Started a couple of other threads about this ol gal. However this will be my build thread. I'm going to throw what I have at it and see what it looks like. As I go forward, I'm sure I'll go backwards and change my mind often. Pretty much do some goofy stuff along the way. Oldest son is helping out to boot. Picture as I picked up the car, with no front bumper, and lastly with no front clip. Removed just tonight. Let the fun begin! Sent from my SM-G950U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Looks pretty clean, one of the benefits of a New Mexico car. In Minnesota, the eyebrows over the headlights would have been rusted through by 1960.
I lived south of the twin cities in Burnsville for a few years. Bought a 50 Ford 4 door and got to see Minnesota rust first hand. I still have a buddy that's out past Lonsdale that I am trying to get his F3 before it returns to the earth.
It's beyond tired and coming for now. However it may go back as I am still trying to identify completely. Head casting# EDC 6090E. Intake numbers are 5750034 with a 7A Z 1 under it. When I pull it, I'll look at the block numbers. My current belief is that it is a 1958, 332 or 352.
Several years ago, I used to go through Tucumcari twice a week on my run to California with newspaper inserts and back to Michigan and Ontario with produce. I always made it a point to stop at the Shell truckstop on the west end of town for dinner ( good Mexican food ) and had to take old 66 through town to get there. I bought a completely rust free 55 Ford Courier in a guy's front yard but it needed the back glass. There were two salvage yards at the east end of town and one with the older stuff had the inventory lined up by make, model and year. I took measurements of the back window opening and found three 55-56 station wagons with the glass in them. Cost me $45 for the entire top half of the tailgate, stainless trim, good rubber and all. There were 57s in there also. I don't know where you are but when I Googled Tucumcari and got close up in the satellite view, it looks like a lot of that stuff is still there. Just saying
If it's an early 352, those have meatier cylinder walls than the later motors and will take a pretty good overbore. I've seen a 352 bored out to the 406/428 size (.130 over), although you do want to sonic check it at that size. The 332s were all solid lifter motors and not drilled for hydraulics. The one upgrade they all need is the later style cam retainer plate.
Crazy Steve, this is what under the valve cover looks like. The oil squirter (?) is a new one on me. Sent from my SM-G950U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
If it's relatively unmolested, that's a 332. Still not definitive, as the 332 rockers were a popular swap to 'upgrade' to solid lifters. The 332 block will take a .050 overbore, so converting to a 390/410 is straightforward...
I want to check the stroke tonight. If my reading and understanding is correct, 332 has a stroke of 3.30" and 352 has a 3.50" stroke. I'll share my findings.
I always liked those Rancheros. I just passed on a nice one a few years ago, $10,000. The top was slightly chopped just the right amount. It had a 427 with a four speed. It was the same Copper color as yours used to be. I just didn't have the money and I had just bought my 69 SS396 Elco..
Today..Rancheros are the car that brings in the most $$$ and are the most desired model of 57. Love them
Feel free to post up. I'm all for seeing others rides. I still do not have a clear direction that I am going in. However I did buy a few 1/25th scale models to build what I'm thinking to see if it looks decent or not.
Well, okay since you asked . This was a very rusty car at one time. I replaced the body mounts, rockers, quarters and more! It was a lot of work but it’s a great car to drive and enjoy now.
That's awesome. My car has bad quarters as well. However it came with new/used quarters and tubs. I'm not a body man and I'll be saving the body work for the last thing to be done.
Great plan. Just get it mechanically sound and enjoy it as is for a while. It looks like a way better starting point then what had. Has it been in New Mexico it whole life?
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