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Starting to finally have some time to plan the next steps for my 1964 F-85. Been more a lurker than poster here but gotta change that.
The block was one I was originally building for my 1966, but wanting to get out and drive, the 1964 is much closer to being done, so I'm going to swap it into this car.
Some info on where it is now:
- 455 (461ci)
- Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads
- Modified Performer Intake
- Mondello JM-20-22 Cam
- Harland Sharp 1.6 Roller Rockers
- Trickflow 3/8 Chrome-moly Pushrods
- TH400 Trans
- Trans Cooler
- Griffin Radiator (can't remember specs on it at the moment, but its a biggie)
- Dual Electric Fans
- 31 Spline O-Axle rearend
- Speedway Disc Brakes (front)
Still in planning:
- Long-term Transmission/Rearend setup. Current TH400 is built well, but may want something more personable later on
- Springs, Shocks, Chassis. Still learning my way through this, but no better way to learn than to do it wrong and redo it
- Interior - Seats, Dash (I'd like to keep it somewhat original looking)
- and a whole heaping lot of stuff I'm forgetting while I type
Well hello again I remember this car from awhile back. Any how great to hear from you again and your lucky to be close enough that you might be able to drive this season very jelouse !
Well hello again I remember this car from awhile back. Any how great to hear from you again and your lucky to be close enough that you might be able to drive this season very jelouse !
Originally Posted by therobski
x2 welcome back. Ah yes another Early A body. You can look up my 64 post car build in this section, building a serious AC, cruiser. Rob...
Thanks Guys.
I've read up on your build Robski, definitely keeping track of it.
Right now I'm trying to sort out the best way to get a decent front-end suspension setup that gets the geometry on the right side of the spectrum. Not sure if the Global West setup and replacement spindles are best. If I could find a better control arm & spindle setup that has taller ball joints I think that might suit the build better and get things to a more manageable starting point. I know Detroit Speed & UMI both have setups that could do this, looking at a few others as well.
Last edited by Rocket 442; Apr 16, 2014 at 08:20 AM.
Changed plans on the suspension and I'm going with mainly SpeedTech suspension. (Tubular Control Arms, Viking Double Adjustable Coilovers, AFX Spindles w/ZR1 Hubs, etc..)
Got the 455 into the car. Getting it in gently with this bigger Oil pan was a challenge and took some finesse. I ran into a few fitment issues as expected. The FlowKooler Long Water Pump hits my electric fan setup. Going to have to find a shorter Water Pump and then re-sort my pulley/belt setup. I know Mondello has a 5" pump, but even that is cutting it somewhat close and then its 13lbs because its cast iron. I have a pretty mammoth radiator & dual fan setup (pics below will show that) as I really don't want any overheating issues.
I could go with an electric and save some space/weight, they're just a bit more cash and I'm not sure if there are any drawbacks to it.
The 64(?) Power Steering Pump bracket I'm running will likely not work if I get a shorter pump, its already a pain in the butt to get working with the RPM Heads and has only a few degrees of adjustability because it hits the valve covers.
Slow, but some progress. The Spectre Intakes are just set there now, and don't quite fit with that PS Bracket again. My hopes is I can find one smaller bracket that I can tuck down lower and then I should have better clearance. If anyone has any info on that let me know. 2014-05-11200837_zps9fd5ae33.jpg
Last edited by Rocket 442; May 12, 2014 at 07:33 AM.
I got a later model 72 Cutlass PS pump and pulleys on the cheap. The pump mounts below the head, you will clearance your air cleaner set up. I have the Alternator mounted on the drivers side too, installing A/C on the other side.
As usual, with time plans change. Kids, wife, moving, etc... The really good news is the car is actually up and running again, broke in the cam and everything seems to be going well. Outside of a disc brake conversion, I've not added any of the other suspension/chassis changes. I just want to get through winter doing some final changes and then be able to drive it in the Spring. Sick of always saying "next year". I also need to weld in some new rear inner fender wells in the trunk as those are beat up and cut apart just to get the car to not rub when it is on the road.
This is pretty much how it sits now (interior is back together, only change since this photo a little while back). The Air Intake cleaners are right now, the only way I can get the hood to close. As much as I want the car to look mild, I think it might be worth considering a 4" or less cowl hood. I'm sure the way this intake plenum is on the carb the air going across the top of the carb vs dropping in vertically isn't ideal in the long run.
And some before and during the move to the new house. I miss my old garage with heated floors, but I'll be building out a nicer Pole Barn at this house sometime soon.
Last edited by Rocket 442; Jan 20, 2021 at 07:31 AM.
Despite my best efforts and doing everything correctly as far as I can tell, the flat tappet cam I had wiped out. There also seems to be something else that went wrong just based on how it was acting, but I haven't torn apart the bottom end.
So I decided to just have someone who knows what the hell they're doing build me one so I don't have to worry, and can feel better knowing its going to be relatively bulletproof.
So I went with a mild BTR 496 that I just got back on Friday. Took a bit of time trying to sort out what I wanted to do, but decided starting with a 455 as we have a few laying around was easiest, and Bill was great to work with. I will be driving it a good amount here soon so I didn't want to go too crazy and was more interested in a mix of power, quality, and longevity.
It's a normal BTR 496 with my older (~2005) Performer RPM Heads, the smaller cam, RPM Airgap Intake, etc...
Last edited by Rocket 442; Sep 7, 2021 at 09:45 PM.
