1963 Falcon Phase 2

[Panteracer]

Way to go Craig.. with all the fab work
done on the car it is great to see a homegrown
car appreciated

Bob

[Try2paz]

Congrats! Very awesome Craig! How was the drive home you make it without getting rained on?

[EconoCarl]

Way to go Craig, congratulations!

[FETorino]

Very cool.:cheers:

[craig510]

Thanks guys. Made it home in the rain with no issues. I'll try to get some videos up this week.

[Sieg]

Congrats Craig, that was definitely earned! :thumbsup:

[SSLance]

Well Done!! And well deserved also, congrats!!!

[craig510]

Another successful weekend. I have been down on myself a little lately thinking that my driving has not been improving. I guess I was just on a plateau, I used lots of visualization, focus and studying the plots and segment to get the most I could out of small tires and low HP. The end result, making it into the top 16 Shootout.

B90zVXIkDHI

This was my final qualifying run at the Good Guys Fuel Curve West Coast Muscle Car Shootout. I work really hard all weekend to say in it. Over 70 cars entered. 24 would make qualifying, 16 into the shootout ladder. I started Sunday in 24, got bumped out to 26. I put down a good number and moved up to 13 to make it into the qualifying round. In qualifying I got bumped to 19, pressure was on. I dropped 3ths on my last chance run and moved up to 15 making it into the ladder elimination. I gave it everything I had on the final run but tipped a cone and did not advance. My Mike Maier Inc. suspension worked great all weekend and allowed me to tweak the car to improve a couple of corners.

[DBasher]

Congratulations Craig! I followed along with the updates on FB, I've got to say you're doing great running with the higher hp and bigger tire guys, your commitment and focus is paying off. Nice work!

:flag2: :thumbsup:

[Boosted Falcon]

Nice job Craig.

[craig510]

First outing of the new season. Had to use some old tires so I was down on time but still had some fun. The next run I shifted to 3rd and hit 70 in the first walom section. The sniper efi is working well so far.

i55_-WM8ZYc

[craig510]

Just in case anyone still reads threads, here are some videos from the SCCA Tour Event. I took 4th in CAM-T.

Fast run from Day 1 (good for 3rd):
1ezF7ORnSyk

Only clean run on Day 2:
iFJC5AbnNv4

Blooper at the third turn around. I think this run would have kept me in 3rd:
koONwHv4kNM

[craig510]

These are the farewell runs for the current phase of the falcon. It runs and drive great, pulls 1.2g's in a corner and made it to the Ultimate Street Car Invitational. . . but I want it to be faster. All aluminum big bore 347 (3.25" stroke, 4.125" bore) is ordered. 4" flares will be installed and new suspension for the increased track width and 315mm tires. I'll have about twice the horsepower and 2000 more RPMs and more mid corner grip. I'll got a few tricks to try to get down to the class minimum weight.

--h17bqXz98

WP276NvwoFo

[glassman]

Yeh and i was gonna say no weight, like Dylan's falcon. So light, so good. Good luck with the transformation!!

[rustomatic]

Right on, Craig! I have to admit that it was pretty fun flooring my so-called Falcon in the middle of turns (with no loss of grip whatsoever) at Thunderhill in March; this was when I was already going a freeway-level speed. Big tars and more advanced suspension travel/geometry do seem to beg for more power . . . Wouldn't a 351-based block make a bit more sense for the bigger power (and reliability)?

These are the farewell runs for the current phase of the falcon. It runs and drive great, pulls 1.2g's in a corner and made it to the Ultimate Street Car Invitational. . . but I want it to be faster. All aluminum big bore 347 (3.25" stroke, 4.125" bore) is ordered. 4" flares will be installed and new suspension for the increased track width and 315mm tires. I'll have about twice the horsepower and 2000 more RPMs and more mid corner grip. I'll got a few tricks to try to get down to the class minimum weight.

--h17bqXz98

WP276NvwoFo

[craig510]

Right on, Craig! I have to admit that it was pretty fun flooring my so-called Falcon in the middle of turns (with no loss of grip whatsoever) at Thunderhill in March; this was when I was already going a freeway-level speed. Big tars and more advanced suspension travel/geometry do seem to beg for more power . . . Wouldn't a 351-based block make a bit more sense for the bigger power (and reliability)?

Nope. They can’t rev as fast/high. Not really going for power as much as rpm to hold second gear. I can always add spray if I need more for the road course.

[Panteracer]

Craig,
Great to hear you are going for big tires, etc
I understand the want for more Rpms as I have
lunched many a Pontiac motors trying to get that
second gear to pull just a little longer. I ended up
changing the chip in my Pantera to 7500 rpm so I could
beat someone a few years back.. it is a 351 stroked to
400 inches and still held together

As far as 347's... not sure if that is such a good idea
I guess if you have a good crank, rods and block you may
be ok but a 331 to me would be a better choice... the 347
has the wrist pins hanging out about half way at the bottom
of the cylinders so the pistons tend to rock and cause some
trouble... maybe with a higher pin, etc you can fix that but
I had one blow up on the front straight of thunder hill when
I moved the chip up to 6800... again not the good stuff inside but
why "rock the boat or pistons" :)

Picture of what happened.. sitting on my counter at my shop
As others say Wall Art now

Bob

[craig510]

Bob,

A big bore 347 is a 331with a 4.125” bore. Going with a dart aluminum block and Callies crank. Solid roller cam. ARP 2000 rod bolts.

Hopefully it will hold together.

-Craig

[Flash68]

Bob,

A big bore 347 is a 331with a 4.125” bore. Going with a dart aluminum block and Callies crank. Solid roller cam. ARP 2000 rod bolts.

Hopefully it will hold together.

-Craig

Nice parts! Sounds like a fun little screamer.

[Panteracer]

Craig,
Got it... so not too much stoke
What heads and what are you going to spin it to??

I got talked out of a solid roller for my Pantera refresh
since the last engine was still in good shape running 7500 rpm
So we stuck with the solid flat tappet.. less lift more duration this time
Love my Solid Lifter cam in my Pontiac though.. 750 lift
is really cool

Bob

[craig510]

AFR 195’s. It should pull to about 7 and fall over around 7500. Chip will be set at 8000 so I can get to 85ish in second.

[GregWeld]

LOL ---- this will be some fun!!


You would have to hear the motor and experience the speed the "big inch" small block in Old Yeller revs.... it's just sensational IMHO.

[craig510]

Hey everyone. Just had some fun re-reading by build thread. The pictures are back up so it doesn't suck anymore.

I'm am out building again. Engine should be shipping this week. I will be installing that and the TKO-600 (and the accusump), then cut it back up again for the flairs and 315's.

I don't want to wait too long to get it driving with the new mill in case there are any issues they can be addressed in a timely manner.

[rustomatic]

Hey Craig,

Good to see, I mean read that you're starting another of your phases here. On that note, and please do not take this as negative criticism, as I have considered the same transmission choice, but what do you intend to do for that notorious 2-3 shift refusal in the TKO? This widely known defect will definitely not suit your 8k shifting in a complementary way; if you're buying new, this I would take as a pisser. I do not really want a T56 either (or a clutch, for that matter), and this particular defect has made me consider the Nissan CD009 as an alternative (when my 6l80 says f-u) . . .

Perhaps you are the guy to bring to market an easy fix for the lighter Tremec without the pointless extra overdrive.

[craig510]

Hey Craig,

Good to see, I mean read that you're starting another of your phases here. On that note, and please do not take this as negative criticism, as I have considered the same transmission choice, but what do you intend to do for that notorious 2-3 shift refusal in the TKO? This widely known defect will definitely not suit your 8k shifting in a complementary way; if you're buying new, this I would take as a pisser. I do not really want a T56 either (or a clutch, for that matter), and this particular defect has made me consider the Nissan CD009 as an alternative (when my 6l80 says f-u) . . .

Perhaps you are the guy to bring to market an easy fix for the lighter Tremec without the pointless extra overdrive.

I have had the TKO under my work bench for a few years. I know some people who love them and have heard a bunch of people on the internet that hate them. It seems like the mustang crowd likes them ok and the Chevy guys don’t. To me the T56 is just way too heavy and dyno test show they rob about 15 hp over a TKO. I’m going to try it out with Dexton fluid and see how it goes. Worse case is I put some super duty gears in my T5 or get the carbon / Kevlar synchros for the TKO or turn it into a dog box.

[Boosted Falcon]

Looking forward to see how you modify your tunnel. With my EcoBoost/TKO 600 swap (the center line of the crankshaft is higher than a SBF) I am working on the rear suspension right now before go back to finish up the tunnel.
BTW I had this TKO in another project and like it.

[craig510]

Big things are happening. Motor is in and running. Had it out to a test and tune and run and a couple of AAS events. Squeezing some 285/30r18’s under the fenders on the 18x10.5 Z06 wheels I have had lying around.

Should be ready for some GoodGuys action next weekend.

https://i.imgur.com/DmCFtJnl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/gg0RBUGl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/OS3FzJzl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/OsrtIx6l.jpg

[sls1025]

I missed this car build - Great car and very nice work. I had a 63 Falcon and hated selling it.

[Flash68]

Car and engine are looking great.

[Nlped47]

Love IT! I’m going to need to do some of this to my ‘63 soon! I hate the tiny rear wheel Wells.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190522/b5e063ab9142f495c71c0a6804909a00.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Boosted Falcon]

Like this build (rebuild) and has giving me the boot in the ass I need to get more than a few hours a week on my project.

[craig510]

Spent many hours tig welding on the tunnel:
https://i.imgur.com/37WwGAzl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/xShWwxGl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/WTCygK7l.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/VY1p2OOl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Nc280FMl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/G12kvGDl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/wGrrYIql.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/5TpZo48l.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/GLpcCLCl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/35L88ZIl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/XfXYuDIl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/4iW8F1yl.jpg

[Beechy]

Very creative :superhack:

I like the way those crossmember sections taper out.

BTW.....who is the cad designer? I'm ex GM Holden cad guy.

[craig510]

Very creative :superhack:

I like the way those crossmember sections taper out.

BTW.....who is the cad designer? I'm ex GM Holden cad guy.

Thanks. I do all the CAD work. I’m a mechanical engineer by trade. And by CAD I mean both computer aided and cardboard aided. This job was all hand fabricated and cutout with a jig saw and angle grinder.

[Try2paz]

Craig car is looking great! Pm me when you head down to crows as I’ll roll with you.

[craig510]

:RunninDog:Craig car is looking great! Pm me when you head down to crows as I’ll roll with you.

Sounds good. I’m going to run Good Guys next weekend and skip AAS. I hope to run one or both days for the LMP AAS event on 7/6 and 7/7.

Are you going to run the Camaro in cam-c?

[Try2paz]

I'm going to run the Camaro @ AAS this Sunday morning however i'm (50/50) as the Wife is due any day now with baby #3.

I just do fun run because I don't run enough for them to give me a Cam-C number.

If that all falls apart i'll most likely roll over to GG

[rustomatic]

This--I like the Saturday (7-6). Maybe I can finally get to Crows and make a mess . . .

Are you cam-T, Craig? My car looks pretty "traditional," so it should fit there.

Nice work on the car as usual!

:RunninDog:

Sounds good. I’m going to run Good Guys next weekend and skip AAS. I hope to run one or both days for the LMP AAS event on 7/6 and 7/7.

Are you going to run the Camaro in cam-c?

[craig510]

This--I like the Saturday (7-6). Maybe I can finally get to Crows and make a mess . . .

Are you cam-T, Craig? My car looks pretty "traditional," so it should fit there.

Nice work on the car as usual!

Yes cam-t for me. As long as it has floor coverings and is 3000# or more it should be fine. No floor coverings and or less than 3000# is cam-s.

[craig510]

I'm going to run the Camaro @ AAS this Sunday morning however i'm (50/50) as the Wife is due any day now with baby #3.

I just do fun run because I don't run enough for them to give me a Cam-C number.

If that all falls apart i'll most likely roll over to GG

Good luck with the new baby! I don’t know whether to say “congratulations or you poor bastard” 😀.

[Flash68]

Good luck with the new baby! I don’t know whether to say “congratulations or you poor bastard” 😀.

As the father of 2 and 4 year olds... I am gonna go with you poor bastard! :headspin: :lol:

[Try2paz]

Hence the purchase of a turn key track car vs a 60yr old one!

[Flash68]

Hence the purchase of a turn key track car vs a 60yr old one!

Smart man! :D

[glassman]

I'm going to run the Camaro @ AAS this Sunday morning however i'm (50/50) as the Wife is due any day now with baby #3.

I just do fun run because I don't run enough for them to give me a Cam-C number.

If that all falls apart i'll most likely roll over to GG

Yours? :lol:

I had no idea you guys were pregs. Congrats and well wishes, now back to our regular scheduled programming

[glassman]

Car looked really good out there yesterday Craig. How did the Holley yesterday?

I developed a stumble, might be the 9 month old gas lol, or the nut behind the wheel (I had a not so good driving day, but a great day with friends)

[craig510]

Had a great weekend. Surprised a few people and hurt some feelings :D.

All the hard work payed off and the car performed flawlessly. The RE-71Rs picked up 0.2g's in grip over the 615K+ and I picked up 10 mph with the new motor.

This was my best run from Saturday was an 82.6. I studied the videos and logs and made some line changes for Sunday. First run was down to 80.2 plus one cone. By the end of the day I was down to a 79.8 which was good enough for 2nd in Street Machine and 10th overall.

I made it into the shootout but took myself out on the first run by overcooking the second straight and plowing through some cones. Better luck next time, but at least I am in the running again.

This was my run from Saturday. I'll post up the 79.8 with telemetry later.

aThHMW_G3c4

[craig510]

Best run from the weekend. The new motor rips. 52 mph in first gear and 1.2 cornering 1.4 braking g’s.
pVoLQY0HEWs

[glassman]

Excellent. Hard work paying off!

[Panteracer]

Great news Craig.. glad the car
is doing what you want... always
a good feeling

Bob

[SSLance]

Car looks VERY composed Craig! Nice work.

Man that's a long course...I've seen a few sideline videos of it but first one from inside the car for me. Would have loved to run that a few times to get the hang of it.

I too have made the shootout a few times now but haven't been able to do anything with it once in. That's the next thing I want to do, win at least one round in one. :D

[rustomatic]

Very nice video action, Craig. That obscure non-LS Ford engine sounds quite happy having the snot revved out of it in your non-1969 non-Camaro Falcon. I'll hope to see this thing in action once again in the next couple of months.:lol:

[craig510]

Thanks guys. I’m basically tickled pink. Motor pulls 8k, runs on 91 octane and the 285 RE-71Rs stick like crazy. Now it’s up to me to step up my game.

[SSLance]

Thanks guys. I’m basically tickled pink. Motor pulls 8k, runs on 91 octane and the 285 RE-71Rs stick like crazy. Now it’s up to me to step up my game.

Were you on the rev limiter coming thru the finish?

And I bet you love the new small tire rule for SM right? :D

[craig510]

Were you on the rev limiter coming thru the finish?

And I bet you love the new small tire rule for SM right? :D

Yes and yes. I hit the limiter crossing the line both laps. It is set at 7900. The new tire rule was why I got 285s and didn’t jump to 335s and flares.

[Boosted Falcon]

Craig,

Would like to hear what work you had to do to fit the 285's. To fit the 285's did you mini tub the inner fender? What width wheels are you running? With all the measuring I have done I believe I can fit 275 with a 9.5 wide wheel with the stock wheel opening/inner fender. The wheels I want to run, Trans Am Engineering have a number of options for back spacing which has me wondering if I might be able to squeeze in a 285.

[craig510]

Craig,

Would like to hear what work you had to do to fit the 285's. To fit the 285's did you mini tub the inner fender? What width wheels are you running? With all the measuring I have done I believe I can fit 275 with a 9.5 wide wheel with the stock wheel opening/inner fender. The wheels I want to run, Trans Am Engineering have a number of options for back spacing which has me wondering if I might be able to squeeze in a 285.

If you go back to about page 3 in my thread you can see the mini-tub. No way, no how would they fit without a mini-tub or flares. No way would a 275 fit either. I had to push the lips out another 1/2" and notch the back area of the frame another 3/8" to get the 285's to barely fit in the rear and they rub pretty bad articulating in and out of my driveway.

The front "fit" pretty well with my short spindles and the MOD1 control arms. I had to limit the steering angle a bit to keep the tire from rubbing the shock and I pulled another 3/4" out of the front fenders. The lips are rolled pulled flattened and pulled. I managed to put a small wrinkle in them this time.

Wheels are very difficult to remove in the rear and require removing the push rods to allow for more droop. (this was a problem with the 255's as well, I use to remove a shackle bolt). I am seriously considering cutting the lips off front and rear and doing some small flares. I was going to go big (with 335's) but I really like how it looks tucking some tire and I am competitive in Street Machine now so big flares will have to weight.

Wheels are 10.5" wide.

[Boosted Falcon]

Thanks

[rustomatic]

I so respect and appreciate the honesty in this post, Craig. More people, at least those who actually do their own work, need to read this post, as it clearly and specifically shows what it takes to add functionality with big tires. Granted, people probably don't realize how ridiculously high your standards are, but hey, making non-standard **** work is hard.

I gave up on "tucking tire" a long time ago . . .

If you go back to about page 3 in my thread you can see the mini-tub. No way, no how would they fit without a mini-tub or flares. No way would a 275 fit either. I had to push the lips out another 1/2" and notch the back area of the frame another 3/8" to get the 285's to barely fit in the rear and they rub pretty bad articulating in and out of my driveway.

The front "fit" pretty well with my short spindles and the MOD1 control arms. I had to limit the steering angle a bit to keep the tire from rubbing the shock and I pulled another 3/4" out of the front fenders. The lips are rolled pulled flattened and pulled. I managed to put a small wrinkle in them this time.

Wheels are very difficult to remove in the rear and require removing the push rods to allow for more droop. (this was a problem with the 255's as well, I use to remove a shackle bolt). I am seriously considering cutting the lips off front and rear and doing some small flares. I was going to go big (with 335's) but I really like how it looks tucking some tire and I am competitive in Street Machine now so big flares will have to weight.

Wheels are 10.5" wide.

[craig510]

Been working on some flares.

76R3VXEgiQw

[jarhead]

Wow!

[syborg tt]

Freaking Awesome !!!

So do you plan to make flare so you can fir a wider tire ?

Been working on some flares.

76R3VXEgiQw

[rustomatic]

Flares, shmares. Go for the second line up. Get the angle grinder. The first cut is never the deepest, but we get better cutting as we practice . . . :disgusted:

[craig510]

My little guy likes to get in on the action:
https://i.imgur.com/gLP5kMWl.jpg

Still will be able to keep the trim:
https://i.imgur.com/AmLaouXl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/XkOA2sol.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/p26Nr7pl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/dNSaTfFl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/VDaqNdnl.jpg

Super nice fit for fusion TIG welding.
https://i.imgur.com/B05HAF9l.jpg

[craig510]

Flares, shmares. Go for the second line up. Get the angle grinder. The first cut is never the deepest, but we get better cutting as we practice . . . :disgusted:

No thanks. I’ll keep it sanitary and stock looking. The body saw and 80 grit on a right angle die grinder to get the gaps perfect for hours of TIG.

[craig510]

Looks great. What are you using to make the flares? Other fenders? Hand forming?

Sent from my CLT-L04 using Tapatalk

Thanks.

I used quarter panel patch sections for the basic shapes but they have been heavily reworked. The fronts are 71 Mustang rear and the rears are W123 Mercedes. I had to narrow the front lips and flatten the rears plus form the contour so that it matches the factory lines. Plus a bunch of shrinker/ stretcher work and sectioning to adjust the radius.

[craig510]

Had a good time at GoodGuys. Got 4th in a tight 4 way battle for street machine. Made it into the shootout and got knocked out first round. At least I put in a good showing and made the winner work for it. It was a quick clean run but he got me by about 3 tenths.

https://i.imgur.com/0F6vGSfl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/RMSvA3el.jpg
Sitting in the pits with raw metal and all

https://i.imgur.com/hJ5DWxll.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/gauyZYal.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/vrOA7Ynl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/MZtsaGWl.jpg
Near Perfect fit for TIG welding

https://i.imgur.com/FE4O54Bl.jpg

And a Video to prove it:
j__AmuKyPUQ

Enjoy - Craig

[Kcrain]

Boy those flares really blend in and fit the car. When painted probably won’t be noticeable without parking beside a stocker. Look great Keith

[hackster]

Stellar work as always man.

I friggin love this car and what you are doing.

Sean

[craig510]

Stellar work as always man.

I friggin love this car and what you are doing.

Sean

Thanks Sean, not as fast as you but I think I have a little more attention to detail. You get out and wheel more though so I think you win.

I don't think I shared my dyno pull. It sounded absoultly amazing, then the numbers came up and it was a little disapointing. Only 318hp and 300ft-lb at the tire. It was about 98 degrees and I only had 28 deg timing. Solid roller and 9.7:1 with Arco 91 octane. It feels better and runs cooler at 34 degrees.

VUEjRxMGurg

[Dave Pratt]

Man I've got a new favourite car! Great work it's beyond cool...

[sls1025]

I may have commented in the past but I love your car. I had a 63 as well and loved that car. I would never have gotten rid of it but medical bills were getting out of hand and had to let it go. I would roll my Monte Carlo SS over an embankment to have it back.

(sorry for the sideways image, I don't know how to fix it)

70084

[Flash68]

Man that looks good! Nice job on the flares.

Why was timing only run at 28 degrees? That's like SB2.2 territory.....

[jarhead]

WOW , the work on the flares is top notch 👍

[craig510]

Man that looks good! Nice job on the flares.

Why was timing only run at 28 degrees? That's like SB2.2 territory.....

I don’t have anyone to hold the throttle for me and the marks are hard to read. I have now remarked the damper so it is easier to read. I think I might add some more but the thing is still too loud and hard to hear pinging.

This was just a pull and see not a test and tune.

[SSLance]

Sure sounded more than 300 hp in first gear on the autocross course, nice run!

Car looks like it's really working well.

[Nlped47]

Alright Craig! I need more updates on the fender metal work. My Falcoon needs this!


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[craig510]

Alright Craig! I need more updates on the fender metal work. My Falcoon needs this!


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I wish there was an update but all my garage time has been spent at my CAD station working on some new projects. Hopefully I'll get back after it in the new year.