Gonna try some kroil first and then if that won't work. I will take it to Frailey's machine shop. Sent from my SM-G930V using H.A.M.B. mobile app
Great Edsel! I had a 58 and it was a nightmare but the guys at the Edsel Restoration and Preservation Group on Facebook are amazing and a very helpful group! If you are on Facebook look them up!
From the looks of your valve train I would expect the cam and lifters to look the same. My 2ct. worth I pull it and tear it down to see if it was saveable. Looks like a good canadate to put a late model 302 and AOD in and come out cheaper.
Pull the engine out & take it apart. If 2% of that crap made it into the pan, kiss the bearings adios.
I love those cars. Good luck with it! A little pblaster and you'll be up and running in no time. J/k you need to tear that sucker apart. Again awesome car. The coolest styling imo. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That engine doesn't look too promising. Before you get too deep into this, I suggest you check out the frame for rot. Very common when they sit on the ground for so long. Good luck with your project.
Lots of knowledge on that group but be aware, as the name suggests they are dedicated to originality.
Hooked a battery to it today, head lights worked for about 30sec and went out but the dash lights and tail lights worked sort of. Wiper motor just buzzed and nothing from the blower motor. Pulled the hood from the corsair because the other one folds over when you shut the hood. Also going to take the brake booster, headliner, armrest, glove box insert and other odds and ends. Then I soaked the valve train in pb blaster and the cylinders. After that I poured kerosene in the oil spout to let it seep In to the crank and rod bearings. I'm in no big hurry as I got alot of other stuff I can do before I worry about driving it. I Did try to bump the starter once but I think the seloniod might be shot. Guess I will give it a tap with a hammer later and see what happens. Sent from my SM-G930V using H.A.M.B. mobile app
chrisg, its not a good idea to start and run this engine. Its not even a good idea to use the starter to make the engine spin. It will damage the engine, and grind unlubricated grit into your parts.. The best and only good thing to do is pull the engine, disassemble it, clean and inspect the parts then reassemble it with new rings, bearing gaskets, etc. That way you will know for a fact that everything is good and you can expect years of good service.
Yea, that's what I was thinking when I first saw the valves. Well at least the plaster should make it easier to tear down if I rebuild it. Sent from my SM-G930V using H.A.M.B. mobile app
Ok crazy question. Would it be positive to bolt a chevy 250 straight 6 in place of the 361? I'm sure it would need an adapter lol. Sent from my SM-G930V using H.A.M.B. mobile app
Try Butch's Cool Stuff (also an alliance vendor) has the SBC to '57-59 Ford swap kit, so that would be a start. I made my own mounts for my '59 Ford and a SBC. But the bugaboo with that swap is the oil pan. An early Chevy II 230 pan with the front sump would work, but only with a 230, not sure if they put a 250 into an early Chevy II. I doubt a transmission adapter exists, try Butch again. Also try Trans Dapt.
Don't have a horse in this race as I'm a chevy guy, but... I vote for a Ford in yer Edsel. Even I'm a little burned out on sbc's in everything; AND... I can't shake the vision of a Ford engine in a '59 Biscayne/Belair 2dr sedan I saw at a local show years ago. I assume some of the flag wavin' Ford fans would feel the same...
Lol I just have the 250 handy for another project but I guess I will go engine shopping. See if I can find that 302 to drop in it. Sent from my SM-G930V using H.A.M.B. mobile app
I am chevy guy as well. Drove past these cars for the last ten years and decided to save them. Love the classics. Sent from my SM-G930V using H.A.M.B. mobile app
I'm following a couple of Edsels that are for sale locally. I believe both have the 223 6-banger and one is a stick.
Wouldn't it be easier to find an FE engine and swap the tin? Surely there are some 360 or 390 trucks still running around somewhere.
That would be my choice... Second choice would be a 351W, a lot more torque compared to a 302 and that Edsel ain't exactly light... LOL.
Think about the odds of finding a Ford engine that's in good running condition...FE might be a bit hard to find, same with a 351W...but yeah, if you can find one, that would be better.
Finding a good, running FE these days will be a stretch.... but Ford used the 351W in trucks until '96, so those are out there; I see them pretty regularly on CL locally. Of course, these are all EFI truck motors so some additional parts are needed (intake/carb, distributor, oil pan and front cover) to convert them but none of this is particularly hard to find...
I looked for Ford engines when I was deciding what to do on the Ford. Looked at one supposed BOSS 351, but it was incomplete and had been outside open and exposed for years. There were really none in the local 'yards that didn't need a rebuild. 99% of the engines they save are for late cars, nothing older than a 1995. Then I'd need all the clutch, bellhousing parts, pulleys, brackets and so on. I had the 350 Chevy from an old stock car, figured I'd get by with a simple freshening up (yeah... right...). I had a donor clutch, bellhousing and shifter, some yokes too. So the die was cast. All I needed was a Muncie, which I found here at a good price including shipping. Long story made short, the only OG parts in the engine are the block and crank, this includes all hardware, external and internal with the exception of 3 alternator bolts. It got out of hand, but I'm happy with it all. My original plan was for a 351C and top loader 4-speed.
Fortunately a variety of front sump pans are available for Fords. I'm not 100% sure on the 429/460. My swap, the only viable option was an early Chevy II pan for a V8. I still had to drill and tap a hole (on a freshly assembled short block...) to secure the oil pick up tube. I saw one other guy who did one, with a rear sump pan... what an abortion. There were Moroso pans, rear sump with a centerlink relief. But my inner tie rods had to pass through the notch, which was a crap shoot.
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