1976 CF 'on top of' a Ford Falcon.....

[petrolhead]

Had you considered cutting the body off the falcon just leaving the floor pan then cut the floor pan out of the Beddie then drop the Beddie body on the falcon floor pan and weld them together?

[Sundownernz]

Awesome work mate. Looking forward to the continuing progress reports and the final outcome. Keep us posted and keep up the great work.

Garry.

[yoeddynz]

Yep - using the existing falcon radiator with the twin fans is what I'll be using. The fans seem like a good design with a decent cowling to help them pull air through. Lots of room around engine too so hot air will have no resistance from escaping out underneth the van.

[Brendeni]

Excellent work, do you have any pics of the van sitting on the ford chassis. Would love to do something similar but alas that to great a task for me right now. Keen for more updates on the progress. Did the ford need to be lengthened or does it sit perfect with wheels lining up and so on.

[petrolhead]

Brendeni the Ford doesn't have a chassis it's a monoque consturction which will have to have plenty of bracing for tortional strength, hard task but not impossible

[Brendeni]

Cheers Petrolhead:) i like the thought of adding new running gear to an old body.

[yoeddynz]

Little update fellas.


It runs!

My second to last day working on the van before I take off overseas for two months so it was a goal to get it all sorted and running. Started it up this morning just after smoke break. Whipped up a make shift fuel tank for the start. Only had a cat fitted so pretty loud but very smooth, sweet and lush sounding   started easy peesy and idled well. Got up to temp then found a small leak on back of power steer pump- a suspect seal that I had already replaced but apparantly always give troubles so will convert to older fitting when back.

Fitted modified prop shaft today as well-  now two peice due to length. Looks all good.

The certifier Don Hoff was up from chch to check over another car at work so he had a good look over van, checked steering etc and gave big thumbs up. When back the end will be weighed so we can order some suitable rate springs.  I will fit brake lines and finish wiring to rear lights etc then we can test drive it.

It's been quite a busy time with wiring and pipe work- very tight in places and when I first started laying out the falcon wiring loom I really wondered if it might actuall fit in place. Easy when moving a loom from one car to another but into a van is different- everything is in a different place and much tighter around the bay. But I got there in the end and it looks pretty neat and tidy too

Very happy. Hannah popped by work at end of the day so was cool to be able to turn the key and start it up. 
I will add a short video in next day or so.

[ShaneJ]

You might be able to get the engine to sit a fair bit lower if you fit an FG sump and oil pickup. The FG is a rear sump.

[yoeddynz]

Hiya- sorry for late reply. Progress has been nice and steady on the van. Its almost ready for the first test drive. I have to weight the front in order to get the right springs ordered. And the body is still riddled with rust holes but that is to be done once I know all else is OK. Its a pretty solid van anyhow so removing the rot shouldnt be too much of a a drama.

I'll post some pics in next few days once its back down on its (currently horrible stock falcon wheels) and get it out in the sunshine.

I have put up a wanted advert but will repeat here- Im after a pair of complete taillight units and lenses- cf1. Its issing them and had some tiny yucky replacements fitted.

cheers

alex

[maicoletta]

If no one here has "spares", think i spotted some on ebay.co.uk the other day. Shipping may be a bastard tho!


Al