Old Iron
Well-known member
[P[P[P
Mustang-2
- Thread starter Bruce R
- Start date
Help Support Rat Rods Rule:
Dr Crankenstein
Rocket Surgeon
Just FYI in case it helps...
Early Falcons are structurally challenged because they lack proper torque boxes. There are several ways to improve their structure, including subframe connectors.
Different but similar: We have a '79 V8 Fox Mustang project. When we first had it running and driving, it handled like a wet noodle. I thought it was steering or front suspension related. I was wrong. Further investigation and some research proved the car was simply too flexible...
Unbeknownst to me at the time, they have a reputation and earned a nickname, "The Hinge". Despite good torque boxes, they're soft in the middle. So I fabricated subframe connectors. They don't touch the floor, but are heavily tied into both subframes and the torque boxes. The difference was night and day, problem solved.
Just sharing my experience. I didn't think two tubes could make such a difference, but they absolutely cured the limp Mustang.
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Bamamav
Well-known member
Dr.C is right, the 6 cyl cars are thinner metal and flex, even with the 6!
I’d go ahead and build a frame to fit the body. That way, you could make the front end a full tilt for access, and in the rear, have a good, solid place to mount the suspension and rear end. You could narrow the rails in back so you could get a huge tire inside the fenders if you wanted. A 2” x 3” would be plenty big, and strong. You could even channel the floor halfway over the frame and it wouldn’t be noticeable from the side.
I’d go ahead and build a frame to fit the body. That way, you could make the front end a full tilt for access, and in the rear, have a good, solid place to mount the suspension and rear end. You could narrow the rails in back so you could get a huge tire inside the fenders if you wanted. A 2” x 3” would be plenty big, and strong. You could even channel the floor halfway over the frame and it wouldn’t be noticeable from the side.
Bruce R
Well-known member
I don’t think I wanna go as far as building a whole frame for a perfectly rust free car, especially with the weight penalty. I will look into subframe connectors though, I’ll build my own and firmly fasten them in, including to the floor and braces running out to the inner rocker sills.
Bruce R
Well-known member
Hey Doc, I see you visited Elpolacko’s page, is that Norm Grabowski ?
Dr Crankenstein
Rocket Surgeon
bob w
Still crazy after all these years!
El Polacko has a hot rod fabrication business in Arizona, I think. He used to be on the HAMB.
Bamamav
Well-known member
I think he was on here a while, too.
Dr Crankenstein
Rocket Surgeon
He was on both sites. He's a smart cookie and I've learned a lot from his MII writings...
http://www.industrialchassisinc.com/
I'm still confused, Bruce. When and where did Norm Grabowski fly in?
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Bruce R
Well-known member
I was just wondering because I read in an old hot rod magazine about him joining one of their power tours and he was going by Elpolako. I’m gonna see if I can find that issue.
Bruce R
Well-known member
Bruce R
Well-known member
Alright, never mind. Can’t be the same guy. Just googled Norm Grabowski an he’s dead. Unless they have WiFi where he’s at.
Dr Crankenstein
Rocket Surgeon
Thanks for the explanation, Bruce. (I had no idea what you were talking about!)
Ha! [cl
Have you seen this in your travels? Good reading if nothing else... Falcon Torque Boxes
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Ha! [cl
Have you seen this in your travels? Good reading if nothing else... Falcon Torque Boxes
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Bruce R
Well-known member
Hey Doc, Thanks for that link on the torque boxes, I saved it to pdf. Looks easy enough to do, I wanted to pull my fenders off anyway to check for hidden rust.
Dr Crankenstein
Rocket Surgeon
Happy to help. 
Start a build thread so we can follow along...
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Start a build thread so we can follow along...
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