Took the first trip around town with the RRS kit

Well I finally got my Torino on the road with the RRS front strut kit and rear disc brakes. I still need to get down to the alignment shop before I can really start testing things out. I used a machinest level to set the camber and two carpenter squares and tape measures to set the toe. It doesn't pull to either side and drives with no hunting or any bad manners so I must have got it close. Despite my NASCAR pit road alignment the around town manners are really nice. I can say that the ride is very smooth yet firm. The brakes feel good very little pedal movement but not grabby. I'm running the stock power brake booster with a Willwood 1.125 master cylinder with the RRS stage II front and matching rear discs. In the rear I'm running some rebuilt and rearched stock leaf springs with a set of low profile Caltracks and Koni classic shocks. The rear feels plated but not overly stiff either. There is a little but of clunking in the rear when I hammer it. Maybe the detroit locker but probably I need to preload the caltracks a little more. I did get a little bit of the classic sideways kick from the locker exiting a right turn with a little more throttle than usual.

Looking good, so tell us more about this "Mean Machine".

Original 390 4 speed GT. For now I am running what I believe is the stock shortblock with some other goodies. Bluprinted HV oil pump and billet shaft along with a Canton T road race pan. Pocket ported C8AEH heads (stock) with CJ sized stainless valves Cam Dynamics springs, retainers and solid flat tappet cam 230/236 @ .050 with .560 lift. Percision oil pump end stands, spacers and stands with stock Ford adjustable rockers and smith brothers push rods. Rollmaster timing set. Recurved stock distributor with pertronix and MSD digital 6 CD box. On top there is a Ford aluminum PI intake that had the exhaust crossover roted out so I filled in the crossover and ported the manifold (just cleaned up all the inside radiuses and bad transitions). On that intake I have a rebuilt Ford issue 735 Holley and a 1" Phelonic spacer. The exhaust right now is stock GT manifolds with a crappy looking 2" set of pipes with 40 series flowmasters and an H pipe. I have the stock close ratio Toploader behind this with a 31 spline 3.70 detroit locker out back. Once I get all the suspension bugs worked out I'll pull the motor and trans and install the following parts I have sitting in my garage. A lakewood scattershield, Aluminim flywheel, Tremec TKO 600, FPA ceramic coated tri Y headers. I'll also add a new 2.5" exhaust with an X pipe (I'm thinking spintech side exit but haven't decided for sure yet) and possibly a new aluminum driveshaft. When I do this I'll detail the engine compartment, cut the hood and make a functional ram air set up. I'm also looking at fabricating some subbframe connectors. I may also add a Watts link (I spoke to this guy and he said he could build one for my car just needed a 68/69 Torino to use as a template FAYS2 Suspension Watts Link ). I also plan on putting the battery in the trunk. After all that is done and the bugs worked out I'm going to strip the body and paint her the original color which is Jade Black. One step at a time. For now I just need to put some miles on her to see if everything I've done so far is holding together.

Sweet! like the strut kit and wilwood master cylinder. If only I had 3k to drop on a front suspension.

Nice car! lookin good

Thanks. I like your coupe. Keep in mind that the kit also includes spindles and brakes. I'm by no means saying it is cheap or a huge bargain but if you add up the cost of stock replacement parts plus spindles and 12" dual piston front brakes you are at least half way there. Then again if I was looking for the lowest cost route I would have a built windsor instead of my FE.

Glad to hear you've got it on the road now, nice looking setup.

Originally Posted by fefairlane

Thanks. I like your coupe. Keep in mind that the kit also includes spindles and brakes. I'm by no means saying it is cheap or a huge bargain but if you add up the cost of stock replacement parts plus spindles and 12" dual piston front brakes you are at least half way there. Then again if I was looking for the lowest cost route I would have a built windsor instead of my FE.

True, true. Oh, trust if I had the funds I would go this route. But your right its almost 1000.00 in stock parts when you consider brakes, spindles, and all.

Anyway, keep us posted on your mods!

Bet it nice to get it back on the road again even if its only there for a little while . Looking good though nice stance.

It was but a 5 cent roll pin on the distributor gear just sidelined her for a couple of days.

bummer