SHY66 Build (1966 XR Falcon)

[BSSXR8]

Hi guys.
Well I've been thinking about starting a build thread on my 1966 XR Falcon, so I thought while I've got time I'll start it off. Any ideas, comments and questions are welcome.
OK. I first started off with my first XR which had a 289ci HiPo Mustang Mexican block and C4.



I then found an XR on eBay for $3600 while i was looking for parts and it looked fairly clean, so I decided to go and have a look at it. Bad idea. As soon as i walked down the driveway my girlfriend said "Your going to buy it aren't you?" to which I said with a bit of a grin "Maybe!?"
I ended up buying it before another guy looked at it that same day.
The story behind the car is that the guy selling it was selling it for a mate. The mate didn't want to see it anymore as he was going to build it up for his wife, who passed away in the Indonesian Tsunami in 2004 (Rest In Peace)
So now it sits in my carport!If I had a shed it would be fully stripped down by now, but i just have to be patient.
OK, the specs- It came with a 170ci super pursuit 6cyl, and a cruisomatic trans. It has a few rusty areas in the usual spots, which I'll get around to fixing one day. The interior has been reupholstered before, but not real keen on it. I'd like to see a bit of premium cow in there one day.

[BSSXR8]

OK, so where am I at right now.
Well. At the moment I am between my BA XR8(BSSXR8) and this. The car is currently sitting in the carport, while i conjure up some dollars.
Right now it has the front in the air and I have the Front suspension out. I am going to be restrengthening the lower control arms, replacing all the bushes with Nolathane ones with the exception of a few which i will keep rubber. I also have some XF Steering knuckles on the way, so i can fit bigger brakes later. I took the 289ci out of the last XR, which has since been sold.(which Ive been told is getting an EL XR6 engine and T5 manual?different)I also have bought a lot of things off eBay for the engine rebuild and a few tidy up things.So heres how she is



And here is the engine from the last car, which is now just a bare block and ready for some work.

The plan is to put a 347ci stroker kit in the windsor and just do a mild rebuild. This engine will later on be replaced with a crate motor from the states that I have my eye on. This crate motor should cost around $10,000 to get to my door and is complete minus extractors and MSD control box. The current engine will hopefully go into a project car for the missus. The C4 will get rebuilt and I'm trying to find a 9" diff for the rear.

[linkstar69]

Looks like a good solid starting point, I remember hearing someone say the six cylinder cars are always better to find because they usually haven't been molested.
You going to hot rod it on the outside or leave it looking stockish?

[BSSXR8]

Im going to give it a good going over. I have a two tone style drawing at home that looks a little like Peter Grmusa's XR. and I'll be putting 18" American Racing Hopsters on as well. So I'd go with a bit of cruiser and a bit pro tourer. Just love the look.

[hypo 75]

hey bssxr8 your bringing back alot of memories mate me and my brother (xtc gt) spent about 4/5 years working on his gt and seeing those pics just baught it all back
by the looks of things your not takeing any short cuts wich is always a good thing and it looks like you have a good clean tidey car to start off with another plus for you
the 347 ci stroker you are thinking bout will put a smile on your face as thats whats now in my brothers car and it takes him ruffly 1 or 2 hours before he stops smileing lol
anyways good luck with the build and cant wait to see the progress pics as it gets done

[BSSXR8]

Hey Hypo, thanks man.
Did your Bro get his engine from Proformance unlimited or was it through someone else? How much did it cost roughly for importing it, if you can remember.

[hypo 75]

no sory didnt mention that he had it built by our engine builder but can tell you it worked out cheaper then the create engine it has made over 300 rwhp and was only built as a cruiser he has no intenion of raceing the car other than the od play at a street meet
but yeah for what it is it can put a smile on the dial lol

[xtc gt]

Hey BSSXR8. if i was you, i would think twice about buying a create motor.Man you could have change from 10grand and still have a tuff motor,Scat internals, mild cam, AFR heads = ONE STRONG COMBO

[BSSXR8]

Oh, I get ya now!lol.My bad.
Yeah, hope it gets going in the next 6 months at least.

[BSSXR8]

I don't know about that. A decent set of complete heads, MSD system, Balanced stroker kit and the rest of the bundle I think it'd be touching on 10 grand if not over, knowing me anyway.