Cool history on a good looking 53. I've always wanted a "spaceship" 52-54 but always end up with either shuboxes or 55 fords.
Got my new rear end from my uncle, its a grenada rear with 2.75 gears. Hoping it will work behind the AOD and hoping the pinion length is gonna be OK so I dont have to buy a new driveshaft.. but i got a new speedo cable and gear and now I can see how fast I'm goin! Sent from my SM-G975U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
And i have to fix this setup somehow. May have to wait till winter when the car goes to my dads where I have access to a lift to do the floor pans, driveshaft tunnel, rockers and front door patches. And hopefully I can con my dad and uncles to re align the front sheetmetal and get the body gaps somewhere close to respectable.. Sent from my SM-G975U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Picked up some arm rests the other day, and got em installed yesterday. Got an early falcon center console on the way as well. Sent from my SM-G975U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Also: if anyone has the piece of chrome im missing off the garnish moulding id be interested! Sent from my SM-G975U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Looks like someone wacked off the original transmission cross member and replaced it with angle iron. This is a '53 with a 302/AOD using a Butch's 15" swap kit https://butchscoolstuff.com/52-53-ford-car-15-sb-ford-engine-transmission-mount-kit-2501cpb/ It only required some redrilling for the mount. Second picture is from the rear.
Different angle from the rear shown here. If you can locate a drive shaft from a 1982-86 Crown Vic it may bolt right up,I used one in my '54 with a 302 &AOD just changed the rear U-joint to bolt up to the stock rear.
Here is another view of the '53 stock cross member with AOD The next picture is my '54 with the 1986 Crown Vic drive shaft.
Nice 53! Mine is a Mainline, and I also have a 302 in it. But I went off the rails and kept the 3 on the tree with a top loader and homemade shift linkage to keep the original steering column. Made exhaust routing fun. I also put the camber kit in with dropped springs and spindles. Getting the camber right is a pain. I left my air dam off..
Looks like a lot cleaner of a setup than what I currently have, im going to have to look for an original trans crossmember to fix mine.. is it possible to pull your trans out without pulling the engine with the setup you have? I need to put a new trans in my car, and I would hate to pull the motor too. Sent from my SM-G975U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Thanks! I had to take all the bikes out of the garage to clean up and figured I'd get a couple cool pics. Sent from my SM-G975U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Anyone out there got a grille bullet delete, or a stock automatic column they'd let go for a 53? I'm lookin to get rid of the floor shift and clean up the front end a little bit.. Sent from my SM-G975U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
There was a bullet delete in the for sale section yesterday, but it sold pretty quick. Any chance it was you that bought it?
Negative. I was buyer 2 in line for it from what I hear. I have seen 2 for sale in the past few months but haven't been able to get one. Sent from my SM-G975U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Playing with grille ideas right now... may have to widen this 55 olds grille I picked up.. Sent from my SM-G975U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Anybody out there got a 55 olds grille they'd be willing to part with? Sent from my SM-G975U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Contact this guy for a transmission cross member https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=347866255934591 You are also better off to pull the engine and transmission as a unit and do the install it is not uncommon to have an issue getting the AOD torque converter seated properly it is much easier with the engine and transmission out of the car. You can find some great videos on youtube to help get that converter in right. Also when you reinstall the engine and transmission as a unit it will help you to know where to redrill the new mount holes in the replacement cross member like you see in the pictures above.
Sounds good to me! I appreciate you lookin out! I will contact him as soon as I free up some fun money and see about the crossmember and a few other things! Update: got the front bumper pulled in 3" last night. Olds grille is just set in for the moment. Sent from my SM-G975U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Maybe that open space at the grille ends might be a good place for fog lights,I remember that Bay area and Delta fog when I ran routes back there. Lots of style to choose from that might be right diameter.https://www.google.com/search?q=rou...ECBgQBA&biw=1343&bih=648#imgrc=5M7vrqXwh_QoZM
I'm actually going to widen this grille about 14" and V it a little to fit the front of the car. Im hoping to use the oval openings in the grille for turn signals. Sent from my SM-G975U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Not much new going on, waiting on parts and such. But I mocked up my falcon center console finally. Sent from my SM-G975U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
There's a lot of cool parts avalible to mix and match from the 60s fords. Im using galaxie arm rests up front, falcon arm rests in the rear, falcon console and thunderbird bucket seats. Im hoping it will all pull together and look elegant in the end.. Sent from my SM-G975U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
This poor 61 T bird gave its rear end for the cause tonight. Found the car not too far away on Craigslist and lucked out! T bird was trashed as far as I can see. But if anyone needs parts, its on the Sacramento CL under 61 thunderbird. Sent from my SM-G975U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
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