i'll have to upgrade the tranny, or shifter. I would love to keep it 3 on the tree, but make it a sleeper, that can do real well from light to light. i'd love to be able to do a wheely (lol, wouldnt we all) i dont know, help me please. I really want to know my options before i buy any book or even parts. I want to understand the steps in wich i must take to upgrade my six, then from there i'll act. THank you all very much for your time.
 
I'm following you man!!! I was jes' funnin' you about dropping in an oversized plant, don'cha know. Read the name of the forum.
 
first go to classic in-liners, and buy the "bible". Its a manual called " The Ford Falcon Six Cylinder Performance Handbook" Read this first, it will answer a lot of your questions. Then just start visiting this sight and read everyday new post. Then start searches on questions that you may have. In about a week you will have enough knowledge to be dangerous.

Click on this and it will give you an idea how you get the engine to zoom.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc27 ... CN1736.jpg
 
Put your location in the info too. You might live near a Sixer who can help you out.
 
awsome !

now, be honest. Since my Falcon is a 4dr, does it seem like there isnt a point to all this ? I say this because thats the kind of feedback ive been getting ever since i got the car. ($500 btw) every mechanic ive talked to says i should leave it as is, and dont spend i dime on upgrading the engine because its a 4door, and no one respects 4doors. Are all these guys assholes, or somewhat right ?
 
It's your own self respect that matters. What those mechanics respect or disrespect is their problem. Why not a four door? It is a vintage machine that can be restored plus a bit of performance modifications and you can have a ride to be proud of...and it would make a great "sleeper".
 
BetsyBabe64":2wfloxme said:
awsome !

now, be honest. Since my Falcon is a 4dr, does it seem like there isnt a point to all this ? I say this because thats the kind of feedback ive been getting ever since i got the car. ($500 btw) every mechanic ive talked to says i should leave it as is, and dont spend i dime on upgrading the engine because its a 4door, and no one respects 4doors. Are all these guys assholes, or somewhat right ?
Click to expand...

I have a 4 door and love it. Do what makes you happy, not what other people say. That car will look great with a good paint job. Preferably slammed to the ground too :lol:
 
The good thing about 4-doors is they have four doors. Moving on.

What you want to do first of all is get that little girl nice and clean. Clean the engine room and the passenger compartment. If the seats are thrashed, get some nice aftermarket covers. Use a little elbow grease on the outside too. Once you have something in it, you'll get a lot more out of it.
There is a theory around this site, very close to fact, that real good stickers can add up to 5 hp straight away. Getting your car clean will get you right up next to that. Plus, it's just so much more fun to work on 'cause you can see the goodies.

Next, make sure all the, adjustables, maintainables, replaceables are all up to snuff: fluids, filters, set screws, belts, plugs, t-stats, etc. Clean the carb and get the engine timed.

Before you do the go-fast, do the stop fast. Make sure your brakes are good. Then the suspension.

NOW. The cheapest and biggest improvement you can do is to upgrade the ignition. Cheapest is Pertronix with a high output coil. These are available from every Mustang/Falcon house. You will be amazed at the difference, once you get it going. And it is not hard to do at all.

Now you get the high-tone goodies. Carb, exhaust, cam, all that stuff. Just read the bible. It will tell you step by step what to do. You're gonna have a ball after the prom with the beauty queen's little sister.
 
you guys rock ! Thank You all so much ! I just hope im not making too many topics and what not, i kinda went over board today.

im gonna make a list, and check it twice. I have all new breaks, but again, they are drum/drum, i rekken` disk is the way to go huh ?

im gonna get me a bible. like i said, thank you all.
 
In regards to the 4 door comment, i get alot of crap from the people at all the mustang shops that i go too (hey i own a 65 falcon and my sis owns a 67 mustang i can't avoid em) everytime they see my rusty white 65 roll up with its six cylinder and 4 doors they laugh.

I just look at it this way, even if somebody tottalled my falcon, i can always find another 4 door in about as good of shape. They can't say the same about thier mustangs. Even better is that my falcon has enough room to get comfortable with my lady friend in the front or the back, and 4 doors to allow all my friends to climb in at once no lame pull the seat forward crap.

The three on the tree is just fun too, i love having people stare at me wondering why i'm so busy at the column. Once i put the 3.03 in i will have alot of fun having valets try and drive it :D.

Looks great man, wish mine was red, but its white *shrug*. You'll have alot of fun learning, but take your time. I wish i'd known what i know now when i rebuilt my six, if i had it would have been a whole other monster. So far the stock six is fun for chirping tires and gets good gas mileage in city for an old car (i get about 23mpg in city), i'd reccomend camming it at least when rebuilding it the carb and header can come later but its such a pain to do a cam and head work after things are done even if you have the ability and time its just so hard to take it apart after you finally get it back togethor.
 
nice :o

it took me awhile to find out that i can only down shift into 2nd going about 20-25. my speedo cable needs to be adjusted, its hard to tell how fast im going sometimes.

in the short time ive had betsy babe, i've grinded the gears, i fear i have damaged her, but i know im over reacting and she is stronger then that.... i think.

FYI Betsy Babe is my cars name because on the dash there is one of thoes plastic stickers that have punched out lettering. The sticker reads Betsy Babe. I guess im the 4th owner, and from what dooder who sold her to me says, that dooder before him says it was there, and so on, until the first owner. So i guess she has always had that name, aaaawwww.

ps. if someone crashed into your falcon, and wrecked it, then its a safe bet that their car blew up on impact and they exploded into a ball of fire. Atleast you'll walk away........ Well thats how i like to imagine it.
 
4 doors are the way to go now especially if your on a budget. The cars are still pretty cheap and are just as cool as the 2 door models. Not to mention the convenience of four doors.

I like 'em.

Notice mine has five! Ha Ha.
 
I've got a couple Mustangs, and after driving them for a while I'm looking forward to buying a 1960 4dr falcon for driving around town. I despise those huge mile long doors, on 2dr cars, especially in parking lots when it's windy. We may not be the windy city but trust me, wind comes across the prairie pretty darn quickly and a lot of it. The other thing is that my Mustang back seats are useless for passengers, unless you haul around small kids or 'vertically challenged' adults there is no possible way they could be comfortable, not even my Dog can sit on that seat comfortably, that's why he rides shotgun. :wink:

-ron
 
Hay Betsy
I was looking at your first post with the pic....
you DON'T have an alt. you have a generator it's the black thing passanger side .
Your starting prob could be anything from bad battery conection, bad battery, or bad sylinod (sp).
the head code show's its a 1963 head (C3 .... C=1960 followed by the specific year 3) and is most likely a 170 or a 200 cu.
All the motors 144, 170, 200 & 250 cu. were purtiy much the same block a 250cu. head would give you a bigger carb opening, & log and would alow for a biger carb.. But you would have to have it milled so you don't lose to much compression as it has a bigger chamber. If your not wanting to rebuild it now I would invest in a header and the DSII (duraspark) disturbitor almost a drop in swap.
Yes that tranny has no First gear syncro So you almost need to be at a full stop before putting it in first...
If your not interested in Keeping in orginal... you could find a compleat 250 cu. and do a drop in swap.. instantly more power and 50 more cubes
Just a thought
Tim
 
Thank You.

i believe keeping the original is what i'd like to do. As for going to first while moving - yes very bad, that was the first thing i tryed to do in old betsy, to say the least she didn't like it.

from what you said, is it possible to get that first gear syncro so it is possible to go in first ? Either way, is that even a good idea ? Although it would be nice, i.e, stop and go traffic/liths etc.
 
Don't worry about the trans, you aren't gonna hurt it with that sorta thing.

Not being able to shift into first while moving is one of the major elements of "character" with these cars.


However, If you have any sort of performance in mind, I would ditch that thing and go to a T5 right away.
 
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