Hey guys and gals, I'm new here, but here is my project I'm working on. It is a 1955 Ford Customline, 223 I6, Ford-o-matic automatic transmission. I purchased this car off of my friend who had to move out of state for his job. He and I built a really nice 302 to do the V8 swap, but we never finished it before he left. Now, I have all the parts and I am going to finish the job. I was going to keep the straight 6 in it, since I have an offenhauser triple carb intake, 3 new carbs and split exhaust manifold for the 223, I also have the offenhauser finned valve cover that came with it. However, when I took my factory intake and exhaust off I found a crack in the exhaust port letting coolant leak into the exhaust. So plans have now changed. My father has a two 1954's he bought several years ago and included in the deal was a running 1956 312 Y block, so I talked my father into letting me have the true 312 Y block (confirmed aspirin dot on crank). So I am getting all the parts together to do the Y block swap! I do have the straight 6 parts for sale/trade too if anyone is interested PM me. Here are some pics of my project. Sent from my XP8800 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Looks like a neat car and the y-block will be cool. Several people ask me why I don’t put a later-model drivetrain in my 56...but obviously they don’t get it.
Nice '55. I like Mainlines--yours has been upgraded in the interior. You have a Customline/Fairlane steering wheel and it looks like somebody may have swapped out a dash from a Customline/Fairlane because Mainlines didn't have the chrome trim rings around the dash knobs. Do you know what assembly plant it was built at? Third character in the serial number indictes the assembly plant. If it's an A, that would be Atlanta plant and my father leaded the seams on it. He worked there '52-'82 and in 1955 he was in the body shop leading seams. I'm working on a '55 Fairlane 4 door that my parents bought new. Mine was built at the Memphis TN plant. Ford's distribution system was weird. We are only about 55-60 miles from the Atlanta plant but most of the dealers in northwest Georgia got cars built in Memphis. Anyway, the 312 will be a relatively easy swap, and the car will be a sleeper. Most Mainlines got the 223 six engine, and those are good little engines. Most of the Mainlines that got a Y block V8 from the factory were cop cars. Most '55 Ford cop cars were Mainlines.
Yes, I believe it did come from a truck. That's what we were told anyways. Sent from my XP8800 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I agree, I like the old school looks. My uncle actually has a 1953 Mainline and he ended up doing a complete frame/floorpan swap from a 1990 Crown Vic. It was a wild transition but he grabbed it up completely and set the body on the Crown Vic frame and is running that drivetrain and suspension now. Sent from my XP8800 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I will look into that vin. I was not aware of the upgraded dash, but I did at first think this was a Customline, but there was no exterior molding like the customline's had. Sent from my XP8800 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I actually did some research, it is actually a Customline, it is coded as a 70B and built in Kansas City. Sent from my XP8800 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
The windshield, backlight (rear windshield) and belt line stainless would indicate you have a Customline. Likely the stainless trim down the side was removed at some point.
I had a '56 Mainline years ago with a '68 302/C4, fun car, vacuum wipers excepted. Being 40+ years older, I would probably fix them today, instead of griping about them. I like your tinted glass, it always stands out to me on '55 and '56 Fords.
Justin, Your car looks great and I think you will be really happy with the V8 instead of the 6. '55's are my favorite of the tri-five Fords and the Mainlines and Customlines are my favorite models. Good score! Have fun with it. You should finish filling out your profile with your location so that if you have questions or need help or guidance, you might be able to connect with HAMBers that are local to you. Steve
Was the 312 even available in pickups? I didn't think they were. Nice car and great choice to go with y-block power.
Thanks, I will get it finished, I am still trying to get the hang of this forum and locate everything. Sent from my XP8800 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Ok, for today's update. I received some goodies in the mail today, The flexplate for a 312 to Ford-o-matic came in today and so did my bellhousing I ordered off of eBay. The only thing left is my motor mounts from Summit. Next, will be cleaning up and painting the bellhousing then getting the motor from my parents to my house. My next day off is the 9th of May, so it'll just be little things until then. Sent from my XP8800 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
If your going to use the Y-block pictured in your post above you'll need a front sump oil pan for it, trucks used a rear sump pan that wont work in a passenger car.
Great project. It you haven't seen it, try Mummert's site. Bottom of the page in the "information center" are the various cast numbers, etc, blocks, heads, main caps etc. might come in useful. http://www.ford-y-block.com/ There's also some guys with a lot of knowledge and parts over at http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/default.aspx You'll probably want to join, lots of times someone posts looking for a part and gets a response. I sent a PM on something that might be OT here. Good luck.
I am planning on using that one, and I was aware of needing a front sump oil pan. Thank you for the reminder I appreciate that. Sent from my XP8800 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Good evening to everyone, I ended up getting Sunday off from work, so I went to my father's and we finished up my cousin's 1957 Belair for him. I installed a new heater blower motor (bought a 1975 Chevy C10 truck one and only cost $36 with the replacement squirrel cage fan) and installed a mechanical oil pressure gauge. The car is now complete and ready to go to it's new home. Honestly, after 6 years of working on this car I am sad to see it go. Sent from my XP8800 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app