I drug home my first real hot rod today... a fairly clean and very solid 1956 Ford Mainline Tudor Sedan. I have owned a hand full of ratty muscle cars, but never something I would consider "hot rod" material. The worst of my previously owned muscle-beaters was a semi-built 302 powered '69 Mustang with a 3-speed. I bought it from a kid who got a "felony eluding" charge and needed to get rid of the car, at his lawyer's advice, before he went to court. The '56 has had quarters put on it and has nearly no rust that I can find, and I have had some rust buckets. The Ford lived in storage for many years, which I am positive has kept the old car in the shape it is currently in. It has been repainted, but not terribly well and it does need the interior re-done, but that's no big deal - it will make an awesome driver. The car has a Y-block and a three speed, which according to the previous owner has been gone through and runs very well. The car also has new brakes on all four corners. I bought it from the second owner, who purchased the car at auction two years ago and never touched it. He just let the car sit in a bay in his garage while he worked on his 1956 Crown Victoria and sold the car because he wanted money to get send his Vic to be painted. Allegedly, the car hauled moonshine at some point and it does have beefed up springs in the back, but I guess I need to track down the original owner's family to find out.
So, since I have some work to do, I was planning on doing an engine swap to something a little more modern. I have access to a 390 and I also have a running but junk 1993 lightning pickup truck and its efi 351w. Any ideas on what would be the best route? Also, what is the best way to go on a disc brake conversion? Granada spindles or a bracket kit on the stock spindles? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Hi. You did not say where you are located but welcome from Texas. Nice looking car. At my age I can think back to that time period as my Dad had a 56 Ford station wagon. I got my drivers lisence in 1953 & grew up with these cars. With your black car & blackwall tires I can see Barney Fife behind the wheel roaring away in his Deputy uniform to go fight crime with his 1 bullet tucked away in his shirt pocket. Have fun fixing it up & drive the hek out of it as these great cars were not meant to just sit around & gather dust. Jimmie
Thanks for the welcome, I live in Southwest Virginia between Roanoke and Blacksburg. I've heard the police motif recommendation, but I doubt I will be going that direction. My dad tells stories of "The Black Bomber", a '55 ford his father bought for he and his brother to learn to drive on in the early 60's. Needless to say he thought the '56 was very cool. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Welcome. If that Y-block and 3-speed are in good shape I would leave well enough alone and just enjoy it. Nothing wrong either with the good functioning 4-wheel drum brakes. Love those Mainlines. You are in a very beautiful part of Va. I've been up and down that I-81 corridor dozens of times.
I'm picking up a 312 4v intake this morning because the Stromberg is junk and I have a good Holley and edlebrock or two laying around. I just realized I am yet to introduce myself... My name is Drew and I am a Ford-o-holic . Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I live in Roanoke and just found your posts. Anything unusual about the gas spout on that car? One of the big time bootleggers in Bassett used 56 Fords. They would change the gas spout to inside the trunk to keep their rivals from sugaring their cars. Paul Radford ,the race car driver,abandoned one of those behind the Grandin theatre one night and my father ( a police officer in Roanoke) used to bring it home back in the early 60's and drive me and my brother up and down some country roads in it. Thing would fly.
An FE 390 will bolt right into a Y-Block car. The EFI Windsor is going to be a lot more work. Y-Blocks are such cool engines, especially if you have all the vintage speed goodies like I do! Just have fun with it and drive it. You can always swap the engine out later. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
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