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Post by thirstymercer on Dec 22, 2013 20:49:35 GMT -5
Hello all, not sure how many get on this sight anymore but I hope there are still some been there done that people : ) So my very first car was a 63 S33 that I got in high school in 85. I did a rear end and tranny swap on it back then, drove it till 89 then pulled the 289 hipo to put in a 69 cougar that I blew the engine on. It has been parked outside all these years and I am now wanting to get it on the road again. I want to do break and suspension upgrades and am wondering what donor car would kill the most birds so to say. I have poured over this sight off and on for some years and I'm thinking Granada. I'm just wondering if there might be something better like a foxbody or 94+ mustang. I have a 351W that needs rebuilt that I'm thinking of putting in, but if I can find a Granada with a 302 and 9inch I'm thinking that would be a good donor to strip everything from. I don't have a lot of cash so I don't want to do any kits. I would definitely consider the IRS swap as well. Any IRS fords that the front break/suspension would swap as well?? So I guess what I'm trying to spit out is..if you had to do it all over again, what car would you get to strip everything from drivetrain to suspension/breaks from. I've got a lot of rust to take care of so I have time to look for the perfect cheap donor. Thanks much for any input!!
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Post by thirstymercer on Dec 22, 2013 20:54:54 GMT -5
As a side note, it looks like Woody's sight is shutting down the end of January so if there is any info on there that anyone wants you might want to save it.
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Post by roy on Dec 23, 2013 12:59:59 GMT -5
Depends on what parts you need. driveline like motor, trans, rear I picked up a wrecked 98 Mustang GT for 5.0, AOD & 8.8" rear end & was lucky enough to find the 8.8" was a bolt in with just adding spring perchs, like the Explorer 8.8's you get track-lok, 3:55's or 3:73's & disc brakes in one swoop!
There are a couple of Explorers in my local yard that have 5.0's with the P heads & the 8.8;s u can pick up for cheap.
I'd like to upgrade to Fords latest OD trans, & with an electronic controller like Baumanns, or Lentech you have a great trans with full manual or auto control
See iwantmore;s Ford tran OD install in a Fairlane (much like your Meteor) at FordMuscle site, great How to.
351;s are getting harder to find here in Ontario, Can. hot rodders snapping them up. For great aftermarket front suspension you know Rod & Custom Motosports make a great Mustang 11 install for our cars, but, I went with Fatman Fabrictors new coil over/p.rack & pinion they made just for the early Fairlane. Suppliers like R & C motorsports & now, Control Freak make great rear suspenion set ups too, I;m going with the Control Freak triangulated 4 link as its proven to be great in the winedy road bits.
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Post by roy on Dec 23, 2013 13:19:10 GMT -5
My Flathead guy isn;t in but, but, you could try Flathead Jack's for all the Flathead info you will ever need.
toll free- 888-993-2233
or email -flatheadjack1@srcglobal.net
Flathead motors with original old speed parts are pretty pricey!
New Parts are reasonable though, OffenhouserAlum. heads, are like 850 bucks
Now, those are newly made, not old NOS heads,
good luck
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Post by roy on Dec 23, 2013 13:33:18 GMT -5
if you got to vanpeltsales.com site
They have great info pages of the Flathead by each year giving you all the specs & differences of each model year.
Lots of great Flattie info!
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Post by roy on Dec 23, 2013 13:33:53 GMT -5
Oh, jeez, sorry wrong page
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Post by thirstymercer on Dec 25, 2013 23:18:31 GMT -5
Thanks for the input Roy. So can you get any of the break/suspension from the front end of the 98 mustang to work in the meteor??
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Post by doberdawg on Dec 26, 2013 13:15:19 GMT -5
If you get out toward Central Calif, I have a 62, & a 63 Meteor as well as a 63 Fairlane all complete running rust free parts cars - 4 doors. Good floors, fenders, etc, a couple fair 260's & a 221 with only 40K original, drove it last week. I move them around on my property. I don't do - but the simplest labor bU am reasonable on come & get parts.
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Post by doberdawg on Dec 26, 2013 13:17:51 GMT -5
Too bad about woodys site - - - Who is woody?  ? |
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Post by w2zero on Dec 26, 2013 14:00:44 GMT -5
Woody Gummo, long time Fairlaner, had his site up for many years.
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Post by doberdawg on Dec 26, 2013 15:40:12 GMT -5
Roy, flathead Jack could not be reached at flatheadjack1@srcglobal.net I suspect you meant sbcglobal??? I tried that & am waiting for a reply.
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Post by doberdawg on Dec 26, 2013 15:40:57 GMT -5
wzero what is woody's site URL?
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Post by thirstymercer on Dec 26, 2013 17:04:44 GMT -5
www.woodyg.comany other suggestions for donor?? thanks much for any help
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Post by w2zero on Dec 26, 2013 23:11:31 GMT -5
It would be a rare find by now in a junkyard but there were 351 Granadas with 9" rears. Even more rare are the Lincoln Versailles on the same platform with the 302 and disc brake 9" rear. They come with some baggage though. The Granada and Lincoln front spindles have a lower steering arm than a Fairlane/Meteor so will have very noticeable bump steer unless you lower the car a few inches. Also the Versailles disc rear's cast disc bracketry is prone to cracking and the perceived value of these is akin to diamonds. It is far cheaper to shop for the new adapting disc sets front and rear. There is one that I have posted before (and can't remember the site) that hooks you up with front disc for under 300 but you will need to buy a master cylinder. That kit uses all Ford parts too with readily available two piston fronts that are early Mustang replacements and are a direct bolt up to your stock Fairlane/Meteor spindles.
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Post by thirstymercer on Dec 27, 2013 2:50:56 GMT -5
Thanks much w2zero...Looks like my dream of finding one donor for everything isn't going to pan out. lol
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