Page updated 02/21/01
Fairmont/Zephyr
Tech Info
Before you start anything on you car you need
to familirize yourself with the parts you are working on. The
best thing to do is to buy books on that subject. Here are a few
I found indispensable.
How to rebuild your
small-block Ford: HP
Books-89, about $12.95
Ford
Fairmont, Mercury Zephyr Owners Workshop Manual: Haynes Books # 560, about $14.95
It also helps to talk to people in the know. I have a local
automotive machine shop owner that is knowledgeable and friendly.
I have a cousin who teaches auto-mechanics at a local school who
is one of the best mechanics in the country, well at least in the
top ten with certs to prove it.
Depending on the purpose of your car you may wish to build a ground pounding motor here is some info.
First Thing: please
remember to install high strength rod bolts, Fords are very weak
in this area.
Second thing: Find an engine building
program on the web (there are lots of demos). Dragplus is one I used
before.
Basically Ford Heads will not make Horsepower in stock form you need to port. In doing research I found the best heads to use are 1970 351W (C90E casting) which has a stock 1.84/1.54 inch valve setup in them and 62cc chambers or you could use '83-up 302 heads with 66cc chambers (E5TZ casting) which are easier to find.
The exhaust bowls will need blended but the intake runners should be left rough to stop air/fuel separation.
All '79-up heads come with machined rocker pedestals drilled and tapped 5/16 inch. This makes it easy to install screw-in adjustable rocker studs. If you use the 1970 351W heads you will need to have this done by a local automotive machine shop.
Here is the start of a good power
combo (near 300 hp) that a friend got out of an old Hot Rod
magazine yearbook. Volume 2, number 2 (Peterson 2753-6) pg.155.
My Stock 289 Recipe, Mild 302 Recipe, Roller
302, On the Wild Side
Before you build anything make sure you know what you need to
do and have all the parts and tools to do it. Best thing is to
talk to a machine shop that is reputable. I'm in luck to have one
close. The owner worked for Holly Carbs and he knows his stuff.
Also talk to a transmission shop if you can find one that will
talk (they tend to keep thing secret so that people don't know
how easy trannys are to fix). You will need to make sure your
transmission will handle the power and transfer it to the rear
wheels, especially the torque converter.
This is one you need to think about what you want to do. Most fox chassis parts will swap within reason.
Mustang seats will fit in your F/Z but you need to change out
the rails.
Mustang dash will fit with drilling a few holes.
Mustang Rearends will fit with little or no modification, except
the dual shock versions, which will have you drilling holes and
upgrading your brake system and banging your head.
If you are going to lay out a little cash for around $700 to $900
you can get a 9-inch rear axle assembly with good gears and never
worry about breaking it.
Fox Chassis
1979 - 1994 Mustang/Capri (Best
Place for performance chassis parts)
1979 - 1986 Thunderbird/Cougar
1978 - 1984 Fairmont/Zephyr
1979 - 1986 LTD II/Marques
1979 - 1986 Granada/Monarch
Some parts off of Lincoln Versailles, Lincoln LSC Mark VII,
ranger/bronco will fit.
Extra Parts
I'm inquiring at showcars-bodyparts.com about some Fairmont
Fiberglass fender, hood and bumpers.
If you want dual exhaust you will need a double hump transmission
crossmember. If you need one Ford Motorsports sells one, Jegs and
Summit carry it. or you can get two at tyhe scrap yard and cut
and weld. Jegs No. 397-M5059-A is the one I used.