Hello,

I wasn’t quite prepared to talk about this project until it was further along, but since I’ve let the cat out… I figured I should make an official V8 ford to 122 thread. (and put it in the 122 forums)

I’m Ray from Florida, before that tristate Ny area. My kid wanted a car with personality, my friend threatened to give me a 68 122. That is how this thing got started. We towed it home, did a through evaluation, and decided to put a small ford in it. I knew it needed floors and rear body, didn’t see anything insurmountable, still don’t! One goal, was to have a nearly unbreakable car, also cheap too. I gave up on the Volvo powerplant when I found it way to costly to build an automatic for it. There was an option for a free 240 OHC motor, but that would have needed work too. I have a 302 from my Lincoln sitting on the stand ready to go, that will likely end up in it. I have been using a 68 289 and C4 for mock ups. There are a few small differences, but essentially the same. As far as what we expect at the end, well, just a clean looking daily driver. It will have way more than enough power, too much I think. I’m hoping for better than adequate handling, but not going to put a whole lot into the suspension. Really looking to keep this around $3000.

As of December 1, 2008 we have the floor and firewall done, well welded anyway. We have a mopar rear end in place, although it needs some adjustment. The mopar rear was 1” wider than the original, a 65 mustang would have worked, but didn’t think I could find one cheap. Rear drums are only $30 for this thing. The engine, trans and driveshaft are pretty much set. We are working on radiator and front fittings currently. Someone has brushed navy battleship paint in the engine compartment, that will compound clean ups. It will be time to pick a color soon too. We are looking for some rims that will work, 6.5” with 5” backspacing would be great. Will need a spacer and long studs for the front, I’m sure. I really don’t want to put 7” rims in the front. I will be looking for an emergency brake handle and console, and we can finish the floor part.

I have been detailing the whole project, and will continue.
First part
Part two
Three
The whole rear end thing
The floor

About me, I have been working on cars since about 1968 when this car was new. My father painted for the Mahwah ford plant till it closed. I went to Bergen tech for body, and Denver automotive for mechanics. Florida sucks for car repairs and I’ve stayed away from it as much as possible, but I have worked for Mazda, Bmw and Ford dealers. I worked as a professional stagehand, and did restorations in my spare time. I have raced nhra professionally (ss/na) and bracket raced, we held an ihra record for a while. I got fired for getting hurt at work, yes they can do that here, and haven’t worked since 2004.
Stuff I have done in my garage here

Here is the car and driver 245 in our back lot in NJ. I also worked on the first 262c and Paul Newman’s Volvo, it was given to him, but his daughter drove it up in college. I have some other pics of that, but not scanned in.