55 Ford drivetrain upgrades

Got to road test it today and much better,no howling coming from the rear so it must have been the tailshaft bushing and the rear end and the only noise I heard was the slight rumble from the mufflers.

Now that there is no howl from the trans or rear end a noise from the motor was heard on the trip,turning up the radio got rid of that noise like it did with the howl.

Don't change the motor, put in a bigger amp and more speakers. Alex came over this AM. We got heat! Was pretty cold in the castle last nite.

I have located some E7 heads in Muncie Indiana and a new 351 cam somewhere in texas so this will be a project early next fall,I just got too much to do until then. Did you have him hook up the other areas in the house too.

junkyardjeff wrote:I have located some E7 heads in Muncie Indiana and a new 351 cam somewhere in texas so this will be a project early next fall,I just got too much to do until then. Did you have him hook up the other areas in the house too.

We got heat in the one bedroom and the bathroom that we didn't have before and he's going to see bout getting parts to hook it up in the front room. I just wanted some heat right now. Take it one step at a time. It was getting damned chilly in the house. The only one happy was the Husky. She loved it.

Let me know if ya make a run to Muncie. I'd like to stop in and see Mitch. I might head that way to take in the Indy Car Show. Wanted to do the Cincy Show but heat was more important. Man it's hot here!

It turns out the heads are a little west of Indy so I will see if he can hold them until the show.

He is going to hold the heads for me and will be getting the new cam too so another project to do this summer,I dont know if I will ever get to paint the garage with all I have to do when it warms up

Getting it ready for the trip to Daytona next month and its finally going to get working wipers,I tried getting the original vacumn wipers working but gave up and ordered a electric wiper kit and parts to get the windshield washers working. Coming home last year in the rain at dark in the mountains of Tenn is something I dont want to do again with no wipers.

When you get down this way...If you have the time give me a yell.

Electric wiper kit came today and will go in tomorrow night.

And I wanna help. I checked into that supplier over 20 years ago. Since then I've had the old wagon and two Mercurys I've driven for 20 + years w/o wipers. Thought maybe if I helped I might spring for a kit. Wipers, radios and upholstery are extremely over rated (at least in my world).

Mr. Fabulous wrote: Wipers, radios and upholstery are extremely over rated (at least in my world).

Your world and mine, I like the reflection of sound deadening material! Rain X is the best.

IT HAS WIPERS NOW for the first time since I started driving it,the kit is fine as is if the dash is out but the brackets for the wiper motor are threaded and its hard to hit the small holes so I ran the bolts down the opposite way to use as studs then found nuts in the junk drawers to tighten it up and it woks great. Now to get the windshield washers working and I ordered a special speaker for the dash that should give me a better sound then what I had.

Tried working on the washer pump and there is a piece that is not reproduced that is shot so I am going to see if I can add a switch to the pedal assembly to go electric,I will use a early 60s bag and pump for a vintage look.

Ran into rain on the way home and it was nice to have working wipers and the electric washer was a treat too.

Reconfigured the stereo system,removed the stereo from under the seat and mounted it in a gutted 8 track under the dash. While it was apart I added a USB adapter and a Sirius tuner that turned out to be still activated but who knows for how long. Its a Pioneer system that I can still add a few more things like a Ipod adapter and multi disc changer but I doubt I will go that far when the USB port will get me plenty of tunes from flash drives and MP3 players. Since I had to pull the front seat and there was a bunch of rotten foam under the seat I kept it out and installed the extra 2 door seat I had to use while I rebuild the original seat,I am not sure if I just want to add new foam only and replace broken springs or completely reupholster. I am going to find suppliers of the correct vinyl since I want to stitch it up myself instead of buying ready made covers,if I did not have the extra seat I would buy the covers due to it being quicker but I have plenty of time now with the extra seat. Next week I will pull the valve covers and see if I can find the source of the noise.

Like to see how you did that with the radio. Cool idea.

I'd really like to see a pic or two of the car and of the stereo install.

Later,

Lee

Still looking for a 235?

I am still looking for the tall side cover 235 which was made from 41 to 49,I might have a 261 located if it could be shipped reasonably.

I am hoping the previous owner of the Sirius tuner bought a life time membership since I have been told if the unit has been removed from a vehicle before cancelling the subscription it will work until its noticed back in operation then a signal will be sent turning it off,if its not hooked up to power there is no way they can shut it off so with my luck its going to be on for a short time and I will have to add it to my account.

Went and checked out Junkyard Jeff's stereo setup last evening. Looks pretty slick, I really like the trick of controlling the volume with the original old radio. Makes for a clean looking install.

Decided to get the shiny stuff off the motor and go for the look when I originally put it togather,I found a set of factory valve covers off a 302 boat motor that have nothing stamped on them so I can put Y block police interceptor stickers on them and go back to a more period looking painted air cleaner. I have been having issues with the cheap valve covers allowing oil to blow out on the motor so its back to OEM parts.

Cool! post a pic when you get 'em on.

Later,

Lee