Hello. My wife and are buying a 54 ford business coupe off of her brother! It has a unfired rebuilt 302 backed by a aod and 9". We need to finish the four link suspension, run gas and break lines, weld in the truck and a ton of other things. It has the parts for airbags but we might go a different route, we don't know yet It's at the in-laws right now (we need it out and running by march). I will post some better pics next weekend we go back out to work on her!
nice! If you haven't already, make sure you read up LOTS on the AOD TV cable. If the last guy got far enough to set it up, I would not assume he set it up right.
I know nothing about AOD's so what is this "tv cable"? My brother in law is the one that did all the work and he is pretty knowledgeable when it comes to cars but I will ask him about it, thanks for the heads up!
Join the 52-56 Ford Owner's Social Group. Over 800 strong and tons of great info! Do an intro and get ready for some new friends.
Ditto. TV Cable = Throttle Valve cable. Misadjusted TV Cable on an AOD = Fried transmission at idle. Quickly. Properly adjusted TV Cable? Same trans that NYC Taxicabs get 200k miles out of.
Cool car. My first car was a 54 mainline back in 1965. Paid $40 for it. The entire sides would flap when doors were closed! I really tried, but could not kill that 239 OHV.
Very cool, I really like these cars. Some good examples in these threads. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=535907 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93370&highlight=54+ford+chop
Thanks for the heads up on the AOD I will be looking that up and talking to my brother in law to find out where he left off. We are going to go look at her this weekend and make a list of what we need to do to get her on the road (its in the inlaws basement) and go from there.
Congradulations on the ford! One year ago I was high bid on my avatar on ebay. It had no engine, tranny or brakes. I installed a 302 with AOD. Already had the 4 link ford in it. My New Years Resolution is to be taking alot of my neighbors around the block in it, on New Years Day. Good advice already mentioned on setting up the AOD. Very critical it be done right. Take a look at LOKAR'S AOD TV Cable kit. Worked for me.
Here is a link to my photobucket with some new pics I took today: http://s931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/sobpinstriping/1954 ford business coupe/ I talked to my brother in-law the other day and he told me the only thing that I'm gonna have to buy is some sheet metal for the trunk floors and have the drive line shorted, other than that every thing is there just needs to be put together. I don't know how to weld yet but my friend is certified in welding and inspection so he is gonna help and another friend is a body man so I will learn some welding on the floor boards and patch panels. I can't wait to get started!
i really like them early 50s fords. you got alot of work ahead of you but you seem eager enough!! have at it and have fun with it.i love to see people get all excited over a new ride or project. makes me wonder where the hell my enthusiasum went.
I got a e-mail from my brother inlaw with some info on the 54: 1978? Lincoln Versailles 302 bored .030 over with-(installed) -Keith Black HyperEutectic Pistons -Polished Ford Crank -Edelbrock Performer Cam -Crane Cam Lifters -Ford Explorer ED40 Heads -Edelbrock Performer Intake and Carb -MSD Digital Distributor 1990 Ford Mustang AOD Transmission( Last year of manual shifter body before they went to electronic)(Installed) Lokar Kickdown Linkage (Installed) Bronco Exhaust Manifolds and Motor mounts I think (Installed) Painted Versaille front suspension parts (Installed) Bridgestone Airbags front (Installed) Set of 1954 Ford Rims with Wide White Tires Tri-angulated 4 Link Rear Suspension ( 1/2 Installed) Ford Mustang 24 Gal Tank 10 gal 8 port air tank Air bag valves (1/2 Ports) Air line Seats Chrome Trim and Grill and all the shit that belongs to the Ford really. next weekend we will get the 4 link done, then its on! Here is a question for you airbag people, it has a york compressor installed but not plumbed, how hard is it to plumb and wire it, it looks kinda confusing I might just get a compresser if I can't figure it out.
Love it, looking forward to following your progress! Just don't paint her blue, otherwise we might get them mixed up at the local shows.
It's the wife and mines car and she wants it gold with a metalflake green roof. paint is a ways off so if its blue I will let you know so you don't get confused...haha
Really dig those coupes don't see many of them. Lots of stuff started so best wishes on getting her all hooked up. ~sololobo~
We finaly got some work done on 54! The 4 link is tacked in (gonna finish welding it next weekend, we ran out of time). One step closer! The tabs are gonna be bent to to fit, we just ran out of time. This will be where it will sit aired out
We got the 4 link all welded up last weekend and this weekend I tacked in the airbag set up ( I just started to learn how to weld so I only did tacks, my buddy will do the major welding). We also put a battery in her and the head lights and tail lights work (my brother in law re wired the car) For some reason I havent figured out yet the turn indicator turns on both lights (like hazards) so I gotta chase that out. My wife doing a little bit of tack welding too! Thanks for looking!
She loves the car just as much as I do! and she wants to learn how to build/work on a car, she's a keeper!
Nice car! been following along a bit. Those heads you have, GT40s, are generally considered the best factory heads out there for SBF's. The GT40P's are marginally better but the spark plug placement interferes with exhaust manifolds.
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