[John W.]

I should also mention, I've been LITERALLY CHISELING thirty years of crap off of the block this entire time. I try to spend about an hour a night. The exhaust side is looking pretty good. The big oil boss was really gnarly. I haven't really started cleaning up the intake side, but I've sprayed it down with super-degreaser. It seemed greasier, but not as cooked-on as the exhaust side.

Word is the head is A-OK superfine. I'm tempted to have them throw in cam bearings, a new cam, lifters & followers, but after $1000 in frame repair, I'm starting to watch the budget a little tighter. Everything looked like very good condition. I wish I knew how many miles were on this pig-iron.

[John W.]

I'm working on re-sizing some of the images to forum-friendly size. Here's the car itself:


And here's what's left of the frame rails:

[John W.]

The dirty bird is back home! And it drives about 100000x better now that the rear axle isn't falling off.

[TurboRay]

WOW.....quite the transformation!! :dunno:

[John W.]

I got them from "CJ Pony Parts" and they're actually Mustang rails. The shop had to cut a couple of inches off the front of the rail and graft it onto the back to fit the Falcon (you can just see the seam in the top pic). MACs had some *other* rails that were supposed to fit, but really they're a generic part with a long tail that must be cut-to-fit. They were backordered until Mid-June, so we made the Mustang rails work instead.

It wasn't "cheap" but for how much work they put in, and how it turned out, it's fantastic. Car Creations in Fridley, MN. I'm going to use them again. Good guys!

[John W.]

Well, I've been driving the Falcon for about a month now, and I've come to three important conclusions: 1) VintageAir is a real thing, and I need it. 2) "No power brakes" *SOUNDS* cool, until you have to drive in rush-hour traffic without them. There's no possible way this is safe with much more motor than the 200. And 3) the 200 is as glorious as I remember it, in all its mediocrity.

All that said, I'm having a blast driving a 49-year old car around Minneapolis. It's not perfect, but it looks great.
_

[TurboRay]

You're right, John.....the car DOES look great! :thumbup:

A power-brake booster should be cheap and easy to install - you might even find that they're available rebuilt from local A/P stores or online sellers like Rock Auto (you'll have to forfeit the core, of course). The remaining prob is gonna be the front drum brakes - especially during the rainy season. What's it gonna cost for a Vintage Air unit? Sounds expensive!! :eek:

I probably don't have to tell ya' - BUT, the 250 cid engine from a Maverick, Comet, Granada or Monarch is a straight bolt-in. But, finding one is another story altogether. I suppose you could just (gasp) turbocharge the 200 you've already got, lol!

[Howard]

It really is a pretty car! :thumbup:

[John W.]

Thanks guys! So far, this picture really captures the work I've put into her thusfar. With new seat upholstery, a passenger side mirror, and interior armrests and I would be happy with the car as it sits right now. AS IT SITS, not as it performs! Oh, and something with the steering wheel since I keep catching an edge and slicing the palm of my hand!

As much fun as the 200 I6-Turbo *SOUNDS*, this car is destined for the 2.3L EFI Turbo & C4 setup. The 200 will eventually find its way into the Econoline, which is my "primary" project - my 1st car, father/son project, all that sappy stuff.

[John W.]

Ok folks, I need a bit of help here. I'm looking for a replacement for . . . what is this?




I can sort-of see part of a PN on it. Looks like it ends with ???785-A3F There's not much metal left.

There is a pinhole on the side, and I can see light through it if I hold it up to the spotlight. Since it's part of the coolant path, I'm guessing that's a bad sign. Also, there was no gasket holding it in. I think there was supposed to be one, and probably was at one time. Sound about right?