Exciting News: 2002 Pacific Regionals are in Bakersfield, CA on April 26 – 27, 2002. See the registration form below for more information.
Presidentís Message
As I was typing the title of this column it gave me the idea for this monthís message. The Ownerís Manual in the new cars is a must. There are so many different buttons and knobs and lights that you really need to read that manual just to figure out how to honk the horn or turn on the headlights. The radio, it gives a guy a headache just thinking about how ëcleverí the designers were with all the buttons, knobs, and lights on the new radiosÖÖÖÖÖÖ. Now take the old Falcon ownerís manual, lots of great information on how to clean the upholstery or the optional white walls. I find that when I climb into one of the new cars, I still think like Iím getting into Little Red or the Ranchero and I can just figure out how things work if I stare at the knobs long enough. Generally that technique works with our Falcons, with a little bit of experimentation of turning and twisting, etc.
This leads me to what I see on the Falcon discussion groups on the Internet. I have nothing but good things to say about the Falconeers and TFFN groups and the old FDG, I have learned tons of stuff, solved tons of problems and even saved some money along the way. It has, of course, gotten me into some trouble, (see past references to a certain 65 yellow station wagon). Anyway, often on these discussion groups someone will ask a question about how to do something on the Falcons. For example, a common problem for new Falcon owners is the location of the fuses in a round body Falcon. IF a person bought a Shop Manual and IF they used it, they would be able to find the fuses and would know how to get the darned thing out. Just so you all know, the fuses are located on the top of the headlight switch, and there is a little button you push to release the knob and pull it out and then you can get the switch loose and get to the fuses. Oh yeah, back to the point about manuals. Like I said, it is not uncommon for people to ask how to do something and the discussion group members respond by suggesting the purchase of a manual. I agree with this whole-heartedly. The manual can solve all kinds of problems and allow you to get that job done quicker and with a lot less frustration, AND, you donít have to irritate your fellow Falcon owners. When a suggestion is made to buy a manual, I usually write in that another good idea is to join a Falcon club, as the wealth of knowledge from club owners is something that you canít get anywhere else. If there is no club in your area, START ONE.
Now, if the Shop Manual just didnít have the same instructions over and over againÖ..Remove the old part, to install the new part, follow the procedure for removal, backwards!!! WhatÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ.?
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Featured Falcon
“Our daughter and son-in-law in St. Paul, MN were talking about getting a pick up to help with tasks related to the house they bought and we figured that if they tried to find a truck there it would be expensive and rusted. So we bought a Ranchero here in Bakersfield from Dave Simpon’s father. It is a 289 V8, three on the tree???”