Link to original post in Traditional Customs:http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=830221 After sitting on a '50 Tudor that I acquired in trade, I had came across another. A '51 4 door - just a better body and better bones. Plus...I mean, it's a 4 door! Everything you'd expect from these bodies. Rotted rockers and lower fenders, but that really was it, and was in better condition than I already had. Price was right, so I pulled the trigger. When heavily looking it through, I started mapping out my preliminary plan of action for this beast. I've searched, and contacted a few for this build, but I still gotta few things I need sorted out. Walk with me... - Body - I'm gonna rock the body how it is for now. As the project progresses, I'll address it in the future. But it's solid. Patina's not bad. - Brakes - sticking with drum brakes for now. ECI's dual master cylinder setup seems appropriate and needed. Possible front disc setup in the future. - Steering - going the Volvo 140/160 steering box route. Extreme Customs has both the box and the adapter for this setup. - Suspension - Aerostar springs, and lowering blocks out back. No bags. - Transmission - has original Overdrive. Would love to keep it. - Engine - this is where I need some sorting out. My original intention was to keep and work out 1 of the 2 original Flathead v8's that are still in both cars. Although the flattie in the '51 appears to be stuck, not much has been done to validate its current condition. Regardless, dare I say, is it worth it? I've been looking more and more at doing a SBF swap. Is it more reliable? Easy to work on? Ease of finding parts? Besides relocating engine mounts (Chris at Shoebox-Central.com sells the conversion kit), how difficult is it to get a SBF to bolt on to the factory trans? In high hopes, I would love to daily drive whatever ends up going in. What would be the smarter choice for reliability sake? I do upholstery, I'm using this project to display my work. In all honesty, the only 'custom' modifications I plan on doing is to the interior. I dig the looks of the stock exterior, maybe shave a few things, a healthy drop, and nice wheel/tire setup. Thats it...for now.
That's the best ute conversion I have ever seen. They usually have a boxy roof with an ugly flat rear window.
Starting with a 4dr is the key, The stock top is used, and the rear door tops, are grafted onto the front door, gives you all the parts you need...this one sold on Ebay a few years back for $1750, then again this last year for quite a bit more.....bucket list car for me !!!
With the 2 piece , extra long quarter gl***, I always thought that the 2 door sedans looked like a four door with the back doors welded in. I think that the four door is a better proportioned car. Club coupe nailed it. ALL old cars are cool, no matter how many doors. I just like seeing them on the street.
This would be a start:http://cosprings.craigslist.org/pts/4031128782.html it has the dual sump oil pan you need for the swap add this: http://www.butchscoolstuff.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=15 You might want to go with a Ford AOD 1988-93 which works better with the kit and you won't have to fab up a clutch and bell housing but you will have overdrive.
ALL old cars are cool, no matter how many doors. I just like seeing them on the street. <!-- / message --><!-- sig --> __________________ Well stated IMPALER ! Back in the olden daze I suppose most of us could be snobbish about 4 doors, but availability and price make any old car cool. I don't care if it's a Nash Metro or early '50's MOPAR, I check 'em all out! You might consider "suiciding" the back two doors. Opening from the front (hinged on back end) would be very cool. If you do it, post a pic with fishnet stocking leggy babe lounging on back seat. NO blowup doll. please!
Huge thank you! Now with any later model SBF, you completely lose the column shift, correct? Great quote. So so true.
Most Mustangs are floor shift AOD's if the '51 had a Ford-O-Matic Lokar has a conversion rod kit so it can stay on the column.If you go floor shift you need a matching AOD shifter arm to match the brand of shifter.You are lucky you have a '51 they have a larger center hump that clears the larger C4 and AOD,1949-50 shoebox Fords have to swap in the larger '51 hump.
Wealth of knowledge, JeffB2. Much appreciated. I'd prefer to stay on the column. That conversion kit from Lokar is something like this: Part # ACA-1807 for the AOD. http://www.lokar.com/product-pgs/column-shift-linkage/column-shift-linkage-pgs/ford-aod-colshiftlink.html
I'm running a c-4 floor shift trans and the lever points up so i just built a bracket off the existing lever to point down for my column shift.
I will be reading your build over and over, Tedley. Thank you! Any pictures of that trans lever to accommodate the column shift? Didn't see it in the first 20 pages....
Anyone looking to do the same swap, HAMB'ers 'tedley' and 'Buddy Palumbo' have great build threads going: tedley's build thread:http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=524648 Buddy Palumbo's build thread:http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=625077&highlight=shoebox
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