Projects 57 Ranch Wagon - the solution to the winter blues.

Bro, I think the white **** is closer than i'd like to think.

 

with the hood cleaned up it can be put to the side.




I pulled the motor on sunday and I'll give it a little scrubbing before hoising it back in the air and into the 57 engine bay.





I know I have to change the motor mounts and the exaust maifold but this one looks a lot like the 390 in my 57 fairlane (see below).



a new use for styro... great for taking impressions where you cant get your eye balls.



the fairlane casting number is on the manifold is c32e9431b -
the truck: D2Te 9431AA - I cant see the difference but there must be something cause i'm told they have to be changed out to clear the steering box.

Alas, caused there wasnt any exast leak.

 

a lot more scrubbing today on the motor with 10,000 miles after rebuild. Me thinks the miles might be a bit off by 60,000 or so. Just glad I got to drive the truck to know the motor was worth pulling.
She cleaned up well enough for installing it.



I changed out the motor mounts for 332 motor mounts and thought I'd take a chance to see if it would clear the steering box, but when you think things will go smoothly you know what can happen...




IT FIT!!!! IT CLEARED THE STEERING BOX and there's plenty of room for exaust work... I didnt have to change the exaust manifold! It dropped like a 14 years olds testicle. WOOO HOOOOO!!!!!!!

Now I can move it into place by the work bench and start bolting it all together.




That had to be the easiest motor drop I've ever done. Boarder line plug and play.

 

Sweet dude! You are moving right along.

 

Lookin' GOOOOD! Those wagons are slick pieces!!

 

Okay, its fall already but my insurance is just about empty so today was the official, "Last roadtrip of summer".

Made me way to town today.
Sun was bright and warm too, about 24 C .



Had to stop for a couple beauty shots along the way...
Dust was down so kinda nice not to be fighting dust bunnies and not a cloud in the sky.


Stopped in to see if Robin was in the shop. He's building a T sedan and i'm giving him a hand when I can.. Guess he's out and I could see the lock on the beer fridge.



Picked up some groceries ( and I just remembered I forgot something too)



checked the mail on the way home.




Time to make it back up the long dusty trail.


Have to head back to town for the milk I furgot.

Sure has been a wonderful Hot Rod Summer and getting to know the lot of local rodders through the Reapers Car Club has made it great!




Wife says I got a brain like a siv, drive all the way to down and i dun furgot what i went for ( he says with a smile) . Not nice so i took off for town for the milk I forgot ealier. Insurance is done on monday so I go by ranchero this time.

Time to sweep out the garage and get ready to park the girls.

I pulled up but I guess the tank is empty.



Stopped to say hello to the girls next door. I think they'll be moooving soon.




Think this is Cow Patty...



School is out and a local sprat is gitting picked up.



Lots of people getting ready for the weekend but I got a good spot in the dairy isle.




Must be getting close to winter... there's EGG NOGG in the cooler already!



So after gitting my milk i wondered back out to the car, jammed the key in the hole and it wouldnt turn. The key is a loose fit but always worked. This time it wouldnt turn in the ignition. WHAT the @#$%@#$%#%#@#$%@%?
So here I am fighting with the ignition and finally deside to go in and buy some WD40 to spray in the hole, just in case its gummed up. Well, tht didnt help. So I pulled the ignition and prepared to hot wire it. Of couse, I dont have any wire in the car.





I hate then the wife is right cause while i was screwing around getting ready to hot wire the car I found these things jabbing me in the leg. I guess I was using the wrong set.




Sure not looking forward to driving Bodwell in the snow again this year. Dang honda gits stuck so easy when its over 5 inches deep.




Time to back it in and dust it off before covering it for winter in a blankie.



Oh well, April isn't that far away...


Between now and then, this ****** is going to see a lot of action...

 

Nice and warm down here on the coast today too, Fred. Man, thats Gods country...for a couple more weeks anyway.LOL!

 

Cool..I thought I was the onliest one who got car keys screwed up.
My dad had an old 73 ford pickup with a 360. He'd run it to about 150,000 and slide his trusty 66-67 352 in the hole for another 150,000 miles while he was rebuilding the other one...cycled them like that till he got too old to drive.
Point is, I drove the truck with both engines and the low compression 360 had the same power and got the same mileage [we got 17 towing his 14 foot boat] as the 360. I was surprised..figured the 352 would kick the 360's ***...nope.

 

'57 Fords are like '63s, just flawless.

 

Ya know, Edsel valve covers would bolt right on the FE and make people scratch their heads.

 

I'm waiting to see this thing finished. I do love me some wagons. Believe me, I get the deal with the keys. Thing is even after you do it, it's still funny. Now go finish that car. Oh yeah, I like you other cars too!

 

found these and had to " say yeah"!

 

Cool. Another "Longie" saved from a Demo Derby!

 

One day when i win the lottery I'll become a nasty horder who'll fill a couple freakin chicken barns with evey car I've every wanted or lusted after. for now, I still need to buy and sell.[/QUOTE]

Where would we be without the fantasy of winning lotteries? I too love the 57 Fords. Been trying my best to hoard without the lottery. Mostly via the same method. So far no 57 Fords are in my stable. Reality is, If I can't get it in my yard I have to p***. Come across some neat stuff though. How about a 57 Merc version of the Ranchero, had a Tbird mill but pricey and very rusty. Got video of it but can't post it cause the Camera's broke. Speaking of fantasy's. Can any one send me a Mini Dv Camera they're not using? Have fun, do what your heart tells you. After all it is your car.

 

started putting the motor back together in the hole.

I have to make some new mounts for the truck rad to get it to fit, but thats small potatos.
Hooked up some hoses, jacked it up and nutted down the motor mounts.

The term "just puttering around" seems to fit.





It's been an easy s***ch putting this motor/ ****** in. The only thing I found is I couldn't find a ****** mount that was plug and play. I'm sure they're out there, I just didnt find one..
The ****** mounts to the rubber/steel mount which then mounts into the crossbrace saddle. The old one didnt fit and truck mount didnt fit so it's time to play.


The holes on the ****** are 5.5 inches.

I took the mounting bracket off the 57/ 3 speed overdrive and cut it in half (the hole spacing is 6.5)



After ***uring I had good pinion angle my idea was to weld the 74 truck motor mount to the 57 ****** mount.



After tacking them in place, I had another look. All clear and good fitment.
A single hole was drilled in the center of the cross member to accomodate the single bolt of the truck motor mount.



Upon close inspection, I also discovered the drive shaft will not need shortening/ lengthend.. its, just right.

 

I "got the shaft".

 

I love when goodies come in the mail!

 

I'd build it to drive it. Looking at just the first page, that thing is sweeter than sweet!

 

Hell, Fred, them valve covers oughta add 10 HP! Lookin good! You gonna paint the breather to match?

 

only 10??? man i got ripped.

I need to drop an intake on it and carb, then go from there.

Time now to clean up and pack me bags, I'm off to Lahaina on a quest for a surf board

When I get home, the seats get pulled and the floor ripped.

 

bought this on the econo today....
just say weeeeand!



The money I saved will buy me a new carb. happy happy.

 

Cool build. Solid car.

 

Any updates?

 

been on Maui for 2 weeks and came back to full time work... hope to be bck in the shop this week after hours.

 

Lono, Look like you are having fun with your '57 build. Nothing like a '57 with a FE mill ! You need a three deuce ot twin four intake for this beast. Also some of the FE '63 cast headers (406 I think ?).

 

I love those ranch wagons.

 

Finally, back in the shop for the best part of the day! This working full time concept really throws a wrench into reality.



I pulled the intake out of the box and dunked it in a very large vat of degreaser and let it sit for a couple hours. Then came out and scrubbed like hell redunked and scrubbed more. It came out nice and clean after about 2 hours of toothbrush, steel wool and other scrubby thing attention.

Out popped the carb from another box. After a lite blast of aluminum paint and a coat of clear, the carb dropped into place for a little look see.



From box number 4, the roof rack came out. 5 roof strips in all. I think I'll shave about 2 inches off its full length before I install it for good. It's fomoco but i dont know what year. I'm guessing mid 70's.





Was a good day. Wont be back out there for another week... urgh!
Then I'll turn my attention to installing the intake/carb and linkage... then out comes the seat and floors.

 

Like that rack! You gonna carry your surfboard on it?

 

Was hitting all the pawn shops on Maui for a long board but all big coin.
I'm watching for one for sure. Give me a nasty board over crying babies anyday!

 

lol, I hear ya!