New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

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. :)

http://broadwayusedtires.com/images/fairlane500.jpg

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

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.

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

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.

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

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

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

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

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

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

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

I thought I owned classracer.com! Darn. Jim


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Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

Welcome to the forum Jim.
Good luck on your project.

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

Welcome to the forum. I like the Fairlanes too. Please keep us up to date on the progress of your stocker.
Best of luck! :)

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

Welcome Sir.....Jump in the racing is fine.

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

Thought the Fairlane was a chassis frame car?
IMHO you would do better with a 4bbl.


D

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

1968 Fairlanes had a 302's,Be careful on the combo for stock.

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

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!

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

Strange as it seems, more were made with 289s than 302s from what I found.

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

Early 68's had the 289 later had the 302. I have owned 1 of each combination.

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

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.

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

I'm sure I would do better with a 4v car too, cept that would mean a different engine also. the hi po 289 came with a 4v carb.

I need to get about 500 cfm out of this 2v. I think it can be done legally.

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

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.

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

not trying to spoil anybodys fun, ask for a HP adjustment tomorrow! call mark at bullet for the cam and pay close attention to the carb theres a lot of ET in it if ya tinker enough.

Good luck and have fun

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

There is alot in building a competitive engine combination, not to mention the torque convertor, trans, suspension.

Enjoy the ride!

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

I really want to thank everyone for the warm welcome! So, thank you all! :)

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

Mark didn't say it but I will, I don't think you will be able to get it to run the index with that combo. You might want to consider a 390 instead. Good luck either way.

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

Jim, welcome. I've got one of these Ford 2V combo's myself but mine is a 351C. I got some very expeirienced advice that believes mine to be a combo quite capable of running under. There was a small block 2V Maverick here in div. 6. That could run under, although barely,can't remember the name but I raced someone from that family @ the bracket finals one year. Good luck.

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

THE 289 Hi Po was not available in anything for 1968, all the 68 289s were 2 barrels, there was a 302 4 barrel that was used only in 68, factory rated at 230 HP, not sure what NHRA has it at. As for a 390, the 66&67 390 4 barrel is allowed a better intake and carb combo that the 68 is not. The 428 CJ was also available in 68, but not really a budget combo. We actually have had 3 or 4 different 302 2 barrel early 70s Maverick/Comets, in P,Q, &R/SA up here in Div. 6. In legal trim,none were really quick, index wise. However, a 68 Fairlane/Torino is a lot heavier than a Maverick or Comet, so I doubt that you could get the car light enough for P. Also, how would you intend to "legally" make the Autolite 2 barrel flow 500 cfm? You cant legally change the throttle blade , venturi,or booster sizes. Quite an uphill battle, i`m afraid.

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

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.

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

welcome to class racing, nice car although I would stay awy from that 289 combo and buld the car with a FE 390 or 428, or even a 351W-4V would be better, the 289 2v would be a stone in that car probably won't run the index even after a boat load of money, and you will be eaten alive in ANY heads up. otherwise good luck.

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

Welcome to P/SA Jim!
I campaigned this 69 Chevelle in P at Division 1 races in 2012
Had a blast
met a lot of fine people, helped me any way they could
and believe me, I needed help:)
Don`t need roll bar, driving suit or updated lap belt
I paid $139 for a SA2010 helmet, and I was good to go.
That was last year, so check the rule book
all the best to you, Jim

Mike Jones
A114 P/SA

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

The 71-72 comets/mavericks have been defactored to 162 hp for the 302.
The 68 289 is at 195 hp and the 302 is 210. To be competitive the 289 needs
to be around 155. It wouldn't hurt to petition nhra for a hp reduction.

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

So then would the '66 289 2V in a Fairlane be within the same guidelines for an HP reduction petition?

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

Good luck with your build. I had a similar car, a 1969 Torino GT 390, with the same roof line. Unfortunately, I crashed it driving to a race back in '79 or '80.

Re: New member starting a P/SA project Fairlane this winter
 

68 289s and 302s use same size carb as 71-72 Comets and need HP help. 66 289 uses bigger carb. It still needs help, just not as much.