New member, familiar car

[SSChef]

Hi everyone,

My name is Steve and a friend recommended this site to me. I have a few classic car projects and one in particular I found on this site.

https://lateral-g.net/forums/show...=nascar+falcon

I purchased this car and drove it around for a bit. Fun car with tons of power. A couple things i didn't like was the rear end noise and it had a big vibration over 60 mph.

Putting the power to the ground took its toll and broke a few parts. The suspension needed some attention and luckily a local shop was able to get it sorted.

While in the shop he suggested we turn to a pro-touring/g-machine look instead of the drag race feel it had. I was all for it since its primarily a street car.

First step was fixing the rear suspension and a wheel tire package that will compliment the car. Stock looking body with a reliable suspension package.


The lower wishbone rod end snapped while I was going through a clover leaf. Not fun. Took out the quarter panel and 335 tire. During the inspection he found a few potential issues. Easily fixed.

Since the car has massive tubs and a back half we started from scratch. Cut out the outer wheel houses so he can move the tire out closer to the body. The Falcons quarter panel shape makes it tough to do. He pretty much has to reshape the quarter and still keep it looking original.

He determined the rod end broke when the wishbone contacted the frame rail. He said that the car has a lot of body roll and a few components get close during long sweeping turns. The lowers actually hit.

[SSChef]

First order of business was to figure out how much tire we can stuff in there.

The shop had a set of Forgelines in the display area. I like them so much that I made an offer. They were a set that the Ring Brothers used for mock up on one of their fords and I am a huge fan of their work. The Fairlane is a big inspiration for this car.

The sizes are 18x10 front and 19x12 rear running 275/35/18 and 325/30/19. Its going to take a bunch of work to get it right. Especially on the front. Its tight up there.

Back to the first step. Cut out metal and keep fitting.

First section is the rear since there is so much damage there to start and the car is stuck on the rack. The shop is tight for space and cars have to at least roll to keep the owner happy.

[SSChef]

With the rear clear we can start cutting the front so we can fit the 18x10 275's which i'm told is not possible. There is a bunch of body panels in the way. If its hitting, move it till it stops hitting. Then go a little further.

Torque box left and right. Cut!

Battery tray bulge. Cut!

Steering box bulge. Cut!

Frame rail pinch. cut!

Wheels are in. He says that was the easy part.

Trial fitting the wheels and tires exposed a few more spots to cut out. The front fender lip, that needs to go. He has a trick to cut them out and replace them with 3/16" cold rolled steel for reinforcement to maintain the fender shape. Looks like he will add a slight bulge to it since we may need it.

[SSChef]

On the rear, when the suspension let loose the tire went into the front of the quarter and buckled it up pretty bad. We found out that the section is full of rust.

We may do a reshape to gain more tire clearance but we won't know till we get the full suspension in and travel tested. He wants to move the wheel rearward with longer links before that happens.

He will be reshaping the rear arch to give us a fluid tire space. The factory quarter starts tight, comes out then comes back in tight. Its almost a 2" difference.

[Try2paz]

cool car, love the Falcons! I saw the car when i stopped by that shop. It's beautiful! Any thoughts on doing some road course days?

[WILWAXU]

Great car! Love the updates.

[SSChef]

Originally Posted by Try2paz

cool car, love the Falcons! I saw the car when i stopped by that shop. It's beautiful! Any thoughts on doing some road course days?

Thank you, not sure. Maybe just auto cross for now.