Five Things About Classic Fords That Drive Me Crazy

Old fords are weird
Changes that drive Ford guys crazy
Please note that Mercury suffered the same fates.
Bolts: 1965 Ford went from fine thread to course so bolts from a 1964 Falcon won't work on a 1965
Engine balance: Ford ran a 28oz balance until 1981 then went to 50oz. Possibly to save money on engine balancing.
Engine Bellhousings: This is for the 221-289 folks. Prior to 1966 Ford used a 5 bolt bellhousing after that it was six. Oh and there are two different manual shift flywheels, a 164 tooth and a 157 tooth. Plus Ford had two different starters one for automatic and one for manual shift. This was due to the change in position of the starter ring gear.
Running changes suspension and steering edition: 1964ish Ford changed the steering linkage on Falcon. We covered that in the video below, link in the description. In 1966 they changed the Fairlane Comet suspension and move away from having to adjust camber with shims. In 1967 they changed the tie rods on Fairlane and Comet. In 1967 they changed the Mustang Cougar suspension to the Fairlane suspension. In 1968 they changed the Mustang, Falcon, Fairlane, Comet, Montego and Cougar lower a-arm. Don't get me started on spindles.
Wheels: prior to 1968 Ford used a 2 inch center opening, after 1967 Ford moved to a 2.75 inch center opening on wheels. The reason was a move to a dedicated spindle for a single piston caliper brake. Then in 1970 Ford moved to a spindle with a bigger taper and spindle shaft to accommodate the larger wheels and tires they were running.
Bonus round: Something that Ford didn’t change until much later? Instrument voltage. That was the same 6 volt system until at least 1986
00:00 Introduction
00:35 Ford fine thread vs. Corse thread body bolts
02:56 Ford V8 harmonic blalancer changes 28oz. to 50oz.
05:34 Ford Falcon Mustang Fairlane Suspension Changes
08:26 Ford Wheel Center Opening Change from 2 3/8 to 2 3/4 inch
09:51 Ford Didn't move away from 6 volt gauges until at least 1986
Episode 217 Manic Mechanic
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[@davesmilie3082]

Broke a rear axle in my Bronco last month. 11 model years... 225,000 sold. They used FOUR different axles!

[@lilorbielilorbie2496]

Another thing that Ford didn't change. Is the wheel bolt pattern on the 1/2 ton trucks. They were 5 on 5 1/2 from sometime in the 30's up until Ford changed the body style in 1997.

[@clarkclifford2338]

Lol. I used an 8.8” explorer rear from a 2000 in my 68 mustang because they have the same bolt pattern.

[@mach1driver]

Nice run-down Jeff! I took notes...no kidding. About the gauges, the early Mustangs 64.5 through 68 used the same gauges, but 69-73 changed. There was a 10 ohm resistor wire added before the instrument voltage regulator, and the resistance of the heater wire in the gauges changed. BTW, all the gauges were identical internally, only the faceplate changed. They all read 10 to 73 ohm variable resistors even though they measure temp, pressure or fluid level. The instrument voltage regulators DO change through the years, but it is because the electrical connections changed to snap-on when Ford deleted the wiring and went to the flex printed circuit in 69.

[@clarkclifford2338]

Now I remember why my head hurts every time I want to work on my mustang.

[@4rdF1Hunny]

Ha, Mustang is a cakewalk compared to my 63 galaxie. It’s all worth it though.

[@donaldhill2775]

😂 not long finished a 65 mustang built in late 64, a miss match of various bits and pieces, I’m in Europe and well… just thanks to everyone for their generous help !

[@cgarris8674]

The 351w stayed 28oz - oh and let's not forget the balancer change from 3 bolt to 4 bolt.... maddening!!!

[@crosswits1]

We had had a 83' Thuderbird that was a nightmare to get parts for, we were fortunate enough to by one that was built during a engineering change the first of the change was different from the middle of the change and the middle was different from the end of that engineering change. Confused, I was and so was the guy at NAPA, and the parts manager at my local Ford dealership would run and hide every time I would could in....

[@Paulie1232]

Beautiful informational video 😊

[@kevinbrown1368]

In 1964, the factories producing Falcons and Comets didn't standardize parts until May 1964!!! So, you would not believe the variety of tie rod ends you might get when you order one.

[@frankk8018]

Thanks for sharing !

[@JoefussGarage-jl1bb]

Thank you Jeff, for reminding us, we could of made better choices, when it comes to what brand/ flavor we've tied around our necks, like anchors... Next time, just give us paper cuts, and poor lemon juice in them !!! Seriously, great "campfire" talk, on some common we'll say "nuances" of Ford life.. God bless you brother ..

[@tomcoppa2211]

The spindles. So frustrating. My favorite is when you go to put new bearings in and find out you have 2 different spindles

[@alanwhite3280]

More on the rims: 66 thru 68 ford made two different rims for the "A" body. One for drums only and one for disc/drum brakes. '69 and up forturnately one rim. Now if you happened to buy a rim say off of a '72 Mark lV and you wanted to use the little hubcap from a'69 or later it wont happen. No cleets on the wheel hub to grab the little cover. And if you swapped the '69 and later or an aftermarket disc to a '68 or earlier Gal, you couldnt use those earlier little hubcaps because the wheelhubs for '69 and later were larger then '68 and earlier.

[@AutoRestoMod]

True, and the hubcap rim from an early wheel is smaller too.

[@RLTango]

Hey! Congratulations on the high view count! 6-hrs and over 1600 views. Very impressive!!!

[@Racoldgin]

I was unaware of the different starters, but I didn't seem to have any problems when I went from a C4 to a toploader on my 289, using the same starter.

[@AutoRestoMod]

Now ya know!

[@johnhennery8820]

Awasom video thanks hopefully you will do one on spindles I've have granada and maverick spindles for disc brakes 70 maverick spindles and 76 granada spindles to put on my 67 fairlane and my 67 Capri

[@kevinfelton4886]

No one makes buying decisions based on facts. It's all heart!

[@kimbarron]

The small block bellhousing bolt pattern change from 5 bolts to 6 bolts was a running change during the 1965 model year. What I have alway heard is, all cars with automatic transmissions got the 6 bolt block in 1965 and the manual tranny cars used the 5 bolt blocks until the stock of 5 bolt blocks was used up and then they switched to the 6 bolt block. That is the reason the wide bolt pattern manual transmissions I believe had both the later wide bolt pattern and the narrow eariler pattern. I am guessing that 157 vs 164 tooth flywheel was for cost savings. The 164 tooth flywheel allows for a larger diameter clutch than the 157 tooth. As most of the cars did not need the larger diameter clutch, it saved Ford a few pennies to use the smaller 157 tooth package. The the higher power engines and maybe the heavier cars/trucks that needed the larger clutch got the 164 tooth flywheel. Ford changed the engine bay on the 67 Mustang to make it wider to fit the big block engine. This required shock tower changes, which required suspension changes. I am guessing that the Ford used what they could in the front suspension from the Fairlane which had gone thru the same wider engine bay change in 1966 for the big block. The change in suspension also give an improvement in the overall suspension geometry with a longer lower control arm and a better ratio of the upper arm length to the lower arm length. I am not sure that Ford was really planning on improving this but the parts bin engineering worked out in this case.

[@AimlessMoto]

Falcon vent windows hitting the rear view mirrors. Welded in export brace. Power steering valve-on-draglink (later threaded on), timing cover timing mark becomes invisible on PS cars. Cantilever trans mount.

[@et76039]

Interesting point about the starters. Back in the late 1970s, I swapped a Toploader into a Cougar that had a C-4, but didn't notice an issue. Since the car also retained the driveshaft with no problem, maybe I just got lucky?

[@4rdF1Hunny]

Something fishy there, I did the same thing and had no issues.

[@joed6011]

What the parts stores call “auto” and “manual” trans starters aren’t really accurate. It’s either a “157 tooth flywheel manual and all auto” starter OR a “164 tooth manual” starter. Clear as mud?

[@jackiesimpson9822]

Do you know where you can get cable transmission from the collom to c4 transmission on some 70s cars

[@karltite128]

Here's one. Water outlet gasket. Ford Prod. 6, V8, 1948 - 1989 yep the same gasket. Only discovered after 29yrs instead of making beer box cardboard gaskets for my 70 Falcon Wagon, I went all out and got one. Not that the homemade didn't work, it's that being a shade tree mechanic with no shade, I'm to show a little more respect to the best 350 dollar purchase (falcon) I ever made. Have a great day. Have you driven a Ford lately? 🇺🇸🍺

[@2shoes2socks82]

My grandpa had a 66 thunderbird and said it was just like grandma a real pain in the @$$ but she’s so pretty

[@Shiloh8548]

Same with my 66 Fairlane…..

[@clevelandmaker386]

Here's my five..... 1. The price of a project..... 2. Not enough support for off brand ford's!!! Not everyone wants a mustang falcon Torino What about Edsels? What about the big Ford's? (Fairlanes Galaxie Skyliners.....or my personal favorite...Starliners!!! 3....what about foreign ford's meteors etc 4... general interior parts ? 5.....and once again....what if you want an off brand like Monterrey s Parklanes

[@f150bft]

How can I figure out my 64 Fairlane's spindles? It was converted to disc before I got it. I think it is Granada but I really have no idea. I do know it is a Ford set up The tie rod ends that came with the Unisteer rack are too small at the taper.

[@PantoPhobe-dm2fd]

Look for the part numbers on the spindles. That’s the only way to know what you really have. There are tie rod end adapters to fit those tie rods to the spindles.

[@timfavre3870]

Funny thing. Just today I was working on pulling my idler arm on my 65 Galaxie and both the J nuts snapped. Can't find reproductions anywhere.

[@classicstangbrn8964]

Mustang ll v8 had a 144 t flex plate, 50 oz imbalance had a lighter crank; less metal , cheeper crank, 56 ford went from 6 volt positive ground to 12 volt negative, your right just ran resistors wire to cut down the voltage and that instrument voltage meter, you think you can go on and on, don't get me started, lol.😊

[@PantoPhobe-dm2fd]

So you’d think Ford finally got a clue when 8 inch rears showed up in 6 cylinder Mavericks? Just put in the same rear as the V8 Mavs and use 4 lug axles? NOPE! They made those with the 9inch drum brakes instead of leaving on the 10 inch drum brakes. They went out of their way to put the small brakes on an 8 inch housing.

[@aguyinnc2865]

Yea, I just found out about the starters for my '73 Mach 1 351C. Got a new starter with the short snout. I also have a vibration in that car since I bought it, and am still having trouble finding the cause. Yea I replaced the worn harmonic balancer, no difference. Seems to be in or on the engine. Ford used a few different flex plates on these engines. I bleed Ford Blue, but geez.... Btw, I had to replace the flasher for my turn signals. Outside signals now work fine, inside turn signal indicators do not work. Does it take a specific flasher? Please don't tell me I have to take that dash out!🙄

[@4rdF1Hunny]

Sounds like you may have just pulled a connection or something loose when swapping the flasher out.

[@williamford6142]

.Why do it not post a link to restorationspecialties, lots of good stuff, hard to find nuts, bolts etc, etc.

[@DJ-hv4ju]

Hipo engine was a 30.4 balancer because of the extra balancer on the crank.

[@RealWorldGarage]

🤚 here I am with the Mercury, bringing all the class. 😂

[@AutoRestoMod]

You know it!

[@biglakehotrods381]

Other reason why the Chevy swap is so popular. So little changes in everything works together for years. Ford said nah let’s do some changing

[@user-cf6ys7kh6g]

I'm restoring a 66 fairlane & putting in a 69 ,351 cleveland. It's my First build, so any help & video would be awesome thanks keep cruisin lol !

[@AutoRestoMod]

The Cleveland will be nearly as tight a fit as the FE. My power steering pump is right at the shock tower.

[@user-cf6ys7kh6g]

@@AutoRestoMod thanks &yes I'm seeing the power steering fitting problem . I have to a different front bracket lol ,but love my fairlane + 351c so hoping I can make this work

[@HotRodReverend]

1956 Fords did have 12 volt gauges from the factory… only year

[@jeffreykurth2703]

Have you ever thought that maybe Ford had a reason for changing? Need more strength to uphold there reputation, new bigger body styles, now di sc brakes, etc. Plus if you bought a Ford part at a Dealer you had no problem, aftermarket probably. Stay with genuine parts is better anyways. And cheaper in the long run.

[@morganleblanc730]

Ford had way too many accountants working for them in the 60's and not enough engineers! I blame everything on cost saving measures. The whole front suspension setup and the way it's mounted on the Mustang could have been so much better. Think if you would have had the Mustnag II suspension starting in 1965, life would have been so much better!

[@boblill8476]

Bean counters screw up every product in every industry , hhmmmm Robert McNamra comes to mind at Ford .

[@PotteryGoddess]

The 5 bolt bell housing will have the same part number but different transmission size holes for the bearing retention housing on the manual transmission. Same part number gaaaaa!

[@rwar9389]

Instumen voltage statement is not true. My 69 ranchero has 5 volt for the fuel gage only. Check the wiring diagram for your wagon. It's the same.

[@AutoRestoMod]

OK.

[@Racoldgin]

Informative, but I have to admit that none of this stuff drives me crazy. All auto manufacturers make changes throughout the years, usually for improvements. If you do your homework before you go out buying parts, you shouldn't have any problems.

[@AutoRestoMod]

Agreed, still drives me a little nuts. LOL

[@robertfogarty3253]

good morning,mi. here more secrets here on who can help can fix it

[@theinfernalcraftsman]

That's just the tip of the iceberg. The use of midplates at all made no sense, 4 lug and 5 lug wheels and and and. I could go on for hours but the purists get mad when I do... The one thing to learn about Ford is that they have never known the definition of the word standardize. When I'm working on Fords I am always asking why why why did they do this to us.

[@et76039]

Hate to say it, but Generic Motors makes swapping easy, particularly Brand C. Whereas Blue Oval makes you check interchange tables; but then you also see swaps that makes no sense. Although the '67-'68 Mustangs have suspensions and exhausts that don't truly swappable, allegedly the rear deck lids are. 🤔 The '64-'65 Mercury Comets have front sheet metal that differs from the Falcon, yet there was a kit to swap the Mercury sheet metal onto the Falcon Rancheros.

[@markhouck1671]

You start with Ford is weird.. don't you go by Jeff Ford ... lol Yes it really true about the Ford cars...

[@keepkalm]

Why did Ford make those changes? Just because 😂

[@kenpyle1716]

If Ford engineers accidentally give you access to something they put something sharp in the way.

[@AutoRestoMod]

HAHAHAHAHA TRUE!