Hey guys and gals, we just picked up 54' Lincoln Capri and having a hard time finding parts (besides Ebay and theres very little). I'm looking for things like horns, water pump, master cylinder and brake booster, fuel pump, steering wheel (ours is in bad shape), some other odds and ends. If anyone has any information, sites or catalogs I could get ahold that would be great! I appreciate all the help, thanks!
Stuff like the water pump, master cylinder and booster (which are different than the Ford cars unfortunately) you are probably going to have to send in and have them rebuilt. Having a water pump rebuilt at a place like Napa is pretty inexpensive if you have a pump to start with. The master and booster might have to go to somewhere like Kanter who I believe rebuilds those. I would think a fuel pump would be available new somewhere. The horns can be repaired if it's just a matter of yours not working, or you might consider just buying a universal replacement horn unless you're going for 100% originality. The steering wheel might have to be repaired, there's some great tech pieces on the HAMB about restoring steering wheels, even if most of the plastic is gone. These Lincolns are great cars, but not much is reproduced for them. Restoring one will take more time and effort than the equivalent Ford or Chevy.
I have a water pump you could have. You could just come by and get it. But I have no idea of what part of the world you live in. So normally I just don't respond to posts like this. But I thought I would point out location is important when you are looking for parts.
Be sure to keep the front end greased. They were one of the first cars to use ball joint suspension, and they had a unique ball joint that is no longer made. So, use good grease and don't let them wear out.
54 Lincoln had its own engine used in Lincolns 1952 - 57 and a few large Ford trucks. Transmission was GM Hydramatic so rebuild parts should be available. The rest of the car was pretty much Lincoln only.
If it is original you have the 317" big brother to the Ford "Y-Block", although the only things that interchange are the oil pump, distributor(with gear change), starter & generator(although the Lincoln is higher amp) Your engine is basically the Ford Commercial series(F-8/F-800). They don't have the smaller "y-Block" over/under intake pattern in the heads, & do have hydraulic lifters. I'd STRONGLY recommend getting a MOTORS MANUAL or CHILTONS MANUAL that covers your year & study it carefully before "diving-in"!! Also keep an eye over on the "Ford Barn" thread as well. You(if you have power brakes)have a "Treadle-Vac" booster. I'd recommend that as long as you are changing the master cylinder, go to a dual MC unit(You already have 12" brakes that are hard to improve on in stock form).
Bendix Treadle Vac has the disadvantage that if it fails you can end up with NO brakes at all. This unit was used on many cars in the fifties, Buick Cadillac Lincoln and Packard to name a few. There has been much discussion on a Packard board I used to frequent, experienced users recommend changing it for a more modern unit if possible, several long time Packard owners have experienced total brake failure and it is NOT fun.
I'm located in Richmond, MI, I'm not sure how much it would cost to ship that. The bearing is wasted on mine, when we got it running we seen shes wobbling pretty good.
Thank you all for the information! These Lincolns are ahead of their time, which is why i really liked them, just finding parts and information is scarce! I found a few things. But really not much besides little odds and ends. I'll definitely keep searching and definitely have a manual coming. My horns are gone so I think maybe someone had taken them off and sold them, I'd like to find originals because of the sound of them, we will see what happens though. I'll keep you guys updated in case anyone is in the same boat as us trying to find things or rebuild stuff.
Small bit of trivia - they came with hydraulic lifters but solid lifters were available as an option. Don't know if it was advertised but the Mexican Road Race Lincolns had solids, and Tom McCahill had them in his personal 1953 Lincoln Capri hardtop. I believe the solid lifters, cam and rockers came from the big Ford truck engine.
Actually, diameter wise lifters for the 2.8 V6 are the same as well as I think, FE and Windsor Fords. Not at all hard to find. Of course, factory valve covers are very hard to beat.
With all that being said does anyone know how the shifter works? Theres a parking brake, the car has no park on the column indicater. I assume you put it in neutral and pull the parking brake lever for park? Not sure of the other gears either?
On early Hydramatics, Park is engaged by putting the shifter in Reverse before shutting off the engine. The parking pawl does not engage as long as there is pressure in the unit, in other words, until the engine is shut off.
Wow. Joined today, and so keen, so many posts. BE CAREFUL ALL . Edit 2/12/20: Looks like the possible scam posts have been removed. Thanks to Ryan and the moderators.
Well, I guess multiple posts for hawking parts would boost post count...I know I wouldn't be reaching for my wallet.
Here are a few pages from a manual I had borrowed years ago if they could be of any help. The Thumbnails should click to larger images.