Projects 460 into 55 Ford wagon

If you look at the pictures you will notice the front sump pan.

With the engine and trans on the frame the upper control arms have not lifted off the rubber stops. I intend to do some weight simulation before mounting the body.

There is four inches between the top of the stock 460 carb/air cleaner and the hood.

 

Hood clearance was never an issue in my 57. I use a drop base air cleaner and I'm running a Weiand stealth with a 3/4" spacer. I can't speak for a 55 compared to mine but if it's like mine you'll have to get creative with the cooling system.

 

My '56 Fairlane used a front frame clip from a mid 70's LTD.. Easy swap and it made the 460 sit down where it belonged. Newer geometry, better power steering, Disc Brakes - what more could you want?

 

Life has really gotten in the way of putting this thing together. But I have something of a milestone. The real engine, transmission and differential are in the chassis. I will build the trans mount, align the pinion angle, and order the driveshaft after the suspension is loaded.
https://goo.gl/photos/aF9XY5czAW6ZAuqG8

 

Wow! Your not messing around with a simple 460 swap are you.
When I first saw the third member I thought, what the hell does he need that for?
And as you continue along to the engine pics I see why.

Is it still 460 cubes or more?

 

I am a Chevrolet guy ,who bleeds Chevy orange when I'm cut, but THIS photo is 100% right, and right on! It looks factory except for the headers. Very nice. The Wagon, I don't think I'd want to mess with it, or that 57, against my Sedan Delivery; some of you Ford guys are down right SERIOUS! I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

It started as a simple 460 swap. But every time I considered a replacement part there was a better one available for "a little more" money. Soooooo 4.625 x 4.5 = 604.

 

Not sure what you have planned for rear tires or suspension for that matter but with the stock wheel wells you'll be limited to a 255/60/15 tire. I would be thinking a little mini tub to fit at least a 275 in there.
Your wife's car eh?

 

I'm in the process of putting a 460/c6 in my 56 Mercury exhaust and steering are the problems I put a power rack in mine fab up my own brackets


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Wow, Ray, you do beautiful work. This looks like an awesome project!


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

The rear end has a Detroit locker and there is a one inch rear sway bar.

The gearing is 3.25 rear with a 0.7 overdrive trans.

The wagon came with six-leaf springs. It now has seven-leaf with the front of the second leaf wrapped up over the eye of the main leaf so it can hold the position of the rear end if the main leaf breaks - yes I have had that happen.

Tires are 235-60-15 all around - no those tires are not expected to lift the front end. I am setting it up as a tow vehicle. The primary trailer will have the same tires, wheels and paint. It will also be my wife's "big car" for when she can't get all her stuff into her 460 Mach 1.

 

Hey Ray, I just found this thread, looking really good sir.

Have you had any more work done to the car since your last post?
I have a'56 Monarch (Canadian Mercury variation) and am also putting in a 460.
my mods are as follows: 75 Lincoln 460 with C6, '92 Explorer 8.8 with 3:73 gears and Disc brakes, Granada from spindles (reamed lower hole) and disc brakes, Aerostar Coil springs, Thunderbird Ranch front sway bar, '92 Cadillac STS coil over replacement shocks in the back (a little less travel, but it should work), drop in fuel tank from '67 Mustang ( I removed the trunk spare tire trench and flushed the floor across)
She is pretty low, so I added an Energy Suspension Poly coil ring to give a bit of height again, about an inch, plus it will help keep any squeak away.

What did you use for your rear Sway Bar? Headers, Front rack and pinion?

Hope all is good. Looking forward to seeing more recent photos.