Hello, will a 390 fit in a 63 falcon without a lot of problems, please let me know, and how much trouble would it be to put a 302 in one , what car would be a good swap for a upgraded rearend for this car.
Thanks
Leonard

Only with extensive apron modifications.



The 302 is a drop-in as the car came with the 260/289.



57/58 FORD 9"- 65/66 must 9"

moving to engine forum.

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The Falcon has the second narrowest axle, next to the maverick from what I understand, so any axle you get may need to be shortened. The Explorer uses an 8.8" that is basically a corporate ripoff of a GM 12-bolt, and later Explorers came with disc brakes. They're a pretty narrow axle, so do some measuring and you might get lucky.

Another thing to consider... if you're going with mild power levels, the 8" should hold up fine. Your Falcon may have one already, but I'm not sure how early they did the 8". There are millions of discarded 8" axles from Mavericks and Mustangs that you could pick up cheap.

Otherwise, Kultulz hit the other nails on the head. 302 is light and it fits. 390 is heavy and won't fit without a big hammer.

Any Ford 8 or 9 that is 57 1/2 wide bolts in, springs are the same (except 62-65 Fairlane) but the tire clearance is critical. With the 3" housing tubes you will need the appropriate spring/shock plates. Measure your overall rear width, axle flange to axle flange.

I'd look for a Maverick 8" that can be had complete for $ 50 most anywhere. Don't forget the driveshaft you will need the yokes. 70s Granada/Maverick is doable.

You might even find an 8" posi chunck from a MII if you are lucky. A 3.55 brings about $ 300.

Anything wider than the 221-302/5.0 engines requires shock tower removal.
Look at Crites kits for modifications or MII complete front end kits from Heights.

The early falcons do have narrow shock tower mearsuments. I don't rember seeing any of the 64 65 cars that had 427s from the past having the shock tower removed. As I rember seeing it you only have to remove the middle finger on the shock tower. you might consider a 351 mod to 427, its a shoo in using crites headers for the 351. done that.

Anything up to 1966 (FAIRLANE) and 1967 (MUSTANG) had to have the aprons modified for an FE.

I had a 67 GT-500 and while the engine set in place, I still had to remove the rocker covers to change the plugs.

Yes sir

221-302/5.0 will fit=
2 years ago I did 2 Falcons, 63 and 65, with 5.0 fuelies with stock shock towers and it is almost impossible to find headers to fit..... three header companies SAY they fit.... but you have to smash a couple tubes almost half flat to make them work..... finally ended up with plain old C/J code cast iron manifolds. (IMO the HIPO cast manifolds are a waste of money)

Believe it or not, the 62-65 Fairlanes are even narrower than the Falcon. But much easier to modify the towers since their upper A arm does not mount into the sheet metal but into the frame like a Galaxie.

I would either use the Crites kit, or make a home made kit on every one I do from now on..... 289/302 or the bigger....

Hedman makes a mid length header for a 351W in an early Mustang that fits when the towers are modified. They are mid length 4 tube header that maintains ground clearance and just barely bumps the toe board on the driver's side. Need a small dent about the size of 1/2 a base ball in the toe board, not the header.

i put a 390 in a 65 falcon,
shock towers came out, 1/8" frame wrap and a straight axle
rear axle out of a 59 T bird
alot of work

Well actually, I know of a photograph taken in 65 of a young man doing an engine istallation putting a 427 low riser into a 65 Mustang. It can be done without major tower modifications but only 58 Edsel station wagon cast iron log FE exhaust manifolds will allow clearance.

Sooooooo, just do it right so you can have a decent header.

I surely would like to see that photo, up close.

Heck, you should have driven the car !!!!!!!

427 flags on the fenders made everybody laugh..... until the hood was opened.

edited: Any you can bet your bippy that the maintenance was........ what's a good word?....... really difficult.

Answering a PM here.

Ya, if there were 3 more coats of paint on the towers it would be too narrow.

You don't want to pull an engine to change spark plugs.

actully a 1964-1965 Mustang 6cyl car would have an 8" rear with the same axle tube type as the Falcon's. and the V8 Mustang would be 8" also, but wouldn't have the Falcon axle tubes

56" backing plate to backing plate is what a Mav rear is. 8" 4 lug for 6's and 5 lug 8" for the 8's