For over-the-road cruising potential, Zach fitted his Falcon with a Tremec T-5 five-speed and Hurst shifter. We like what he did with the shifter boot-a custom-made leather-wrap design that ties in with the buckskin interior. Where most people would have gone with a 9-inch Ford rearend, Zach used an 8.8-inch late-model Mustang rear with 3.27 gears and a Traction-Lok. All it took was setting up the axlehousing with the appropriate leaf-spring mounts to get the correct pinion angle.
All in all, Zach built himself a nice road car that's ready for cruising and ready for racing, depending on his mood. As he begins to iron out the kinks and learn what works best, he'll come to enjoy the car even more and wind up with a ride to be envied anywhere he goes.
The Details
'64 Falcon Futura Hardtop Owner: Zach Gerich, Ennis, TXEngine
'89 5.0 small-block V-8 4.000-inch bore 3.000-inch stroke Forged TRW flat-top pistons 9.0:1 compression Shotpeened and polished stock connecting rods Ported 351W iron heads, 1.94/1.60-inch Manley stainless valves 750-cfm Holley double-pumper Edelbrock Victor Jr. single-plane high-rise Ford Racing hydraulic roller camshaft (0.512/0.512 inch, 288/226 duration) Comp Cams 1.6:1 roller rockers Ford Racing 6.272-inch pushrods Crane Cams 7/16-inch rocker studs ATI ProCharger P600B centrifugal supercharger Late-Model Ford alternatorTransmission
Tremec World Class T-5 five-speed Hurst shifterRearend
8.8-inch (from late-model Mustang) 3.27 gears Traction-LokExhaust
Patriot shorty headers, 1-1/2-inch primaries, 2-1/2-inch collectors Custom 2-1/2-inch dual exhaust Flowmaster Series 40 two-chamber mufflersSuspension
Front: Stock coil-on-upper arm, Shelby drop, KYB gas adjustable shocks Rear: Stock leaf spring, Shelby underride traction barsBrakes
Front: 10-1/2-inch disc Rear:10-inch drum (late-model Mustang)Wheels
Front: '01-'04 Ford Mustang "Bullitt" aluminum, 17x8-inch Rear: '01-'04 Ford Mustang "Bullitt" aluminum, 17x8-inchTires
Front: Toyo Proxes4, P215/50ZR17 Rear: Toyo Proxes4, P215/50ZR17Interior
Custom buckskin and sports vinyl, Grant steering wheel in Dodge Magnum Red, Kenwood amp with CD changer, Hurst shifter with custom leather wrap, Late Model Mustang accelerator pedal with cable, dashpad deletedExterior
Dodge Magnum Red paint by owner and father, recessed hood vents, shaved grille and trunk emblems