66 or 67 Fairlane
 

I have a 66 fairlane 500 xl original 289 car. Question is do i have to run in stock as a 66 or can i run as a 67? Just trying to figure out options before i start the build. Since there is no change in body styles other than badging and maybe the hood. Dont beat me up for asking what might be a simple question for some. Thanks in advance!!!

Re: 66 or 67 Fairlane
 

At the very least you are going to need to swap headlight bezels, grille and tail lights. They might let you get away with ignoring the trim but even that is a little dicey. The rules aren't heavily enforced anymore but you can't just totally ignore the major pieces like this. Do bear in mind that those pieces are not available in reproduction so you're talking a pretty expensive swap to change years on a Fairlane.

Re: 66 or 67 Fairlane
 

Where were you in 1988, I had everything to convert a 66 to 67 fairlane, grill headlights and tail lights. Nobody wanted them and they end up in the trash been.
My first 2 cars a running 66 390/auto and a not running 67 289/auto. Had to scrap the 67 because as a 18 old had no place to store it.

wish I had the 66 back.

Re: 66 or 67 Fairlane
 

Well in 88 i was a freshman in college lol i have everything to make the 66 into a 67 looks wise. I didnt know if when you went through tech if they were looking at vin# or vin tags. There are more options for intakes and heads for a 67 than a 66 is the reason for asking. like i said i wana know my end game before i start this money pit lol

Re: 66 or 67 Fairlane
 

I doubt they will look at the vin if it has the correct trim. if they do tell them it is a really early 67.

Re: 66 or 67 Fairlane
 

VIN is not an issue.

Re: 66 or 67 Fairlane
 

I have a 66 GT hood and some fenders if that may help.

Re: 66 or 67 Fairlane
 

The instrument cluster, dash pad, steering column, as well as the grill, emblems, tail lights, side trim,and if claiming a GT/GTA model, the hood,are all different between a 66 and 67 Fairlane. Curious why you would prefer the 67 over the 66, same engines for both years.

Re: 66 or 67 Fairlane
 

just claim it as a 66, why all the changes ? it?s same both years.. the 390 combo is the better combo? good luck

Re: 66 or 67 Fairlane
 

The 390/335 in 1966 vs the 390/320 in 1967 are the same engine. Both are refactored at the same rating.
The difference is in 1966 it was only available in the GT and GTA bodies. For 1967 that engine was available in all Fairlane body styles

Re: 66 or 67 Fairlane
 

[QUOTE=Rory McNeil;705937]The instrument cluster, dash pad, steering column, as well as the grill, emblems, tail lights, side trim,and if claiming a GT/GTA model, the hood,are all different between a 66 and 67 Fairlane. Curious why you would prefer the 67 over the 66, same engines for both years.[/QUOTE The GT & GTA were the same engine but the 500xl was not. The 390 that was in the xl was smaller compression smaller lift camshaft and no aluminum intake. There is only one aluminum intake you can use in 66 and its for the gt or gta in 67 there is 2 aluminum intakes that you can use. both are very hard to find. Im just weighing all options.Thanks

Re: 66 or 67 Fairlane
 

Im just trying to find out the best combo. Im really leaning more towards the 427the more info and research im finding Thanks

Re: 66 or 67 Fairlane
 

You start considering building a 427, I don't think the cost of a replacement grille is going to be a big issue in your overall budget...

Re: 66 or 67 Fairlane
 

Theres a c7-f on ebay...... very cheap compared to a HR intake!

Re: 66 or 67 Fairlane
 

Could you run the 390 combo in a 1966 Comet Post Sedan? Not listed in the current rule book, but I think it used to be a long time ago. One would have to petition NHRA? Sorry, did not mean to hi-jack, just thinking out loud since the question of '66 v '67 came up.

Re: 66 or 67 Fairlane
 

If it is not in the class guide, it is not a combination that is allowed to race. I have CG sheets back into the early 90s and it is not in any of them.

Re: 66 or 67 Fairlane
 

I have some sheets that go back to the Sixties. One of my favorites is, Dome must be .450" high or close to that verbiage.

Re: 66 or 67 Fairlane
 

Don't recall if it is a '66 or a '67 but there is at least one 390 Comet hardtop running in Stock. If the hardtop is legal, I find it hard to imagine that the sedan isn't also legal.

Re: 66 or 67 Fairlane
 

Here in division 4 there is a 66 Cyclone running the 390 combo.

Re: 66 or 67 Fairlane
 

Yeah, If it is John Cox then it is a '66 Cyclone Hardtop. Probably have to get with NHRA on this one.

TY

Re: 66 or 67 Fairlane
 

Ha... Probably a good reason why the 390 post coupe is not in the guide ..Nobody that raced Fords wanted it in the guide..It didn't look like player back then..Still doesn't , to me.

NHRA? Forget about it. If they made an omission , they will fix it. If Ford never submitted it, that's your problem. Sounds like the case here. Been down this road before.

https://i.postimg.cc/bNBpJ2Mk/Big-Red-1967.jpg

Re: 66 or 67 Fairlane
 

Yep. You are probably right. The 67's got all the love.

Re: 66 or 67 Fairlane
 

Something to consider is the marketing psychology of that era. It was not uncommon for the manufacturers to offer a package directed to the performance market and configure it so that it would carry some image of exclusivity. Note the SS Chevelle, GTO, Plymouth GTX, etc.which were hardtops and convertibles only. The performance engines were not available in the other model series and espcially not sedans and station wagons. The 390 engine was exclusive to the Comet Cyclone GT which was hardtop and convertible only. Same with the Fairlane GT/GTA in 1966.

Re: 66 or 67 Fairlane
 

Well, the 390 WAS available in non GT Fairlanes in 1966, but not with the 335hp S code GT motor. More like a Galaxie or T-bird motor at 315 hp. Different heads, intake, smaller cam, Autolite not Holley carb and probably different exhaust manifolds. High school pal had an older brother that ordered a 2 door post car new with it. Column shift C-6. I think it was a 500 not a plain Fairlane. Grandma looking car, it was pretty much a Q ship.

If I read the guide correctly, the 315/319hp is good in all 1966 Fairlanes except the GT/GTA. Fairlanes, 500s, XLs, 4 doors, and wagons, posts and hardtops. Non Cyclone Mercury Comets in 1966 may have only been available with the 275hp 2bbl 390.

Victor in Kingman/Mesa