1952-59 Ford 54 Customline Build Thread

That's for a TBird, I think that's why it's so pricey. A less expensive p*** car unit is fine for mods, you just have to drill a hole and weld in a basket for the mesh.

 

Hey Rocky, I'd have to look but think I have an extra standard (not drilled) valley pan lying around someplace.

If you absolutely cannot find one elsewhere let me know if you're interested. It'd take some digging to find it.

I'd gladly trade you even-up for those ugly Cragars you got there!.... jk

Ron

 

Hey, I found another pan just like that one, but for 25 bucks on ebay. Im winning the auction as of now. Its the thunderbird one that has the hole in the back. I could weld a cage on mine, but if this already has it, Im down for that. Ron, I hate to say it, but I'm gonna have to p***. I slept on the thought though. I dont know why I didnt think of it earlier, but there is a guy that lives maybe 20 mins from me that is a huge t-bird collector. He's probably got tons of valley pans. Probably wants a lot for them though. But if I dont win on ebay, I will go to him. Save on shipping. Spent some time last night cleaning up that manifold that I have pictured earlier in this thread. Im gonna pressure wash the hell out of it with some simple green and see how that goes. Then let it sit out and dry for a while. I cant get all the way up in there with my dremel, but I got what I could. Hopefully everything will come together soon. I also ordered a new filter for my road draft tube and speedo cable and valley pan gasket. Those should be here soon. Car is running alright for now. Not leaking anywhere else but the draft tube, but thats cuz the filter is trashed. Have driven it back and forth to work the past two days and she's been good. So thats a plus. Gotta get back to work now. Thanks again for all the help guys.

 

So the car will be down for a while. Was at Orlando Auto Body this past Saturday rebuilding my doors with Joe (sickboymesa). He's got a really trick way of rebuilding these doors for shaved handle kits. As soon as I get the pics, i'll post them. Anywho, I was leaving the shop and heading home. The car started acting up. Everytime I would push on the gas, the engine would try to stall out. So I figured there was something in the fuel line. Got out, disconnected the line at the pump and blew into it, trying to dislodge whatever was in there. So I got gas up to the carb, but still does the same thing. I eventually got it home. Pops and I adjusted the carb a little and went around the block. Still doin it. So I did a burn out about 20 or so feet, parked it, and there she sits. My guess is carb needs to be rebuilt. So instead of doing that, I think Im just gonna throw on that Holley 4 barrel that I have. We'll see how that goes. If it aint one thing, its another.

 

Jeff, Thanks for the advice on that Carter fuel pump. Installed that baby last night. She's really quiet. Got gas up to the carb and filled the bowl. Couldnt drive it thru the neighborhood at 1 am though. So I went out this morning and started her right up. Drive around the block a few times and out on the main road. She did great. I also hijacked my brothers motorcraft carb off his 351w. HOLY HELL THAT MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE!!! I love love love the way she drives now. My belt keeps slipping, but thats an easy fix. I think Im gonna go with that Mummert alternator bracket. This homemade one that I have now just aint cuttin it. Also another thing that I got accomplished was shaving the door handles. I'll post pics of that this weekend. Still need to wire up the solenoids. Slowly but surely she is getting where I want her. Will update again this weekend. Thanks again.

Rocky

 

I can't wait to see how he does the handles. I'm thinking about going there this summer.

 

So I got the handle holes welded in and the driver side trim holes welded in. Started the body work on it as well. I need to rebuild another inner door mechanism to show you guys how Joe and I did them. I keep putting it off. It really doesnt take that long. Anywho, the keyless entry works pretty well. Just doesnt push the doors out that far. I have the stainless door "poppers" that go with the kit, but I dont know where to mount them. Anywho, here is a picture before sanding the drivers door and one during. Im still not done with it, so bear with me. Its my 1st time doing body work as well.





Thanks for lookin!

Rocky

 

I like the screwdriver sticking out, very artistic. Seriously it looks great. I don't have a clue how to weld so it blows my mind that you can just do that at home.

 

Lots and Lots and Lots and Lots of patience. The welder that I have ****s ****. It was given to me by a buddy when he moved. Cant complain about that though. Its a Craftsman Mig that plugs into an everyday outlet. No gas and not way to adjust the speed of the wire or temperature. I blew so many holes thru the door I about lost my mind. I really need to invest in a better welder. A sheet of copper was my best friend though. Especially with the trim holes. Just put the copper behind the hole and eventually built up enough weld that the hole was closed up. The metal doesnt stick to copper! Little trick that I learnt from a buddy (sickboymesa). Funny thing about the screwdriver is that it was actually holding the duct taped copper sheet in place. Ahhhh good times. Im hoping to get the door finished tomorrow morning. Thanks for the compliment!!

 

Don't be gettin' ahead of yourself there, partner. From the pix it looks like you may have warped that door pretty good...

Remember: Work slowly, allow the metal to cool FULLY between welds, and work out the waves in the sheet metal using a hammer/dolly as you go along.

Then grind all the paint from the work area, being careful not to reintroduce waves by overheating the metal with the grinder.

Then detail the panel straight using hammer and dolly. Use spray can primer lightly as a guide coat and a long board w/ 80-grit to locate the high/low spots.

Then, and only then...use body filler as a light skim coat. And never, never, never apply body filler over paint.

 

So I have to take the door completely down to bare metal? I was told that I didn't really need to cuz the guy used a single stage paint. As far as warping the door.... completely correct. I have slowly been trying to hammer and dolly the high spots down and low spots up. That's why I said its gonna take me a while longer to finish the rest of the door. However, I do appreciate the advice! any advice or tips I can get always help. Thank you.

 

I mean, in the big scheme of things, I know its a ***** to strip the door from the beltline down, work it, then seal it, but regardless of what anyone else says, thats how I would be most comfortable. Not saying its right, wrong, up or down, but its just what would make me feel best if it were my car.

Regardless, work on man! You'll get it knocked out soon enough

 

Ok. I've been thinking about this for a while now. There are so many thing I want to do to this car that its driving me crazy. I've come to the conclusionn that all I really want to do right now is change the color and drive it. Its been sitting for about a month now. I take it around the block every once in a while, but not enough. Once the doors are straight, I'm gonna get them into primer. Then paint the whole car hot rod flatz copper pearl. Might leave the top black though. I don't have the money or time to do all the mods now, so I will slowly ac***ilate all of the parts I want. Just need to replace the rear main seal an solve my venting issue, but that will be easy. Sorry for the rant. Just haven't updated in a while.

Rocky

 

BACK FROM THE DEAD!!! Been doin some more work on the car. I dont know why I always pick the summer to work on it... It's insanely hot here in Az already. Got the rear shackles and bushings replaced. Lowered it. And been doin more sanding. Put in new fuel lines and had the tank all cleaned out. Also been putting finishing touches on the 54 merc dash before paint. Got a Plymouth grill to put in it too. happy times. However, there are bad times too. My hood is all mangled up and looks like hell. The fenders are also jacked up. That kind of puts me in a bind. I need new fenders and a hood. Anyone near az have any of these? Would be much appreciated!

Rocky

 

They had some 52-54 Fords at J&W Cl***ics in Peoria, AZ (623)334-9333 the 52-54 Hoods are the same but '54 Fenders are one year only.

 

Thanks Jeff! I will give them a shout in the morning. I was told of another place called franks auto salvage, or something along those lines, in apache junction, so I'm gonna pay them a visit as well. Supposedly all old ford stuff.

 

Well... Its been a LONG time coming, but I've got some work done on the car. I found a new valley pan with the PCV valve and am now running that into a spacer under my carb. Seems to be ok. I also just got a front suspension rebuild kit and am planning on doing all of that sometime soon. I recently moved into a luxury apartment that has a garage. Its just a one car garage, but its my first garage all to myself. All of my work has been done in this garage. I got the car sanded and primered in Krylon Rust Tough Primer. Its just a temporary fix until I can save for a nice paint job. Hell, I might just leave it for a good while. I also painted the top gloss black. I was in a really big hurry because I have a show coming up this weekend and wanted to finish. I'll let the pictures do the talking. I just wanted to show up to this show with my car because I know all the guys will have expensive muscle cars, street rods, corvettes etc. I will like knowing that I am the only one there that has done every bit of work on the car. Should be a fun show though. Here ya go....





















I think once she gets the bumpers back on and a bath, she will look good. Also plan on ordering some white walls. Thinking about 2 1/2 inches. Any suggestions on bias ply or radials? Thanks for lookin guys!

Rocky

 

Car looks great. Your build thread makes me want to start a thread of my build.

 

Looking good, I like it A LOT! I'm thinkin some rattle can Krylon might be in my future too!

 

She's a beauty

 

Like what your doing.... hope you have understanding neighbors..... LOL what did you do with the side chrome?

 

Thanks for the nice words guys! It makes me want to keep doing more to it! Lanny, I've got it sitting in my garage. Some random pieces missing due to other people needing some. Also have a bunch of trim for a 4 door. Need some?

 

I like the 54 trim, looking for some for my 53 mainline 2 door. What do you stil have?

 

Lol I have 2 trash cans full of trim. There is no telling what all is still in there to be honest. More than welcome to come rummage thru it and see if anything tickles your fancy. I'm in Mesa. On Higley, just north of the 60.