The Ford Barn

IChangeBrakes · 10-30-2024, 12:28 PM

So I found out my dad really likes a 56 Crown Vic. So I have been keeping an eye on them on eBay and realize $50K USD is not in my budget. Lo and behold a 56 Fairlane town sedan came up at a "local" auction. So I put the starting low bid on the car (<3k USD) and got a call that the guy removed the reserve and I was the proud new owner.

So now I need Help. I've never owned a Ford let alone an older Ford. I would like to have this street-able by Christmas to give to my dad. I need to get the Miata out of my garage and this car in.
I have been able to tell it has a 351W in it and no clue about what auto transmission.

Shift linkage is backwards on the column. Drive is park and park is drive. Any ideas on finding out what trans I have and how to correct this?

Front door cards and headliner need replacing. Headliner is easy to find, but is there a place to buy upholstered door panels or do I need to get these remade? A full interior reupholstery kit would be nice, but not necessary.

The brakes only work on the second pump. Master cylinder, bleed, replace ???

It has a few more issues that I think I can handle like Shocks, Hood latch, lights and signals don't work and the key situation is a mess (I wonder what's in the trunk!).

I would appreciate any help anyone can give me. Thanks

KULTULZ · 10-30-2024, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IChangeBrakes

I have been able to tell it has a 351W in it and no clue about what auto transmission.

Shift linkage is backwards on the column. Drive is park and park is drive. Any ideas on finding out what trans I have and how to correct this?

Most likely, the engine and trans came together and the trans is a floor shift model. If kept column shift you will need to change the shift lever on the trans case.

Quote:

Front door cards and headliner need replacing. Headliner is easy to find, but is there a place to buy upholstered door panels or do I need to get these remade? A full interior reupholstery kit would be nice, but not necessary.

Is the card itself in good condition? It will have to be re-upholsterd.

Quote:

The brakes only work on the second pump. Master cylinder, bleed, replace ???

When you get the car raised and on stands, you need to take photos of the trans and perform a full brake inspection.

Jwawhite · 10-30-2024, 05:05 PM

Holy Gadzooks Buddy, you’re gonna need some help!

Find a Ford Club and an experienced member QUICK!

RKS.PA · 10-31-2024, 07:39 AM

ICB, welcome to the Ford Barn for late Ford V8's!! It's going to take a few posts before you can post pictures, so don't be put off by that wrinkle here.

So cool you're doing this for your dad!!! Not sure about your plans for the Christmas surprise, but regardless of the progress you make in the next six week or so, he's going to love it.

My dad was a Ford mechanic in an earlier life and one of the best old car experiences I could ever have had was working on my first one with him!!! (If I had known how much fun we were going to have together, I would have done it a lot sooner!!

The very best of luck to you with this project!!!

KULTULZ · 10-31-2024, 09:01 AM

You are going to need (at the minimum) -

https://www.detroitironis.com/1956-f...anuals-cd.html

1930artdeco · 10-31-2024, 10:25 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Welcome to the club! First off grab the repair manuals from one of the vendors (I generally use Concourse out of NV-but use who you like). Check out the following places for parts:

-Pre-60's (orig parts-in your neck of the woods I believe)
SMS upholstery in Oregon for door cards/whole kits.

If you are new to old cars, original is ALWAYS best-99% of the time. Most of the time things can be rebuilt with a little effort. Check for rust in the floor pans, rocker panels etc.

Mike

ahshoe · 11-02-2024, 09:24 AM

I am sure he will like the car ready to roll or needing work... There is nothing on this earth that I would of loved to do like this with my Dad... Make this a chance to do it together. Put a big bow on it AS IS and he will still be over the top surprised. This work can NOT be done safely in the next few weeks anyway. Parts alone take that time to get to you sometimes. Again enjoy the car together. It will still be your GIFT to him.

IChangeBrakes · 11-05-2024, 03:37 PM

Thank you all for the replies. Good information. My Christmas deadline is looming and I haven't been able to even move it yet. Ugh.

Camer3 · 11-07-2024, 01:08 PM

Check your personal messages

GLAmes · 11-10-2024, 08:28 AM

I had door reproduction cards made at SMS in Oregon. It took a year to get them because of their backlog. They also supplied me with reproduction seat cloth and vinyl because I was going for authentic. A local shop recovered the seats. I don't think you want authentic so I advise you to look locally but even if the door cards are missing and the seat is covered by an old poncho I'm sure your dad will love it.

IChangeBrakes · 06-17-2025, 11:14 AM

Thanks for the replies. Not going with authentic, just running good & safe. Missed Christmas by a mile and still haven't touched the car other than to figure things out. His birthday is the end of the month, so I got motivated again...
Lots of parts on the way. C4 column shift linkage. I just need to move the lever to the bottom of the transmission and adjust the rod to the correct placement. Looks like an easy fix. (yeah, I know I just jinxed that)
New Windshield - a place in Minnesota, was the cheapest I found.
Disk front brake kit.
New brake booster with disc/drum valve
New keys and ignition. Any Idea how to get into the locked trunk? Hopefully nothing scary in there

I don't think any of the gauges work, so I need to figure that out ish. Radio works

Any issues with modern wheels and 2" spacers? Just easy and cheap to come across. Not doing the whitewalls, but I am upgrading to 215/70R16. A little more room for the disk brakes.
The interior ... Ugh. New Carpet, Headliner, and seat covers. But those $#@$ doors. I guess I'll peel one off and find a local shop to put something nicer on it. Not sure what colors to do. The interior is factory blue. I'm thinking of a white headliner, grey carpet, and seats. Without repainting, I don't know what other color would go with the blue metal and still match with the red & white exterior ???

I thought I would put out a little update, and the next week should get interesting. I'll get the car on the quickjack and go to town, that is if I can keep the %#$@ nissans off it. I did a complete strut, control arms & tierod replacement on one side, Father's Day (how apt), and will get the other side done tonight. New tires & alignment and that one should be good to go for awhile

1930artdeco · 06-18-2025, 08:37 AM

Be careful with rear wheel well area if you go the spacer route, there is not a lot of room in there. Also, I am not sure that 2" will work up front with the fenders.

Mike

IChangeBrakes · 06-18-2025, 03:18 PM

Thanks Mike.
From what I read, the stock wheels have an offset of -6 to -12 mm, and I was looking at 5x114.3 with an offset of 40 mm+. I thought a 2" offset (50mm) would balance them out, not push the wheel further out. Am I missing something?

10-30-2024, 12:28 PM	#1
IChangeBrakes Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2024 Location: Alberta Posts: 4	56 Fairlane- I need help So I found out my dad really likes a 56 Crown Vic. So I have been keeping an eye on them on eBay and realize $50K USD is not in my budget. Lo and behold a 56 Fairlane town sedan came up at a "local" auction. So I put the starting low bid on the car (<3k USD) and got a call that the guy removed the reserve and I was the proud new owner. So now I need Help. I've never owned a Ford let alone an older Ford. I would like to have this street-able by Christmas to give to my dad. I need to get the Miata out of my garage and this car in. I have been able to tell it has a 351W in it and no clue about what auto transmission. Shift linkage is backwards on the column. Drive is park and park is drive. Any ideas on finding out what trans I have and how to correct this? Front door cards and headliner need replacing. Headliner is easy to find, but is there a place to buy upholstered door panels or do I need to get these remade? A full interior reupholstery kit would be nice, but not necessary. The brakes only work on the second pump. Master cylinder, bleed, replace ??? It has a few more issues that I think I can handle like Shocks, Hood latch, lights and signals don't work and the key situation is a mess (I wonder what's in the trunk!). I would appreciate any help anyone can give me. Thanks

10-30-2024, 05:05 PM	#3
Jwawhite Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Now on the Land of Sun City West, AZ Posts: 516	Re: 56 Fairlane- I need help Holy Gadzooks Buddy, you’re gonna need some help! Find a Ford Club and an experienced member QUICK!

10-31-2024, 07:39 AM	#4
RKS.PA Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Oro Valley, AZ Posts: 1,241	Re: 56 Fairlane- I need help ICB, welcome to the Ford Barn for late Ford V8's!! It's going to take a few posts before you can post pictures, so don't be put off by that wrinkle here. So cool you're doing this for your dad!!! Not sure about your plans for the Christmas surprise, but regardless of the progress you make in the next six week or so, he's going to love it. My dad was a Ford mechanic in an earlier life and one of the best old car experiences I could ever have had was working on my first one with him!!! (If I had known how much fun we were going to have together, I would have done it a lot sooner!! The very best of luck to you with this project!!!

10-31-2024, 09:01 AM	#5
KULTULZ Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: IN A GALAXIE FAR, FAR AWAY Posts: 7,386	Re: 56 Fairlane- I need help You are going to need (at the minimum) - https://www.detroitironis.com/1956-f...anuals-cd.html __________________ ***** "Last Sunday, I caught him makin' eyes at Idell Bushey durin' preachin'. And I know what they do up there in the hills when they say they're possum huntin'. They're just sittin' around the campfire, drinkin' hard cider, hittin' each other on the shoulder and hollerin' 'flinch!'." ― Charlene Darling (Daughter of Briscoe Darling)

10-31-2024, 10:25 AM	#6
1930artdeco Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lynden, Wa Posts: 3,785	Re: 56 Fairlane- I need help Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Welcome to the club! First off grab the repair manuals from one of the vendors (I generally use Concourse out of NV-but use who you like). Check out the following places for parts: -Pre-60's (orig parts-in your neck of the woods I believe) SMS upholstery in Oregon for door cards/whole kits. If you are new to old cars, original is ALWAYS best-99% of the time. Most of the time things can be rebuilt with a little effort. Check for rust in the floor pans, rocker panels etc. Mike __________________ 1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan

11-02-2024, 09:24 AM	#7
ahshoe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Iowa Posts: 354	Re: 56 Fairlane- I need help I am sure he will like the car ready to roll or needing work... There is nothing on this earth that I would of loved to do like this with my Dad... Make this a chance to do it together. Put a big bow on it AS IS and he will still be over the top surprised. This work can NOT be done safely in the next few weeks anyway. Parts alone take that time to get to you sometimes. Again enjoy the car together. It will still be your GIFT to him.

11-05-2024, 03:37 PM	#8
IChangeBrakes Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2024 Location: Alberta Posts: 4	Re: 56 Fairlane- I need help Thank you all for the replies. Good information. My Christmas deadline is looming and I haven't been able to even move it yet. Ugh.

11-07-2024, 01:08 PM	#9
Camer3 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2024 Posts: 2	Re: 56 Fairlane- I need help Check your personal messages Last edited by Camer3; 11-08-2024 at 09:59 PM. Reason: Remove e mail

11-10-2024, 08:28 AM	#10
GLAmes Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Killeen, TX Posts: 342	Re: 56 Fairlane- I need help I had door reproduction cards made at SMS in Oregon. It took a year to get them because of their backlog. They also supplied me with reproduction seat cloth and vinyl because I was going for authentic. A local shop recovered the seats. I don't think you want authentic so I advise you to look locally but even if the door cards are missing and the seat is covered by an old poncho I'm sure your dad will love it. __________________ '54 Skyliner. As close to original as I could restore it to.

06-17-2025, 11:14 AM	#11
IChangeBrakes Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2024 Location: Alberta Posts: 4	Re: 56 Fairlane- I need help Thanks for the replies. Not going with authentic, just running good & safe. Missed Christmas by a mile and still haven't touched the car other than to figure things out. His birthday is the end of the month, so I got motivated again... Lots of parts on the way. C4 column shift linkage. I just need to move the lever to the bottom of the transmission and adjust the rod to the correct placement. Looks like an easy fix. (yeah, I know I just jinxed that) New Windshield - a place in Minnesota, was the cheapest I found. Disk front brake kit. New brake booster with disc/drum valve New keys and ignition. Any Idea how to get into the locked trunk? Hopefully nothing scary in there I don't think any of the gauges work, so I need to figure that out ish. Radio works Any issues with modern wheels and 2" spacers? Just easy and cheap to come across. Not doing the whitewalls, but I am upgrading to 215/70R16. A little more room for the disk brakes. The interior ... Ugh. New Carpet, Headliner, and seat covers. But those $#@$ doors. I guess I'll peel one off and find a local shop to put something nicer on it. Not sure what colors to do. The interior is factory blue. I'm thinking of a white headliner, grey carpet, and seats. Without repainting, I don't know what other color would go with the blue metal and still match with the red & white exterior ??? I thought I would put out a little update, and the next week should get interesting. I'll get the car on the quickjack and go to town, that is if I can keep the %#$@ nissans off it. I did a complete strut, control arms & tierod replacement on one side, Father's Day (how apt), and will get the other side done tonight. New tires & alignment and that one should be good to go for awhile

06-18-2025, 08:37 AM	#12
1930artdeco Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lynden, Wa Posts: 3,785	Re: 56 Fairlane- I need help Be careful with rear wheel well area if you go the spacer route, there is not a lot of room in there. Also, I am not sure that 2" will work up front with the fenders. Mike __________________ 1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan

06-18-2025, 03:18 PM	#13
IChangeBrakes Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2024 Location: Alberta Posts: 4	Re: 56 Fairlane- I need help Thanks Mike. From what I read, the stock wheels have an offset of -6 to -12 mm, and I was looking at 5x114.3 with an offset of 40 mm+. I thought a 2" offset (50mm) would balance them out, not push the wheel further out. Am I missing something?