Shock tower modifications

[Dan859]

Hi Everyone,
I'm looking for information on how to modify the shock towers on a 64 Comet, to put in an FE.  I would prefer not to go to a Mustang II suspension.  Websites, diagrams, articles, kits, anything like that would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance.
Dan

[mn67]

http://www.critesperformanceparts.com/

[66sevets]

Here's some good info and photos on the Crites kit installation.

http://www.cometcentral.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1274

[scott foxwell]

There are McPherson type strut conversions available. You use the factory top mount, but you can get rid of most of the shock tower underneath it. Google is your friend.

[hwoods]

http://www.freakride.com/

I have these for front of my 64 Fairlane

[scott foxwell]

http://www.freakride.com/

I have these for front of my 64 Fairlane

I came very close to choosing them for my 67 Fairlane but went with Global West instead. So far I'm pretty disappointed in their customer service...been getting the "your parts will ship tomorrow" for a month now. We'll see how it all turns out.

[Dan859]

Thanks everyone for the replies, I appreciate it!

[wayne]

A guy that comes to our local cruise  has a 62 fairlane with a fe i looked at it and told him nice job on cutting the shock towers he said they are not cut.You dont have too i dont why ever one cuts them up its a 427 it has log manifolds are 62 and 64 the same the car is a sleeper no hood scoop or anything

[james]

Hi Everyone,
I'm looking for information on how to modify the shock towers on a 64 Comet, to put in an FE.  I would prefer not to go to a Mustang II suspension.  Websites, diagrams, articles, kits, anything like that would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance.
Dan

Let me give you a piece of advice on this topic. By all means use the crites system for the shock towers cut. I say that because with their system you will not have a problem with putting on the headers. My shock towers were cut out in my 1964 ford falcon before I decided to put a 427/482 in her so I had to have my headers custom made to fit. https://i.imgur.com/kUBg5KX.jpg

There were a couple of people on this site that told me so but it was too late for me. I think someone here can verify what I'm saying. My Falcon will be done in about a month. Hope this helps.

[Dan859]

Thanks!

[George vega]

I did my own on my mustang. Should be close to yours. Cut back to the edge of the shock mount, down as close to the spring as possible without interference, and cut across the bottom just above the upper control arm. Check for arm travel then cut. I cut too low and had to weld covers for the control arm bushings. Look at the finished mod in the picture below. I use the Hooker full race headers with 2 1/16th tubes with no problems but gets close to steering box.

[TomP]

Without any cutting you can actually get an FE in there but the ports are almost totally blocked. The cutting is to allow more than 250 HP to escape the engine.

The way the 64 AFX Comets was done is kind of crude but is effective, The shock tower is cut vertical above the inner edge of the frame and the face is overlapped the outer section and welded. this moves the upper control arms outward. The lower arms are moved out too on a bracket that also moves them downward. I think the tie rods are just unscrewed from the sleeves but maybe they have longer sleeves or different tie rods. Anyone know?

[66sevets]

The Crites kit moves the tires out an inch too and either they sell the longer sleeves or they came with the kit. The Crites headers fit good and go in one at a time but I lost a header bolt at Beaver Springs on number 6 and blew the gasket. Trying to get a bolt in or out without removing other pipes is tough! Those photos in that link above is Steve Mcblanes car at Beaver he told me he got Hooker race headers to fit with some mods. Unless you go Mustang 2 suspension or straight axle it’s very tight. I saw Faron’s Mustang at Beaver and his shock towers are cut nicely similar to George’s above.

[cammerfe]

The problem with shock-tower cars is that it's necessary for the pipes on the headers to take an abrupt, significant turn immediately out of the port, as the tower is in the way. As a general rule a pipe that doesn't have to turn for at least six inches is decidedly better for best flow. Look at the headers on a GT40. When we went to Dove TP heads on Brother Lon's '67 Mustang, we specified Jim's 'Type 2' exhaust ports. They are spaced differently, shaped differently, And come out of the head, as installed, on a decided up-angle. We removed the shock towers entirely and filled in the openings, and went to coil-over shocks mounted inside the wheelwell. We had different, shorter upper arms made, and moved the upper mounts down and out. We also had to re-do the rag-joint area at the steering box and go to a Borgeson universal joint for clearance.

In the end, it all worked very nicely.

KS