here are mystery parts in question. Where do these go????

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

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

I will probably see my great Uncle Charles again in about a month to pick up that door and to get a rough parts car from his brother, and to get a better look at what I glanced at concerning that 2 deuce set up...

On a different note for the convertible, I finally got a chance to unload all of the extra parts from the trunk and really have a solid hour or two with the car checking things out. The floor pans were welded in exceptionally well, along with new(er) inner rockers. I will probably look to EMS to get the outer skins I need.

About those mounts for both of the top cylinders - they were still attached to the cylinders (unbolted from the car and laying in the trunk). BUT I freaked out when I noticed that there were two pieces of sheet metal - triangular shaped, about 1 foot tall, that looked as if they had rusted away from somewhere in the well or inside the quarter panel. They looked like the pieces that hold the mounts for the cylinders (both had a U shaped center so I assume these are for the top cylinders) I will have to post some pics later.

After going through everything, I could not identify about 20% of the parts! I know sedans pretty well, but I have not been around convertibles too much. My Uncle Charles has forgotten half of what he knows - by the way, I posted a pic of his 56 Sunliner. He has owned this one for over 30 years. He did say that I am starting with something nicer than what he had to begin with.

I would really like to go with a floor shift 3 speed trans hooked to the Y. I have a few 3 speeds I could check out. I think they are all T86's though. Anyone know of a good source for floor shift/shifter - one that works right and won't hit the stock seat?

Here are couple more photos of the "damage"...

Oh yes - did I mention he also has a daily driver 57 Ford F100, 292 powered, with an automatic greasing system??? It is nice. Next time I am down, I will take another photo.

Dan

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

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

Seems like you better grab that 2-2 intake also. Great conversation/collector piece anyway or maybe two barry grants? hmm gives me an idea.

       A  L  A  N   F  R  A  K  E  S   ~  Tulsa, OK    

I would double check on the door. I know that the vent window assemblies are different between the 55 and 56 convt. One of them has a longer front mounting arm (among other differences). Ford used to make a bracket/fitting that allowed you to interchange the vent windows, but those are long gone. I cant imagine that they would have changed the stamping between years - the mounting holes, etc. might still be on the 56 door, but not sure? Someone who knows much more than I can chime in for sure.



Also, I think the interior arm rests attached differently between the years. Not sure if there would be the same provisions, etc for that or if you would have to graft or rig something up?



Sounds like some great resources and parts though! Im really jealous - I need another project!

Ron Grove

Wauconda, IL

Fellas,

I am down in NC this week visiting all of my family for Christmas and New Years, showing off photos of the 55 sunliner. My uncle charles has a 56 - he is a little jealous. He told me that he started with something a whole lot rougher and had to pay a little more (almost 20 years ago!). He gave some good info too, but unfortunately Charles is so old he has forgotten half of what he already knew. He also had 2 or 3 Y blocks sitting in his shed with the 56. One of the blocks had a double 2 barrel setup for the Y??? Never have seen that one before. Should have asked him about it, but we were so busy going over Sunliner information.

He did have a super straight, super clean door (drivers side, from a 56), and only wanted $200 for it. No glass, but the regulator and door mechanism are there. He has forgotten how different the 55 and 56 doors are. I told him I assumed that only the holes for the exterior stainless trim are different. The door had NO rust in the bottom end, and no dents anywhere!

Then my other uncle Franklin has a 55 4 door parts (272, 2 barrel) car he wants to sell me....for $300! It has a 3 speed and is mostly complete, but still missing that hood I am looking for. I will need most of the dash and the heater parts.

So...I am coming back when the ground freezes over down here in Mt Airy, picking up that parts car and getting that door. I showed Charles and Franklin the Y block magazine and some of the other materials, told them about the new heads about to come out, etc. Both of them are about in their 80's, don't know much about computers, and have forgotten quite a bit. But Charles said to me, "Well, sounds like the rest of the world has finally caught on to what we always knew - the Y block motor was one of the best engines Ford ever made!" (Then he picked up his claw hammer banjo and strummed a little...)

Christmas is still here

Dan

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

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

Daniel,

       thanks for letting me know on the trailor, we sure had a lot more problems out her in Vegas when trying to use/rent one. There must be different sizes and I probably had some inexperianced people that I was trying to rent from.

                                                       Michael

Michael

Sandy Valley, NV

Also, in the interior parts, i just found this...

http://fairlanecompanymi.com/ShoppingCart/RCatalog.asp

Ive never used them, but might be worth looking at if yours are trashed.

Ron Grove

Wauconda, IL

Aussiebill,I've never seen a 56 Ford that I didn't love,but I believe yours is the most spectacular one I've ever seen!Just beautiful!

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

Daniel, congratulations on your new project, looks like a great start and will be a great car completed, my 56 sunliner was from CA and looked worse than your pics after being a pile of parts on 4 wheels but many years later and great satisfaction i have a  nice 50,s classic. If you use later transmissions with short extension housings, the front uni joint is further forward and the tail shaft may hang on that center cross member when jacked up, i have allways just trimmed the edges for more clearance. A nice xmas present. Regards Aussie Bill.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

Oh, and oone other thing.  Those front fenders (at least drivers side) is from a 56.  If you can get to a 55 fender, take a large sheet of paper and trace the holes for the mounting of the front stainless.  And dry-fit prior to painting.  I had to stencil my fenders (they were from a 55), and i didnt check prior to painitng (i know, i know) and my stainless is about 1/8" high at the door.  Drives me bonkers every time i look at it.  Same for front fender Y-8 emblems  Also, there are (at least on 56's) brackets on the front of the fenders that the grille mounts to.  Probably different for a 55 due to different grille design, but would be worth looking in a parts book to confirm. 

Ron Grove

Wauconda, IL