Newbie intro & question

[Anonymous]

Hey! Just thought I better say hi and give an intro before launching into the questions. But, I'm gonna launch into the questions right away anyway. That's way we're all here anyway.
My car is a '64 Fairlane 500 with a very poor 170 mated up to the 2-speed auto. Car is all orginal, rust free and in beautiful shape other then the 170. I'm planning a swap to the 200 backed with a C4.
Now for the questions............
What am I gonna need to get this swap done as cheap as possiple? Planning on buying a "new" motor from one of the local shops and a C4 from the cheapest place I can find. Hopeing to do the whole thing for $1000. Is that gonna be possiple?

 

[ludwig]

As long as you are swapping out, whyncha go stright for the big enchilada and drop in a 250 with C4. Here in the San Fernando Valley they will sell the whole thing already connected out of the junk yard as a combo. Sometimes you can get the whole drivetrain without the car. Look around. Then it's just install and fire up -- if it works, which is a whole nother question.

 

[ludwig]

Check out this guy. http://fordsix.com/forum/viewtopic.php? ... highlight=
Just what I said.

 

[rbohm]

8) i agree with ludwig, that fairlane needs more power than the falcon or mustang does as it is heavier. i also say go for the 250/C4 combo. you can have the 250 freshened up for a moderate amount of money, as well as the C4.

 

[Anonymous]

I`m with them a 250 will be much better

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info guys! Was thinking about the 250 but I heard there was special problems with these engines. Any truth to that?
Don't really want a engine outta a junker, most of the reason I'm planning to pick up a "new" rebuild one. Don't have a quote on one yet but my bro was quoted $850 for a 302 with a 7/70,000 warrenty so that's the price I'm shootin' for.
Mostly I'm worried about the C4 boltin' up to the car. I'm guessin' from the info already that it should be no problem.
Not really buildin' a speed demon. Planning on an early '60's style Kustom. Dechrome, skirts, droppin' it about 3" with either spider caps on the red rims or ........... The 170's power seemed fine for the month I drove the car even though it really, really needed a third gear. Course, more power would be nice on the freeway.

 

[rbohm]

8) there are no problems with a 250 that i am aware of, except that it is about 2" taller than the 170/200. also if you get a 250, you can use most any transmission from a small block V8 as the bell patterns are the same(6 bolt bells).

 

[ludwig]

Yeah. That's the other reason you want the 250. More tranny choices down the line.

 

[Anonymous]

I think ya guys got me talked into a 250. I'm likin' the easy tranny choices. Should make the junkyard trips for a tranny a bit easier.
Should find out tomorrow about prices. I can't believe that most of the shops were closed on the weekends......Weird.....

 

[CobraSix]

Personally, for the fairlane, I'd forget the 6 altogether and go to at least a 289/302. Even a 250 will be taxed if you want performance out of that car. Maybe I'm thinking of the really big fairlanes, can't recall the earlier ones, but I know they were still fullsized cars, right?

Slade

 

[addo]

They were a little wider and longer than a Falcon, but not hugely.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, more like a mid-size then full size. Course, it's a bit bigger the Jetta I was driving........

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy Coyotegawd:

I'd just like to repeat the suggestion that you find a 250 donor vehicle in the recycle yard near you. If you go with a rebuilt engine and trans from a builder, you'll still need all the accessories. You will also need to fabricate a trans mount (this will be true with either the 200 or 250 C4), possibly motor mounts and driveshaft. The donor parts may come in handy. A donor will have the carb, cable linkage and air cleaner, alternator, starter, and if it's a '76 and later, an electronic ignition system. This is all stuff you will need.

I'm not sure on the Fairlanes steering linkage, but you may need to rearrange the cross link/drag link to clear the 250 pan. Compare the 250s pan to your original 170s pan. Pans are not interchangeable.

What rear end is in the car? Will this be a daily driver or a weekend cruiser?

A 250 is easy to rebuild and you can do it is stages to suit your budget.

Enjoy the trip.

Adios, David

 

[Anonymous]

I have a question/comment - I thought that generally speaking, once you got up into the 250-302 range, it was recommended that you have better/different front suspension and also better brakes (more stopping power to compensate for more going power). Like, isn't the whole deal with 250 Mustangs is that they have V8 suspension and brakes?

I have no idea where I heard this, so maybe I am just wrong. Memory ain't what it used to be, and it was never all that good.

tom.

 

[rbohm]

8) the difference here is that the fairlane used the heavier duty suspension, so that is a non-issue.

 

[Anonymous]

a-HA!

 

[67 Falcon]

The 64 Fairlanes all have 8" rears. Russell