Project Fastlane Fairlane [Archive]

Steve1968LS2

09-08-2007, 12:03 PM

Time to put some power into my '70 Ford Fairlane.

The original engine wasn't too bad, except is was SLOW (17.64 at 77 mph.. lol)

And the oil leaks kept getting worse and worse. At idle the oil light would come on. Is that bad?

I can't stand oil leaks so it was time for action..

9am
http://picsorban.com/upload/fair1.jpg

1pm
http://picsorban.com/upload/fair2.jpg

Anyone in SoCal need a 302 and C4 trans core?

Best Of Show then spent 4 days scraping the engine bay, degreesing it and then we sprayed it low gloss black. The underside of the whole car was scraped clean (we found zero rust) then coated in black undercoat. With the new rear, alum driveshaft and new tranny it should look very sanitary when done.

The car is a driver, not a show car but it will still be pretty nice with an old school vibe.

After I run 11.80s a couple of times I might put in a TKO600 and AC system. Maybe a trip to Chris Alson for some Total Control stuff.

Then I will sell her and start the next project, trying to figure out what that might be. 70 Monte Carlo? :shrug:

Anyways, I post progress pics as I go. The full story will be covered in PHR.

http://picsorban.com/upload/fair11.jpg

novanutcase

09-08-2007, 12:31 PM

So where's the freshly painted engine bay and underside pics?:D

What motor you putting in?

John

Steve1968LS2

09-08-2007, 12:39 PM

So where's the freshly painted engine bay and underside pics?:D

What motor you putting in?

John

Will have them early next week.. I was closing out the Dec issue so I wasn't there when AAA moved the car from BOS to Don Lee Auto where Tim and I will drop in the new engine.

The new engine is the 408 I just built. It put out 550/530 on the engine dyno.

http://www.lifeinwidescreen.com/siihp/408.jpg

novanutcase

09-08-2007, 12:52 PM

WOW!!!

That thing is SWEEEEETT!!! What do yo think your 1/4 times will be?

John

Steve1968LS2

09-08-2007, 06:12 PM

WOW!!!

That thing is SWEEEEETT!!! What do yo think your 1/4 times will be?

John

Hoping for 11.80s... "should" be capable of 11.50.

awr68

09-08-2007, 11:34 PM

Looks good!! So that's what you do in your spare time...and here I thought getting Penny reasy for SEMA would be enough to keep you busy! ;)

Steve1968LS2

09-09-2007, 06:39 AM

Looks good!! So that's what you do in your spare time...and here I thought getting Penny reasy for SEMA would be enough to keep you busy! ;)

Technically this is what I do on my on time. The Fairlane is my "work" car, Penny is my "off time" car.

Yea, I'm swampped. Working on two cars, both with deadlines and I had all my writing to do. Add in that my wife wants to go on vacation for a week (Yellowstone) and I haven't a moment to spare.

Maybe that's why I'm working at 5:40 AM on a Sunday morning.. :(

andrewmp6

09-09-2007, 07:29 AM

sounds nice what all are you going to do to the car.

907rs

09-09-2007, 07:46 AM

Lookin' good!

J2SpeedandCustom

09-09-2007, 10:21 AM

Will have them early next week.. I was closing out the Dec issue so I wasn't there when AAA moved the car from BOS to Don Lee Auto where Tim and I will drop in the new engine.

The new engine is the 408 I just built. It put out 550/530 on the engine dyno.

Steve that is going to wake her up ALOT! I wish we were closer I'd take that 302/C4 off your hands...:cool:

Steve1968LS2

09-09-2007, 11:48 AM

Steve that is going to wake her up ALOT! I wish we were closer I'd take that 302/C4 off your hands...:cool:

Yea, it's sorta messy and hard to ship. lol

Steve1968LS2

09-10-2007, 08:25 PM

New engine in place.. now for the hard part.

http://www.lifeinwidescreen.com/siihp/engin.jpg

Ummgawa

09-10-2007, 08:28 PM

Man that's as clean as a Firetruck. Sweet.

Steve1968LS2

09-10-2007, 08:50 PM

Man that's as clean as a Firetruck. Sweet.

Still need to tidy up some wiring and such but the engine bay is very roomy. The only "bad spot" in the bay is under where the battery used to be. I need to make a patch panel for it.

Should be a fun cruiser. Gonna hate to sell her eventually.

Steve1968LS2

09-12-2007, 07:34 PM

Today we installed the March pully system. I would just like to say that the kit lined up perfectly and fit like a glove. Not an easy task on a Ford engine. Nice to have serpentine belts.

http://picsorban.com/upload/march1.jpg

We also installed the Hughes trans and a few other things. Just need to install the cooling system, wire up the engine and install the ratchet TCI shifter. Learning a LOT about Fords...

69Nova

09-12-2007, 07:37 PM

Once you clean up the wires under the hood it gonna look pretty good.

Steve1968LS2

09-12-2007, 07:40 PM

Once you clean up the wires under the hood it gonna look pretty good.

Yea, I've ditched a lot of them, going to neaten up what's left and just make it sanitary. Was never built to be a "show car" just a very clean and fun street car.

One problem.. my Vr. Jr doesn't have ANY spots to draw vacuum from... couldn't they have put ONE bung??? dammit!

Steve1968LS2

09-13-2007, 05:22 PM

Musclerodz

09-14-2007, 11:07 AM

Did the cooling system today.

The Holley throttle bracket was $95 and worth every single penny.. the part is PERFECT.

Need to finish wiring, route stuff, install shifter and a bunch of little stuff.

Holley buys that bracket and we are now a dealer for that company. Could have saved ya $20. Always timing isn't it? However they have some other sic stuff I will be putting up for sale very shortly. :thumbsup:

Steve1968LS2

09-18-2007, 07:43 PM

Holley buys that bracket and we are now a dealer for that company. Could have saved ya $20. Always timing isn't it? However they have some other sic stuff I will be putting up for sale very shortly. :thumbsup:

Well, you could have saved someone.. lol

I highly reccomend the bracket for any Holley carb deal, it works like a charm.

Steve1968LS2

09-18-2007, 07:44 PM

The engine is in and running.. damn this thing is loud open header.. lol

It's at Magnaflow right now getting a system designed. That place has some SERIOUS equipment. Like a machine that can mandrel bend 4-inch pipe..

Thank god I have the GT hood, the air cleaner should JUST clear. (fingers crossed)

Almost time to go open a can of whup-ass on a certain Chevelle ;)

http://picsorban.com/upload/4082.jpg

http://picsorban.com/upload/magna.jpg

fakesnake.com

09-18-2007, 08:10 PM

looks great! The picture quality is amazing too.

syborg tt

09-18-2007, 09:23 PM

wow is all i can say. You've really cleaned her up in short period of time.

keep the pics coming

4mm

09-18-2007, 10:21 PM

Damn that looks nice.
Have you fired her up yet? Those windsor motors sure sound mean and purty. :thumbsup:

Steve1968LS2

09-18-2007, 10:44 PM

Damn that looks nice.
Have you fired her up yet? Those windsor motors sure sound mean and purty. :thumbsup:

Yea, we drove her into Magnaflow. Everyone came into the shop to see what was making all the noise. Sounded killer.

I, like an idiot, forgot my vid camera.. but Magnaflow is going to do before and after vid of what she sounds like.

Car sounded... angry.. :)

GHOSTDANCER

09-19-2007, 09:39 AM

Great pics:thumbsup:

09-19-2007, 09:54 AM

Steve,
The engine compartment looks clean :thumbsup:

Did you take the Camaro floor mats out of that ford?

70TWO NOVA

09-19-2007, 10:31 AM

Yeah, looks pretty clean........for a Ford. :lol:

Steve1968LS2

10-01-2007, 08:33 PM

Man, the guys at Magnaflow KNOW how to build an exhaust.. the fitment was amazing.

three-inch stainless... I thought they were going to do coated steel but when I got there they had this ready to go on.

The Ford sounds killer, I need to do some tuning now that the exhaust is on and clean up a few things. Oh, and put on the hood. Then I can install a few gauges and widgets.

http://picsorban.com/upload/muffle.jpg

4mm

10-01-2007, 11:01 PM

Damn nice job! I can only wish we had shops around here capable of doing that. :thumbsup:

syborg tt

10-02-2007, 07:28 AM

Steve I love you.

This picture has finally helped me figure out how I am going to paint my Garage.

ps- your car looks awesome

http://picsorban.com/upload/magna.jpg

Steve1968LS2

11-12-2007, 04:04 PM

Chassis dyno results...

448 rwhp
404 rwtq

:woot:

4mm

11-12-2007, 04:49 PM

two68s

11-12-2007, 07:59 PM

Looking sharp Steve, maybe you'll learn enough about Fords to change your mind about selling it :D Ever thought about fabbing up a shock tower brace? That firewall could present a challenge though.

Steve1968LS2

11-12-2007, 08:21 PM

The car looks great Steve, I recall when it was on auction on eBay and I was waffling whether or not to bid $12k, as the last second, I decided not to. My mistake LOL, if you ever contemplate selling her, put me first in line. :cheers:

She will be for sale in a few months.. I will need the $$$ to fund the next build. But I will miss the car, a very nice cruiser.

Steve1968LS2

11-12-2007, 08:22 PM

Looking sharp Steve, maybe you'll learn enough about Fords to change your mind about selling it :D Ever thought about fabbing up a shock tower brace? That firewall could present a challenge though.

Yea, it really helped me relearn all I had forgotten since my last Ford project. If I was super wealthy I could keep all my cars. Time to go buy that lotto ticket. lol

mazspeed

11-12-2007, 08:44 PM

She will be for sale in a few months.. I will need the $$$ to fund the next build. But I will miss the car, a very nice cruiser.

What are you building next?

Steve1968LS2

11-12-2007, 10:42 PM

What are you building next?

Not sure.. depends what "brand" I'm approved for.. Mopar.. Maybe a nice 70s Nova.

OLDFLM72

11-22-2007, 07:51 PM

Not sure.. depends what "brand" I'm approved for.. Mopar.. Maybe a nice 70s Nova.

My vote:

'Would love to see you do a 70-73 Firebird/Formula/Trans Am Steve!

Stroker 400/462 Poncho, 6-speed, Hotchkis TVS or Air Ride, etc.

V/R,
Ty

Young Gun

11-25-2007, 09:56 AM

Not sure.. depends what "brand" I'm approved for.. Mopar.. Maybe a nice 70s Nova.

yes!!!! i would love to watch a 70's nova build!!!! now what will your next project attempt to accomplish? will it be pro-touring or something else?

71Nova

11-25-2007, 02:06 PM

!!!! 70's Nova build. Just please do it Pro touring. (as if you wouldn't) Car shows rarely have a pro touring 70's Nova. Usually just very low budget drag cars. FastLane is looking great!

ZVT

11-26-2007, 12:06 PM

I would like to see you do something post 74 as a PT build and I would be happy to design/render it for you too ;) :thumbsup:

Maybe a collonade coupe.hmmmmm Something odd but freakin cool looking

Hell any car you do next hit me up I will whip up a rendering for it...

Steve1968LS2

12-10-2007, 07:06 PM

Pulled the bench seat today to install the Procar Ralley bucket seats. The best part was that the floors were nearly factory fresh. Only a tiny spot of surface rust near the back.. not even pitted yet. The car must of led a pampered life somewhere. Also install the new retro gauges in the dash along with a tach on the steering column. Going to touch up the surface rust areas with POR-15 and then put down sound deadner. Will also use the Second Skin door kit I won on the doors.

Oh, and the new Hughes trans is in with the upped 3200 stall converter.

clean floors:
http://picsorban.com/upload/fairlanefloor.jpg

Gordz32

12-10-2007, 07:23 PM

Hey How Come You Guys Pulled the carpet out if you were JUST CHANGING SEATS?

Steve1968LS2

12-10-2007, 07:28 PM

Hey How Come You Guys Pulled the carpet out if you were JUST CHANGING SEATS?

1. to check for rust

2. we didn't have bracket so we made our own and welded them to the floor.. carpet burns.

3. want to POR-15 any potential rust spots

4. want to put down some sound deadner

5. we screwed up the front carpet putting in the first shifter, also the shifter needs to be moved back (was put where it is because of the bench seat). If I'm going to put in new front carpet then I might as well put in new back carpet since it's a kit.

6. looking for loose change.. found one lousy penny :(

Tom.A

12-10-2007, 10:47 PM

6. looking for loose change.. found one lousy penny :(

hmm...are you sure? It could be a "Lucky Penny" or a "Bad Penny" ??:D

steemin

12-11-2007, 05:31 PM

hmm...are you sure? It could be a "Lucky Penny" or a "Bad Penny" ??:D

Dang...You beat me to it..:P
I really like those gauges. Perfect fit:thumbsup:
Scott

Steve1968LS2

12-24-2007, 10:21 PM

Working on the Fairlane today.. oops! I hate it when this happens!!

http://picsorban.com/upload/fairlaneoops.jpg

awr68

12-24-2007, 10:29 PM

Ah, that looks like the start to a fun project! We will need more pics when instaled!

Steve1968LS2

12-26-2007, 05:54 PM

Hood pins are IN... they actually add to the looks of the car. Unlike regular, ugly IMO, scuff plates..

http://picsorban.com/upload/fairpin1.jpg

radrambler

12-26-2007, 07:07 PM

HOOD PIERCING.........:rofl:

i had to .....

two68s

12-29-2007, 12:58 PM

JohnC

12-29-2007, 02:06 PM

Hood pins are IN... they actually add to the looks of the car. Unlike regular, ugly IMO, scuff plates..

http://picsorban.com/upload/fairpin1.jpg

Steve, those look great! I sent you a pm if you don't mind.
Thanks

syborg tt

12-29-2007, 03:20 PM

If you looking for these hood pins you can shoot me an e-mail and i'll take care of you.

[email protected]

the website is being re-designed as I type.

www.hoodpins.net

Steve1968LS2

12-29-2007, 08:45 PM

Steve, I check for updates on the Fastlane almost daily. It's looking great, and will be a killer car when finished. On top of that it will be different. Can we see the seats, or do we have to wait and see them in the mag?

Thanks, here are the seats. They are Procar Ralley seats. Right now in cloth but soon they will be covered to match the back seat in blue vinyl. I wanted modern bucketsl, but it was important that they keep an old-school look. You can also see where I mounted my gauges in the dash.

Today we dynomatted the whole floor and I put deadner and jute behind the back seat to help cut noise. Also installed pedals from Modo Innovations. The seats are also an inch lower now than what you see in the pics.

http://picsorban.com/upload/lowreseats.jpg

Steve1968LS2

12-29-2007, 08:45 PM

If you looking for these hood pins you can shoot me an e-mail and i'll take care of you.

[email protected]

the website is being re-designed as I type.

www.hoodpins.net

Hood pin scuff plates look killer.. they actually ADD to the looks of the car rather than detract.. very nice. :thumbsup:

two68s

12-30-2007, 11:15 AM

Thanks, here are the seats. They are Procar Ralley seats. Right now in cloth but soon they will be covered to match the back seat in blue vinyl.
Those seats are available in blue vinyl, but I'm not sure how well it matches up to the original color. It makes sense getting them recovered though, that way you can match the original pattern also.

Unique Performance put blue Ralleys in some of their GT-350SRs.

http://www.motorpasion.com/images/1965-Shelby-GT350SR-05.jpg

Steve1968LS2

12-30-2007, 11:46 AM

Those seats are available in blue vinyl, but I'm not sure how well it matches up to the original color. It makes sense getting them recovered though, that way you can match the original pattern also.

Unique Performance put blue Ralleys in some of their GT-350SRs.

http://www.motorpasion.com/images/1965-Shelby-GT350SR-05.jpg

Yea, the blue wasn't right. Costing me $400 to have them recovered.

awr68

12-30-2007, 02:03 PM

Looks good Steve, must be just about time to sell her! ;)

Steve1968LS2

12-30-2007, 02:43 PM

Looks good Steve, must be just about time to sell her! ;)

Yep, time to start another one. Works out great. I have my done car, Penny, and then my "work" car so that I always have something to wrench on.

It was nice to do a Ford this time, a real refresher course. Can't go putting an LSx engine into everything.. lol

Steve1968LS2

12-31-2007, 03:25 PM

http://picsorban.com/upload/dragfair.jpg

:unibrow:

4mm

12-31-2007, 04:15 PM

:burnout: :drool:

awr68

12-31-2007, 05:21 PM

I can smell the tires!! :unibrow: :thumbsup:

Steve1968LS2

01-31-2008, 06:08 PM

Worked on the Fairlane today..

Fixed some mechanical junk in prep for the track.

Also did a bunch of little stuff. Painted the new dash cap and kick panels to match the blue interior.

Painted the wheels a graphite color since the raw alum was too hard to keep nice:

http://picsorban.com/upload/fairlow2.jpg

Installed Modo Innovations pedal covers. They didn't make ones for the Fairlane but the Mustang ones fit great with only minor trimming of the e-brake pedal needed. Also put in new carpet over the fresh sound deadener.

http://picsorban.com/upload/fairlow1.jpg

Saturday I clean her up and then I'll do a nice smokey burn out and post the video on here.. :)

GHOSTDANCER

01-31-2008, 06:33 PM

Great job on the rims :thumbsup: :cheers:

Sales@Dutchboys

01-31-2008, 06:37 PM

Love the wheels and pedals! :thumbsup:

Paul

Steve1968LS2

02-05-2008, 06:12 PM

New interior going in...

http://picsorban.com/upload/fairint1.jpg

formula98

02-05-2008, 08:38 PM

Nice! I like the wheels. So when will we get a shot of the new threads?

Ventoso

02-05-2008, 09:05 PM

Is that an original/reproduction Rotunda tachometer, or the Autometer Anniversary series?

Steve1968LS2

02-05-2008, 11:13 PM

Is that an original/reproduction Rotunda tachometer, or the Autometer Anniversary series?

Thier new Anniversary series.. it's pretty cool.

KPC67

02-05-2008, 11:32 PM

Steve,
I love that steering wheel, Is that that Grant's classic wheel?

Steve1968LS2

02-06-2008, 12:03 AM

Steve,
I love that steering wheel, Is that that Grant's classic wheel?

I think so, it came with the car. I was going to replace it but it's grown on me. The wood is a nice touch.

Steve1968LS2

02-06-2008, 06:46 PM

The interior is done.. I think it has a cool retro vibe.

http://picsorban.com/upload/fairint5.jpg

http://picsorban.com/upload/fairint6.jpg

awr68

02-06-2008, 06:57 PM

Looks great! The ProCar seats look right at home!! :thumbsup:

skatinjay27

02-06-2008, 06:59 PM

those seat turned out very very nice!!!!

rwhite692

02-07-2008, 10:26 AM

Steve those seats look great, really ties it all together. Excellent choice! -Rob

Payton King

02-07-2008, 11:26 AM

Really like the way that car turned out.

TA219

02-07-2008, 01:22 PM

Those buckets turned out great!!

Buick Motorsports

02-07-2008, 01:39 PM

gionni

02-08-2008, 01:58 AM

WOW....the seats are PERFECT!!! :thumbsup:

Steve1968LS2

04-29-2008, 10:05 PM

Work continues...

Last week was spent installing the AODe computer-controlled overdrive trans. It's "almost" done.

Next week I will be bolting in a Vintage Air Conditioning system. Given the extra draw of the system I also decided to upgrade the radiator from the "bargain" unit in it and the mech fan to this:

Flex-a-lite unit
http://picsorban.com/upload/flexfair.jpg

It's a pretty nice piece and I really like the look of it.

syborg tt

04-30-2008, 08:32 AM

Nice Piece - When I saw it at Sema I was like why didn't anyone think of that before.

Work continues...

Last week was spent installing the AODe computer-controlled overdrive trans. It's "almost" done.

Next week I will be bolting in a Vintage Air Conditioning system. Given the extra draw of the system I also decided to upgrade the radiator from the "bargain" unit in it and the mech fan to this:

Flex-a-lite unit
http://picsorban.com/upload/flexfair.jpg

It's a pretty nice piece and I really like the look of it.

andrewmp6

04-30-2008, 08:23 PM

Looks great but whats on the passenger side tail light?

Steve1968LS2

05-02-2008, 11:01 PM

Looks great but whats on the passenger side tail light?

NHRA compliant battery kill switch

Steve1968LS2

05-02-2008, 11:02 PM

Radiator is in.. fairly simple, only had to do a little trimming for fitment. Keeps the car right at 180..

http://picsorban.com/upload/lowfairfan.jpg

two68s

05-04-2008, 08:46 PM

Looking great Steve, please tell me you've decided to keep the car :D

Steve1968LS2

05-04-2008, 09:29 PM

Looking great Steve, please tell me you've decided to keep the car :D

I wish I could.. I'm using the funds from the sale to build my next car.. Project Track Rat.. :)

It's going to a good home though..

Steve1968LS2

05-07-2008, 07:45 PM

Vintage Air system going in.. for a kit that's not made for the car it's fitting very well. It's also nice to have the mock-up unit to design the bracket.

http://picsorban.com/upload/fairvintage1.jpg

Gonna be cool.. lol.. wow, that was punny...

waynieZ

05-07-2008, 08:03 PM

Looks good I can't wait until Thats the kind of stuff I'm dealing with!!
Wayne

Steve1968LS2

08-09-2008, 09:15 PM

The Fairlane ships next week to Yancy in Pidgeon Forge. Should be at the RTTH event.

The overdrive tranny was a bear but it's in and working good. Also finished up installing the Vintage Air system. Just need to figure out why the tach stopped (fuse?) and do some last minute detail work. Oh, also installed fresh back tires since I sorta melted the old ones. lol

http://picsorban.com/upload/fairair1.jpg

http://picsorban.com/upload/fairair2.jpg

http://picsorban.com/upload/fairair3.jpg