I always enjoy reading about anyones progress, and they’ve been done in different ways here. You might take a look at

https://www.hotrodreverend.com/blog

HRR has done a great job of putting different segment’s together. There’s one titled keeping your restoration moving that might be worth a look for you. Given the commonalities of a lot of Fomoco systems, you might find some of the blogs useful also.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Hey guys, thanks a lot for your input. Yeah, I've been all over the place on this site regarding the rebuild. Never been on a forum before and never rebuilt a car before. I've been trying not to get going on too many projects on this car at a time but a lot of this build is dollar dependent. Working pt at Lowe's to make parts money so there's a lot of time cleaning engine parts.
The first thing I did once I got her home was to gut the interior. There was a whole lot of pack rat feces in there that I had to get rid of in order to feel safe opening the door. I continued gutting it til there was just the steering wheel and dash left. Happy to see that the floor was as rust free as I was hoping.
Then I disassembled the engine and took it and the hydra matic tranny out and separated them. The engine and heads went to the shop to get baked and checked. They came out just fine. I had to order .040 over pistons and rings and will have him replace all the bearings.
Since the engine is out I am now replacing the bushings on the steering and suspension systems and cleaning up the engine bay for painting. I'm changing the color. Painting the susp and steering parts. I've been doing a really good job at cleaning the engine parts and hoping to find a way to test them before reinstalling them.
Thes are my plans so far, brakes, fuel system, engine reinstall, wiring, interior, paint, and I'm almost donei realize it's not quite that simple but I am optimistic since almost everything is present and in good shape . I haven't had to use anything but wrenches, sockets and a breaker bar so far. And I've disassembled quite a bit of the car.
Someone suggested that I start a forum topic on this rebuild. I don't quite know in which category to do it.
Thinking about it now, This topic was whether or not to keep the original engine or not. Seems to have gotten off on a bit of a tangent. But as you probably know, I am keeping the original 317 and boring it out to a 323. Gonna figure out a way to get dual exhaust ang eliminate the crossover pipe.
If someone can tell me where I should start a new topic for just the rebuild, I'd appreciate it. Thanks again for the advice. I will be looking for more when it comes to me testing my parts.

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri

It may or may not have an electromagnetic clutch, check for an electrical connection on the compressor. If there is no electrical connection then the only way to disengage the compressor is to remove the belt. Without a cycling clutch and the associated thermostatic controls outlet temperature was controlled by a system of valves that bypassed refrigerant flow around the evaporator. The compressor itself is an adaptation from commercial refrigeration such as freezer cabinets for supermarkets. The compressor looks plenty stout and could likely be converted to R-134a refrigerant with no durability issues, but as miker says, the heat exchangers (evaporator and condenser)  may not work all that well on 134a.

Here's an interesting read on 1950s automotive ac:
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/cold-comfort-history-of-automotive-air-conditioning-part-3-post-world-war-ii/

That compressor is pretty cool, I’ve had motorcycles with engines that weren’t that big. Before you get too far down the road, better find out if it can be converted to 12volts, can be converted to modern Freon (what ever we’re supposed to be using now) and if the rest of the system in convertible and useable. I don’t know anything about the Lincoln, but I know some early systems were different, blowing from the trunk up the headliner etc. Cool as it is, it might not be up to standards of todays systems, especially after it’s converted. And in Sierra Vista you’ll need it most of the time.

The wiring probably deserves another post when you get to it. But I’ve never seen a 50’s car that wasn’t due for a complete harness. Even in the Pacific Northwest, the insulation is failing and cracking even it it “looks” good.

Great progress

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

If it's a cycling clutch compressor the clutch is likely 6 volts to match the rest of the electrical system. Many 6 volt devices work just fine on 12 volts ( 6v starters come to mind), but others don't (6v overdrive solenoids). It may or may not be an issue. If it is an issue you'd have to replace the clutch with a 12v unit or swap the compressor out for a more modern one.

For cleaning do you have a power washer? It will blow off a lot of buildup. I cover up the fenders and wind shield. I’ve used oven cleaner, purple power, etc after first power wash pump bottle soaking and paint brushes with at least 1/2 the bristles cut off. A leaf blower helps dry.

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri

It has a really big ac compressor on it and I don't want there to be a power issue. Plus it needs a wiring harness

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri

Why would you change it to 12 volts?

I have always wanted to keep the original 317 y block but the costs of rebuilding it became a question. The block and heads are in the shop. The mechanic says that the heads are okay as is. I will have him replace the main, rod and cam bearings The block has been bored out .040 over, I have pistons being made. That'll cost me over a grand. I will be changing it to 12 volt, especially since it has a gargantuan two cylinder ac compressor on the engine.
I am currently working on the engine bay. Removing everything in the firewall and fenders. I am also cleaning all the steering and suspension parts, replacing anything that has rubber on them. I will be rattle can painting those parts and sanding down the bay. I will be having the bay painted the same color as the exterior of the car. I'm thinking about painting the steering and suspension parts a dark green and/or black.
Everything so far has been disassembled with wrenches or sockets. No need for fire or saws. I will be getting the body painted most likely before the engine gets finished. This was supposed to be a 5 year project, but it seems to be going a bit faster than I thought.
Yes, there's still the engine install, after the hydra matic tranny gets checked out, the interior completely rebuilt, the brakes and fuel systems rebuilt. But, I think it's going to be a lot faster than originally thought. The most time consuming thing is the cleaning of the parts. So much grease and grime on everything. There's like 1/8 inch of hardened crap on everything. I've been using putty knives, screwdrivers and Dremel wire wheels. Today I used CLR in a tub with my intake manifold and water pump that had a lot of rust inside them. I had a long handled scrub brush to scrub them inside.
I am almost ready to start painting the steering and suspension parts as soon as I get everything cleaned off correctly.
I will also be cleaning the frame of the car, which is impeccably clean, and paint them with black chassis paint. Once again, this car is as close to showroom condition, on the under carriage and metal parts. There's just lots of grease and grime on all the parts that I have to clean off. It is painstakingly timely. I sure would like to know how to get these parts cleaned and paint ready besides scraping with a screwdriver or putty knives.
This is basically an update for this project.
There are quite a few seals on the suspension and steering parts that could use replacement but finding them is proving difficult. I have new control arm bushings, 8 of them, front shocks,and suspension links. I think that's what they are called.
I guess that's about it for now. Taking my time and trying to enjoy it as much as I can. I can see the finished project in my head, and it's for my wife. So I just keep plugging along. If anyone has any advise to give me to help me go forward, I sure would appreciate it.
There's not much to photograph to show progress. But if someone wants to see something in particular, go ahead and ask. I will take a pic and post it.
Thanks for reading all this and for any advice you may have. Peace out

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri