Projects After 6 months, they are finally here

Yep

 

That’s awesome. We love these old cars and running them. A 9 pass 58 wagon is for sale. It’s hard for me to pass up.

 

A 9 pass Bermuda wagon is real rare! Ours had the woodgrain on the sides. Lippy

 

It is the hardest of the 58s to find. Only 779 of those made. I’ll find find the right one some day. Got to many waiting after this for a restore. Next up is our 58 convertible

 

They are pretty cool motors but not much stuff available for them. My brother has one in a A coupe he’s been building for several years. I can’t remember the specifics on the engine, but they used some type of piston from another application instead of having customs made. It’s also got a stroker crank and uses big block Chevy rods. The engine was used briefly around 1960 in one of my Dads early FED’s and just sat for 30 years in a corner of our parents garage next to the Ardun where we grew up.

 

You’ve obviously never seen a 12-1 piston for a stock head GMC 6 with a stock rod length.

 

I think he was referring to the deck surface of the block. Only two small coolant passages at the front and back. Lots of solid surface between and around the bores. And only four head bolts around each cylinder. I'd guess the block and heads for these engines are even heavier than they look!

 

It does have that 409 vibe.

 

Hey, russco;
Would be nice iffen you or your brother could find the specs n parts-swapped that were used. & post them here. If for nothing else than pure-slop interest in old non-mainstream engines. .
Marcus

 

For forced induction applications (FED's generally fit in this), the easiest is to drop in a set of 427 Chebbie pistons (+0.050") and offset grind the crank down to the BBC rod journal diameter and use the BBC rods. I don't remember if the stock BBC rod length would work, or if you had to go to an aftermarket rod. 6.7" rod length sticks in my head, but all that info is at home where I can't access it until this evening. Either way, this combo will get you about 490 to 505 cubic inches (depending on final bore) with 8 to 8.5:1 compression with the flat-top 427 piston. Perfect for a FED motor topped by a 6-71.

I also understand that 460 cranks can be made to work with a bit of machining as well since the MEL's and 385 Series used the same bore spacing. I imagine the Main Journal diameter would be the biggest hurdle.

 

very good info I’ll add it to my pile of paper work. Makes since. 427 is 4.25 bore. Punch a factory 410 .050 and they would fit. The bore on 430s is 4.3. Thanks again.

 

Got her home and on the stand. I’ll probably just stare at it the rest of the evening while drinking beer lol. A few more pics. One of the old girl just waiting for an engine. She hasn’t ran since mid 80s at best. Maybe longer. Last registration on plates was 63.

And the official weight of short block is 344.4 including the 1.5lb chain.

 

thats awesome. And y’all even used the Edsel colors. Nice looking engine.

 

Rather unique power steering pump on the crank snout. What is the flange for in the valley attached to the bank to bank casting? With all that piston above the pin a pretty tight skirt clearance used? Since the piston is fully machined [and nice!] is it from a generic forging or billet?

 

on the edsels they used an external power steering pump. Not like the Lincoln 430s. If I remember correctly the piece of tin your talking about in the valley, was used by Ford, they tried to keep the sludge down. It diverted cold air from hitting all the hot oil

 

I guess I got some pics confused. Didn't realize it is sheet metal. 1st and 2nd pic post 42.

 

You best get it cleaned and sealed up as I can see it already flash rusting..........

 

Now that’s just sexy.