To Falcon or not to Falcon? Help me decide!!

cdherman

Famous Member
I have my eye on a 61 Falcon with a 140 ci six engine. Appears to be completely original and in excellent condition. I am not really a hotrodder, but I know a great many of you fellows are Falcon drivers.

We are looking at $2-3k range I think, maybe a tad more. I would not intend to change the engine, especially since the rest of the car is original. I would like to drive it frequently though, perhaps daily when the weather is nice.

What are the problems with 61 falcons and 140 ci engines? Anything I should be particularly wary of? Are there many clean rust free cars out there? Maybe I should wait for one with a tad larger engine?

Sorry to be so inquisitive, but I have only about 2 days. Its on eBay, search for falcon and you'll find her.

Please don't move me to the falcon forum -- I am afraid that there will not be enough traffic to help over there. Thanks!!!!!
 
The engine would have been a 144cid motor. Good little engine. It only had 4 main bearings and was only produced until 1964. It was replaced by the 170 and later by the 200. It's just like a 170 but with a shorter stroke. A 200 would be a direct swap for this engine. All the mounts and accessories will hook right up with minimal change and it will even keep the same external dimensions and appearance.
 
Thanks for the 144 correction. The eBay listing said 140 -- I had visions of some old flat top six in the 140 range. A 200 swap would be interesting, as that engine seems to be a real fine durable unit. Of course, if the stock 144 (maybe a carb upgrade and Pertronix?) gets me down the road, why not just keep her. I am looking to just roll on down the road with no real performance demands.

I read that 61 bodies are light and rather small compared to later sixes. I am 6'5" -- maybe I should be wary of the 61 Falcon?

later.......
 
Just put a hood scoop on the roof over the driver's seat and you'll fit in there just fine.

Just remember the Falcon was an economy car and got all the cheapest stuff Ford could buy. Light duty everything. If you stuff in 429, you'll need to upgrade the front suspension, the rear suspension, the rear axle, the tranny, the floor pan, the roof, the fenders...... ;)

Neat little car, I'd keep it original if its that good now. You may be a tight fit in there though.
 
I don't think I'd be too concerned about the lightweight '61 nor the room. I think you'll find plenty. Of course, at 5' 7", I'm not much on the personal experience side of things. :wink: You'd find the same room in any 60 - 63, and probably through 65.

There's plenty of traffic in the Falcon forum, just not something to respond to everyday. Many of us read all the forums daily, so a post here vs the Falcon forum really wouldn't make all that much difference.

Good luck on the auction! 8)
 
I think you'd have plenty of room in there. You don't say what trans is in there, but the performance will be pretty anaemic, I imagine. Still, with a header (or maybe just a late model exhaust manifold and a decent exhoaust system), a slightly larger carb ( see if Pony Carbs offers an autolite 1101 or something like that) and a pertronix you would certainly get enough perk to drive confidently on the highway and get around town. I'd go for it, but i like falcons.

As for the 200 swap, you could certainly slip a 200 with a nice transmission in there and store the original engine and transmission in a safe and dry place. that would get you a great little performer and you could restore it to original with a day's work.
 
Falcons are great cars!

In fact, they are my favorite car.

A 200cid engine swap would be easy and economical.

8)
 
I'm 6'4" and I fit just fine in my '64, which isn't much different in interior space. I wouldn't worry about it being too tight.

The 144 is slightly less powerful than my vacuum cleaner motor. I would throw in a 200 and keep the 144 colors and stickers on the valve cover and air cleaner. Hold on to the original engine, just in case some future buyer is really hung up on originality.
 
If you are interested in a falcon i have a 63 sedan with a 144 and three on the tree i am selling local. I bought another 63 and wife doent like the parking lot of cars. Allready have a 63 convertable, futura and now a sprint. Her 59 nash has to sit outside. Love the round bodies, ease of working and reliability of the six cylinder. Gas milage not to bad either
 
My first car was a 60 4 door Falcon 144ci with a 2 speed auto.
I loved it and would like to have another one but I'd drop the 144 for a 200 or 250.
We always said it would do 0 to 80 in 10 min with a good tail wind.
but it was good on gas.
Doc In Chatt.
76 E100 75 Maverick Grabber
 
The Falcon will make you a nice car. As stated, you may want to consider going to a 200 but until then the 144 will get you down the road. I am 6' 4" and have no problem getting in or out. It just takes a bit of practice to be able to slide under the 17" wheel and the high front stock round body seat. :)

Personally, I wouldn't buy anything in a 'hurry'. Do a little research and shopping around. That is unless this one just screams 'take me' then go for it. Some matches are indeed made in heaven.

Jim

62 Econo three window
62 Ranchero
62 Falcon Fordor
 
If you are going to buy it and you decide you want to drop in a 200, I have one with only 1,800 miles on it after a rebuild I would be willing to sell. Of course we would have to work on some way to get it to you. I have a 1971 comet I was going to put it in but my comet has a 250 and I was told it wont work without changing almost everything. So, if you want it let me know and I will see what we can workout.
 
Well, I passed the idea by the domestic advisor and she recomended I choose between marital bliss and living under a bridge. The car on ebay ultimately went for about $2500, but that was under his reserve. What is clear to me, is that I like Falcons and when I get my current project done, I will start "preping" my wife for the next one, instead of the frontal assault approach.

I just gotta have an older car that is original and not needing restoration. Somehow pleasing, knowing that it was made that way and survived all those years.

For me, the 144 probably would suffice. As long as it could get up to speed before being run over.

Thanks fellas,
 
cdherman":3fu8kdwf said:
Well, I passed the idea by the domestic advisor and she recomended I choose between marital bliss and living under a bridge.
That's why you need a wagon. A home away from home. :wink: Following from the above post, maybe a Comet wagon!
 
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