I just bought this car last weekend. I flew from Louisville to Tampa and drove it back almost 900 miles. The guy I bought it from made a lot of modifications to it. I'd like to post some pics here but I don't know how. I posted some in the new member forum. I'll probably be back when I need help with something....
Welcome from So Cal. Did you take any pics on the trip home with the new car? Posting here is the same as posting on the main board.
It doesn't have a link to "manage attachments" below the message area here like it does on the main board....
Yeah nice Vicky.. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=810754 looks to have AC and an alternator.. Love to do that someday but they tell me the water pumps don't like the belt load. Interested to hear if it works for you,\.
Hey 52ragtop, it doesn't have A/C. It only gets 10 mpg on the highway at 65 mph which of course ****s. I think it's the 2 speed Fordomatic's fault. Would a late model automatic transmission increase my mileage very much and would it be worth the cost of buying one and installing it? What kind of mileage should a 110 hp flathead with a 2 barrel get? What do you guys get?
Here is a link from "back in the day" showing fuel mileage comparisons of several 1953 Ford models http://www.automobile-catalog.com/m...e_ford_3gen_customline_4-door_sedan/1953.html Notice the improvement with overdrive over both stick and Ford-O-Matic versions.Back in the early 60's I got about 15-16 MPG with a 3 speed and a slightly warmed flathead with 3/4 cam Edelbrock heads and dual exhaust.Some would say to do a rear end swap to lower gears which may give a slight improvement on the highway but at the sacrifice of slower acceleration.This is a basic kit:http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Flathea...Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e7bf66d4e&vxp=mtr This will adapt the AOD which has a deeper first gear than the Ford-O-Matic so acceleration will improve and in overdrive you should pickup about 4-5 MPG.For a donor look for a 1988-93 AOD,these have the later improved valve body and lubrication upgrades and are non-computer for EZ hook up.Also you can easily adapt your Ford-O-Matic column shift to the AOD.This shift kit is a must have:http://www.becontrols.com/aod.htm
Thanks for the info, Jeff. The rear end has been replaced with one from a '72 Maverick with 3.00 gears. The steering column has also been replaced with one from an '89 Dodge. An additional 4-5 mpg would be nice but can the linkage from the Dodge be adapted to it? What do you think a shop would charge for a job like this?
Yeah I see at a closer look that is a power steering pump. Mine is still not on the road so I cannot say what it will get.. I do have headers on it and OD so that should all help.. Like Jeff, years ago I had a couple different Mercs they all had OD and I drove too nutz and never filled the tank so I don't know, but the 14-16 sounds reasonable. Some claim 20+ but I will have to see it first.
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