My dad got this 1964 Falcon Convertible the other day for a song and a dance. It is in super nice shape with a 12 year old restoration and coming out of a 10 year storage. No rust or rot anywhere. Top is in immaculate condition and everything works as it should. The questions I have are, is the chassis in the falcon similar to the mustang chassis? I was wanting to build my father a mild 347 and stuff it off in his Falcon to replace his 6 cylinder. His car is numbers matching by the way and he said he wouldn't get rid of the drive line but more less, put it to the side while we played with it. I was wondering, like shorty headers off of a 87-93 mustang, would they fit? I know the engine block will fit in between the shock towers beings as these cars came with the 260 and 289 engines.

 

all the parts you need are available, no need to "try" to make fox parts fit.

 

The 64 Falcon and the 65 Mustang are very similar. There's ton of parts that are interchangeable. Also, and not to try to run you off, but there are some great Falcom message boards that have mod tips. They are very interlaced with Mustang boards in addressing things like motor swaps, 5 speed installs, disc brakes, rear ends, instrumentation, etc.

 

Nice. I have always liked Falcons. They were a super popular "second family car" back in their day. They looked good but still sporty.

 

For the most part, an early Mustang is a reskinned falcon.

If you do a V8 it will involve much more than merely changing the engine. You will need to upgrade everything including the rear axle and suspension. Change it to five bolt lugs.

It could have a 200 or a 170 six. If it's a 200, it is a seven main bearing engine and has LOTS of potential. These engines have more bearing area than a V8 and are totally bullet proof. Long tube headers and dual exhaust along with boring the carb flange out for a 300 six cylinder carburetor and some porting can make a really healthy engine.

I had a 200 in a 66 Mustang in the seventies prepared like I described above. I had to open the hood MANY times to prove to people that it was a V8. It sounded like a V8 and was fast as a weak V8.

 

If it is all there and original, you don't HAVE to put a v8 in it. It's amazing how many people just yank them immediately. Just "setting" the engine on the side wont cut it. Will be rear end, brakes, spindles, radiator. A lot has to be changed. Its your car though.

Deridder rules! Been there many a time.

 

fox headers are not gonna fit! you also are gonna have early style mounts they can be made bulletproof by adding a bolt in each mount

 

I'm not new to cars or building them, I was just gonna try and save money by using spare parts I have laying around. I was planning on doing the complete drive line anyhow. I was totally aware that the stock stuff wouldn't cut it.



MoonWeasel, I have people in Va. myself. I have an Uncle in Boyce and an Aunt and Uncle around Richmond, I come from a long line of Hillbillies. What business did you have in DeRidder. You weren't military were you? That's how I ended up here. I have always thought this little one horse town sucks A$$. I have to drive 75 miles to get to the closest drag strip. Did you hear that we started selling beer and liquor a couple of years ago. We are starting to evolve finally. My father and his car is in Columbus Ohio. He has been a mechanic all my life and for 42 years of his life. He doesn't need me to build anything for him, I just wanted to do it, like a father-son project. Only bad part is that he is 1200 miles away. And I heard him talking the other day about Arizona and possibly relocating. I told him that I may want the car if he ever decides to get rid of it.

 

No, not military, but I worked in Brusly, LA (rt 1, near BR), we had a couple utility company type accounts in that area. I actually found my first Mustang (67 200 CID, 3 sp manual) in Eunice! We worked with the Indian casinos as well. I know what you mean about it being in the middle of nowhere. I guess my good memories of that area overrides the lack of things to do. Doesn't Deridder have a giant shovel somewhere (statue / scuplture)? I remember hearing about that.

My Mustang is in Ohio right now. Nice to have a place to store it, but it is far away. I assume your dad is going to the meet this weekend?

 

DeRidder has no kind of shovel for a statue of anykind. DeRidder is located above the town called Lake Charles over on the west side of the state. I started and finished school here and have never heard of it(Shovel). Where is the show at in Ohio? I doubt my Father will be going to any show. Unless I send him to one looking for parts.