67 Fairlane stocker.

Jim Hughes · 01-09-2016, 04:06 PM

I have a 67 Fairlane 2 door Post. Owned it since 86, I am looking to convert it back from a bracket car with ladder bars to a Stock Class with a 390.

My question is that I had modified the Shock towers to gain clearance when I ran a 460. You can't tell that they have been trimmed. There not butchered. But is it still against the NHRA rules to modify the chassis like that? I have a copy of the the new rules but that part is unclear.

Thanks for the help.

FireSale · 01-09-2016, 06:13 PM

Interesting...

Stock reads:

FENDER SPLASH PANS
Mandatory. Can be trimmed to allow a maximum of 2 inches
clearance around headers.

Super Stock reads:

FENDER SPLASH PANS
Must be retained; may be trimmed to allow 2-inch clearance
around headers. Alterations to shock or spring towers prohibited.
See General Regulations 7:3.

Both reference General 7:3 which reads:

7:3 FENDERS
In Super Stock and Stock, the leading and trailing edges of fender
openings may be trimmed for tire clearance, maximum 2 inches. All
vehicles in all classes must have re-rolled or beaded edges on altered
fenders. Flaring or spreading external fender lines prohibited, except
as noted in Class Requirements. Front fenders may not be “drooped”
on full-fendered car except as noted in Class Requirements.

I think Stock is a word processing error and you can't trim the shock towers. Take a photo and email it to your local tech and see what they say.

Dale

Robbie Welch · 01-10-2016, 08:14 AM

Jim, if the trimmed shock towers aren't allowed in stock you could replace them. When I bought my car it had had a big block in it at some time and they use a sledge hammer to make clearance. I had a guy replace the towers with some from a donor car and you can't tell it was done. Its been good for 15 year no problem with alignment or handling. Good luck Robbie

Dave Gantz · 01-10-2016, 10:34 AM

Modified shock towers could allow for an advantage in header design. Doesn't mean they ain't legal, though...

Tom Meyer · 01-10-2016, 11:43 AM

How many remember when Ford had to change the inner fender wells to get the big blocks in the mustangs? Tom

Bill Harris · 01-10-2016, 01:37 PM

Quote: "How many remember when Ford had to change the inner fender wells to get the big blocks in the mustangs?"

For a production, available to the public Mustang, I think the only ones that had modified shock towers were the 69 and 70 Boss 429s. KarKraft did the work as part of the conversion of the factory cars to fit the Boss motor. The 67 and later cars were designed to fit the FE engines, although anyone who has ever tried to put headers on one of those things developed a vocabulary that would make Satan wince. The '71 and later cars have a shock tower that is significantly different than the earlier cars to fit the 429, but the car is a lot bigger overall too.

Jim Hughes · 01-10-2016, 01:44 PM

Thank you everyone for the replies and help.

Wishing you the best in 2016.

01-09-2016, 04:06 PM	#1
Jim Hughes Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 31 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	67 Fairlane stocker. I have a 67 Fairlane 2 door Post. Owned it since 86, I am looking to convert it back from a bracket car with ladder bars to a Stock Class with a 390. My question is that I had modified the Shock towers to gain clearance when I ran a 460. You can't tell that they have been trimmed. There not butchered. But is it still against the NHRA rules to modify the chassis like that? I have a copy of the the new rules but that part is unclear. Thanks for the help.

01-09-2016, 06:13 PM	#2
FireSale VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Lakewood Washington Posts: 1,407 Likes: 29 Liked 237 Times in 126 Posts	Re: 67 Fairlane stocker. Interesting... Stock reads: FENDER SPLASH PANS Mandatory. Can be trimmed to allow a maximum of 2 inches clearance around headers. Super Stock reads: FENDER SPLASH PANS Must be retained; may be trimmed to allow 2-inch clearance around headers. Alterations to shock or spring towers prohibited. See General Regulations 7:3. Both reference General 7:3 which reads: 7:3 FENDERS In Super Stock and Stock, the leading and trailing edges of fender openings may be trimmed for tire clearance, maximum 2 inches. All vehicles in all classes must have re-rolled or beaded edges on altered fenders. Flaring or spreading external fender lines prohibited, except as noted in Class Requirements. Front fenders may not be “drooped” on full-fendered car except as noted in Class Requirements. I think Stock is a word processing error and you can't trim the shock towers. Take a photo and email it to your local tech and see what they say. Dale __________________ Dale Shearon 68 Mustang 6394

01-10-2016, 08:14 AM	#3
Robbie Welch Live Reporter Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Golden Beach Maryland Posts: 1,234 Likes: 55 Liked 262 Times in 124 Posts	Re: 67 Fairlane stocker. Jim, if the trimmed shock towers aren't allowed in stock you could replace them. When I bought my car it had had a big block in it at some time and they use a sledge hammer to make clearance. I had a guy replace the towers with some from a donor car and you can't tell it was done. Its been good for 15 year no problem with alignment or handling. Good luck Robbie

01-10-2016, 10:34 AM	#4
Dave Gantz Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Verrry South Jersey Posts: 537 Likes: 134 Liked 251 Times in 125 Posts	Re: 67 Fairlane stocker. Modified shock towers could allow for an advantage in header design. Doesn't mean they ain't legal, though...

01-10-2016, 11:43 AM	#5
Tom Meyer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Pierce NE Posts: 936 Likes: 78 Liked 351 Times in 120 Posts	Re: 67 Fairlane stocker. How many remember when Ford had to change the inner fender wells to get the big blocks in the mustangs? Tom __________________ Tom Meyer 5240 SS Stock ???

01-10-2016, 01:37 PM	#6
Bill Harris Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ooltewah, TN Posts: 421 Likes: 13 Liked 26 Times in 13 Posts	Re: 67 Fairlane stocker. Quote: "How many remember when Ford had to change the inner fender wells to get the big blocks in the mustangs?" For a production, available to the public Mustang, I think the only ones that had modified shock towers were the 69 and 70 Boss 429s. KarKraft did the work as part of the conversion of the factory cars to fit the Boss motor. The 67 and later cars were designed to fit the FE engines, although anyone who has ever tried to put headers on one of those things developed a vocabulary that would make Satan wince. The '71 and later cars have a shock tower that is significantly different than the earlier cars to fit the 429, but the car is a lot bigger overall too. __________________ Bill Harris ex 2172 STK ex 2272 S/S

01-10-2016, 01:44 PM	#7
Jim Hughes Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 31 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 67 Fairlane stocker. Thank you everyone for the replies and help. Wishing you the best in 2016.