Calling All Ford Falcon Experts: 1st Gen I6 and V8 Front Suspensions.

Hey guys, I need some help. I'm trying to confirm whether my 61 parts car has a v8 front suspension swapped in or just has the I6 front suspension with 5 lug drums/hubs swapped in. I've found talk online that the V8 cars had a bunch of HD parts to hold up that big, iron Windsor. Anyone got any visual clues to tell me what I have? I'll get some pictures up once my computer starts cooperating.

I've measured the coil spring wire diameters. I got 15mm, which is about the .59" figure I've found for V8 front springs. I've found talk of the springs being different between I6 and v8 cars, but no figures for I6 springs.

Also, can someone tell be how to get the steering box off of the column?

Thanks guys!

Spindles

LCA's

Spring control arm things (What are these called anyway?).

Steering box/column

That big iron Windsor is the lightest of the American V8s, the 302 weighs a feathery 375lbs with accessories, I suspect the I6 is about the same

In reply to aussiesmg:

Still, there are rumblings of differences, yet not many specifics.

In reply to aussiesmg:

Still, there are rumblings of differences, yet not many specifics.

Control arms and LCA's are the same no matter what engine. Cheap enough new (I just got the uppers with ball joints and inner pivots for $32 each) that I can't see anyone paying for used.

The tie rods and center link you have are the VERY desirable 65 V8 pieces. They cure most of the factory absurd level of bump steer issues. That center link is NLA and goes for strong money.

I really can't tell if those uprights are V8 or not. You would need to set them next to an I6 piece to tell the difference.

aussiesmg wrote: That big iron Windsor is the lightest of the American V8s, the 302 weighs a feathery 375lbs with accessories, I suspect the I6 is about the same

Yet all classic mustang and falcon forums act like the I6 uprights will crumble if used with a V8. Myths and legends are pervasive with the vintage american car crowd.

In reply to Ditchdigger:

Thanks for the info. Appraisal? Is that something I should sell as a set?

Which are the "uprights?"

Sorry, my jargon is not the best.

Uprights are the parts you referred to as spindles.

DeadSkunk wrote: Uprights are the parts you referred to as spindles.

Ah, I see.

The steering column may not be meant to separate from the box. I seem to recall that the earliest Mustangs also had the shaft fixed to the box too. The upside is that there is no rag joint to go bad.

I don't think that truly collapsible columns came until '67 or '68, along with dual circuit master cylinders and side marker lights.

In reply to aussiesmg:

You wouldn't happen to have any pictures of a 375 lb, fully accessorized, ready to run, Windsor sitting on a scale? I have yet to find a reliable source that can accurately confirm the (sub-400 lb) claims of internet lore for the aluminum head Windsor's.

In reply to Driven5:

Aluminum heads would be N/A in this case anyway.

aussiesmg wrote: That big iron Windsor is the lightest of the American V8s, the 302 weighs a feathery 375lbs with accessories, I suspect the I6 is about the same

I agree that both engines weigh comparable amounts, but I'm fairly sure that a SBF longblock runs over 400 lbs, before you bolt everything on. This is the old bugaboo of determining realistic motor weights. But the All-Aluminum Buick/Rover 3.5 liter weighs about 350, so I call BS that the SBF is only 25 lbs more.

Is this the full set of v8 exclusive steering stuff?

RoughandReady wrote: Is this the full set of v8 exclusive steering stuff?

The shaft on the pittman arm might be a different diameter than the I6 stuff.

In reply to Ditchdigger:

And the tie rods and center link too?