'64 Fairlane Build

[curleysracecars]

Hey everyone,
First off, thanks to everyone who contributes to this forum! It is an absolute wealth of knowledge and experience. Ive spent countless late nights reading through threads, not realizing how late it really was and that I needed to go to work in a few hours.

This started as a personal project for myself. Customers stuff is nice, and it pays, but it was starting to get difficult doing all the work then watching it leave and having someone else enjoy the end result. This was suppose to be a back burner type project when I was slow with customers stuff. That meant I didnt touch it for most of the first year I had it. Fast forward to now and I am solely working on it, trying to get it to a sellable state as my wife and I are planning on moving out of state and I dont really want to take it along with me.

I wont say too much and instead let the pictures speak for themselves. Basic plans for the car was to make a pretty nice street cruiser...that maybe could handle well? List of modifications include:

*Custom Front Crossmember w/ Removable Center Section
*Custom SLA Front Suspension Using MII Spindle
*TCP Early Mustang Leaf Springs Using Adjustable Front Mount (I could never get a definite answer on whether a tunable front mount would be beneficial specifically in regards to roll steer...so I went ahead and did it)
*Carbureted 302 w/ Ported Iron Heads (.030 Over)
*C4 Automatic
*9" Rear with 3.50 Center Section and Adjustable Shock Mounts for Future Coilovers if so desired
*4-Wheel Disc Brakes (all Ford stuff)

I have tried to think ahead and make accomodations for someone to change things up in the future if they want. Engine mounts welded to the crossmember are easily adaptable, rear shock mounts would accept a coilover no problem, front adjustable leaf spring mounts could easily be used with a 3-link or TA setup, etc.

I am lucky enough to use Solidworks often for modeling, and have access to lasers, press brakes, CNC machines, etc.

[curleysracecars]

Trying not to be too picture heavy but heres a few more.

[curleysracecars]

Wheels I chose. 17" up front, 18" in rear.

[curleysracecars]

Not a ton of progress. I have been up in the air on whether to paint it or not since I plan to sell it real soon (coming few months). I think a primered car with boxes of chrome trim will turn away some potential buyers. I have a list of things to complete in order to get it ready for paint. Wimbledon White it is.

I did receive hardware for the front and rear suspension. $160 worth of stuff pictured. I hate fasteners with the wrong grip length, so I tend to order AN hardware for most everything I do. Expensive but worth it in my opinion.

I also completed the steering column this evening. I didnt need the column shift any longer, and hated all the uglyness that came through the firewall into the engine bay. I machined bushings from Acetal, to adapt the stock column down to 3/4" steering shaft. I then shortened the entire column so that all of the column itself stays inside the cabin and doesnt go through the firewall. The only part coming through the firewall will be the steering shaft itself.

I should be able to close up the huge factory hole in the firewall and then poke a new small hole in it by the end of the week.

[jarhead]

Allot of nice details, The white will look nice!

[Flash68]

Wow. Cool project !

[curleysracecars]

Thanks for the kind words fellas. This thing is officially for sale. My wife starts her new job out of state April 24th, and this will be sold before we leave. Should have it in primer in a week or so, then decide if I want to paint it, or let the next guy pick his own color.

I was able to finalize all the steering setup, and made stainless steel straps to hold the aluminum fuel cell in the stock location. Even hemmed the ends of the straps like the factory, and put the same bend profile on the one end that registers in the body.

[zz430droptop67rs]

Very cool project!

I knew a guy with a 64 T-Bolt back in the day and thought I would follow your build. Nice work!

[Build-It-Break-it]

I wish you where able to finish this build but I'm sure the new buyer will appreciate the talent that went into it.

[curleysracecars]

Thanks for the kind words guys. I wish I could finish it as well...a lot of time invested in this deal.

[Zoomin]

Wimbledon White is a perfect choice!

But I don't know if I'd paint it given your intent to sell. Some buyers are going to appreciate seeing the actual state of that body which appears to be real nice.

[67XR7]

love the fabrication! keep the pictures coming!

[curleysracecars]

Thanks for the kind words guys. I am hoping to really spend some time on it this Friday-Sunday. Need to get everything done before paint, then work on paint/body. Hoping I can list it officially for sale after it is at least in primer...we'll see what happens. More pics coming this weekend hopefully...

[Jimbo1367]

Looks like someone like playing with their waterjet. LOL. Looks bitchin :thumbsup:

[curleysracecars]

Thanks jimbo. Laser but....same principle. ;)

[JohnJ@RideTech]

Sweet project man. Keep up the good work, looking forward to seeing how this comes along.

[curleysracecars]

Thanks John. I appreciate it.

Been trying to stay busy on this project as we only have about a month left before we will be moving. If someone has any interest in it, please let me know. I will make a good deal on it if it means I dont have to move it with me.

Seam sealed the interior last week. For anyone looking for the BEST seam sealer, there is a picture of it below. Made by PPG and is called Semkit. It is aircraft fuel tank sealant. 2 parts that mix together in the tube then is dispensed with a caulking gun (pneumatic gun usually). It works excellent, nothing will touch it (acetone, lacquer thinner, gas, diesel, MEK, nothing...) and will stay flexible forever. It bonds extremely well and can be used as an adhesive to some degree. I remove this stuff from military equipment that was in Vietnam, and it is still just as good as the day it was applied. It is expensive, but check ebay for good deals...outdated stuff works just fine for our needs.

I also was able to get the inner fender panels made up. I made the steel parts to graft into the stock sheetmetal, punched the obround holes in the factory locations, and even put the VIN number in the original OE locations. From there, I made aluminum panels that span from the upper pieces down to the frame rails. Definitely cleans stuff up nicely. I dont think I will paint them as of now...

I also added a gusset to the front of the front leaf spring mounts, tying the 2 individual brackets together as one. It looks more complete and helps to keep everything together.

[curleysracecars]

I have been busy with the car, but havnt had much time for pictures or posting here. Here are a few shots. The idea was to get the underside painted, engine bay painted, and interior floors all painted. From there, I will remount everything, making the car a roller. At that point I can advertise it as a roller needing paint, wiring, plumbing, and some odds and ends.

I went ahead and had a torque converter built for it, figuring it would be dumb to put the engine and trans together and in the car just so the next guy could pull it all back apart. I am ordering rear axles for it as well. I had machined down some truck axles and changed the bolt pattern on them, but unfortunately they are not re-splinable (is that a word?).
I was able to get some billet pieces finalized as well. The front disc brake brackets as well as the alternator mount. This is a new 3G alternator and an old style water pump with the outlet on the passenger side. I couldnt find anyone who made a mount for this setup, so I made my own. There is a adjustable turnbuckle with heim joints that goes to the lower alternator hole, and the threaded hole in the bracket.
I also went ahead and made up some aluminum inner fender panels for the car. I dont blame on painting them as they are removable, and I figured it may be a spot for the next person to add a little of their own touch via paint color, anodize, polish, etc.

Im a little behind schedule but hoping it is listed for sale in the next week or so. Thanks for looking!

[Hotrod1]

Nice work. What kind of fasteners are you using for the inner fenders?

[curleysracecars]

Those are stainless panhead machine screws. They are threaded into aerospace rivnuts which are locked into the panels behind the aluminum panels.

[curleysracecars]

Engine and transmission are installed. All new engine components and new 30" wide aluminum radiator...dont think it will be getting hot.

Anyone with any idea as to what it is worth as a project?

[curleysracecars]

Rolled it out of the shop yesterday for the first time. I am just about out of time and will sell it as it sits. May loosely bolt some trim on it but for the most part, this is the way it will leave. Needs final body work, paint, interior, wiring and plumbing.

[WSSix]

The car looks great. I really like the work you've done so far. I hope you're able to sell it for a good price or maybe find a way to take it with you so you can finish it. Good luck either way.

[curleysracecars]

The car has been sold and is waiting for its new owner to come pick it up. It will be going to the state of Washington. I will tell the new owner about this thread and maybe he would want to continue it.
Thanks for following along.

[jarhead]

congrats Kyle, hope you build something else, this was cool!

[curleysracecars]

Thanks jarhead. I will certainly build something else. I am more motivated to expand my business, so it may be a little while before I get to another project.

That said, anyone looking for CNC machining, precision sheetmetal work, 3D modeling of parts or ideas, or any other manufacturing needs, dont hesitate to contact me.

[Kcrain]

Have you heard any updates on this? Love what you were doing and would like to continue following along with the new owner. Keith

[RedrumLs]

Thanks John. I appreciate it.

Been trying to stay busy on this project as we only have about a month left before we will be moving. If someone has any interest in it, please let me know. I will make a good deal on it if it means I dont have to move it with me.

Seam sealed the interior last week. For anyone looking for the BEST seam sealer, there is a picture of it below. Made by PPG and is called Semkit. It is aircraft fuel tank sealant. 2 parts that mix together in the tube then is dispensed with a caulking gun (pneumatic gun usually). It works excellent, nothing will touch it (acetone, lacquer thinner, gas, diesel, MEK, nothing...) and will stay flexible forever. It bonds extremely well and can be used as an adhesive to some degree. I remove this stuff from military equipment that was in Vietnam, and it is still just as good as the day it was applied. It is expensive, but check ebay for good deals...outdated stuff works just fine for our needs.

I also was able to get the inner fender panels made up. I made the steel parts to graft into the stock sheetmetal, punched the obround holes in the factory locations, and even put the VIN number in the original OE locations. From there, I made aluminum panels that span from the upper pieces down to the frame rails. Definitely cleans stuff up nicely. I dont think I will paint them as of now...

I also added a gusset to the front of the front leaf spring mounts, tying the 2 individual brackets together as one. It looks more complete and helps to keep everything together.

Killer welds!

[NOPANTS68]

I just realized you're in Granite Bay! I'm in Orangevale. Nice job neighbor and congrats on the sale.