I am looking at buying a 58 Edsel Ranger 4 door sedan for a family cruiser. It is in very good shape and the price is right. I just have a few questions about Edsels I would like answers for before I jump right in 1) It has a 361 with the push button auto. Are these trans any good? Are they expensive to rebuild? 2) How about brakes? It looks like it had a single res master. I would want to upgrade to a dual res. Is there a simple swap that any of you have done for this? 3) Are the rear ends based on a ford 9"? If not what are they? 4) Are the front suspensions set up good on these? 5) It supposedly runs but the owner is saying it has trans problems. I will hear it run before I move on it. The tranny fluid looks good and smells good. Maybe it is the controls for the pushbuttom. Is there a good tranny that will bolt up to the 361 6) Is there any thing that is a typical Edsel problem that I nned to look out for. Thanks in advance for the help. Matt
Cherck ou the 57FordForever Forum. The 57/58 Ford and Edsel are all basically the same cars, and that sight has tons of information on making those cars more drivable.
the 361 is a ford fe block so there are plenty of trans options, go with a c-6 auto if it needs replacing. the pushbutton controls are notorious for problems, if the trans is fine otherwise just convert it to column shift and drive it. like suede57 said its all ford underneath so parts are plentiful, do a search for a m/c conversion for a ford and i bet you find some threads.
The Transmission is the same as the 2 speed Cruise-o-matic used in fords for years. I used to own a 58 Ranger with a push button that eventually quit working. I could not find parts anywhere for it, so it ended with a regular old floor shifter. As mentioned though the 361 is an FE engine used up until 1976. A C6 3 speed auto would be an easy swap for a much better transmission. A late 60's mustang dual reservoir master should bolt on, however I havent actually done one yet so do a little research. The rear end is not "based" on a 9" ford. It is a 9" ford! Front suspension is the same as 57-59 Ford car. Typical Edsel problems? The teletouch shifter! Other than that it's a 57-59 ford with different sheetmetal. The other problem, idiots at car shows and gas stations telling you Edsels are lemons and the worst car ever made. I daily drove my 58 Edsel for three years before I sold it to another HAMBer who has continued to drive it Daily since he acquired it in January of this year. Their great cars, drive awesome and make great customs!
can be converted to column shift or floor shift if it doesnt work. its just a box with an arm i believe. everythings basically ford mechanically.
yea on the 58's the teletouch shifter didnt work right when new (so Im told) let alone now I have a 59 Corsair with a 361 and am very happy with it. The 361 is an fe block so it is interchangeable with 352's and 390's, the power brakes system on these is a treddelvac and they work good when they work and are expensive when they dont how much are you getting it for? oh and not to be nit picky but the cruise-o-matic is a 3spd that said though I agree a c-6 is a better, lighter and more plentiful trans...
Coulmn Shift autos we discontinued in Edsels in December of 57. So a column shift edsel is a fairly rare bird. Although the ford stuff should bolt in.
Thanks guys. Going to make an offer tonight after work. If all goes well I will post pics and details later.
Matt; I drive mine daily with a 390 and c6 with no probs.The heater control system is not the best so took mine out and am putting just cables and knobs from a 59 pickup for reliability sake.also installed a 67 Mustang brake cylinder and had to lenghthen the rod to the pedal and installed a proportioning valve.Keep us informed.Herb
herb65, thanks for the info. Was the 67 brake cylinder a bolt in item other thant the rod and tubing fab? Also, what are you guys getting for MPH with the 361/3 speed auto?
Mine is a 361 with a 3 on the tree and overdrive. I haven't had to worry about teletouch problems. Check with Shainerman on here, look through his pics on his profile. I am pretty sure he has a teletouch wheel with a floor shift. I don't know what trans he has though. All the parts I've had to but for mine have been Ford. All the tune up stuff, the suspension stuff, and brakes have been looked up as Ford parts. I don't know if you meant MPH or MPG..... Mine with an OD will run up to 120 without breaking a sweat. I called it quits there coz I'm still on bias plys and stock brakes. If you meant MPG I am about 14 on the highway at 70 75. Check out the Edsel owners social page, too. If you buy it, after you get that trans sorted out look into the Aerostar coil swap for the front. I did it on mine and it was the best 50 bucks I ever spent.
Matt The mc was a direct bolt in.I cut the rod in half and put one of those long connector nuts inbetween the two and checked fitment and tacked welded it so it would not spin.Also put the brake light switch in the T for the lines can get you a pic if you want let me know I am assuming you wanted to know mpg not mph on the 361.My old 361 got 14 mpg and the 390 gets about the same.Your Ranger probably will have the 291 rearend gear which is pretty good for the hwy not so for spinning the tires! The 361 is a cool motor, relatively short stroke big bore and has machined combustion chamber with 10.5 compression It will run if you put on a set of headers and maybe an intake but deffinatly headers.Herb.
Thanks again guys and yes I meant MPG. It will be some what of a daily driver...at least 3 of the 5 days to work and most of the weekend. Right now I am driving my 62 Chevy in my Avatar...but it is going to go for the Edsel and to pay off some bills too. Is there anyone who sells new seat upholstery that hog rings onto the seat after removing the stock seat cover?
I got seat covers for my Lincoln from http://www.automotiveinteriors.com/ They have a few generic patterns to choose from in a style for the era. The covers are custom made to fit your seats. I think it's around $500 for front and back covers. Mac's has a Edsel catalog http://macsautoparts.com/Default.asp?
petebert, Thanks a ton. I want to have nice seats on this since my wife and kids will be in it a lot. She may even want me to leave it at home for her to cruise the kids around all day.
Hi! I'm currently in the finishing steps building my FE 390. I also have a rebuilt C6 that I want to hook it up to and install in my 58 Edsel Ranger. Would be awesome if you have some tips for me on how to install it. I do think I need a new crossmember for the transmission. Robert
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