hi guys. I'm new to your site, and new to the 57 Fords. I have been around GM products all of my gearhead life.
I have Oldsmobiles, one that I race and one that I'm building into AWB race car. Anyway enough about those.
I am here to learn what I can about these 57s. Mine is a 300 Custom 6cyl 4spd. I have liked this body stile for
a long time. I didn't know they are not Fairlanes. I bought it to drive every chance I get. I just really dig this car.
I have noticed not many pictures posted other than in the gallery. I figured I would post some ,just not sure were
to put them.
I have probably met some of you at Byron dragway, that is my home track.
I have lots to learn about these 57.
You came to the right place, welcome! It's amazing how many times you see customs on ebay or----advertised as Fairlanes.
LOL...reminds me of the guy one time that told me "nice car, I use to have one just like it. What is it?"
You can post them in the forums or in the gallery. Up to you, all pics are welcome. Hope you enjoy it here...Welcome.
ok thanks, here some pics.
I did repaint the driver side door and rear 1/4. its a 10 footer.
just no new picture.
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p15/XLERATOR/102_4384-1.jpg)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p15/XLERATOR/102_4385.jpg)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p15/XLERATOR/102_4378.jpg)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p15/XLERATOR/102_4377.jpg)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p15/XLERATOR/102_4373.jpg)
Welcome 6cyl, glad you could join the gang!
Tim :unitedstates:
Welcome aboard. My first 57 in 1966 was a custom, 6 cylinder 3 spd. I see you have a later 223 or at least the head.. What 4 spd are you using?
Man, to me that is just the perfect driver. I'm gonna have to think about getting another '57 one of these days. six banger stick would be just fine with me.
hiball, I don't know what trans it is other than its not a top loader,and it is an iron case.
as for the engine and head combo. Couldn't tell you much about them either. other
than you sure cant get in hurry when driving this car.
I assume its the 223 that it came with, but it was originally a 3spd car. i have seen
other pictures of the early 6 and I thought I saw center bolt valve cover.
6cyl57,
You are right about the valve cover, two center bolts, actually studs, until 1960 then the head casting was changed to use the valve cover like you have. If the trans has a side cover it could be a T10.
Welcome 6cyl57. Nice ride you have there!
6cyl. My name is Tom Drummond, I am the midwest Director for the club and I just live up in Rockton Il. should be close to you. I helped get the y-blocks and 57 Fords to the Melt down at Byron. If you need any help, or just want to talk 57 Fords give me a call 815-871-8017
Hi guys,just got back from out rowing the gears. Just cant get enough . Every time I go some place in this
car I get the thumbs up. Its been from 8 year old kids to 60 year old women. And well guys too.
Tom, thanks for the offer I will take you up on it. I plan to have it at the Meltdown. Koopmeiner said I could be his tow back car. He is with the Fugitives. you probably know him.
oh and just in case what anyone wants to know what I paid for it. I didn't get a smoking deal ,but I'm sure I didn't get hurt on it either. It was 5000. no floor work needs to be done except two 2" soft spots in the trunk. Its no show car
but I can park it right up front at Wally world
In front at Wallyworld...funny.
5K??? what were you thinking?? You could have picked up a rotted out one for 2K like the rest of us, and had the fun of spending at least the other 3k, and hundreds of hours, on fixing the rust over the next three years. Of course that's only if you could do all the work yourself.
I don't know why your car in particular strikes home for me, but I've been doing an every nut, bolt and everything else restomod on mine for the past 6 years but when I look at your car it makes me feel like I destroyed the car I loved to drive. I was serious on an earlier post when I said some day I need to look into another one.
Rich
You may not have seen this in another thread but this is my first 57 in 1966. Custom 300 223 3spd. It had about 45,000 original miles and I paid $400 for it.
Quote from: hiball3985 on 2012-12-28 09:35
You may not have seen this in another thread but this is my first 57 in 1966. Custom 300 223 3spd. It had about 45,000 original miles and I paid $400 for it.
wow cool picture ! That looks like mine. I was born in '66. from what I can tell these 300s were about $2300 new. So yes I
over paid..... :002: .
Rich,I have been down that road. well maybe not to the extent you are. I can certainly appreciate what it takes to do
what you are doing. My other two cars have been off the frames and a million parts.
Quote from: 6cyl57 on 2012-12-28 14:07
wow cool picture ! That looks like mine. I was born in '66. from what I can tell these 300s were about $2300 new. So yes I
over paid..... :002: .
Rich,I have been down that road. well maybe not to the extent you are. I can certainly appreciate what it takes to do
what you are doing. My other two cars have been off the frames and a million parts.
Your 300 is better then mine, mine didn't have a clock :003:
Welcome 6cyl57, nice ride you got there.
6cyl57,
If you happen to see this post I had a thought when working on the 223 in my truck this weekend. You mentioned you can get in a hurry with your car. One thing that is critical to a 223 performance is the vacuum advance, the 223 distributor has NO mechanical advance and depends entirely on the vacuum advance. If that isn't working properly the engine becomes a real dog.
Quote from: hiball3985 on 2012-12-27 17:20
6cyl57,
You are right about the valve cover, two center bolts, actually studs, until 1960 then the head casting was changed to use the valve cover like you have. If the trans has a side cover it could be a T10.
I looked at the trans last night. No side cover. It has a tin cover on top.
any idea what trans this is?
thanks
6cyl. Any ford trans. with the tin cover is called a top loder, because the gears load from the top ,not the side like a borg or muncie. If I hade to guess on your's I would say it is a light duty out of a late 70's or early 80's Granada, It is a 3 speed, with the 4th gear as an overdrive. They are a great transmission, but will not hold a lot of horse power. Install a tach and see the R.P.M. drop between 3rd and 4th. Tom
See if you can get any numbers off of it.
http://www.davidkeetoploaders.com/idchart1.htm
the overdrive toploader has a bulge on the right side and the tail shaft housing shifter mounting bosses need to be drilled and tapped. When driving, the ratio difference between third and fourth is very noticeable. With a six and 4.11 gears, great off the line performance and still get mileage!!!!!!
thanks,I found the tag. And with all your help this is what it is.
HEH-G 1964 Mustang 260, 289 wide 25-spline .
And from the vin tag break down if it still has the original
rear end it is a 3.70 gear.
Good, glad you found it. I can't remember if 57's came with gear ratio tags on the third member, I know some 9" did. It should be attached to one of the top studs. Might be worth looking
They did, and I'm assuming that's what he found that told him they were 3.70's
Rich, I think he was taking that info from the Vin tag. But over the years who know's what someone put in. And what year did the change the fill plug to the housing, I can't remember? But I remember putting a later rear end in one of my 57's and had no way to fill it :005: I had to jack up one side, pull the axle and pour it down the housing tube :003:.