Anyone used the Fatman Fabrications drop spindles? |
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Hey Z
Senior Member Joined: 24-November-2005 Status: Offline Points: 269 |
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Posted: 03-February-2014 at 4:44AM |
I'm thinking of going with these since my car is lowered and because I'm installing wildwood brakes and wildwood doesn't make a kit for '72 front spindles.
http://www.fatmanfabrications.co/products/1965-1973-ford-torino-dropped-spindles/ Anyone have any experience with these drop spindles? I'm also adding the Holley EFI system to my 460 so I'll keep you all posted on the progress.
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My '72 restomod My Link
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Mark S.
Senior Member Joined: 22-April-2012 Location: EHT, NJ Status: Offline Points: 374 |
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My buddy had nothing but bad experiences with them, including made in China parts and terrible customer service.
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Mark
1977 Ltd II "Eltee" 1984 Mustang ragtop 2004 Grand Marquis Ultimate Edition 71 Torino GT 429CJ (sold too many years ago to count...) |
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Dan the ranchero man
Senior Member Joined: 24-July-2011 Location: Mchenry,IL Status: Offline Points: 1174 |
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Very interested in how the EFI works out for you . I too have a 460 that I want to upgrade to EFI.
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Hey Z
Senior Member Joined: 24-November-2005 Status: Offline Points: 269 |
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We're using the Holley Terminator kit and their electronic fuel pump kit so I'll let you know how it works out.
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My '72 restomod My Link
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Dan the ranchero man
Senior Member Joined: 24-July-2011 Location: Mchenry,IL Status: Offline Points: 1174 |
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Thanks. Thinking of using the MSD unit (no return line) seems easy to install.
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bata747-8
Moderator Group Honorary Spam Bot / Zombie Account Joined: 24-June-2010 Location: China Status: Offline Points: 131 |
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Dan, beware of the return-less system. I read the fine print, and you need to use rubber/poly fuel line to account for pump and pressure variations. That was a deal breaker for me. Running the line would be easy, but there is a reason that fuel line is steel from the tank to the engine compartment. I still plan to use MSD myself, as I believe it is the best system out there. But I will be doing an in tank pump. I found the ticket, and although pricey and will require a new tank (so you can cut a hole in the top) it will work well. I will post it up when I find the link (and get back to my MacBook). |
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aquartlow
Senior Member Joined: 19-December-2011 Location: Summerfield, Fl Status: Offline Points: 2271 |
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X2^ I also like the Holley Terminator kit as well, looking to do this when funds allow. The Holley throttle body has trans kickdown linkage, where some others do not, not a "deal breaker" but makes installation easier. As far as installing a fuel return system, I installed and am currently using one now for my electric fuel pump/carb setup(keeps fuel cooler and supposedly easier on fuel pump), it wasn't that hard at all. Hey Z, definitely keep us posted on installation and drivability of the kit. Good luck |
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Yeah, It's a Hybrid...It burns gas and tires. No matter how good she looks, somebody, somewhere, is tired of her sh*t. Beauty is skin deep, ugliness goes clear to the bone. |
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Rockatansky
Senior Member Joined: 30-July-2010 Location: On The Road Status: Offline Points: 6072 |
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my 2003 Crown Vic Interceptor runs a non-return system with a poly line
millions of returnless factory production systems out there... but punching a fitting into the tank or filler tube isn't a big deal, you can use a threaded / O-ring seal fittng near the sender unit for access, have a shop weld one in or use the Moroso filler tube kit Edited by Rockatansky - 04-February-2014 at 3:46AM |
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72 GT Ute
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bata747-8
Moderator Group Honorary Spam Bot / Zombie Account Joined: 24-June-2010 Location: China Status: Offline Points: 131 |
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There is a fuel sending unit assembly which has a return line port on it. Available new.
http://www.classiccarautoparts.com/gastank_sending_units_ford.html |
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Rockatansky
Senior Member Joined: 30-July-2010 Location: On The Road Status: Offline Points: 6072 |
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that looks like it's a vapor / vent connection, a little on the small side? a return ~should be~ larger than the supply so it doesn't cause pressure on the return side. at idle or low fuel demand operation a small return won't flow the volume and will overwork the pump
but yeah you can also have the return added to your existing sender unit, a lot easier than bringing the tank in or messing with the filler tube Edited by Rockatansky - 04-February-2014 at 5:01AM |
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72 GT Ute
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bata747-8
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I ordered the non return line model of that, saved $20 over what Dearborn Classics had for it (and subsequently avoided glacial shipping times as well).
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BadHabit351
Senior Member Joined: 21-June-2013 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 217 |
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I think someone forgot to tell Fatman that the Torino went full frame in 1972. Check out the strut IFS link...nothing like suring up the subframe on a 72-76 Torino!
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1973/72 Gran Torino Sport
1971 Torino GT convertilble 2013 Ford Fusion 2004 Ford SuperDuty 2013 Mustang GT |
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OleDutchD
Member Joined: 02-August-2003 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 151 |
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Haven't used the spindles, but I've thought long and hard about them. Currently running Crown Vic PI springs with 3/4 of a coil trimmed. May take another 1/4 off this spring to get the nose down another 1/2", but I'd rather run the spindle and a whole spring to regain clearance above the bump-stop. I'm running a 27" tire in front, though.... not as if there's a ton of room for suspension travel!
Those spindles are a fabricated component, as opposed to a machined casting. Don't know how that affects durability/longevity, but it's not as if my car will see a ton of miles, anyway...... |
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Just an analog guy stuck in a digital world!
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geno8769
Member Joined: 28-December-2007 Location: Louisiana Status: Offline Points: 105 |
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Any update on the EFI?
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1973 GTS "Q" Motor
2019 F250 CC 6.7 4x4 STX https://www.youtube.com/user/geno8769 |
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Hey Z
Senior Member Joined: 24-November-2005 Status: Offline Points: 269 |
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The EFI is installed but there were problems with the spindles not working with the wildwood brake kit that was ordered so we had to ship the wildwood kit back and order a brake kit from fatman. Until that's done I can't really give you any feedback on the EFI since I can't drive it yet. We hope to get everything wrapped up soon and I'll update everyone as soon as we do.
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My '72 restomod My Link
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Hey Z
Senior Member Joined: 24-November-2005 Status: Offline Points: 269 |
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We finally got wildwood brakes that would work with the fatman drop spindles but now the car sits too low up front. We're ordering new springs, probably the moog 80090, and I'll keep everyone updated. The car should be up and running with the holley efi and new wildwood brakes soon! I will say that the spindles are very heavy duty and very impressive. I'll try to get some pics and post them up.
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My '72 restomod My Link
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OleDutchD
Member Joined: 02-August-2003 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 151 |
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Hey, Tim.. if you had the time, I'd be curious to see a list of major components and part numbers for the spindle/brake upgrade. Would like to tackle this swap, myself, one day soon.
This would make an excellent "how-to" article.. Edited by OleDutchD - 13-May-2014 at 7:09PM |
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Just an analog guy stuck in a digital world!
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Hey Z
Senior Member Joined: 24-November-2005 Status: Offline Points: 269 |
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Dutch I'll get the part numbers, but the spindle and brakes all ended up coming from fatman fabrications. They've revised their set-up for the '72 Torino and it's a really nice piece, but the kit we ordered from Wildwood would not work with the spindles so we had to send them back and order the Wildwood brakes through fatman. It was frustrating for sure but as we all know that is how it goes when working on these cars.
I will post up lots of pics and also give you my impressions of the holley efi set up as well.
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My '72 restomod My Link
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Gransport72
New Member Joined: 13-January-2015 Location: North Dakota Status: Offline Points: 13 |
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Did you ever get the spindles and brakes to work? I would be interested in those part number if you had time. I called fatman last winter and was told they didn't have spindles that would fit the '72's.
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Jason
'72 Gran Torino Sport |
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Rockatansky
Senior Member Joined: 30-July-2010 Location: On The Road Status: Offline Points: 6072 |
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I just looked at their site, they list drop spindles for various mid-60's full size Fords & Mercs using Granada rotors & Camaro calipers... I wonder would those work also?
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72 GT Ute
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Hey Z
Senior Member Joined: 24-November-2005 Status: Offline Points: 269 |
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Yes we did get them to work with the wildwood brakes. I still need to get the car aligned and once I do I will report back to you on how they are. The wheels are now farther inside, but the camber is way off right now so it doesn't drive well. Once I get the camber and alignment cleaned up I will let you know my impressions and try to get the part number too.
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My '72 restomod My Link
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cggrob
Member Joined: 28-November-2011 Location: Atlanta, GA Status: Offline Points: 72 |
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I am using the 2" drop Fatman spindles for the 1972 Torino. You need to measure lower ball joint dimensions where it goes through the spindle - Fatman claims there were 3 different dimensions offered on the 1972. They fit fine except they are not as thick as the original spindle and therefore do not go all of the way down on the ball joint - but they do seat correctly. I also used the 13" WilWood brake set-up. Car is still under construction and I don't get to the shop much. 2" drop spindle with the 1999 Crown Vic PI 710 lb/inch springs and 275/35/20 tires on the front. Also a 2" drop at the back on custom wound coils with 315/35/20 tires. John Haney at Blue Oval in McDonough, GA is doing the work - fresh paint in the pics! |
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Billy C
Senior Member Joined: 10-February-2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Status: Offline Points: 948 |
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Are there even detailed pictures of this mystery upright/spindle anywhere?
275s in front and 315s in rear! 'nuff said.
Edited by Billy C - 22-January-2015 at 8:29PM |
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-Billy Conturo
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cggrob
Member Joined: 28-November-2011 Location: Atlanta, GA Status: Offline Points: 72 |
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I can get detailed pics of the FATMAN spindles for everyone with them mounted on the car in another 2 weeks or so. Also, I had to add some thread to the inner tie rod ends to bring the toe in because of where the steering arms are welded to the spindle.
Once suspension is sorted out I will be moving up to a 295/35/20 & 335/30/20 combo. The front tires are no problem but to fit the rears the frame is scalloped out and the wheelhouse moved in a couple of inches. Also using the SPOHN upper and lower control arms - lowers are required for clearance as well, as their tubes are narrower than the stock stamped control arm. It's all tight but it fits.
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unlovedford
Senior Member Joined: 17-December-2010 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 10142 |
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That is beautiful! You are the first person I've seen that has fit 20's under the front and been able to tuck them just right.
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Joe
1972 Mom's Squire Wagon 1972 Torino Wagon 1976 Torino 1968 Cougar XR7-First batch 1972 Torino 460 1989 BroncoII/Jeeps/Titanimous Popeye and Brutus (Rams) |
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72 RS 351
Senior Member Joined: 04-September-2014 Location: Knoxville TN Status: Offline Points: 2767 |
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Ditto, I just realized that those were 20" wheels. Keep us updated with that. I like bigger wheels and tires, but the 16 or 17's are tough to find a decent tire that would look right to me. |
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Don
73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000+ rpm 351-4V &4R70W 73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later. 92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W |
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aquartlow
Senior Member Joined: 19-December-2011 Location: Summerfield, Fl Status: Offline Points: 2271 |
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Come on now... |
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www.supermotors.net/22468
Yeah, It's a Hybrid...It burns gas and tires. No matter how good she looks, somebody, somewhere, is tired of her sh*t. Beauty is skin deep, ugliness goes clear to the bone. |
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legend onirot
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malcolm 1973 gran torino sport (formal)... "Stacy Lynn" 1972 gran torino (formal)... "Mackenzie" 1973 gran torino sport (sportroof)... "Leela" |
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cggrob
Member Joined: 28-November-2011 Location: Atlanta, GA Status: Offline Points: 72 |
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UH?......my front wheels can actually turn?
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aquartlow
Senior Member Joined: 19-December-2011 Location: Summerfield, Fl Status: Offline Points: 2271 |
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My ride ain't no trailer queen!
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www.supermotors.net/22468
Yeah, It's a Hybrid...It burns gas and tires. No matter how good she looks, somebody, somewhere, is tired of her sh*t. Beauty is skin deep, ugliness goes clear to the bone. |
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