1957 country sedan build

[mustang6984]

Nice pics! LOL!!!

But seriously...congrats! It has been over 40 years since I finished the front suspension on mine...(haven't gotten any further than that but that's another story for another day)...and the feeling was grand. Good for you!

[1930artdeco]

Ok, small update. Rear shocks are now in and bolted down, along with the differential. I was able to get the right rear brakes installed and the parking brake cables set up a bit more on the right side. However, when I went to install the left rears the parking brake lever actuator split on me when I was trying to crimp in the new cable. Does anyone have a spare left lever they would sell me?

Mike

[1930artdeco]

Update, The tranny crossmember is out and the tranny will come out tomorrow and be set aside. I figured out that Fords quality was NOT job #1 in the 50's. I will have to rethread all of the bolt holes and one of the caged nuts in the frame has come out. So, I have to choices-let it rattle around or try and epoxy it in as my 110 welder isn't strong enough to tack it down.

The new tranny is ready to go in and the engine is done and will be picked up on monday. Still having problems with the parking brake cables so am going to have to modify the spring by shortening it about two inches. The tank is ready to go in I just need to run the long lines. After the tank is done and lines run I will start in on the glass, seals felts etc. I will slowly put the engine back together, paint her and stuff her in probably next month.

Mike

[mustang6984]

There are threaded inserts you can buy to replace the ones that were in the frame. I used them...just drove them in. They will not move. However...because I am anal...we also welded them to the frame at 12-6-9-3. They won't be going ANYWHERE. Got them at Fastenal I believe. There are also several companies on E-Bay that sell various sorts...if you want to wait for shipping.   

[djfordmanjack]

great progress Mike, you are really moving forward in a quick pace !

[1930artdeco]

Thank you Guenter. I hope to be like you one day just cruising around the country in my wagon-with the wife of course. I am slowly getting there.

Mike

[1930artdeco]

Just picked up my new engine from Tim and she shore is purty! Now to figure out how to get her out of the car and onto the stand.

Original tranny is out. It took me an hour and half to separate the bell housing because of all of the dirt/concrete around the bolt heads.

Mike

[1930artdeco]

Well, she is on a stand now!

[1930artdeco]

Ok. got two questions now:

1) Best way to paint the engine. All at once with heads, manifolds, water pump etc. attached or separately?

2) What is the best way to get the engine and tranny in the car safely? Here is what I was thinking, bolt engine (minus heads and intake/carb) to tranny and stuff that way. Tim said to bolt everything up and then stuff. I am just trying to do this with a standard 2 ton hoist and with the arm all the way out I am at the .5 ton mark I believe. She sits pretty low so dropping the heads on the engine after the install not great but very doable.

Thanks,

Mike

[mustang6984]

If the front end is off the car it'll be easy.
If not...packing blankets on the back of the engine and tranny...and a LOT of patience and another set of hands.
Painting...I like to paint with the heads on...tape every thing off I don't want to have paint. Paint all the bolt on stuff individually other than the heads.
If you put the heads on after you drop the engine in...you can cheat a bit...take the front wheels and tires off...set the car down on blocks...and it will make it easier to lean in and put heads on. Your back will be happier.   

[1930artdeco]

Well....the front end is still on and I will have another set of hands maybe two sets if I can get them. I will also raise the rear of the car abit to change the entry angle of the tranny.

Mike

[mustang6984]

That will help. Take the hood off...LOL!!!
Pizza and root-beer are an asset as well...A&W or Hires...Remember though...if you are doing this with the tranny on...you need to be sure to have plenty of room under the front floorboards...for the tranny to move around.
What motor are you putting in? I forgot. to be honest...I put 352 heads on mine...at normal height and then the intake...and while it was a bit of a task...it wasn't horrid.

[RICH MUISE]

I had to borrow my next-door neighbor's cherry picker because mine wasn't long enough with the sheet metal on. The bumper was hitting the hoist's braces and ended up being almost a foot short. Doing some measuring should tell you, but if your's happens to be a fold-up Harbor Frieght, I can tell you it won't be long/deep enough. I was doing it alone, and found out the hard way the engine will start swinging and maybe give the car some battle scars. I solved that problem by using ratcheting straps on both sides of the engine back to the hoist.

[1930artdeco]

Thanks Rich,

I think my hoist if from home depot and it has some really long legs. I will check the depth of it when I roll her out of the garage maybe next week or month.

[gasman826]

I put them in as complete as possible less the fan blade..  The less leaning over fenders, the better.  '57s do not lend themselves to easy transmission with engine installs but doable.  I install the engine separate from the transmission but I have a hoist to ease the transmission install.  If I had no hoist, I would install engine/transmission as one assembly.  The core support is not that hard to remove but not necessary.  I take the time to use a 4 point attachment device with the long screw in it to tilt and level the engine.  More control is better whether with a device or more hands.  I always install by myself and don't like pinched fingers or scratched paint.