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03-23-2020, 02:01 PM | #21 |
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Re: 55 Fairlane New member/barn find
Looks solid, 1/2 the battle is zero or little rust. Get the headliner out and power wash everything. I see you have critter nests.
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03-23-2020, 06:12 PM | #22 |
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Re: 55 Fairlane New member/barn find
Are there any down sides to power washing any areas of the car, dash, engine etc.?
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03-23-2020, 06:30 PM | #23 |
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Re: 55 Fairlane New member/barn find
I'd guess between the age and mice you're going to be rewiring it under the dash. The instruments are probably salvageable, or restorable. So I wouldn't power wash it from the front or underneath till I got them out. Assuming you've got a place where it will dry, I'd do the trunk and floor pans, and the engine compartment after covering the carb, oil fill, dipstick(s) and distributor. Don't want water down in the engine.
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03-23-2020, 06:45 PM | #24 |
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Location: St. Michael, Minnesota
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Re: 55 Fairlane New member/barn find
This soon in the planning part, I wish to tell you about the front end. It was suggested above you use a Mustang II. That is poor advice. The front end of that car and all other 54 to 56 Fords is a copy of the 52 Lincoln ball joint front end. It is strong, rides very well, and with a larger sway bar with hard bushings, will outlive you when rebuilt. Rebuilding will cost half what a Mustang II kit will cost., If you doubt me, look up the finishings places of Lincoln in the Mexican Road Race for 52, 53, and 54. Rebuilding the front end can be done at home with a large vice used as a press, but three hands make it easier. Good luck, and remember, this is supposed to be fun.
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03-23-2020, 09:09 PM | #25 |
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Re: 55 Fairlane New member/barn find
Sooo, when I get this running, stopping etc. is there a smart order of things you guys like to follow when you’re restoring? (Master list) I have a lot of questions floating around in my head, this will probably be an ongoing post. I appreciate everyone’s input.
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03-24-2020, 10:00 PM | #26 |
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Location: Minnesota
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Re: 55 Fairlane New member/barn find
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Is the rock buster a stock item???[emoji41] Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk |
03-24-2020, 10:28 PM | #27 |
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Re: 55 Fairlane New member/barn find
Here's a previous post on the front crossmember. The Hot Rod Reverend also has a repair section in great detail on his build post.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=278069 You can check them out and decide to repair, replace, whatever is needed. I concur with Don, the bird and pass car fronts are the same. Carefully rebuilt they will perform fine. I looked into that with a well know nationally known frame builder. Bottom line was unless I removed and rebuilt the inner fender to allow huge hoops and rubber band tires, I'd never see the difference except on a race course. The car looks like a great start. First, I'd decide on the engine/trans combo. I'm a Yblock guy, but you might be different, and it depends on what your starting with. After that, brakes fuel system, interior. Does the engine turn over, or is it stuck, or do you know yet. |
03-25-2020, 04:37 AM | #28 |
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Location: Minnesota
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Re: 55 Fairlane New member/barn find
Not sure yet, the carburetor needs to be rebuilt, its in pretty rough shape. Thanks for the information.
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03-25-2020, 09:41 AM | #29 | |
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Re: 55 Fairlane New member/barn find
Quote:
I can help you with the carburetor and the choke on the side of the manifold if it's stuck, when you get to that point. Sal |
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03-26-2020, 09:09 PM | #30 |
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Location: Minnesota
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Re: 55 Fairlane New member/barn find
Glove box,(Time capsule) opened. Ok a little fun tonight, the glove box wouldn’t open with the key and with a little tinkering and no damage to the glove box it popped open🥳 The attached picture is what was inside. I thought the “Blue and Gold incentive stamp was kind of interesting to me as I only remember the “Green Stamps” The car was originally from California so maybe the stamp came from out there. Any thoughts/comments? 😁😎
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03-27-2020, 10:11 AM | #31 |
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Re: 55 Fairlane New member/barn find
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03-27-2020, 11:10 AM | #32 |
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Re: 55 Fairlane New member/barn find
The intake, carb and choke assembly are all 1955. Distributor I would guess is a '55 single diaphragm, but who knows without a picture.
If it was a four barrel engine swapped in, you would have to get casting numbers off the heads to tell. Four barrel engines had different heads with a higher comp. ratio. Sal |
03-27-2020, 01:46 PM | #33 |
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Re: 55 Fairlane New member/barn find
Your car looks to be in great shape to begin your odessy! It looks like you have the correct front crossmember but it may have been replaced at some point judging from the welds. If the car was originally from CA then I wouldn't think the crossmember would rust out however.
A number of years back Car and Parts magazine ran a series of articles on the restoration of a '55 Crown Victoria entitled, I believe, "Restoring Miss Vicky" which they published as a book. You may find a copy on Amazon, eBay, etc. and though it is for a Crown there is a lot that would apply to your car. I have yet to start on my '56 Meteor Rideau Victoria but the book has taught me a lot. Now unfortunately for you and I a great upholstery supplier has gone out of business, ABC Upholstery that was bought out by LeBarron Bonney. They did great but slow work supplying kits. Maybe there has been some news on this front that I'm not aware of though. Good luck! |
03-27-2020, 08:33 PM | #34 |
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Re: 55 Fairlane New member/barn find
The guy who ran ABC is back in business under another name. Unfortunately, I can't remember what it is.
[QUOTE= Now unfortunately for you and I a great upholstery supplier has gone out of business, ABC Upholstery that was bought out by LeBarron Bonney. They did great but slow work supplying kits. Maybe there has been some news on this front that I'm not aware of though. Good luck![/QUOTE]
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03-28-2020, 02:33 AM | #35 |
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Re: 55 Fairlane New member/barn find
Well that is good news! Ford Barn detectives find us our man...!
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03-28-2020, 08:13 AM | #36 |
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Location: Minnesota
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Re: 55 Fairlane New member/barn find
Good morning, according to my neighbor, the car is originally from CA., it was his brother’s who lived out there.(maybe explains the minimal rust but not the cross member). Here are some better pictures of the engine. Have a great day everyone.
Last edited by Jpops55; 03-28-2020 at 08:19 AM. |
03-28-2020, 07:28 PM | #37 |
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Re: 55 Fairlane New member/barn find
Can't see the distributor diaphragm, but the intake is definitely 1955. The intake and carb at least were changed somewhere along the line if the VIN started with a "U".
Sal |
03-28-2020, 07:53 PM | #38 | |
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Re: 55 Fairlane New member/barn find
Quote:
Jpops55 What a '55 Y-block distributor would look like... |
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03-28-2020, 08:27 PM | #39 |
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Re: 55 Fairlane New member/barn find
Haha thanks Sal, I’ll look tomorrow. There seems to be a lot of layers to this “onion” as this goes along.[emoji1]
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03-28-2020, 08:39 PM | #40 |
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Re: 55 Fairlane New member/barn find
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