Projects '56 Fairlane Gasser Project

Very nice work, not a ford guy but I always loved the 55 and 56's. Also the 66 fairlanes. Keep at it, I try to do a little each day to my project to at least say I done something.

 

My '54 Ford Coupe inherited a round dropped tube front cross member with its '37 Plymouth 'wiggly tube axle. Front springs are Ford F-1 leaves, 6 per side. 406 (the 'hard way', 360 truck block, '63 Tbird heads, Delta 406 solid cam & lifters, Crane adjustable rockers)
Tube member really cleaned up the frame rails, visible beneath the classic '54 grille.
My son's building a '56 Club sedan, FE 390, tube front also... so, we appreciate this thread!

 

I am a GM guy like my dad before me but I have always loved the look of a 1956 Ford, especially a Fairlane or Crown. If I ever owned a Ford, a 56 would be it for sure. Love the amazing work you are doing to your 56 and looking foreword to your updates. Cheers.

 

A little work has taken place since last September. For me it’s a slow process. The front axle is in and it’s a roller again at this point. These pictures are from last year.


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Got the engine in temporarily at this point trying to decide how far back to move it. This is in December.


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The engine cross member is welded in and the transmission mount narrowed and installed. The steering box is next. Since no one I know of makes fender well exit headers for a Ford application we cut the flanges off of some for a’55 Chevy and with a little persuasion welded FE flanges on them.


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The master cylinder and pedal mount is from a ’76 Ford pickup, modified to fit. The clutch linkage is as well but I had to make the block and frame mounts and move the lever that the pedal attaches to inboard to line up.


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Where did you get the headers? Ron

 

From Speedway, they are for a 55/56 Chevy with a big block.

 

The steering is where I’m at now. I still need a couple of gussets on the mount and need to make the arm to bolt to the pass side spindle. The one that is on there is just for mock up. Now that everything is in place on the drivers side I can finish the steering column and shafts.


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Thanks for the response. I thought that might be what they were, I have a new set from there and that's what I was planning on doing. I just need to get the flanges. At least I can see how they will look. Ron

 

Looking great!!!

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The Moser housing/axels/brakes have arrived so that is next. Today some of the peripheral welding was done and a screw up was fixed.


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Like the way front spring schakle (sp) handled. Height about right & wait for all the weight before welding in with the correct angle. Chev guy but like the look of 55/56 fords.

 

429 or FE keep it all Ford.

 

Love those '56's. My Dad had a black and white '56 Victoria with the padded dash option and 312 Thunderbird engine. My brother and I lusted over it, but Dad sold it in '59 for $900!

 

You do good work man. I like the tri five fords alot. I have a soft spot for any gasser. I was born raised in Texas co.

 

Great work ! Looks super nice . Headers : 55/56 CHEY , really seems odd to make an FE wear a BowTie .

 

Awesome progress. Love ford 56 2 door post cars . And one done as a gasser even more.
Keep up the great work

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I like it. Leave yourself enough room to get the valve covers on and off when you get to the firewall. And other access too. You took the time to do mechanical clutch linkage, which I like. I went hydraulic clutch with my '59.

 

Yeah, trust me it was out of desperation as I couldn't find a set for a FE anywhere and this was reasonably cheap and easy. The bore spacing between the big block Chevy and the 428 were close enough that with a rosebud tip on the torch we could coax the tubes to line up.

 

That concern is on my radar also. I moved the engine back as far as I could and still leave room for mechanical fuel injection in the future. (without getting into the cowl or windshield) Another concern for me since I'm old (69) and can't see as good as I used to is to make the top part of the firewall removable or with some access panels to get to the wiring so I don't have to lay on my back to get to it.

 

That's familiar ... I need to get into my crawl space to fix something and keep thinking how it would be easier to install a trap door instead of crawling 60 feet with zero head room.

 

Really enjoying your build! The '55-'56 Fords are some of my favorite Ford bodies!

 

Looks like you have welded-a-spool-or-two in your life!
Nice work........I just hope you don't plan on having the nose of that 55-56 sitting a mile high! I love straight axles not the moon-shot look though.
jus say'in
6sally6

 

I have to really put my game face on to do any under the dash or under the car work. I hoard up pain medication for those days.

 

Gotta be honest here, those welds aren't mine. I have a buddy I call in when something needs to look pretty or be safe or both. I handle everything else. He says my welds look like a lizard shitting on a hot rock! As for the front end I don't like the front end that high either, I'd like for it to set level or just raised a little.

 

Just checking in on the progress. Looks awesome so far.

 

I got the steering arm cut out, and got the surge tank cleaned and re soldered. The radiator got re-cored with 3 rows instead of 2. In keeping wit my wish to keep as many parts from the ‘50s & ‘60s I’m really pleased with them.

 

Nice work, this is going to be a good looking gasser. I need to remember that description with the lizard, that's pretty funny.