Chronology
Previous model: XC Falcon
Next model: XE Falcon
Date of Introduction
The XD Falcon was introduced 28th of March, 1979, replacing the XC Falcon
Replaced March 1982 by the XE Falcon. The XD Falcon On sale for about 36 months
Model Line Up
XD Falcon GL Sedan
Fairmont Sedan
Fairmont Ghia Sedan
Falcon GL Wagon
Fairmont Wagon
Utility
Van
Prices at Time of Introduction
XD Falcon GL Sedan: $6 660
Fairmont Sedan: $8 866
Fairmont Ghia Sedan: $9 558
Falcon GL Wagon: $9 558
Fairmont Wagon: $8 866
Number Built
206 974
Identification Information
Completely new body in comparison to previous model. Much squarer shape featuring plastic bumpers and a grille with horizontal lines
Engines
3.3 (to June 1980)
Type: Cast iron cross-flow with hydraulic tappets, chain driven camshaft, water cooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type, seven bearing crankshaft
Number of Cylinders: Six
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, inline
Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated ohv with two valves per cylinder
Capacity: 200 cubic inches (3.273 litres)
Bore and Stroke: 93 x 80mm
Power: 82kw at 4000rpm
Torque: 228Nm at 2400rpm
Compression Ratio: 8.8:1
Fuel System: Bendix Stromberg single barrel downdraft type carburettor
3.3 “Alloy Head” (from June 1980)
Type: Aluminium Alloy cross-flow pushrod valve actuation, chain driven camshaft, water cooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type, seven bearing crankshaft
Number of Cylinders: Six
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, inline
Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated ohv with two valves per cylinder
Capacity: 200 cubic inches (3.273 litres)
Bore and Stroke: 93 x 80mm
Power: 84kw at 4000rpm
Torque: 230Nm at 2400rpm
Compression Ratio: 9.15:1
Fuel System: Bendix Stromberg single barrel downdraft type carburettor
4.1 (to June 1980)
Type: Cast iron cross-flow with hydraulic tappets, chain driven camshaft, water cooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type, seven bearing crankshaft
Number of Cylinders: Six
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, inline
Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated ohv with two valves per cylinder
Capacity: 250 cubic inches (4.10 litres)
Bore and Stroke: 93 x 99mm
Power: 94kw at 3900rpm
Torque: 295Nm at 1900rpm
Compression Ratio: 9.0:1
Fuel System: Bendix Stromberg single barrel downdraft type carburettor
4.1″Alloy Head”(from June 1980)
Type: Aluminium Alloy cross-flow pushrod valve actuation, chain driven camshaft, water cooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type, seven bearing crankshaft
Number of Cylinders: Six
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, inline
Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated ohv with two valves per cylinder
Capacity: 250 cubic inches (4.10 litres)
Bore and Stroke: 93 x 99mm
Power: 94kw at 4000rpm
Torque: 305Nm at 2000rpm
Compression Ratio: 9.35:1
Fuel System: Bendix Stromberg single barrel downdraft type carburettor fixed venturi
4.9
Type: Conventional, water cooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type
Number of Cylinders: Eight
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, Vee
Head: Cast iron cross-flow with hydraulic valve actuation
Capacity: 302 cubic inches (4.95 litres)
Bore and Stroke: 102 x 76mm
Power: 140kw at 4500rpm
Torque: 344Nm at 3200rpm
Compression Ratio: 9.2:1
Fuel System: Carter thermoquad four barrel progressive automatic choke carburettor
5.8
Type: Conventional, water cooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type
Number of Cylinders: Eight
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, inline
Head: Cast iron cross-flow with hydraulic valve actuation
Capacity: 351 cubic inches (5.75 litres)
Bore and Stroke: 102 x 89mm
Power: 149kw at 4300rpm
Torque: 415Nm at 3000rpm
Compression Ratio: 8.9:1
Fuel System: Carter thermoquad four barrel progressive automatic choke carburettor
Transmissions
Manual
Manual (Six) Borg Warner
1st: 2.95:1
2nd: 1.69:1
3rd: 1.00:1
Reverse: 3.67:1
Manual (Six and 4.9 litre V8) Borg Warner
1st: 3.06:1
2nd: 1.84:1
3rd: 1.32:1
Reverse: 3.04:1
Manual (5.8 litre V8) Borg Warner
1st: 2.36:1
2nd: 1.78:1
3rd: 1.27:1
4th: 1.00:1
Reverse: 2.47:1
Manual (5.8 litre V8)
1st: 2.46:1
2nd: 1.78:1
3rd: 1.27:1
4th: 1.00:1
Reverse: 2.47:1
Automatic
Automatic (3.3 and 4.1 litre Six; Borg Warner 35-3)
1st: 2.39:1
2nd: 1.45:1
3rd: 1.00:1
Reverse: 2.09:1
Automatic (3.3 and 4.1 litre Six, 4.9 litre V8; C4-3)
1st: 2.46:1
2nd: 1.46:1
3rd: 1.00:1
Reverse: 2.20:1
Automatic (5.8 litre V8) FMX
1st: 2.40:1
2nd: 1.47:1
3rd: 1.00:1
Reverse: 2.00:1
Rear Axle Ratios
All except 5.8 automatic 2.92:1
5.8 litre automatic: 2.77:1
Alloy Head 3.3L: 2.77:1
Clutch
3.3 and 4.1 litre: Single dry plate clutch, spring, cable operated
4.9 and 5.8 litre: Twin dry plate, hydraulically operated
Chassis
Unitary construction (Monocoque)
Suspension
Front: Fully independent type, double wishbone with brake reaction strut in tension. Spring and shock absorber mounted on upper arm. Anti roll bar. Dual durometer brake reaction strut bush
Rear: Floating axle, Hotchkiss rear suspension. Inclined shock absorber units, sedan also fitted with anti-roll bar. Rear axle is rigid Salisbury type, with tubular steel pressed into cast-iron centre differential section. Axle shafts have rolled splines and taper roller bearings. Limited slip differential fitted to 4.9 litre V8 manual models and all 5.8 litre V8 models. Limited slip differential also available as an option on 4.1 litre and 4.9 litre automatic models. Single piece tubular drive shaft
Steering
Recirculating ball, Ratio 20:1. 5 turns lock to lock
Optional power steering, variable ratio 11:1 to 17.5:1. 2.6 turns lock to lock
Brakes
Split circuit hydraulic system
Mechanically operated booster
Alloy master cylinder with integral pressure proportioning valve and pressure differential switch
Front: Ventilated disc 286 x 24mm single piston, self adjusting floating caliper
Rear: GL and Fairmont: 259 x 44 self-adjusting dual servo drums
Fairmont Ghia: Ventilated disc 286 x 24mm single piston, self adjusting floating caliper
Swept area: 720 square cm
Electrical
12 volt, coil and distributor ignition
Exhaust
Six Cylinder: Single tail-pipe
V8: Twin pipes
Wheels
5.50 x 14 steel
6.00 x 14 alloy
7.00 x 15 alloy
Tyres
Falcon GL 3.3 and 4.1 Sedan: CR78 S14 4 ply on 5.5 inch rims, optional ER78 S14 4 ply, optional ER70 H14 6 ply on 6 inch rims
Falcon GL 3.3 and 4.1 Wagon, Fairmont 4.1 Sedan: ER78 S14 4 ply 6 inch rims, optional ER70 H14 on 6 inch rims
V8 GL Sedan/Wagon, V8 Fairmont Sedan/Wagon, Ghia Sedan: ER70 H14 6 ply on 6 inch rims
Exterior Dimensions (Sedan)
Total Length: 4737mm
Total Width: 1860mm
Height At Kerb Weight: 1374mm
Wheelbase: 2818mm
Front Track: 1559mm
Rear Track: 1527mm
Kerb Weight:
Iron Head: 1376kg
Alloy Head: 1345kg
Fuel Tank: 77.0 Litres
Turning Circle: 11.5 Metres
Interior Dimensions (Sedan)
Front Headroom: 956mm
Rear Headroom: 954mm
Front Shoulder Room: 1519mm
Rear Shoulder Room: 1520mm
Front Hip Room: 1518mm
Rear Hip Room: 1518mm
Front Leg Room: 1047mm Rear Leg Room: 982mm