BIG Ford Combos?

Joe Toller · 06-13-2012, 08:48 PM

I have been gone awhile, and had to give up on racing for a few years, including my turbo Dodge project. But things are better and the itch remains, and so do a few Ford products in my immediate vicinity. I wanted an oddball, but a Ford, and out of what I could pick up right now, this is what I have on my mind:

1960 Ford Custom 300 4dr, 352 4bbl (300hp) - 12.02-12.11
1978 Ford T-Bird, 400, 17.00
1979 LTD 2dr, 302, 21.02

What do you guys think, good Ford stocker potential here?

Rory McNeil · 06-14-2012, 01:21 AM

The HP rating on the 352 is waaaay too high at 300. The other 2 are both 2 barrels. Years ago, my buddy talked about building a 74 Torino, Ranchero or Thunderbird Stocker with the 460 smogger engine. The 460 is factored to the same 300HPas the 1960 352 is. Instead of the Stocker, he ended up building a 85 Mustang with the 74 460 for SS/GTFA & GA, which worked quite well.

jmantle · 06-14-2012, 01:51 AM

Rory knows his Ford's much better than I do but I don't think a 302 will work in a car that heavy as I doubt if you could get it down to 3400 plus lbs for U. Even if you could, you still have to deal with the 273 Dodges.

Jim Mantle U/V/SA 6632

Mark Yacavone · 06-14-2012, 02:29 AM

None of the above.....

74 Torino , K/SA

Joe Toller · 06-14-2012, 11:25 PM

60 is sold, how about a 71 Torino 500 wagon, 351C-2V? Also available from same spot is a 73 Galaxie 500, 351C-2V and a 64 Fairlane 4dr 260.

There is a 74 Torino 4dr available, though I'm guessing a 460-powered combo, like a 2dr or Ranchero is in mind? Though I would think traction with a Ranchero and a 460 would be sketchy?

There is also a 76 Elite in the bunch, 351W powered, but maybe worth going 460?

79 is granny fresh and given weight of 3406 per NHRA classification if I remember right?

As long as it's an oddball, and a 70's Ford, I'll be happy. I basically cleaned an estate stash of cars out of some older Fords, got the 70's stuff wrapped up but couldn't get the 60, or the 61 and 62 4drs he had...

Rory McNeil · 06-15-2012, 12:10 AM

Well, the 74 Torino 4 door would work too, although it could be tough to sell down the road, (not saying the 2 door would be a hot commodity either). I can`t imagine that traction with the Ranchero would be a big problem. But just picking a combo for Stock Eliminator based on what old Fords just happen to be laying around the neighbourhood doesn`t seem like the best plan.IF I was to consider a Ford V8 with a 2 barrel, I would only consider a small light car, like a Maverick/Comet, or Fairmont/Fox Mustang body. Actually, since NHRA dropped a bunch of HP from the small V8 2 barrels, a 82 Mustang GT 5.0 2V looks decent. However, Stick only if that bothers you.

Alex Denysenko · 07-14-2012, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iraceitall

I have been gone awhile, and had to give up on racing for a few years, including my turbo Dodge project. But things are better and the itch remains, and so do a few Ford products in my immediate vicinity. I wanted an oddball, but a Ford, and out of what I could pick up right now, this is what I have on my mind:

1960 Ford Custom 300 4dr, 352 4bbl (300hp) - 12.02-12.11
1978 Ford T-Bird, 400, 17.00
1979 LTD 2dr, 302, 21.02

What do you guys think, good Ford stocker potential here?

actually as stocker material they all stink, although the 60 Ford would be interesting with some edelbrock heads

goinbroke2 · 07-16-2012, 11:48 AM

400 2bbl has low compression and huge piston tops....but...I think they have a lot of potential. Still, I think the 351M would be better than the 400 for the same reason a 302 is better than a 351W, same breathing (carb/heads) with smaller cubes.

2.05int and 1.72ex valves plus big ports in intake, the only issue is carb cfm which I think is 350cfm if I remember right. As long as you modify the oiling system (restrictors in the cam feeds) I think it would stay together. Of course the availability of aftermarket pistons/rods is a pain, but you know it won't spin up past 6000 so who cares?

Not a record holder but I think it would beat the index.

351 crank and pistons....now you've got a 351M instead of a 400.......

View Poll Results: Which Ford Stocker seems the best choice?
1960 Custom 4dr, 300hp 352 (12.02)	7	58.33%
1978 T-Bird, 400 (17.00)	4	33.33%
1979 LTD 2dr, 302 (21.02)	1	8.33%
Voters: 12. You may not vote on this poll

06-13-2012, 08:48 PM	#1
Joe Toller Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lewistown, Montana Posts: 550 Likes: 78 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts	BIG Ford Combos? I have been gone awhile, and had to give up on racing for a few years, including my turbo Dodge project. But things are better and the itch remains, and so do a few Ford products in my immediate vicinity. I wanted an oddball, but a Ford, and out of what I could pick up right now, this is what I have on my mind: 1960 Ford Custom 300 4dr, 352 4bbl (300hp) - 12.02-12.11 1978 Ford T-Bird, 400, 17.00 1979 LTD 2dr, 302, 21.02 What do you guys think, good Ford stocker potential here?

06-14-2012, 01:21 AM	#2
Rory McNeil VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: from Vancouver BC Canada, now in Nova Scotia Posts: 1,311 Likes: 315 Liked 1,103 Times in 301 Posts	Re: BIG Ford Combos? The HP rating on the 352 is waaaay too high at 300. The other 2 are both 2 barrels. Years ago, my buddy talked about building a 74 Torino, Ranchero or Thunderbird Stocker with the 460 smogger engine. The 460 is factored to the same 300HPas the 1960 352 is. Instead of the Stocker, he ended up building a 85 Mustang with the 74 460 for SS/GTFA & GA, which worked quite well. __________________ NHRA 6390 STK M/S 85 Mustang

06-14-2012, 01:51 AM	#3
jmantle Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Black Creek, BC Canada Posts: 331 Likes: 78 Liked 172 Times in 81 Posts	Re: BIG Ford Combos? Rory knows his Ford's much better than I do but I don't think a 302 will work in a car that heavy as I doubt if you could get it down to 3400 plus lbs for U. Even if you could, you still have to deal with the 273 Dodges. Jim Mantle U/V/SA 6632

06-14-2012, 02:29 AM	#4
Mark Yacavone Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Miles From Nowhere Posts: 7,809 Likes: 2,900 Liked 5,113 Times in 1,948 Posts	Re: BIG Ford Combos? None of the above..... 74 Torino , K/SA __________________ "We are lucky we don't get as much Government as we pay for." Will Rogers

06-14-2012, 11:25 PM	#5
Joe Toller Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lewistown, Montana Posts: 550 Likes: 78 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: BIG Ford Combos? 60 is sold, how about a 71 Torino 500 wagon, 351C-2V? Also available from same spot is a 73 Galaxie 500, 351C-2V and a 64 Fairlane 4dr 260. There is a 74 Torino 4dr available, though I'm guessing a 460-powered combo, like a 2dr or Ranchero is in mind? Though I would think traction with a Ranchero and a 460 would be sketchy? There is also a 76 Elite in the bunch, 351W powered, but maybe worth going 460? 79 is granny fresh and given weight of 3406 per NHRA classification if I remember right? As long as it's an oddball, and a 70's Ford, I'll be happy. I basically cleaned an estate stash of cars out of some older Fords, got the 70's stuff wrapped up but couldn't get the 60, or the 61 and 62 4drs he had... Last edited by Joe Toller; 06-14-2012 at 11:39 PM. Reason: Added new info

06-15-2012, 12:10 AM	#6
Rory McNeil VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: from Vancouver BC Canada, now in Nova Scotia Posts: 1,311 Likes: 315 Liked 1,103 Times in 301 Posts	Re: BIG Ford Combos? Well, the 74 Torino 4 door would work too, although it could be tough to sell down the road, (not saying the 2 door would be a hot commodity either). I can`t imagine that traction with the Ranchero would be a big problem. But just picking a combo for Stock Eliminator based on what old Fords just happen to be laying around the neighbourhood doesn`t seem like the best plan.IF I was to consider a Ford V8 with a 2 barrel, I would only consider a small light car, like a Maverick/Comet, or Fairmont/Fox Mustang body. Actually, since NHRA dropped a bunch of HP from the small V8 2 barrels, a 82 Mustang GT 5.0 2V looks decent. However, Stick only if that bothers you. __________________ NHRA 6390 STK M/S 85 Mustang

07-16-2012, 11:48 AM	#8
goinbroke2 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NS CANADA Posts: 884 Likes: 1,567 Liked 381 Times in 148 Posts	Re: BIG Ford Combos? 400 2bbl has low compression and huge piston tops....but...I think they have a lot of potential. Still, I think the 351M would be better than the 400 for the same reason a 302 is better than a 351W, same breathing (carb/heads) with smaller cubes. 2.05int and 1.72ex valves plus big ports in intake, the only issue is carb cfm which I think is 350cfm if I remember right. As long as you modify the oiling system (restrictors in the cam feeds) I think it would stay together. Of course the availability of aftermarket pistons/rods is a pain, but you know it won't spin up past 6000 so who cares? Not a record holder but I think it would beat the index. 351 crank and pistons....now you've got a 351M instead of a 400.......