Old Edsels never die, they just go to Sweden!

Hi all!

Maybe the title of the thread is al little provocative - but Scandinavia really is a significant market for old cars. Today there are approximately 500 Edsels in Sweden alone This T-shirt says it all:






Nedd som good advice regarding my ’59 9-seater Edsel Villager exported to Sweden from NC back in 2004.


I bought this Station Wagon back in 2005 an drove it for two seasons, after that it has been sitting…

On one hand the car is really nice; new paint and new upholstery – but on the other hand the tranny started to work really poor and eventually I got fed up and stashed the car away…

The drive train consists of a ’69 Ford 429 bigblock with at C6 automatic tranny. Unfortunately this install as far as I’m concerned is a real ”hack-job” … The pictures speak for themselves:


Oil is leaking from the front of the tranny


The left parking brake wire is grinding the exhaust…


The engine mounts


Left side


Left side – only one bolt


Right side

How the f*ck did this pass inspection back in 2004?!?!

Tranny mount:


1 (one) bolt

And the tranny crossmember’s fastening in the frame:





Do you guys think I'm I wrong regarding this as a true ”hack-job”?!?!

I would much appreciate input how to go about in order to proper install this 429/C6 combo into my Edsel – THANKS !!

 

My old Villager went to Sweden a few years ago. At first glance I was sure this was it. After seeing the hack pictures, it is a different car. Mine also had a BBF/C-6 combo, but was installed right.

There's another white and red '59 floating around somewhere in Sweden.

Your car looks like a few lined up bolts and some drilling would go a long way to getting things in order.

Late '70's T-bird spindles and disk brakes are a bolt on deal that will give you 1" of drop built in.

Good luck with it, I love these old Edsels.

 

Ha, that's funny. I think M. Edell sold two to Swedes this last year, both 58Ranger hard tops. I think it's not too hack-ish but it definately needs some love.

 

There is currently a nice 2dr HT on San Luis Obispo Calif CL.

 

Cool wagon Mats ! Here in FINLAND, we have about 50 Edsels only.
YOU have there in Sweden more money & more understanding for classic rides :O)
Quite thick spider web near mounts, I bet there was once black widow spiders.
I found also 2 Black Widow spider nests from my "ELLI" edsel, luckily those were empty ones. Mika

 

If you separate the motor from the tranny, pull the torque converter off and there's a seal around the input shaft. Replace that and I bet your tranny leak goes away. I pulled the motor out of my 68 Cougar and put in back in and had the exact same leak. A days work for a $5 part.

 

One Edsel went to the Netherlands and the other to Switzerland.

 

The oil leak happen with time! you say the car sat for 5 years or so, that's probably why! Old cars don't like to sit. In the states that's called lot-rot! You're sure that the bolts just didn't rattle out and got lost over the few years you drove the car? It is a pretty nifty engine you got there! - and the brake cable! Oh well, it might fix it self when you bolt the engine in right! It's probably not as bad as it seem!


Or! - you're right it's a hackjob!

Klaus

 

You've got a PM, Mika

 

Thanks for your input, I'm just about to change that very seal this instant

 

It started leaking before stored the car ... but otherwise you're quite right

And yeah - hackjob big time...

 

UPDATE:


While the tranny is out I thought I'd replace all gaskets and seals...


Bought me a complete overhaul kit from Mr. Mechanic here in Sweden


This is the progress so far - removing the valve body...

// Mats

 

Hi Mat

do you have some good Adresses for Edsel Parts in Sweden? For technical and other things?
Thanks
Guido

 

If it weren't for that spider web it probably would have come apart already!

Don't remove the web until you get at least one more bolt in that engine mount.

 

Good luck with the tranny

I was and took a look today with the work

/Stefan

 

ill trade ya my 2 dr hard to for your hacked up wagon

seriously though, it sucks that it was half assed but at least its mainly pretty general fab work

 

Really?

 

Really a cool wagon. Mines a 9 passenger. Mine had field rot, not lot rot.LOL
I have to do all my work from the floor. That lift looks like a real handy tool.

 

Hi Guido - PM sent

 

HA HA!

Good point!

 

Thanks

 

Thanks for your offer - but no thanks

Yeah, it isn't all that bad really - just pretty annoying it wasn't done right in the first place

 

Hi Greg, thanks for the props Mine is a 9-seater too, pretty rare stuff, right ? I read your thread and saw your crafts - looks good

Yes I can recommend a lift for anyone with field rot

 

UPDATE:


Progress as of today

Will start disassembling and cleaning of the Gear Train and Clutch Assy tomorrow

 

Transmission work is that line I know not to cross. Wish I knew how to do it. It would save me some money for sure.

 

There is always a first time

The reason for tearing the tranny to pieces is actually a mistake I made myself - when it first started leaking I poured ordinary Dexron oil in the car instead of Ford F-oil Hey, I'm the only Ford guy on my block and my other car fellas told me it was all right…

So the tranny is only torn down for a good clean-up and while I’m at it I thought I might as well inspect it and replace the gaskets and seals. The only broken seal I know of is the one at the front pump

Most likely I will learn some tranny stuff as I go along

// Mats

 

I were and help him yeaterday and cleaned the valve housing

/Stefan

 

Sorry dude but if thats all thats wrong with a car of that age youve got nothing to bitch about.

 

Mats is working with the tranny



/Stefan

 

Believe me, that's not a hack job.

It's simply mocked-up. Just a few problem areas to sort out, that's all.