Saving Granddad's Falcon

[Gitanesteel]

Very nice. So, what was your dad's reaction?

[dhbfaster]

First, in case it wasn’t clear, that is my Mom and Dad in the car but this was my Grandfathers car, my Dads Dad, then it went to the family lube-n-go business, then my Dad had it for quite a few years, then back to lube-n-go, then to me.

My Mom actually bought a 1960 Comet new so she really enjoyed the ride. That said, you can see the look on her face that sort of says...”is this thing really going to run?” Or “I don’t think this is quite as safe as my Subaru...” She was amazed how well it ran. (I always am too)

My Dad...kept saying “I’m so glad you were able to do this when I wasn’t” “and it’s great that your kids and someday grandkids will be able to enjoy it too.” And “boy, you really did a beautiful job”
That was huge fun- and of course there’s no way I could have done this without this club and a few of you in particular.

By the way, Roger...thanks for the wires for the door dome light switches! I’m glad I’m building a nice little list of projects to really finish this nicely when I finally return to Washington.

[Luva65wagon]

It is always a good feeling when you can share with your family a memorable moment; which, I'm sure this one was huge. I am thankful, blessed really, to have been able to participate in that in some small way.

[dhbfaster]

Hi guys, it’s been a while.
I was back for part of a week and got out for a ten miler...man I miss it. I can’t wait to finally get back and knock the rest of the things off the list.
It’s top secret (I doubt anyone from work is reading this,) but I hope to get back more or less for good by this fall.
Meanwhile I’ll be back a couple weeks in a June and it turns out I’m one of those idiots paying more for their storage unit than the stuff in it is worth. (And they keep raising the rent while I’m gone!)
One of the items wasting away is this “20 ton” press.

https://www.harborfreight.com/20-ton...fQ%3D%3D%0D%0A

I think 20 ton is an exaggeration (Harbor Freight), but it got the job done for quite a few tasks for my restoration.

Roger, if you or any club members can use it (ideally to sort of stay in the club to be available for members), it’s available for the taking. I will be back the 2nd week of June to hand it over.

I also have a bunch of foam left if anyone is working on their seats.

[Luva65wagon]

Don,

With my housing issue in-flux (floating between a house I'm remodeling and one I hope to get onto the market while the market is...) I'm not prepared to take it and set it next to mine, but hopefully someone else here is willing to stash it for personal and club use.

Good to hear from you, by the way. Hopefully you get to settle back soon.

[dhbfaster]

Totally understand Roger. Anyone else out there need this for anything?
I'm not back to clean out my storage for a few more weeks, so I'll pop this to the top one more time or so before I give up.

[dhbfaster]

Guys, home for just today and just went out to take a look at the falcon...only to find the muffler just hanging there. It wasn’t like that before I left last time and there’s no evidence of impact. See the pic. I thought this stuff was bombproof, but looks like it just pulled out. Not just one, but both of them! It’s probably due to my “customization” job on this...any thoughts?

[dhbfaster]

Wow, hard to believe the last post on this thread was so long ago....but, I ate breakfast, and for the first time since since we got back from Canada I asked my wife "What's on the list today honey" and she said "nothing."
I was like...huh?

So, I was finally able to dig into my problem with the horn not working (It hasn't work since I replaced the steering wheel) and I figured it out. The plate on the inside of the new steering wheel that makes the horn contact was spaced completely different than the old one. Here's the old one Old.jpg and here's the new one. New.jpg
Once I figured that out, I was able to just swap the plates. I cleaned the old one up nicely, reinstalled and amazingly the horn works perfectly now. I don't know why the instructions don't tell you that.

Then I went out and picked up a bottle of the Griot's detailer...the falcon was so dusty...now it's beautiful again.
I'm stoked- two things marked off the short list in one morning. Tomorrow, I'll finish off the detail on the inside of the trunk.

[Luva65wagon]

I was hoping to get a lot of detailing done so I could make the jingle-bell at XXX on Sunday, but they delivered all the stuff the other day and set it right in front of the ghetto garage, so I haven't been able to do that. The poor car has been in that Costco garage for almost 2 years and it is looking pretty sad. But that is about to change!

[dhbfaster]

Put the new coil on last night and started it tonight and it runs fine. A little rough still but maybe it just needs to be driven, and I haven’t had a chance to check the gap on the points yet.
i checked all the voltages at the solenoid upon start and when running...and everything checks out per your description Roger.
Same problem with the starter, except it started the car on first crank and next time the starter just spins and the motor is not turning over...So it’s just not working 50% of the time. voltages at the solenoid near the battery are the same with the key in start position whether or not the starter works or doesn’t work. I also made sure the starter was not loose...it was good and tight. I’ll probably take the starter off tomorrow...

meanwhile...it was very difficult to work the choke cable...it has been getting stuck easily.
The cable seems to be part of the problem-I lubed it up well back at the rebuild, but it’s very stiff.
But see the screw in the middle of the pic that looks loose next to parts that look out of alignment?
Looks like this is part of the cause...I found it loose and tried to tighten it, and it’s stripped.
is this why everyone seems to have an extra carb??


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