7.0L Fairlane

Was at a local carshow today, with my Fairlane 500 (took a top 40 trophy, which made me feel good). One of the guys from the car club putting on the show mentioned to me that he had a 66 Fairlane 7.0L... I mentioned "so it has a 427 and he said "428". I know there's a 66 Galaxie with 428, but Im assuming he knows its a Fairlane and not a Galaxie. It's green exterior, green interior, bucket/console but automatic. With me still learning about Fairlanes, I asked him if it was original engine and he said he believed so. What little research I did this evening shows an R code 427 (only 60 built), with a 4 speed toploader manual transmission, and all were apparantly white. The car is for sale, but Im guessing, based on what little research I've done, it's not an R code, unless at some point in time someone swapped tranny's. Im guessing it's a GTA.

Im going to take a look at it over the next couple weeks. He said it needs a new trunk pan, and new gas tank, but "no other rust that he knows about"... Said the interior is in good shape. Said the paint might buff out but probably needs a paint job.

I wasn't able to see any other 427's in 66 doing my research. but it was available in 67 as well I guess.

It would be neat if it was a real R code, but don't see that happening. This guy strikes me as someone who would know, or at least research it. Having said that, can anyone tell me if there's been any other 7.0L Fairlanes in existance, other than the handful of R codes? What all should I look at to be able to tell for sure what he has. I will, of course, write down the vin for future decoding, but anything else I should check or write down?

Mike

Ford never produced a 66 or 67 Fairlane with a 428. It could be possible Ford had a few test mules with a 428, but they usually were crushed.

Look at the VIN stamped on the radiator support and the fifth character should be an " R " which would be a genuine 427 car. Could be the car had a 427 and could have met its fate and was blown up and replced with a 428...

Also, check the front brakes, if they are factory discs it was a GTA. I have personally seen original "R" code Fairlanes in colors other than white.

The Marti report will verify its originality... and dispell any speculation.

They also came in "Q" code, single 4V form. If I remember right, there was something unique about the fuel line on a genuine 427 car. It was either bigger, or had a different shape or something. ....My Fairlane brain aint working!!

It's most likely an "S" code 390ci.

gearup is correct on most points. Except disc brakes were a '67 item, all '66 were drum, GT or not and you won't get a Marti report on a '66, they started in '67.

Thanks for the input guys.. Im probably going to go take a look either today or tomorrow.

So, if it has disc brakes, it's been installed after production? I did not know that, as I too had "thought" GTA's or GT's had disc brakes in 66.

Between code on the radiator support and the codes on the door, I should be able to figure out what it is.

Will let y'all know.

Thanks

Mike

I suppose there could be a few very late '66's with disc's as the cut off (or start up) of options is never exact to the model year, but basically '66 drum, '67 you could get disc. Another misconception about the GT's is the transmission. In '66 the standard GT trans was the 3 speed manual. However you could get an optional 4 speed or automatic.
Other '66 GT items are chrome (no name) valve covers and oil filer cap, chrome dip stick, chrome air cleaner top (open element type) with a blue base. The brake master cylinder is the single reservoir style should be the "fruit jar" type with a screw on lid. In '67 they used the dual reservoir type. You could get optional power brakes in either year. Limited slip differentials were also optional in both years but the open type was standard.