Kitbashing a 406 Ford 4-bbl 4-speed

[ChrisBcritter]

I'd like to build up a '57 Ford Fairlane like my uncle's old street racer:

He put in a single four-barrel '62 or '63 406 and four-speed out of a wrecking yard. My idea to match this would be to use the engine from the newer AMT '62 T-bird and the fan belt/pulleys and transmission from the Revell '64 Fairlane Thunderbolt. Am I on the right track here? What would be my best source for a correct single 4-bbl carb and manifold - maybe the '60 Starliner?

Over to you Ford gurus - thanks!

[Force]

You can do that and it will for sure work.

But if you want to take engine and parts just from one kit you should get the latest AMT '60 Galaxie Starliner 2'n1 De Luxe kit as it has everything you need...and everything is top notch detailwise and it's one of the best kits AMT ever made.

There are two complete engines in the kit and you'll get one 4-bbl intake with carb for 332/352/390/406/427 etc, one 2 X 4-bbl intake with carbs correct for 427 and one 3 X 2-bbl intake and carbs correct for 390/406 complete with cast aluminum oval air cleaner, same cleaner top but different base for the 2 X 4 and 3 X 2.

You also get other nice parts as 427 style cast iron headers, one of the nicest 9 inch rear ends I have ever seen, lake style side pipes, nice Astro Supreme wheels, two sets of plated valve covers (one plain, one Thunderbird) and one set unplated, traction bars and lots of other usable parts...and the separate chassis and floorpan works under the less detailed old AMT 63½ and 64 Galaxies with some slight modifications...I don't like '60 Galaxie's that much but they are great kits and I have several of them as parts donors for other builds.

Edited December 26, 2013 by Force

[Erik Smith]

Here is a 406 I have in progress...

IIRC, the block, intake and carbs are from the AMT 1962 T-Bird, most of the rest, including the Borg Warner 4 speed, is from the AMT Starliner kit - EXCEPT the valve covers. The best valve covers for the 406 are in the Mysterion kit (acutally has 2 406s) - the "thunderbird" script across the cover is the most accurate.

Early 406s had problems staying together so Ford starting crossbolting the main bearings later in '62. - you can easily imitate that with two bolts on each side of the block...

[mnwildpunk]

I can't help answer your question but I have to comment on the fact you have an awesome picture of a classic backyard racer back in the day. Your uncles car was cool

[Force]

Early 406s had problems staying together so Ford starting crossbolting the main bearings later in '62. - you can easily imitate that with two bolts on each side of the block...

There are five main caps on a FE engine and both the late 406 and all 427 has cross bolts on number 2, 3 and 4 from late '62 onwards (406 with cross bolts are very rare though), so It should be three bolts on each side...most hi-perf engines from Ford also had threaded screw in freeze plugs...but these things are not that visible on a model so you can leave it off.

Edited December 27, 2013 by Force

[deuces wild]

Great info here... Thanks!