Projects Just picked up a family project

Master arrived today and the disk conversion will be here Friday so tonight I pulled the front drums and backing plates off and disconnected the brake lines and master.


70 mustang master cylinder is a direct bolt on, I'm hoping to get away without using proportioning valves since the mustang would have been front disk rear drum. We shall see what happens when the rest of the parts come in. I'm just going to run new hard lines to the front brakes from the master and connect the rear to the existing distribution block and connect the brake switch into it. This will keep the brake switch out of sight and ocean up the fire wall a bit as well.

 

The 70 Mustang would still use a proportioning valve, but, for the disc drum setup. In fact, I believe it helps split the lines off to the proper areas. Should check with National Parts Depot or other places like that for part number and reference.

 

Well shoot that's good to know. I did find the OEM one from the same place I got the master from. Probably need to go with an adjustable one since I have a different brake setup than the mustang. I was really hoping to avoid having it. I just don't like the way it looks.

 

I'm not a brake expert, but in most cars I've put together, I use that factory style proportioning combination valve. Car weights and brake bias front to back are usually similar. I've only used the adjustable one where the tire size, was grossly disproportionate front to back.
But, just my opinion.

 

I've heard some guys use air shocks in the rear but with individual Shraeder valves on each one to help change tires. You jack the car up and pump up the air shock on the side you want to remove, which will push the leaf spring down an extra bit for clearance. Never tried it but I'm considering it for my own '52, changing rear tires has always been a pain.

Progress looks good, those front brakes were really gone! Damn.

 

Well it just so happens to have air shocks with individual shrader on the back already haha so that was easy.

 

That's good information to have especially as I am planning to lower mine a little more and was thinking of adding air shocks to try to keep my driveshaft off the tunnel when I have a full car and trunk on trips.

 

I’m running Monroe air shocks on my 57’ sedan. As others have mentioned, I just use them when having a full load of passengers or/and pulling my rear drop camper.

 

Great looking car, bro. Just as an FYI, don't look past Rock Auto for basic parts for that thing. Ford used the same wheel cylinders from 1949 to 1980, and there is a load of interchange. I think the last time I did my rear brakes on my 57 Ford it cost me like $35 for cylinders, shoes and hardware.

 

Yeah part availability looks pretty good for the most part. I'm going disk in the front soninwont have to worry about hweel cylinders there. Back brakes looks good. Thanks for the tip.

 

Oh boy we have gotten a lot done! I'll start with the disk brake conversion.
Parts used were:
1970 mustang dual circuit 1" bore master cylinder. (Direct bolt on with simple mods to push rod)
Speedway motors adjustable proportioning valve.
Auto city classics disk brake conversion.

The auto city disk brake conversion was not bad considering all things but there was some details that I think should be covered and I'll cover those things in a thread dedicated to that and link it here. Over all the installation was simple and it all works as expected. Car stops great.


Removed the windshield washer bracket since I don't have all the parts for it any how and put the proportioning valve on the wheel well there. Plumbed all steel lines.


Only the line from here back is old. It was good and I new messing with it would lead down a road to replacing so I just plugged the other ports on the block and plumbed my new line to that. Will be easy to replace in the future.


I got my new hub caps from @guthriesmith so I gave them a quick polish and popped them on for a shake down run to the gas station to fill the tank for the first time. ( I wanted to make sure the tank seams are going to hold.)



Only issue with the hub caps is I can't get the rears to snap on all the way. They have a different tab style than the ones I put in front. I think I need to massage the tabs a little. But I love how they look and just the trip the gas station I got lots of attention so they must be cool.

 

Saturday morning me and the kid had the opportunity to visit a local secret salvage yard. Pretty much a giant maze of cars rotting away. Fun to look at stuff and I was looking for some specific items most of which I didn't find. My main goal though was just to share the experience with the kid.

We had a good time but we also had a good hunt and a story to share. At the very back of the yard I found the second early 50s Ford/mercury. There was a 53 delivery that was hardly recognizable and then this 54 mercury 4 door. The mercury had these fender trim bits on the driver's side and I got excited because I knew it was something I could work with on this car eventually.

So I checked the other side and if course it was all missing. This side wasn't in all that good of shape so I left them be so I could think about it as we carried on through the yard. The more I thought about it the more I talkedy self out of it. Me and the kid found some cool badges and a hub caps for a wall hanger and my buddy found some cool stuff. I spent half an hour digging through a delivery truck full of trim looking for a pair for trim for my Ford that I could point forward and replace the customline badle with just a straight peice. I didn't find the matching peice but I did find some mercury trim. I left that be and decided to call it a day as the rain had started to turn to snow and it was getting late. (Late in my mind because I knew I had a whole brake system to finish at home). Once at the front shack to pay I was calling my friend who had vanished some could tally up and pay. Well he wasn't answering and I poked my head out of the door and there he holds some. Mercury roof trim for the rear window and says " I found a car full of Mercury parts". Site enough there was a car that has "54 mercury parts" written on it and inside was tons of trim and odds and ends. I found 1 set of window trim roof cover things and another set that appears to be for something as well. I also found 1 that doesn't have a match.

I wanted these because I want to make something to put on the Ford so I can paint the roof and have a spot to seperate the colors. ( After getting home intelaizenthe mercury window Is slightly different). I can weld so I'm not too worried about it since I planned in having to modify it any how. Then in a bucket I found all kinds of parts for the fender trim and the matching opposite to the one that was on the car out in the yard! So I filled up a bucket with treasures and grabbed my tools to remove the ones from the car in the yard. After laying in mud and busting my knuckles with the help of my buddy we removed them. Not in the greatest shape but they are cool and I can work with them.


I e already been dreaming up some ideas for using them in ways other than the fenders. I have to clean them up first and see what I have. I'll save that for a rainy day.

 

Car is looking sweet with those wheel covers!!

 

Those wheel covers are great on that car.

 

Yep, what they said about the wheel covers. I didn’t even notice that there were two different style tabs on them. Hopefully you can get them worked out.

 

This might be late, but I've had good luck with POR 15 gas tank seal kit. Once you get it relatively clean you can use their 3 part kit. Just don't get any of the sealer on you, it doesn't come off.

 

They are really close. I just think a few of the tabs need massaged. No big deal.

 

Yeah we're running the tank now. I've had opposite results with gas tank coatings. I've picked a lot of gas tanks up from swap meets for motorcycles that have coatings flaking off and you can get them cheap. I usually burn them in the fire to cook out the coatings. Clean them up and sell them and make some cash.

 

I forgot to mention how cool it is that you took your kid out to check out the salvage yard too. Good times.

 

Latest video is up on the fuel system repair for those who like to watch. Long one but good.


I also found some C pillar trim from a 54 for a steal on eBay. I was able to buy it with my cash back from my other parts I bought so that's a win win. Now I'll be planning on painting the roof in the future. I think it looks good when you have the c pillar trim in place.

 

3 things.

One, in the pic that shows the hubcaps, the reflection in the front cap makes it look like there's a gold stripe painted in between each rib to match the body, and it looks really good that way. You might consider actually painting them that way.

Two, really glad you did buy all those pieces from that old yard. I never leave anything behind if the price isn't crazy. Those yards are getting fewer and fewer and they're all in danger with scrap price being high. If you can't use it, you can resell it or give it to someone else who can use it, helps the hobby out by keeping that stuff in circulation. There's always someone that wants stainless moldings, '54 Merc quarter teeth, etc. Glad you went back.

Third, if you bought those C-pillar moldings on the 4th I'd bet you bought them from me, I just sold a pair. Glad you can use them, neat to see what they're actually getting used on.

Good stuff so far, car looks great and glad to see it moving forward. What did "the kid" think of the yard?

 

Haha small world! That's when I bought them. Yeah that's how I felt about the prices and now there is more there I want to go back before spring is full pop and it's a jungle.
The kid loved it for about an hour bute and my buddy were out there just gawking so eventually she was over it so she went and sat in the car haha.

Oh and yeah the white is brown on one of them and I agree it looks great. That was already in my mind.

 

I've been digging into the wiring this week. Started by taking all the crumbling wire and carefully covering it in heat shrink to holit it from further falling apart and keep it safe until the 12v conversion happens. Also took the time to tick it away nice and neat. Part of what I did was completely eliminate the horn relay and the factory horns. This car has a 6 volt aahooga horn and the 6 volts horns are going away when we go 12v anyhow don't was just an easier solution for current time. Also patched the wires up that were feeding the OD relay thingy. Still have to try to figure out if it's working or not.



Also I was surprised first by nuts falling out of the vent hole under the dash when I opened it.

And then by my c pillar trim arriving early!


Looks like it will fit nice the the drip rail is too low so I'll need to make a very small mod to either the trim or the rail.

 

Nearly finished with the wiring it's time for me to really bite the bullet and make the big purchase that's is the tires. Other than a bunch of finishing touches and a few simple mods this is the last piece of the puzzle. I decided that I might as well do the right thing and replace all 4. I've decided to go with the factory size with the wider 3-5/8" white wall. This will solve the hard to change tire issue and add a little class to it. Going with bf Goodrich 670-15 from Coker.
I'm very confident we will make our Trek to vintage torque fest but it's matter of whether or not we can get into the show as a custom. We've got wheel covers, olds taillights, c pillar covers from a 54, 3" blocks for the rear, and probably aerostar springs.on the front. I think it's going to be a crunch to get it all done but after all the work we've done the mods will be a refreshing bit of fun.

 

Oh and just to add joining the alliance was 50 bucks and I saved over 100 off my tire purchase from Coker so that's a big score in my opinion.

 

Great looking old Ford, I've never seen a 53 Club Coupe, but I'll be looking for it at TorqFest. I owned a 53 Crestline Vicky when my girls were growing up, made for a great family cruiser, comfortable for the 4 of us, and had a nice big trunk, AND it was PINK with white top (well Corral Red, I guess) so was a hit with the girls. Good luck with upgrade. Looking forward to TorqFest.

 

Finished up the last bit of problem wiring. I had to cut back and splice in new wire here because it was so bad.



I've also been searching for this and I've finally pin pointed it and brushed the paint away .I'm going to attempt to solder it. I've never soldered a rad but I can solder wires and copper pipe so why not

 

Must compliment your photo taking, all your pics are crystal clear, and very detailed, Good Job! Are you using your cell phone camera?

 

I would notch the molding. Take out less than what needs to be removed and fold a bit back underneath, it'll look like it's supposed to be that way and the edge will follow the line of the drip rail perfectly.

It's mild, but I think it'll be custom enough to get into the show.

 

Yeah just a cell phone. I'm 33 now but I grew up building cars and posting it to internet forums so it's like second nature hahaha.