Projects 1956 Sunliner Continuous Upgrades

Hello H.A.M.B. family!

This will be my 2nd dive into the world of 50's Fords/Y Blocks. My first car of this era was a 1956 Ford Victoria. My wife and I loved that car so much, we decided we wanted the convertible! As always, I appreciate any tips or advice from more experienced members out there.

I found this car online. It is a nut and bolt restoration that was done by an older gentleman who had passed away. The car sat for 2 years and was sold. I bought the car with 250 miles on the restoration. It's got:
312, two barrel Holley, Ford-O-Matic
Power steering, Manual drum brakes, power top, bias tires
Like any restoration, it has some bugs to be worked out. Right now, the biggest bug is the transmission leak. Just sitting over night, it had created a small stream in my garage running under half the car. Brakes aren't doing a great job stopping the car. Speedometer and water temp gauges aren't working.

My over all goal with the car is to keep it factory appearing, but make it safer and more practial for family use and longer cruises.

A couple of things I did to the Victoria and I liked were:
KYB Gas-a-just shocks
Stop em and drop em Granada disc brake conversion
Glass pack mufflers!
Car seat anchors

Things I'd also like to do are:
Diamond Back radials
4 Barrel intake and Holley Sniper EFI
Upgraded sway bars
Air Conditioning
Remove continental kit

For now, here are a few pictures, and I'll post updates and quetions as I go!

 

Pretty Sumbitch

 

Damn that looks great!

 

It's a beauty!

 

Wow very nice

 

Beautiful car, Enjoy !

 

Nice looking start and a great plan for her moving forward. Fix the little things and drive the wheels off it.

 

Just needs dropped in the dirt.
Cool ride

 

Looks like a very nice car! I would lower it and drive it for the most part. I ended up just using a factory 57 4-barrel intake on my 56 to be able to run a normal square bore carburetor. Pretty sure that is the biggest improvement over stock for driveability I did. Also, I agree with pulling the continental kit off.

 

Great Ride!

 

That's a gorgeous car...and I have to agree on losing the continental kit. I could never understand why FoMoCo kits had the full bumper extension panel and all that extra acreage. I hate to say it, but GM had a "Better Idea"

 

If you find you need to replace the speedometer I do have a working unit free for the shipping.

Message sent

 

clean as a whistle!!

 

That car stands tall, have fun with it. HRP

 

Beautiful car! Just a word to the wise, if you’re into junkyard searches don’t forget to pop the hood on larger trucks, that’s how I found my 4 barrel manifold

 

Nice car! I totally agree with the continental kit removal. Another vote here for the '57 'B' 4-barrel intake. Running a carb would keep things more simple... No wiring, electric fuel pump, etc. to worry about.

 

You lucky sombitch, Beauuuuutiful .

 

That’s a great looking car, and a great plan. Having done an unmentionable intake on my 312/stroked 320 Yblock, I’d go with a carb. Either the 57 manifold or a Blue Thunder or a Mummert. So,e of the newly available annular booster style carbs seem to provide really great street performance without the expense and trouble of other alternatives. Or even a 4100 Autolite.

 

Someone mentioned that all Ford-O-Matics leak. I've had one in my 57 T-Bird for the last 26 years and it doesn't leak. However, my definition of a leak is leaving a puddle. Cars of the 50's do mark their spots. I've never worried about a spot on the floor here or there. That's what all those cardboard boxes are for from all the parts you order.

 

I agree with those above cheering your choice of a Sunliner for your new ride. Enjoy!

 

Thanks for all the great replies! Always good to have people agree with your plan!

First thing to check off the list are power disc brakes! Got another kit from NASCAR Dave at Drop' Em & Stop' Em. Power Granada disc brakes with a 1.5 in drop. As usual, the kit was amazing and includes absolutely everything you need except brake fluid and wheel bearing grease! Very clear instructions, and at any point you have a question, he always picks up and is very helpful!

 

First step was to throw a coat of cast iron gray paint on the master cylinder to avoid any surface rust.

After that, the old drum brakes came off. Pretty easy on a restored car! Step by step, the new spindles and brakes went on. Last step is to bolt in the new power brake booster and master cylinder and connect a couple of new lines to the rest of the stock system! I'd highly recommend this kit to anyone looking to upgrade their brakes!

 

Currently just the 1.5 in drop in the front with the brake swap. We'll see if that gets me closer to level. Once the kit comes off, I'll do my best to have it sit level. I dropped my Victoria 2.5 inches which looked great, but this one will be slightly more "stock"

 

The kit isn't the worst looking thing around, and it is iconic on the 50's cars. But I think the back of a 56 Ford looks so good, the kit doesn't add much too it.

 

This one currently creates a small stream on my floor over night. The car did sit for a couple years after the restoration, so I may just try and drive it a bit to see if it gets better on its own.

 

I never cared for those, I consider them a 1/2 assed continental kit. IMHO full width or not at all. Back in 60 a friend bought a 60 Impala with full width continental kit from the dealer

 

Nice job on the pictures, I never have the patience to take em.

 

That is an unbelievable restoration. I cannot imagine the time, love and cost that went into it. And then the man passed.

Anywho, if you decide to go with an ECZ-B intake and 4V, most likely the DIST is still a LOAD-O-MATIC and will need to be upgraded to a 57/ DUAL ADVANCE (no CHI-COM HEI please).

I would surely like to know what that SPARE WHEEL CARRIER is going to sell for. It appears to be complete OEM w/ the rear face bar exhaust outlets.

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If you could, can you post (within this saved thread please) what you get for it.

 

Your 56 is simply beautiful. Congratulations to you and your wife.