After nearly a year of tearing **** up, breaking things and trying to figure out how to do a complete driveline swap (and re-wire), the '57 Fairlane is finally ready to go to the exhaust shop tomorrow morning. I took her on a low speed test run with only the exhaust manifolds installed to make sure it was at least going to make it down the road...no major issues. I set off a couple of neighbors car alarms in the alley, so we're of to a good start! I just need to rough-set the TV cable so I don't burn up the ****** and drive slooooooow for the the 2 mile trip to the shop (also as not to burn up the ******). I'll try to shoot some maiden voyage video tomorrow.
A little closer is always good. Looks like a nice set-up and for God's sake do something with all those wires you have hangin' all over . And your garage walls look just like mine except yours are missin' the holes from thrown tools. Good Luck. Fitysix
Please take the time to set your TV pressure correctly before ya' drive any further.....AOD's are extremly sensitive to TV settings. I'd really hate to see ya' have to rip into it again because the transmission burned up. Pat
I just realized that's an early pic of the engine install. All those wires are neatly bundled up and hidden now. I completely agree. My ****** guy said it was set close enough to manual shift it at lower speeds until the exhaust is done, then we can do a proper set tomorrow afternoon. Luckily, the exhaust shop is less than 2 miles from the house, so I can creep up there pretty slow. I've heard of guys burning up a ****** in only a few miles because they ran it full speed without making a proper setup. It's a much trickier bird than the C4.
I, Too am fimiliar with the "All these ponies and no way to make 'em woah " way of life. My 63 Wagon was a bit of a ***** to get reeled in until I upgraded the master. P.M. me if you need any help- I have an illustrated Bendix Master cylinder guide, so you can bolt something similar on, and just have to do plumbing, rather than buy someones kit. The whole conversion on my Catalina cost less than 75 bucks, and installed in about 3 hours start to finish.
I don't know about on a 57, but when I converted my 66 Galaxie, I used an MC from a 67 with 4 wheel drums. All I had to do was make up some brake lines and some combination of br*** fittings to split the circuits. It was a pretty easy swap. I work in Plano so if you need a hand, just holler.
Done! What a great shop (Pronto Muffler in Plano). Full custom dual exhaust, including flanges for a shade over $300. Everything was custom bent and installed...no pre-fab stock pieces. To give you an idea of what kind of shop this is, a guy came in right after me thinking his catalytic converter was bad. They put it on a lift and found a crack in the heat shield that was causing a rattle. They welded it up and sent the guy on his way - no charge. I'll bet they earned a customer for life by doing that. Now, I just have one minor issue to fix today. The drivers side manifold is resting on the motor mount and causing a leak across the bottom. They showed me what it was doing and suggested how to fix it easily. No wonder they've been so successful for so long.
Great to hear! Will we be seeing you at the Roundup in April? What'd you use for mufflers?... any video yet? Malcolm
Absolutely will be at the Roundup. Been every year since year #2. I used some small gl*** packs. They are about 12" long and 4" in diameter. It sounds exactly like I had hoped...plenty of rumble but not deafening inside the car. No video yet. After I fixed the motor mount bracket clearance issue, I started having fuel pump problems with the ****py Mr Gasket inline pump I was using (and contaminated gas). I got to walk about a mile back to the house to get the truck and tow strap, too, when the pump died on a test drive. I just finished installing a new fuel pump and it's too late at night so I don't want to wake the neighbors. Overall, a great day. Today was the first time I've driven my car since right after last year's Roundup.
The Jalopy Journal
