My 56 Ford Victoria Build Thread

[Modifieddriver]

I see where you have a wanted ad over at the HAMB for your '56.

Good luck on that front x-member. That'll be a tough nut to find. There aren't many good ones unless you're in the desert SW.

Also, what was the intake on the FE in the car? I thought is was aluminum?

 

[venturesomerite]

I see where you have a wanted ad over at the HAMB for your '56.

Good luck on that front x-member. That'll be a tough nut to find. There aren't many good ones unless you're in the desert SW.

Also, what was the intake on the FE in the car? I thought is was aluminum?

The manifold on the car now is a 4bbl cast iron one.

I don't expect to find an affordable replacement member, I'll more than likely just make one. How ever, it doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[Modifieddriver]

What a great project!!!

I don't think I'd try screwing around with a rack and pinion... just rebuild the stock box and front suspension. I've driven a '54 Buick and '61 Chevy Suburban daily for years... There is no reason for a rack and pinion. Power steering, yes, but not a rack.

Disc brakes are nice too.

I wonder if that mangled floor is from an exploded clutch. It seems odd that a guy would drop in a plain FE with a 4bbl, and 4-speed, and not use the stock bellhousing. But it WOULD make sense to stick an Ansen in there after having The Thundering Herd come through the floor once.

-Brad

Brad,

Funny you would mention a clutch explosion in this '56, because I was driving a '56 that did explode!!

My buddy Steve Wicks had a cheap style 2 door hardtop (CustomLine?). He worked for a guy running a oval track '56 Crown Vic. They had a 312 stroker engine, about 345 cubes, they retired from service and my buddy got it from them. He puts it in his car with a 3-speed and a floor shifter.

I was known as a pretty good speed shifter and he wanted to wring this Ford out, so he put me behind the wheel. After a few starts and stops to get the feel of things I get ready for a banzai run. Old Atlas Bucrons semi-hooked because he locked up the rear end.

Went for second gear and all HELL broke loose. Several things happened in a blink of an eye: 1) a loud explosion 2) I felt something hot against my thigh 3) the tachometer was swinging under the dash board by its wires 4) We had a flat rear tire as we coasted to a stop 5) We both then almost **** in our pants with that WTF happened look at each other.

Damage assessment: 1) Hole in floorboard next to the gas pedal 2) hot thing against my thigh was a piece of hot cast iron pressure plate grenade fragment 3) Ruined tachometer and his school shop handmade walnut wood under the dash mount, grenade got it 4) bell housing was non-existent, blew apart and we drove over it puncturing a tire 5) part of the engine block left with the bell 6) the only thing holding the engine and ****** together was the tip of the ****** input shaft that was still in the pilot shaft bushing 6) the pressure plate tin cover was still there, but the plate and springs was scattered all over the road

How I missed being fragged I don't know???? But in a couple of days my buddy was back up and running, but with a Schieffer clutch plate outa' the same oval track car. No more speed shifting in that thing.

I felt real bad about what happened, but I didn't do anything wrong, like miss a shift!!!!!

So the moral of the story is, "For the want of a blow-up proof bell, you can damn near total loss your car!!!"

Reminds me of a guy I worked with. He had a Pinto wagon. The water pump shaft broke, fan took out the radiator, stuff on the front of the engine and hood. It totaled the car!!!!!!! Come to think about it, I had a '69 BBC 427 4-speed Corvette. Fan came apart took out the radiator and then a rear tire. Hood was safe. Patched it up and sold that PoS. I've never had another.

Frank

 

[venturesomerite]

crazy story, it could be the same type of deal here, the car was def raced (as is evident by the slappers, bondo weight over the wheels, ansen housing etc... But I am more inclined to think that it was just some guy who had no idea what he was doing.

I mean realistically, short of maybe a little firewall massage, there was not tunnel work needed...

 

[venturesomerite]

Well, haven't done much in the way of working on the car, but I did finally invest in a set of dollies. These are the HF 1500# ones. Seem to hold the weight just fine. Solid steel casters. They do have a little trouble pivoting, but they aren't hard at all to push.

I had to buy them because literally EVERYTHING in my shop, including the 20 ton press and stuff has to be on wheels because I constantly have to move things around to do whatever job is at hand.

You can see why I need them in the last pictures where I had to get my truck inside. I had to take the pintle off, and it was right against the door, while the car was right against the cabinet, and I had to walk over the frame rails of the vicky to replace the valve cover gaskets and glow plugs. That was the last straw, so I got these to make my life a little easier. I ended up having to also take the hood off just to get to the point where I could work decently easily.

I do consider myself lucky to even have this space, as some don't even have this much, so I make the best of what I have.

 

[fordmustang1984]

Anything new?

 

[CNGsaves]

Those restored 56 Fords sure are an inspiration . . . . . hope you can keep the momentum going and save the old girl.

Good luck and keep the pics coming!

 

[newlywv]

I have an all original 56 red and black just like the one in the pics posted. Love these cars.

 

[1950mercury]

Keep up the good work. That's a badass project. You don't find them like that to often...im rebuilding the motor in my 51 vicoria. That's this years money pit

 

[Kevin54]

I have an all original 56 red and black just like the one in the pics posted. Love these cars.

Keep up the good work. That's a badass project. You don't find them like that to often...im rebuilding the motor in my 51 vicoria. That's this years money pit

Post the updates up and post up the '51.

My very first model car that I really put some time into was a '56 Crown Vic. Ever since that time, I was in love with them. I had the opportunity to buy a '57 Fairlane years back when I was a senior in high school. All black, 312 T-Bird engine, rolled and pleated interior. I blowed the engine and took it into the auto shop class I was in. We had to clear the shop out over the weekend so I had to pull it out into the parking lot. I went to Fort Knox that weekend to see a buddy of mine that joined the Army. I came home and the car had every single piece of glass busted. The interior had a razor blade taken to it everywhere. I really miss having that car. I ended up almost giving it away. Any of the Ford's in the 50's were great looking rides, although I may stop at the '58 & '59's. I just didn't care for those two years.

 

[venturesomerite]

No updates to speak of, going to the swap meet tomorrow to get rid of my 57 ford parts since none cross over to a 56.

 

[venturesomerite]

Haven't done much, got some time today so I plucked her heart out.




Here's the view from the batcave:

 

[Machstang70]

Brian I sent a PM about some possible history of the car, might interest you? !!

Mike

 

[venturesomerite]

Brian I sent a PM about some possible history of the car, might interest you? !!

Mike

I got back to you.

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

Post the updates up and post up the '51.

My very first model car that I really put some time into was a '56 Crown Vic. Ever since that time, I was in love with them. I had the opportunity to buy a '57 Fairlane years back when I was a senior in high school. All black, 312 T-Bird engine, rolled and pleated interior. I blowed the engine and took it into the auto shop class I was in. We had to clear the shop out over the weekend so I had to pull it out into the parking lot. I went to Fort Knox that weekend to see a buddy of mine that joined the Army. I came home and the car had every single piece of glass busted. The interior had a razor blade taken to it everywhere. I really miss having that car. I ended up almost giving it away. Any of the Ford's in the 50's were great looking rides, although I may stop at the '58 & '59's. I just didn't care for those two years.

Jesus Christ, what a shame
How the heck did that happen??

Adam

 

[Kevin54]

Jesus Christ, what a shame
How the heck did that happen??

Adam

I'm fairly certain who did it back then. A buddy and I had a 327 that we had just rebuilt in the shop. We go in the next day and the engine was gone. Through the grapevine, we found out who had it. Back then, you didn't call the police, you dealt with it yourself. I think what happened to my Fairlane was done in retaliation but couldn't actually prove it. After I sold it, a few years later I was wanting to buy it back and tracked it down through three owner/sellers. The last on that had it said he was going to restore it. It probably set beside his house until it went to the big scrap heap in the sky.

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

I'm fairly certain who did it back then. A buddy and I had a 327 that we had just rebuilt in the shop. We go in the next day and the engine was gone. Through the grapevine, we found out who had it. Back then, you didn't call the police, you dealt with it yourself. I think what happened to my Fairlane was done in retaliation but couldn't actually prove it. After I sold it, a few years later I was wanting to buy it back and tracked it down through three owner/sellers. The last on that had it said he was going to restore it. It probably set beside his house until it went to the big scrap heap in the sky.

Hey Kevin

I have seen that attitude in the past as well
Some people have the feelings that if they don't have item X, then no one should have item X
Strange, but many people would rather see things destroyed rather than for someone else to restore and love them

Knew a logger on Joy Road in West Occidental, CA whom we shall call.... Chuck X. Chuck had several old Fords, and so he and I struck up conversations regarding out mutual interests. He has mid 50s T birds, and I was interested, and a painter myself, hence... I made several offers through the mid 2000s. He also had several others Fords from the 1950s, but nothing grabbed my interest like the Birds.

A year or two back, he let his house go into foreclosure and the bank came in with several low boys and one way tickets to the metal recyclers.
UGH
I hear that they took more than sixty cars to the recyclers, many of which had not moved since the 1970s.

What a shame...

Adam

 

[PhantomEB]

No wonder I have such love for my 55, as rusty as she is.... at least I know what I gettin when I rip into her... straight to the soda blasting booth she goes!

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

For those of you with the exploded clutches.....
If you were to install the scatter proof bellhousings, would the explosion be contained inside the bellhousing OR would the scatter proof model just limit the damage?

Adam

 

[venturesomerite]

ok, so some updates... Started tearing into the motor.

 

[venturesomerite]

Some more misc pictures of the engine/components. Any and all help I'ding what I have would be great.

 

[bgarrett]

I love your car! The 56 is much prettier than a 55. The awful work done on the transmission tunnel and air ducts was pretty common because back then we had limited tools, limited knowledge, and limited money. We were proud of what we accomplished. Standards are much higher today and we have tools that we couldnt even imagine back them.
Keep plugging away every chance you get

 

[24X26]

That motor looks pretty darn clean!

 

[bams50]

Love your project. Subscribed!

 

[venturesomerite]

No ridge that I see/feel.

These are just random shots of different pistons.





Thanks for all the kind words guys.

I'm sure this is probably the worst possible choice for a candidate for someone who has never built a motor, done body work or painted a car. I'm going to do it all, little by little, for as little money as I can muster (cause frankly, I don't have any!). I love the lines of this car, I love the old raw power of a BBF, the sound of the exhaust is the voice of angels. And to boot, there are only 4 cars in the world that were my fathers, I own one, I sold one to a family friend, I parted one, and I'm damn well gonna fix this one! Some people I'm sure look at this car and just go "wow, I'd walk away", and to be honest, if it was any other car, I would probably part it out. However, I have made the deadly mistake of becoming attached to the car, blinders are up, and all I can see is the day I ruin a perfectly good, new set of tires in less than 10 minutes. I actually have a tattoo planned for the day I finally drive this bad boy.


I was speaking to my mom on the phone last night and she found the bill of sale for this car, which has been lost for the 20 years it was sitting. My Dad bought the car for $400 20 years ago. So that is how old this engine build is, and in my unprofessional opinion, it's in pretty good shape.

 

[venturesomerite]

I found a donor car with just the right parts to steal! From a 56 Victoria 2 door postless paid $400 bucks for it.

Trans tunnel was cut for a 4 speed, but has all the hump and firewall parts I need.










Cross member has been replace, but is still solid.





****** cross member is still there

 

[gregtwojeeps]

What an awesome project My brother had a 1956 CV in 1965 that was awesome, like new almost...

I don't see how you guys get the mental and intestinal fortitude to take on, and then complete these big projects.....

I started a 1979 Ford F150 4x4 frame up restoration when I was 51 y.o. By the time I hit my 7th year in to it, I was wasted both mentally and physically. Finished the truck in the 8th year and had $20K in it, and it was in fair to good shape before I started on it. To think when I started, I was just going to "clean" it up". Then somehow the "freshening up" project just snowballs in to an avalanche of parts and labor... ...

The OP has my salute for his fortitude in breathing life in to a great car again, and best wishes on a great outcome .

 

[HOTFR8]

Following this and enjoying it. Keep up the good work.

 

[venturesomerite]

Had some time tonight, so I started tearing down the donor frame for a front end rebuild, different rear end, and paint. Shop is pretty tight at the moment, as I am taking up pretty much every inch.




Can't get the forward two bolts to budge. Soaking them with PB right now.











And this is the room that is left.

 

[ford56vic]

Great project!!! Im doing one right now as well. That cross member is available. A guy in NC makes them and are very easy to install. I found him in the Hemingway ads. I have a high output 390 and 4sp top loader out of a 69 Torino going in. Im looking for a drivers side vent window if you know where one may be.

 

[Rom'S]

more pics of following ?

 

[HOTFR8]

Over due for an update.

 

[venturesomerite]

ask and you shall receive, though it might not be all that exciting.

Haven't touched the car in quite some time, other than to move it around and pile **** on it.

Got to work on the donor chassis tonight. Found some rot holes that I was not aware of though...
Started by wire wheeling the whole thing (except for that parts that the grinder won't fit.) and then moved onto cleaning the mouse nests and dirt out of the crossmembers and frame rails. (one time I actually wish this frame wasn't boxed!)












and here's the pile of **** I managed to get out. There's still some in there, but I don't know how willing I am to do it again...






I also found some spots of frame rot back by the rear axel. I cut out the bottom middle of the rad support to replace some rot, but I need to get some wider flat stock (oh no, I guess I'll just have to go to the steel yard!)

Any one have any decent tutorials on frame repair. I know what needs to be done, but would like to read up on it.

 

[brassspike]

I feel your pain! I don't know if I'll ever get finished!

 

[venturesomerite]

I feel your pain! I don't know if I'll ever get finished!

Yours looks better though!

You running a 9"? I spy a disk in the rear. What size tire you running back there? I want to run a 10.5 but I'm not sure if that will fit without a mini tub or frame work.

 

[brassspike]

Yours looks better though!

You running a 9"? I spy a disk in the rear. What size tire you running back there? I want to run a 10.5 but I'm not sure if that will fit without a mini tub or frame work.

I had a time finding the right wheel and tire combo to fit the stock wheel wells. I can get you that info if you like. (I forgot off hand and I'm in for the night). Anyway, I got a wild hair today and went ahead and cut for tubbing the outer wheel house! I should be able to go to a 10" x 17 wheel and a 11.5 tire.
Rear is a 9" w/disc from a '77 Lincoln Versailles. I'm using the front spindles from it also for the disc and the drop. These things really need the power disc!!
Look at the HAMB board and join the 55-56 ford social group. Great bunch over there.

 

[venturesomerite]

I had a time finding the right wheel and tire combo to fit the stock wheel wells. I can get you that info if you like. (I forgot off hand and I'm in for the night). Anyway, I got a wild hair today and went ahead and cut for tubbing the outer wheel house! I should be able to go to a 10" x 17 wheel and a 11.5 tire.
Rear is a 9" w/disc from a '77 Lincoln Versailles. I'm using the front spindles from it also for the disc and the drop. These things really need the power disc!!
Look at the HAMB board and join the 55-56 ford social group. Great bunch over there.

I'm on there actually.

Yeah any info would be great when you have a chance. You know what it is to find first hand does this fit info.

 

[e-tek]

Both you and brassspike are kicking *** on these builds! This era of Fords are really stylish - but they sure were HEAVY! Henry Ford did everything he could to lessen the weight of his Model T - he'd FREAK if he saw the boxed frame and the 2-ton body these things had! It's almost as if the 3rd gen Ford kids said: "**** Henry - how can we make it heavier?!"

The $400 you paid for the frame also reminds us how one mans trash is another mans treasure - never throw anything out without advertising it first!

Good luck on the build, I'm subscribed!

 

[venturesomerite]

The $400 you paid for the frame also reminds us how one mans trash is another mans treasure - never throw anything out without advertising it first!

Exactly, and honestly I couldn't have asked for a more perfect donor. Has all the floor I need, and I can build this thing to a roller before I even start on the body.

Good luck on the build, I'm subscribed!

Thanks!

 

[venturesomerite]

I took the 9" rear from a 57 custom 300 that I've been saving apart today. Looks like I need wheel cylinders, shoes and to have the drums turned, but everything else is in really good shape, including the parking brake cables. Not sure how well they will mate up to a 56 parking brake though, haven't looked into that yet. I'm not going to pull the pumpkin now because a) it doesn't leak b) I can focus that money elsewhere to get it rolling. I'll just deal with the non posi, highway gears for now.

Got some stuff in for the chassis.

Most noticably, my chassis paint came in. I went with "Chassis Saver" (cause I'm poor). I bought a gallon of it so can do the chassis, the control arms, rear end, and under side of the car. I like the stuff. I goes alot further than you'd think. Smell isn't too bad, but I wore a respiration most of the time anyways. Get's REALLY tacky as it dries.

I just had to use it, it was like a kid at Christmas, it couldn't be helped. I didn't do the parts of the chassis that I still have to fix in some way. I also coated the control arms, and rear end.








Brush marks seem to fade well as it sets up. Lays down nice and flat if you ask me.




Coated the inside of the cross member because, well it's open so why not?





And lastly (MOST) of what I ordered, some is on back order.