I haven't been on here in a while.. been busy working on motorcycles and trikes and everything else. But I recently picked up a 53 ford customline from the Los Angeles area for a daily driver, and it's probably the best decision I've ever made.. I'm running across a few issues with the car I can't seem to find the answer to: 1. The hood hinges on the car have had the springs pulled off of them, and even though I have new springs for it, it looks like I have to pull the front fenders off the car to put new springs on. So my question is: how hard would it be to swap the new springs into the old hinges while on the car? can I just bolt the hood on the hinges with no springs and run it that way? I don't have any experience with hood hinges to speak of, and I'm hoping someone else does.. 2. Windshield wiper motor: the car has a wiper motor installed, but I believe it's the stock unit. Is there any motor that's a direct bolt in that would be 12v? Or am I stuck with vacuum wipers? Right now I basically need a full sponsorship from rainex if I'm gonna keep driving this pig in the rain.
The wiper motor might be found on forwhatyouneed.com Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Here's a link to a bolt on electric wiper motor: https://newportwipers.com/product/1952-54-ford/#wiper-motor The hinges are a tough replacement because they aren't bolted on, it's a rivet type fastener that attach to the fresh air boxes bolted to the firewall. I was fortunate to find a replacement set on craigslist, if you're good with metal, you may be able to drill out the old hinges and replace them. Check out the group: 1952-59 Ford Social Group here on the HAMB. They have every answer for our year of Fords!
You will probably find that the hood wont close properly with the springs on I have had pure hell trying to adjust mine.
There's an easy spring install trick, shove washers in between the spring coils until it's the right length to slip in and then pull the washers out while it's in position. But I'd leave them out like suggested above, these hinges are just too weak and barely work when brand new.
Heavy duty hood hinges lots of positive reviews: http://www.spotlitekustomaccessories.com/store/c4/Hood_Hinges_-_Hood_Hinge_Springs.html You can remove them without removing the fenders,I had my granddaughter use her slender arms to get the socket on the bolt heads and with these it made it easy: https://www.harborfreight.com/9-pc-wobble-socket-extension-set-67971.html Post # 3 states there were rivets,my '54 had 5/16" bolts with a 1/2" head as did the '53 donor car I got mine from. If you own a 1952-54 Ford lube them monthly PB Blaster has a Teflon lube for hinges,try Home Depot to get it.
I don't have a answer for you but a question, if that's your cars stance what have you done to get there. I just got a 54 Mercury that needs to get there and I'm hoping it's the same suspension design Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
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