Projects '53 Mild Custom - Dads Hot Rod

Number 2!

Dave

 

Tackling the roof finally. Ive been avoiding this for far too long. My skillset has caught up with the project finally haha I am ready to start finishing some areas and getting em crossed off the list!

 

Those '57 Ford Custom moldings from a 2 door sedan are worth a small fortune. I bet you could get $750 for a pair of those on eBay. I'd be hesitant to cut up a set. I have '56 Fairlane side trim on my '53, '55 Fairlane trim fits as well. 55 Pontiac side trim also gives a similar look and fits very well on these cars.

Not that I don't like the '57 Ford stuff, but I couldn't bring myself to cut a set apart. If I was dead set on that, I'd sell those and find a set off of a 4 door, which are already split right exactly where your mockup would necessitate cutting these, and they have nice finished edges in that area as well.

 

I only have 100 bucks in this set, Im pretty in love with how it fits the fender. Tried google but Im not seeing similar trim in a 4 door? Weighing a cpl options out. Skratch had some cool ideas but they all involve a lot more work!

 

When I try to post the 4 door picture here it doesn't want to upload, maybe this would work?

https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsidecl***ic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/1957-Ford-Custom-08-09.jpg

 

I see it now! Thanks! That lines in a different spot than where I need it. I definitely am sympathetic to the desire to preserve cool old parts! To sell my trim and then have to find other trim seems like a lot of work. Im seeing the coupe trim pieces for a combined total of around 400 bucks on ebay. I got these for 100 worth of trade. I just dont see the benefit of selling these to get 300 max profit then having to source more. I do get it though and I still sometimes cringe at the sacrifices that have to be made in the name of hot rods and customs

 

Progressing along. Welded some holes in the roof and did some zero rust treatment on the areas

 

For what it's worth when I had those moldings, I had them for sale for a LONG time with zero action until one day Dave offered me a trade for them. Keep em!

 

Okay more progress afoot! Brought the 54 over to begin to prep for the body swap. Had a cpl buds ask why I dont just move the b pillar back and put the coupe doors on the 4 door. Sure, that would give me a much better car. Problem is, that would leave me with a pile of parts and 1 car. The way I am currently doing it, there will be a complete 4 door with ***le when its all said and done that I can sell. So recent progress, 4 door is in the shop, 1st I got it running. I have a 4 barrel intake and some side dump lakes pipes with baffles so I think itll get cleaned up and set aside for some future hot rod. Then after looking at the car a bit I just had to punch some louvers!

I did it with my homemade hand punch, turned out the best set Ive done yet and I am pleased. Then today I pulled and labeled most of the wiring harness under the hood. Its 12v converted but its the stock cloth wires. My plan is to rebuild it on the bench with modern cloth wrapped wire to match. Next I will be pulling the front end off then yanking the engine.

 

Front end is off and in a 1-2 punch, engine is out!

Soaking the front end down in degreaser as I type this. I have a pair of 1990 aerostar front coil springs sitting on my desk. Hoping that before it gets TOO cold out I can get the body off and raptor line the ch***is. Then I can spend the bulk of the winter making the ch***is flawless and setting the coupe body back on. Then wrap up metal work, make it run, drive and stop and by the time the ice thaws in the spring all I will have to do is bodywork, paint and gl*** installation!

 

Degreased.... cpl surprises. Looks like control arm bushings and brake flex lines are a part of the picture now. Theyre ordered and on the way

 

Oliver, is that a 239 engine you want to put a 4bbl on? If so, make sure it is a 239 Ford or 256 Merc 4bbl intake as the later Y-block manifolds have way larger ports and it is nearly impossible to get them to seal up.

Dave

 

Fair point, I will check. I do believe its on a 272. Thanks Dave!

 

Little more progress today. Degreased and pressure washed the 239.

Degreased the front end again and sprayed a lil paint.

Majority of the front end is coming apart though so most paintwork will happen the right way

 

Little baby steps but trying to make near daily progress. Today I got the p***enger side coil spring out, set her up on the bench next to the shiny new aerostar coils.

Then I pulled the upper control arm amd rebuilt it. Smashed my thumb with a sledge.
Then managed to stick the shaft in backwards. It all came together nicely in the end though!

 

1 side back together and complete!

Relatively smooth sailin. Did make a video on the process...

 

Side 2 complete

 

Dash is OUT!

 

Baby steps, slowly working my way through the harness, opening the loom and making repairs anywhere needed. Replacing wire with cloth wrapped wires, soldered connections and heat shrinked. Cloth style electric tape to re-loom

 

I rewired mine without removing the dash, I have no idea how.

I must have been more flexible back then!

 

Dash came out because I am not using the 4 door body but I am using its dash

 

Okay...teensy weensy bit of progress.

...no, we didnt do it any sort of safe or easy way... it was me and one other guy willing to risk it all on a plan with likely a 40% chance of success. As han solo said...."Never tell me the odds!"

The plan involved a jack, a cinder block, several jack stands, a winch and a prayer!

We got her done though with minimal damage to the ol girl. Sad to see her go but love to watch her leave! Next will be raptor liner on the ch***is then drop in the 292, build the exhaust, get her running and set the coupe body on!

 

Clean work surface!


Really turned out great!

 

Chugging along on exhaust, soon as I finish that I will be setting the 292 in place!

 

Well it's in! This is a point I have been excited for for quite some time. I wanted to run gl*** packs but dad vetoed (it is his car afterall). I am hoping to fire it up saturday. Trying to get the z bar modified before then so I can put the drivers side down pipe on. In 54 they decided to make 2 z bars (dual exhaust and non dual) in 55 they did away with the flat one. Just requires a small bend added.

 

Ran into the z bar dual exhaust issue... tried to heat and bend but it did not go well. Next I welded on some thicker bar stock in the right place. Worked like a charm!

 

That should hold up, looks beefy. Just enough clearance too.

 

I think itll hold. Good welds, its a little thicker material than stock. Wild how close they have everything in there

 

Finished exhaust today, filled engine with oil and zinc, got starter on and cranked it over. Fought spark, got some pops but it was a struggle. Went and got points and condenser to help with that. Also got hose an clamps to hook up a nurse tank so we can actually fill the bowls. Overall was a day full of progress although it ended shy of my goal... got the dipstick installed too!