Falcon (XK-XP)

1960-1966 / Sedan / Convertible / Estate / Australia

All Falcon (XK-XP) problems All workshop issues

Common Rust (The Big One)

Boot Floor and Spare Tyre Well

Symptoms

Rust in the boot floor, water pooling in the spare tyre well, perforation around the tail-light mounting points.

Cause

Tail-light gaskets perish and admit water. The boot lid seal deteriorates. Water collects in the spare tyre well, which has no drain, and sits against bare metal. The boot floor is one of the first areas to rust on early Falcons.

Fix

Repair sections are available.

Lift the boot mat on any car you're inspecting and check meticulously.

Budget $800-1,500 for a boot floor repair.

Cost mentioned in fix

Budget $800-1,500 for a

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// More Falcon (XK-XP) problems

Other known issues

Critical Rust (The Big One)

Floor Pan Corrosion

Visible rust perforation on the underside of the floor. Soft, spongy metal when prodded. In severe cases, daylight visible through the cabin floor.

Critical Rust (The Big One)

Sill (Rocker Panel) Rot

Bubbling paint along the lower body sides, soft metal when prodded, visible perforation.

Common Rust (The Big One)

Lower Quarter Panels

Bubbling, blistering, or perforation on the lower rear quarter panels behind the rear wheels.

Critical Engine: 144ci and 170ci Inline-Six

Cooling System Inadequacy

Temperature gauge climbs in slow traffic, on hot days, or when towing. The engine may boil over, pushing coolant out of the overflow.

Critical Engine: 144ci and 170ci Inline-Six

Worn Valve Guides

Blue smoke on startup that clears after a few minutes. Increased oil consumption. In severe cases, blue smoke under all conditions.

Common Engine: 144ci and 170ci Inline-Six

Crankshaft Rear Main Seal Leak

Oil leak from the rear of the engine, dripping onto the bellhousing and gearbox. Oil on the clutch causes slipping (manual cars) or contaminates the torque converter (automatics).

View all 18 Falcon (XK-XP) problems