I've noticed that there are available two different types of outer tie rod ends for the '53: one has the "ball socket" part at 90 degrees to the threaded shank, the other has the ball socket part canted about 10 degrees off the 90 toward the shank. The old FoMoCo ends that came out were canted, and the new ones are straight 90 degrees. Vendor catalogs show both kinds for the '53. Does it matter? Is it worth getting another canted set? The straight ones have only a few thousand miles on them.
I would put the front end together with no springs, then with a floor jack, move the suspension all through its travel to see if the tie rod ends bind. If not, run 'em.
The Jalopy Journal
