Projects My 57 is home

I know we spoke about this.. but I can't seem to find the info you mentioned... I already have a kit.. but its real basic and could be used for the other 57...... and thank you!

 

Right!?!... the heat was heavy here as well... over the weekend and about 100 in the direct sun with horrible humidity... and there i sit with a heat gun bonding the last of the insulation!
Lol

 

Thanks to all for the kind words..... But Im quite sure the pro builders out there just chuckle at my work...

Onward!

 

Moving onto the Equalizer Bar....
I have a complete 1959 EQ Bar setup.... but the actual EQ bar was crooked when installed into the 57(See pic).... this was due because of the FE sitting forward too much or Motor Mounts not being actual Ford parts(repro mounts from Carpenter)Well in the 60's and 70's it was easy to get the right parts.... but Ford don't carry that stuff any more or either does my local parts house).Asking around a friend in Baton Rouge showed me his solution.On the Pivot ball bracket(Engine side).... the pivot had to be pushed back about 3/4 of an inch... new hole drilled,pressed in and welded on the backside.
Assembled everything... all perfect... full clutch pedal travel.. and I was a happy Camper.
Again... this is not Rocket science or some mystical voodoo..... and most more experience guys would already know this,.... but for those who plan to use OEM stuff.. ya gotta do some backyard shade tree wizardry hahahah

The first pic is mine.... The others are just ref. given to show me how to get it done.... just a Guide how I made it work for myself.
On the first pic I made a diagram showing how my EQ needed to pull back and straighten out to a 90 degree between the frame and engine.

 

Progress has been slow. work has been heavy.. but I finished up the Z-Bar(pretty much)
The re-location of pushing the pivot ball bracket worked out perfectly and the bar is at a 90 degree.. all action from the peddle works well and no bind at all.
Moving down to the linkage from the Z-Bar to the clutch fork... I should have had a clutch fork with a simple dimple pressed in.. but mine was a dimple with a hole(no idea what year,make or model)I was NOT pulling the tranny, to change that out.
The Z-bar is a complete 1959 Ford model,..... So I set a tap in motion, fine thread, and since space is at a premium.... made 4 jam nuts and did a trial run assembling.
I was concerned that just 2 nuts would not simple hold the desired Clutch adjustment.(I really overthink stuff)

I still need to attach shim washers and button the whole system up.. but all seems good.I have good clutch travel,no binds,clutch release at the halfway pedal point....
I will be searching for a good muffler/exhaust shop ..... Did I mention space is at a premium?.... but a good shop can do the job....
Not getting carried away with "Stainless exhaust" either.... this baby is a road brawler.....I need to run a tap over the exhaust studs and clean them up too.

got my inspection plate in too,.. lots of local guys told me I did not need it... yea... I don't like rocks in my pressure plate.

Again. all simple basic stuff.... but we continue to push forward.

 

I now just need to find a proper length clutch fork retraction spring... its the small stuff that eats your time.

 

I think you only need the nuts on the front side of the fork, The spring holds the fork against the nuts and "takes up the free play" to keep pressure off the throwout bearing...

 

I do believe your correct Mark.... but I have to find the right spring length and tension..I think I have about 58 different options.... and as I mentioned.. really tend to overthink ...everything hahahahaha.

 

Its gonna be a tight one Pete!.and I agree...I may have to make my own collectors...
Initially ......I thought about solid mounting the engine(As on my 2 early Fords.... using a good tranny mount to take up the engine vibration) On my early cars. the exhaust is rock solid never moves.... with motor mounts... the engine always tends to rock side to side under load....
anyhow... I scraped the idea just due to trying to use Factory stuff and the solid mounted engine would have played into the Z-bar,driveline etc etc.... Anyhow. back to your exhaust..I may just have to follow your lead! I may make my own as well.

 

......Needed a clutch fork retraction spring.... because its an oddball setup.. and my auto parts sources looked at me with 3 heads....
We live rural.. so I headed to a tractor and antique farm supply house.... Had what I needed and then some... cost me $3.95 for the part,....... Carpenter wanted 20-40 bucks for plus shipping....

Its the little things that eat so much time..... anyhow.. Clutch pedal to Transmission works very very well....

 

Starting to wire(STILL WAITING ON SHIFTER PARTS!) hahahaha
Opened up the kit and stared to separated the looms in the direction they will go(rear,Dash,Front,etc,etc)Should be very simple..... I am not using a bunch of accessories......Just using an E-Z kit...

Deciding on where to place the fuse panel.... I am surprised how little room with all the vent/heater duct work that space is a premium.
Needed to get the car on the ground and put on the new rubber and 15's.... happy with the oh so important stance.
(note)... finding an early set of 15 inch Ford Steelies are getting harder to find.... Getting straight un-bent ones are now at a premium.

 

Im REALLY itching to fire this thing......

 

Strangely..I find wiring oddly satisfying... but I move at a snails pace.