I'd like to find a Ranchero or Wagon that I can get under to verify clearances

[KYBlueOval]

My body is about ready to reinstall on the chassis, but I'd like to find a Ranchero or Wagon that I can crawl under to check some clearances in the rear axle area, and the factory gas tank area, before I reinstall the body and find out I don't have the clearance I had hoped for. Car need not be running, just be such that I can crawl under it.
So, is there anyone in Kentucky, Southern Indiana or around Cincinnati that has a Ranchero or Wagon that I could crawl under ?
Thanks
John

[djfordmanjack]

what do you need John. my 57 CS is ready all the time to go on the lift. I know that you cannot inspect in person, but if I can help you let me know.

[KYBlueOval]

G............Thanks for the offer. The area I'd like to see first hand is the body floor area just in front , above and behind the rear axle and the rear frame crossmember that the shocks mount to. I ran my fuel  and brake lines on the side of the frame facing the drive shaft in this area, crossing over the frame further forward to the outside of the frame.I did all of this while the body was 40 miles away in body shop jail.
Once I got the body home and can look at the body and the frame only feet apart, I'm concerned about the accessibility of the location where the Fuel Hard Lines convert to a flex line. I'm using AN fittings and SS braided hose for both supply and return. Again my concern is will I be able to get my hands in where the AN fitting will be to service the flexible fuel line.
Since I posted this question, a local friend has told me of a '59 Wagon laying on its side in an old salvage yard. A quick check of the EMS catalog says the '59 sheet metal is not interchangeable with the '57/'58 so I'm not sure if this '59 will answer my clearance question. But then how different is a '59 from a '57/'58 in this area?  FYI......The Gas Tank is the same for '57-'59 Ranchero and Wagon
Below are a couple of photos of the area I'm talking about. In the first photo the line with the green tape (Shorter Line) is the supply line. I foolishly mounted a fuel filter to the frame rail where that line terminates. Well there was no room for the filter being there once the body is installed. What was I thinking............I wasn't.
So, once the body is installed, will I be able to get a wrench or two and my hands to the end of the supply line(Green Tape) to attach or remove the braided SS flex line?  I'm thinking it is too tight an area for my fat hands and stubby fingers. Thus I should  move the attachment point further forward or further back? Or remake the supply line. Getting under a Ranchero or Wagon will quickly tell me what can be done
The return line is the line with the yellow tape and my thought is to shorten it to where you see the yellow tape. I'm of the opinion I can get to the that area once the body is in place.
The fuel filter will be mounted to the body in the area above the forward part of the tank . You can see that area in photo number two
Photo number three shows the area where the supply line presently terminates by my best guestimating, which leads me to again think I must change the line, longer, shorter or replace it, as once the frame is in that area, there will be very limited access.
So tell me what you think.
Thanks
John

[djfordmanjack]

John, I believe I see your critical area and concerns. Off my head I am tempted to say you will not have any problems, BUT, let me study my undercarriage pic files and maybe I can shed some more light on this. If not, I can put the wagon on the lift tomorrow and we can work things out.

[dgasman]

I am kinda doing the same thing on my ranchero but with the body on . The line that terminates towards the front looks like it will have very limited space for wrenches. Here is a few pics of mine. Hope it helps

[dgasman]

Another picture. I have my fuel lines terminating a little more to the rear

[djfordmanjack]

John, Dgasman has posted some great pics of the area. I searched my extensive pic files of both the DelRio and 4dr wgn, but couldnt find any useful pics really. it sure is a tight area. I wonder why we don't see the handbrake cable brackets on your frame. did you remove them ?
I found this pic of my DR and it is viewed from front to back. if you could stay as low as the brake cable bracket, It looks as if you could have good access to your fittings. It also appears like that in dgasmans pics. that floorwell area is pretty shallow and doesnt go all the way to the bottom frame line.

[KYBlueOval]

Thanks to both of you for your replies and interest in this problem I've created. The photos confirm the tight clearances. As well, yesterday I drove to a very old salvage yard in Southern Indiana to take a look at a '59 wagon that is laying on its passenger side, so I could walk right up to it and examine the areas that I wanted to see.

Took a lot of photos, and studied it for awhile and confirmed that I must move the supply line further back to the area near the rear cross member where the  shocks mount. 

Thought about mounting the fuel filter along the "outside" of the frame, but decided there was not enough room, between the frame and the inner rocker. It might fit, but getting it out later on would be a real problem. So, I've decided to mount the filter to the body, parallel to the driver's side gas tank strap, between the strap and the spare tire well, running North And South, at the front attachment point of the strap. I'll be able to reach it without too much trouble in the future.........I hope. I'm planning on terminating both hard fuel lines in front of the rear cross member, and from there back to the, in the tank fuel pump, with braided SS hose.That is the plan, we'll see if it all works out.
I'll position the fuel filter as described and take a photo tomorrow and post it. I plan on changing the supply line over the weekend, so maybe by Monday I'll have this finished, if life doesn't get in the way.
Thanks, I really appreciate your thoughts and input.
John

[KYBlueOval]

I'm a day late on getting these photos posted............Life got in the way. A 2-3 Hour Home project turned into a most of the day project.
Here are a few photos , First one is the filter and the fittings I believe I'll be using. Second is the filter held where I plan to install it and Third is a a shot a little further back so you can get a better perspective of where the filter will be mounted.
John

[gasman826]

What about attaching the filter right to the tank...accessible and fewer fittings...just a thought.

[KYBlueOval]

Gary, Thanks for your reply. I'm not sure I understand your suggestion. Could you give me a few more details on where and how to "attach it to the tank"?
Thanks
John

[RICH MUISE]

I'm wondering why you want it way back by the tank. I ran my rigid supply line along the frame and ended it just rear of the toe board area, where I attached the filter and transitioned to the ss braided flex line.

[gasman826]

The tank fitting is inverted flare and assuming the filter fitting is inverted flare, an inverted flare male union would screw into the tank and the filter to the union.  Maybe an elbow to point the filter toward the fuel line and tuck it up closer to the tank.  The filter is small and light enough to not need a support bracket.

I am also assuming tank mounted fuel pump for EFI.  Filter should be after the pump...mechanical or electric.  On my electric pumps, I run filters on both sides...a course, pre-filter to protect the pump and fine filter to protect the injectors and sensors.

[KYBlueOval]

Rich and Gary.........Thanks for the replies. Gary, I now understand what you have in mind. I'll look at it closer today to see what is possible.
Thanks
John