New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter

[JimInNY]

First of all I'd like to say that you folks have a great community here. I'm glad I found it!

I'm Jim from Glenville, NY. I spent the summer bracket racing my 2012 mustang at Lebanon Valley Dragway and did a fair job, but I've always wanted another 60s era car. New is ok, but nothing beats old, for me.

I found a 68 Fairlane that was a good candidate for a drag car, but after buying it, I discovered that not only is it one of only 1800 formal roof bucket seat cars built that year, but it is one of three in its original colors. It's kinda tough to cut up a car like this and turn it into a bracket/super street car, and I don't have time in my life for two projects, so this Fairlane is going to run as a stocker.

It is a 289, 2V, auto car, which apparently would run in P/SA. Whether or not it would be competitive, I have no clue, but I suppose, like anything else, put enough time and money into it and all things are possible.

I have a balanced and blueprinted 68 289 motor (purchased from a guy on ebay) waiting to go into it. I just have to change camshafts, since it was built for another purpose. I am waiting to hear back from Comp cams about a custom grind. Everything else is already NHRA stock legal according to the machine shop that built it.

I hope to be able to pick some of your brains as things progress, and look forward to meeting some of you in the trenches on race day.

Here's a picture of the beast taken the day I had it towed into my shop. It was a barn find for $1200. It came totally infested with mice which took a long time to get rid of. It will be appropriately named Mouse Trap when finished.

[Ken Miele]

Welcome Jim, I hope you enjoy Class Racer. Check out the tech section, you can get lots of good info to help you get your project competitive. I have always wanted a formal roof Fairlane/Torino with a 428 CJ, cool car.

Sometimes the talk can get a little spirited along with a some negativity, but for the most part we have great bunch members that have a passion for racing.

Keep us updated with your build, pictures are always nice. I was thinking of starting a new section for builds and updates for the members. You could be the first if your interested let me know.


BTW, I am the owner of Class Racer, any question you have, feel free to contact me.

[JimInNY]

Originally Posted by Ken Miele

I have always wanted a formal roof Fairlane/Torino with a 428 CJ, cool car.

Thanks for the welcome Ken. I had one of those formal roof cobras back in the late 70s early 80s. It had bucket seats and console too. I'd love to have it back.

[RJ Sledge]

Jim, glad to see you here. I myself race a Fairlane in Stock, and a lot of the stuff on your car interchanges with the 66/67 Fairlane that I race. I will be more than happy to help you any way I can.

As one of the more civil, calm, understanding, appreciative, knowledgeable, humble, caring, level headed, etc., members of this Forum, Welcome aboard!!.

One word of advice.....don't take anything for granted, like "everything else already legal for NHRA Stock". I know you want to believe that it was done correctly, but its better to be safe than sorry. Plus you will learn something.

RJ

[VStock]

Originally Posted by R J Sledge

One word of advice.....don't take anything for granted, like "everything else already legal for NHRA Stock". I know you want to believe that it was done correctly, but its better to be safe than sorry. Plus you will learn something.

RJ

RJ, I couldn't agree more. Jim, I'm going to suggest you take that motor apart and check everything. YOU are the one who is responsible for the motor complying with the rules, not the shop that built it. Plus, you'll know exactly what you have.

[JimInNY]

Originally Posted by VStock

RJ, I couldn't agree more. Jim, I'm going to suggest you take that motor apart and check everything. YOU are the one who is responsible for the motor complying with the rules, not the shop that built it. Plus, you'll know exactly what you have.

I will be tearing it down when I do the new cam, so it's no big deal to pull heads and pan off and have a look at pistons, rods, etc.

[david ring]

Originally Posted by VStock

RJ, I couldn't agree more. Jim, I'm going to suggest you take that motor apart and check everything. YOU are the one who is responsible for the motor complying with the rules, not the shop that built it. Plus, you'll know exactly what you have.

Also-there is a guy down in Cobleskill who has a dyno-he is a Ford guy-he had a really fast A/SA-I think his name is Richard Todd-someone on the forum should be able to verify that for you-in any event, I think he'd be someone close by that might be of help.

[Superfan1]

Welcome to the forum, Jim. We have an excellent community and a lot of fun. I am from Bridgeport, CT and I hope to see you at the races!

[treessavoy]

Originally Posted by JimInNY

First of all I'd like to say that you folks have a great community here. I'm glad I found it!

I'm Jim from Glenville, NY. I spent the summer bracket racing my 2012 mustang at Lebanon Valley Dragway and did a fair job, but I've always wanted another 60s era car. New is ok, but nothing beats old, for me.

I found a 68 Fairlane that was a good candidate for a drag car, but after buying it, I discovered that not only is it one of only 1800 formal roof bucket seat cars built that year, but it is one of three in its original colors. It's kinda tough to cut up a car like this and turn it into a bracket/super street car, and I don't have time in my life for two projects, so this Fairlane is going to run as a stocker.

It is a 289, 2V, auto car, which apparently would run in P/SA. Whether or not it would be competitive, I have no clue, but I suppose, like anything else, put enough time and money into it and all things are possible.

I have a balanced and blueprinted 68 289 motor (purchased from a guy on ebay) waiting to go into it. I just have to change camshafts, since it was built for another purpose. I am waiting to hear back from Comp cams about a custom grind. Everything else is already NHRA stock legal according to the machine shop that built it.

I hope to be able to pick some of your brains as things progress, and look forward to meeting some of you in the trenches on race day.

Here's a picture of the beast taken the day I had it towed into my shop. It was a barn find for $1200. It came totally infested with mice which took a long time to get rid of. It will be appropriately named Mouse Trap when finished.

Welcome,

Don't take the engine as advertised, have it torn down and looked at by someone in your area that builds or is extremely familiar with Stocker engines, it's better to be safe than sorry.....and illegal!

You don't have to cut up the car to make a Stocker, all it needs is a roll bar or cage which can be easily removed without cutting up the body. You may end up with some small drilled holes in the trunk or firewall for mounting things.

I'm not familiar with Fords but there are many here that are and any of us will be glad to help.

Jump in, the waters a little muddy but friendly.

JimR

[Mark Yacavone]

Jim/ Jim , You don't need a roll bar for P/SA..
Sub frame connectors wouldn't hurt though...

Other than that , I'm not going to comment on the combination. I don't want to be a party pooper.

Merry Christmas...over and out