Hi Guys, Getting my new 57 Ford fairlane 500 soon. Any suggestions on what I can do to get more HP out of what I think is a 292 possible 312 with out pulling the engine out for now ?

It already has dual exhaust but maybe I could do more and keep it looking pretty stock. I would not rule out headers, cam, ETC.

Thanks

Bob

Wis

Upgrading the early rocker arms & distributor would likely be the easiest ways to produce noticeable improvement, assuming everything else is already well tuned. Just the rebuilding & setup of my tired '55 Loadomatic dist. on a Sun machine made it seem like someone had installed a supercharger when I wasn't looking. Switching to high-ratio rockers & tubular pushrods lets it run much stronger now, all the way past redline with no discernible valve float.

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

He has a '57 fairlane, unless I missed something it should already have the later distributor and rockers...

Bob, what do you have now? 2 barrel, 4 barrel? Still have points? How dirty do you want to get? Need to know your starting point.

May I suggest a Pertronix Ignitor II and Flame Thrower II coil. My engine starts and runs soo much smoother after eliminating the points (actually I have a Ignitor III because I wanted the built in rev limiter and multi-spark).

Think you mentioned you had an Automajic??

"The Master Cylinder"

Enjoying life at the beach in SOCAL

Oops, sorry, overlooked that '57' part. It WOULD have the HR rockers (assuming they haven't been replaced over the years with the available lower ratio 'service' parts). Still, a '57 points distributor might see a similar benefit if it is worn and needs rebuilding/setup. The Pertronix likely won't improve the advance curve if it's way off.

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

Beyond ignition parts replacement, check the initial ignition timing. Y Blocks LOVE a lot of initial advance... some guys are running as much as 12 degrees initial or more on their Y's.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

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

Since it is a '57 it should already have most of the better factory parts. The first course of action is to verify that everything is stock and original (or better). Once you have determined what you have, you can move forward.
The cheapest thing will be to tune what you have. The timing is "safe." The fuel is probably not perfect. Working on those should provide noticeable gains.
Then you can work on bolt-ons, headers, intake, heads, blower or turbo, nitrous, a second engine and set it up for all wheel drive.


Lawrenceville, GA

The 57 fairlane came yesterday and it's a 2 barrel carb with original dist and power brakes.. Looks like I'll be looking for a 4 barrel manafold, holley 4 barrel carb and a new dist. Along with that a set of headers ( it needs new exhaust system ) and a small cam of some kind.

What and where would any of you suggest I get these parts so I can start getting my hands dirty ?

Thanks

Bob

Wis

You can start making your wish list here... PAPA JOHN's (Mummert) Y-BLOCK GO-FAST PARTS AND ROCK EMPORIUM Try not to drool all over your keyboard.

Then mosey over to here... Red's Header's

"The Master Cylinder"

Enjoying life at the beach in SOCAL

The distributor should be fine. I've got a 4 bbl manifold (9425-B) and a Holley 1850 (ECZ AD, List 1273-1) that would be correct for the car if it's an automatic. The manifold has one threaded hole for the coil mount where the bolt snapped and then an easy-out snapped while trying to remove the bolt. Would need to be drilled and tapped. Other than that it's fine. The carb is in very good condition; should get a rebuild kit and it's ready to go. Shoot me a PM and I'll send some pictures if you're interested.

That is a really sweet looking car! One of my favorite color combos and body styles.

Marc

'54 Merc ragtop

Pt Townsend, WA   

                                                                                                                                   

The car is a 3 speed with O.D.....Being new to this. ...Why doe's it matter if it's not automatic ?

Thanks

Bob

Wis