Projects Just got this 1957 ford country sedan. First project in 12 years and I don’t know where to start

I’ve been out of commission for quite some time! I was a young kid back in the day when I’d be on this site asking questions in regards to my old 58 fairlane. But now I’m 30, got a house, a stable job, and I have patience to work on a long term project.

Curious as to where to really “start”. My dad has a 390 engine he’s willing to let me have. The wagon currently has no motor. Should I start with rebuilding the engine and get that dropped in here? Or work on cosmetic stuff first? Where did you first start out with in your current or past projects?

 

A lot of people prefer to start on the mechanical aspect of a build to get it in good running condition before they start on body work. That way you won't mess up your paint and upholstery, etc by working on the cumbersome engine/trans/chassis stuff. That way you could enjoy driving it around while you still do work on it.
On my 56, I wanted to redo everything so I pulled the body off first and stripped and painted the chassis, rebuilt it then put the body back on and worked on it.

 

Mechanical stuff first. I'd start with brakes and suspension.

 

you have to multi task if you want a project to move forward. shop for and collect missing piece's like trim and glass while your waiting on machine shop. by the way nice looking 57

 

What was your former screen name? Weren't you in the Bakersfield area?

 

Start with: "Do I really have the time, energy, space and money to do a full frame-off?" Most of us have have stories of "life changed" and dumping unfinished projects for "pennies-on-the-dollar".

If a complete tear-apart is not a good idea for you, this wagon appears to be in 9/10ths usable body condition. Motor, transmission, go thru the brakes (suggest all new parts). Headlight and tail lights. Now you have an ice cream runner. Donuts and coffee next.

Pick a project as time becomes available. Front fender and headlight trim - then drive it for a while. Maybe cracked glass next. After driving it a while, the priorities will become obvious.

 

Nice project!

Now...take a deep breath before you cut anything or buy anything and put together a complete and detailed plan of 1.) Where you are going with this project, and 2.) How you plan to get there. This will save you a great deal of aggravation and back-tracking. Do lots of research, especially when it comes to the cost and availability of parts. Building an old-school car might not be all that practical if you plan on using it on a regular basis.

Get it running and driving first, then concern yourself with cosmetics. A "live" car will keep your interest sharp even when the project gets frustrating...and it will, trust me.

And, one final caution: try not to be trendy. That which is "cool" today will become hopelessly outdated tomorrow. Be conservative in your choices and you'll never be wrong.

One more thing: keep your plans within your budget and skill level. More projects have been junked due to over-enthusiasm than for any other reason I can think of.

Good luck!

 

Nice start there - looks like most of it's there. I'm in for mechanics first and have fun with it - driving - then do the cosmetics....

 

Is the 390 running?

 

Cool project. I'd start by doing the stuff I needed to get it rolling so I could drive it and enjoy it while I pecked away at the body and the rest of the stuff that needed taking care of. Brakes/fuel/cooling and rebuild the 390. No better time than when it is out!

 

If there is a lot of rust in the floors or body, I usually brace the body, lift it from the frame and repair the rust issues. While the body is on the rotisserie I paint and rebuild the frame and suspension parts because it is way easier to get everything clean and nice whitout the body in your way. I also put the engine, transmission, all the brake and fuel lines on the frame, while the body is off. When the frame is done I at least seal and paint the underside of the body and the firewall and shoot the inside of the rockers and braces with cavity wax or lanolin before I put the body back on. Then it depends on the car, if I want to just drive it and leave it " patina´d" I´m done, if not, I get the gaps straight and nice, bodywork finished and after that is good enough it goes off to the paint booth.
Here are some examples:
1. 64 Wildcat low buck project. Car was rustfree, all it needed was a good cleanup and everything rebuilt, I sold it as is and left the choice of color tothe next owner. 8 years later he is still driving it like that.
2.My girlfriend Dani´s suburban, truck was a rust and bondo bucket, but she wanted a reliable daily that looked not restored but a little rough
3. My 34 Ford , an old Hot Rod that needed a little TLC

Every car needs it´s own treatment... Some need less work, some more.

 

This !!!

bit first give the car a thorough going over, frame, floors rust out . Wiring fuel tank lines brakes etc etc etc ...... I’ll add one more etc ......etc!

your young with a ton on your plate and nothing worse then getting into a big project and getting burnt out.


With that said that’s a killer car with a ton of potential!!!!!

start with brakes, steering,suspension AFTER assessing the entire car.

If the body frame and floors are solid. A engine and trans is the easy part after getting all the above mentioned done.

is the engine your dad has running ?


Older engines can cost a ton to get rebuilt where a more modern SBF or big block FE are cheap in comparison.


Again cool car
Report back with wacha plan on doing and what you find.

 

As others have said, do the basics before you start on the cosmetics. Get the engine rebuilt if needed along with the transmission and get that all installed and working. Rewire the car before you go too far and start the interior of burn it down. Rebel Wire is a member here and get a kit from them, complete modern wiring harness with fuses. Get it running and driving competently before you begin the bodywork and paint.

 

He probably shouldn't tear this car apart.

 

That Ford looks like it could be a cool ride.
Have a current title? If not, start there.

 

plan on jacking up the radiator cap , if there is a radiator, and rework or replace most everything - not going to be quick, easy or cheap - hopefully there is nothing else taking up space in your garage, because you will need every inch - nice neighborhood, so likely can not work on it in driveway for long periods of time - unless you , or wife?, are deeply in love with the tree along side your garage remove it and put in some type of storage shop behind a full width swing gate - unlike others, I would spend a good amount of time on the rust area to see how bad it really is, then spray a sealer - then get your Dad's 390 to a machine shop and trans to rebuild shop - ETC

 

You need to decide what you want to do with the car, are you wanting to do a ground up build or just minor cosmetic and a new running gear.

If you decide a ground up you need to start taking the car apart, but lots of freeze bags and several sharpies to label all the small odds and ends pieces and specialty screws and such.

With the body stripped down you can address the frame and suspension, there is noting wrong with the front suspension but it should be rebuilt, now would be the time if you want disc brakes, you also have a very desirable 9" rear axle, but rebuilding the brakes at the time is a good move.

You can address the brakes, new brake lines and engine and transmission.

When you have the car apart you can send out the items that may new to be plated and small parts that need painted or polished.

You have a nice wagon, looking forward to watching it go together, HRP

 

Get the title in your name before you do anything else. If the floors need to be replaced get that done. After that I would get it running, moving and stopping as you work on cosmetics.

 

I have built hundreds of cars over the last 50 years and you want to get all the fab work done first. Mock up motor and trans in the chassis, figure out exhaust and steering . After you know everything will fit as needed and all structural work is complete Then rebuild the motor and trans. While that stuff is being machined and assemble then go through brakes, lines and suspension. Then assemble the drive train. and get it on the road and fine tune all the bugs for a summer. Then blow it apart in the fall and do final body and paint. To many guys dump a ton on money into things like the motor and then try to fab it together , mean while a fresh motor sits God knows how long and then they are bitching because they have all kinds of problems when they finally do try to fire it. I did a 2 dr 57 ranch wagon a number of years ago with a 390 and c6 . It was from Montana and looked a hell of a lot nicer than yours and then we stripped it ! You wouldn,t believe the crap we found and it was an original paint car. The 390 we where told was a bolt in! Well the motor and trans fit into the frame pretty well ,but exhaust, throttle and shift linkage and a ton of other details had to be addressed. Do not mean to sound like a hard ass but this is why most end up over their heads with a project. They do not take time to mock things up before investing in a lot of new parts that may sit unused for years. best of luck with your project and above all ENJOY IT!! Larry

 

Before you do anything, make sure you have the room, tools, money and spare time to take on a project. The road to a finished project is often littered with the potholes of good intentions. Don't let your friends just stand around blowing smoke up your ass about how great it's going to look finished. Put a tool in their hand and point 'em at the car. If they stay, keep 'em around. If they don't, well.....

 

We are to assume it has proper papers.....pink slip...registration?
Don't put a dime into it until the paperwork is legit!

I got one of those from my Grandfather years ago. Running and driving car. Didn't appreciate the car then and just sold it. Like to have it now!

As suggested, get the mechanical done first, then electrical. Body work and interior can wait.
You're gunna have some fun!

 

I would park that project in the backyard and buy a fairly inexpensive running and driving car such as a Falcon or Falcon Ranchero.

 

Everyone's already said it, but to reiterate:

I'd do the bare minimum to get it on the road (safely) and start enjoying it. Nothing worse than staring at a long term pile of parts every time you open the garage door (ask how I know). Eventually it becomes daunting and less fun.
However, if you can take it out for a cruise in between picking away at it the fun factor goes way up.

As for the 390, I say run it.

 

Start with a good cleaning of the body, interior, suspension and drivetrain. A pressure washer, or rent a steam cleaner to get rid of 62 years of rust, scale, and grease. That will allow you to better assess the condition of things, and it’s always easier to work on things that are a little cleaner.

Then, it’s on to the suspension and brakes, including the lines and hoses.

Freshen the engine your dad offered, or perhaps consider a small block Ford.

Next, it’s on to making the interior useable, if not presentable. Floor pan work should probably come before the useable interior.

Body and paint, as well as trim comes last.

 

I usually start with fixing the brakes. It relatively cheap and easy and helps get you motivated. Also, it aids in moving it around. Once you get it running you're going to want to see if you can get it to move. BRAKES!

 

I used to go by luvzccr back in the day. But yeah I’m here in Bakersfield


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

 

Yep, that name is familiar. What happened with the two cars? I remember flat black paint and a stock hood scoop.

 

This Put the car into your name, don't put $$$ into a car to find you cannot register it. Looks like a nice car, good luck with it.

 

He gives some seriously solid advice there. Don't get in over you head either dollar or skill wise.
Unless it needs patch panels to replace rust I wouldn't take the car very far apart. Scrub it down with CLR and a scrub pad, clean out every nook and cranny inside and clean and spiff up the engine compartment and then get the brakes squared away and clean the fuel tank and check over the fuel lines before doing much else.
Make a list of the missing trim pieces you need so you can keep an eye out for them and be able to hunt for a deal.

The engine swap can be done with all Factory parts if memory of a buddy putting a 390 in his 57 in 1966 is right. He bought the first "crate motor" I ever saw, ordering it from the Ford dealer across the street from his dad's gas station along with a new over the counter Ford 4 speed. I'm thinking you just get the correct FE mount parts for a 58 or 59.

 

I'll be watching this thread! Love the '57s which outsold Chevys that year. My very first memory is when I was two years old and my dad's '57 Meteor. I have a '56. The 390 is a great choice and should be rather easy to install. If your wagon is an automatic put a C6 transmission in it.
Your wagon looks fairly complete be we need more pics! Good luck...