Re: Some "Dime Rockets" for the 4TH!
 

Billy,

I've looked at the '64 Valiant, 273 2bbl but I'm not sure it would be competitive. I've got one with 225/4 speed siting in the yard but I know it can't be made competitive, some of the guys are having success in U/SA with the 273/2.

What do you think, anyone?

JimR

Re: Some "Dime Rockets" for the 4TH!
 

How about the T Bird same year with the 390, add some weight for P?

Mike Moller

Re: Some "Dime Rockets" for the 4TH!
 

Why not? Paul Wong runs well with one in Q/S.

Re: Some "Dime Rockets" for the 4TH!
 

Not sure in NHRA took any HP off the 64 390, but Ford rated it at 300HP, and that engine has a smaller cam, and poorer intake and carb selection than the Fairlane/Mustang 390 does. T birdsare real heavy too, with cramped engine comparments, with no decent headers available.

Re: Some "Dime Rockets" for the 4TH!
 

It's at 288, Rory.
So, 4700 some odd lbs? Not a good plan... The highest and lightest you could go is maybe in K /SA , roll bar and all ..
Still a big car...but not one I'd call a Dime Rocket

Re: Some "Dime Rockets" for the 4TH!
 

It will run well. It is not cheap to get one of these cars into the 12's. I just think Billy, Dwight, Mark and many others have picked better "Dime Rockets" . Trust me I am taking their advice and you will see another dime rocket soon.

Re: Some "Dime Rockets" for the 4TH!
 

Yes he did. Would you believe I just saw that car today? It is getting a mild makeover.

Re: Some "Dime Rockets" for the 4TH!
 

Is there a FFFFord expert on here who can tell me if there's anything wrong with a 1996-7 Crown Vic with the 210 horse motor? It's in the guide and they have to be a "Dime" a dozen at cop auctions. There's no factor for the motor. Are they the same as the Mustang and T-Bird? If they are, that's got to be one heck of a Q and R car. It's even listed with a 5 speed!

Re: Some "Dime Rockets" for the 4TH!
 

Billy, I hope it's okay for me to just jump in here with both feet. I was a Ford factory-trained technician, through the introduction of the Modular 4.6 V8 engine. I've been participating in sanctioned drag racing since the '70s, sometimes seriously. I have always had a major appreciation for NHRA Stock Eliminator cars, especially the slower ones.

There are some minor differences between the police and civilian versions of the Crown Victoria, depending on year.

The 2-valve 4.6 was made at both the Romeo and Windsor engine plants, and parts are not the same. There is also the newer PI (Product Improved) version and the older Non-PI (NPI) version. The Mustang got the PI version in '99, and the Crown Vic got it in 2001. The PI has better heads and cams, and the PI version has a MUCH better intake manifold, resulting in about 20 additional horsepower over the older NPI engine.

These engines have SERIOUS piston-to-valve clearance issues, especially the PI engine. The Modular Head Shop web site has good cam selection info here. They sell Bullet cams of their own design.

I also am interested in researching a Q/R 2-valve 4.6 Crown Vic. Maybe P if you could get one light enough. The factory horsepower ratings were 210, 215, 235, 239, and 250, depending on civilian/police and the specific year.

FWIW, the brakes and suspension was revised in '03, requiring 17" front wheels, and it is somewhat hard to find lightweight, affordable 17" front drag wheels. M&H makes a 28" tall front drag tire for a 17" rim.

They have driveshaft speed issues- you're gonna need a lightweight large-diameter driveshaft.

Stainless Works makes 1-5/8"X3" headers.

Competition Engineering makes adjustable drag shocks (front and rear) for models all the way up to '02.

Everyone makes 8.8 parts.

Re: Some "Dime Rockets" for the 4TH!
 

Billy, is the 235 horsepower '01-'02 Crown Vic listed in the guide? That's the one I'm looking at, because it has the PI engine but will take 15" front racing wheels, and I can get adjustable drag shocks for it.

I don't see any '96-'97 cars going to auction in my part of the country.

I'm assuming that the police versions are eligible for competition? I'm sure that Ford does/did sell enough of them to retail customers to homologate them for competition, and there was no difference in horsepower until the 250 horsepower police version (larger airbox, MAF, and zip tube) came out in 2004. There were no other material differences that would relate to a competetive advantage.