Okay back for more help. Trying to turn her over with the starter. I got myself a brand new Battery and new cables (the old ones were rubbish) and installed it correctly (+ to ground).
 
First attempt and the solenoid clicks and even got the starter to make a little noise but it doesn't engage and turn the engine over (I should point out the plugs are still out of the car, not trying to run it yet, just get the starter going and prime the oil. will also run compression tests) I took some videos of the attempts so you guys might be able to help me out.  here's the second attempt, and you can hear about 30 seconds in the starter runs for a moment:


After a few more attempt I called it quits for the day and let it rest. I put the battery on a trickle charge overnight to make sure it was full just in case sitting on a shelf for who knows how long had drained it of some juice. I also took the starter cable off and cleaned the leads with a wire wheel to make sure all the connections between the battery and starter were clean contacts. so I try again, ans as before solenoid clicks and the starter buzzes, but that's all I'm getting, have a listen:

and here:



So do I have a bad solenoid or a bad starter? or both? is it just something stuck? or maybe the battery I go doesn't have the juice to crank it?

I've been following the Shop manual to troubleshoot this, and it says that if the starter runs, but the engine doesn't crank, to disassemble the starter drive and clean with kerosene, which is not something I'm keen on, when I don't really know thing 1 about starters. so hopefully your keen ears and mind knows what direction I should head down. Thank you.

Well for all you keen eyed observers, you can check out my thread on the car in the "This n that" section, but it seems like nothing gets past you guys.

This particular Glasstop Crown Victoria being a standard shift is unusual by itself but that kilometer reading speedometer makes this car very unique.  There has to be a good back story on this one. 

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Cool car, a glass top too! Maybe along with the KM/H speedo, those rods are Fords early "Export Braces"??


"FREE SAMPLE"

Prof, From brodie knob (not sure of proper word here) to the 200MPH speedo I think you have a real gem to start with. Looks very solid.  I am looking forward to seeing your progress on this! Cheers - Bob

AKA   Bob-93021

Again thanks for all the replies, I think I'm going to to a new thread about the Car and her history, she's got a story and some quirks. So I'll just tease that here, while I organize and write that out.

Daniel, I have a copy of that book, it was with the car, luckily enough. You know I never thought about those Cowl to Fender rods before. I guess seeing them everytime I just assumed they were stock, but having poked my nose around a few 55's and 56's here at shows I haven't seen them either, so I'll have to investigate it. The car is pretty solid structurally, so it may just be one of her many quirks. They don't actually interfere very much, the photos are a little deceptive. It was the coil and fuel line that gave me the most hassle when I pulled the valve covers.

To the OP, one other thing that may be a help to you would be to purchase the book entitled "Resurrection of Vicky" (I think that's the title) by the Cars and Parts Magazine in the 80's. It is really not so much as it is a collection of articles of how they had a 55 Crown Victoria restored by a shop in the midwest. Boatloads of pictures specific to the car, helpful tips, etc. You can probably find on on fleabay.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

To the OP, I looked at the photos as well, you have a very good car to start a restoration with. It seems to be very solid and everything there. Maybe you could post pictures of the progress in the "This and That" section? I know I would sure like to see that glasstop Crown come back to life.

One question - any idea on that firewall/fender support rod setup? I have never seen a 55/56 Ford that needed support rods like that under the hood. If you don't know now, I would surely investigate why that may be the case so that you can address the cause as you put it all back together. That way you can leave those rods out of there - that has to be a pain when working on the Y.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Yes, nice looking car, you are very lucky.

Thanks Ted, all of that was gobbledygook to an ol dinosaur like me, but the two pics it allowed me to see..I agree with you, looks like a keeper!
Theprof793, nice car! Good luck with it!! As I have a 55CV myself, one more back on the road is a VERY GOOD thing! :0)
Rowen

Rowen
55CV
Woodland, Ca