Just got another project - '58 Ford Skyliner

Oh my goodness!

 

It looks like you have a little more adjusting to do on the decklid, unless it gets "locked down" to make it fit flush. But that's a "hats off" to you, as those are just a nightmare to adjust, let alone repair.

 

That whole mechanism is just a wonder of engineering to me. Nice job getting it operational again.

 

Frankly, it sounds like a James Bond movie prop. But hey, when it works, it's really cool.

 

Hot Dog! That's fantastic! I'm super happy for you man. That must have been a big relief.

 

OMG it does work - Congrats

 

Can't seem to get the video to play.......

 

I've still got a bunch more work to do on it. As Silvertwinkiehobo pointed out, the trunk doesn't relatch on the drivers side with the roof down. I need to lube everything so it works smoothly and doesn't sound like a trash compactor, and to get it to go down, I had to unbolt one of the rear top latches from the top and put a drill on its driveshaft to get it to release. I'm getting power to it, but the motor is seized, so it will have to be, minimum, rebuilt, if not replaced. And of course, it needs all new seals. I'm still working on separating the balljoints and replacing them, and I've got some brake parts on order. However, I also managed to find original glass to replace the two broken pieces and another master cylinder to replace the one I broke when I dropped it.

 

Looking good. You are making steady progress. My Father-in-law was wanting a Skyliner when he found the 59 Sunliner. Now seeing everything you are going through, I'm kind of glad he found a "regular" convertible. Keep up the good work. It will certainly be worth it!

 

Hey Breadbox, I have an issue of Hemming's Classic Car magazine with a couple articles on the Skyliner history and such. If you're interested in it, let me know.

 

I'm back from out of the haze with more progress. I didn't work on the Skyliner much over the summer. A family vacation to Florida ended up causing me to have to replace the alternator on my wife's Volvo XC90 (which involves taking half the front suspension and a halfshaft off) twice, then the fuel pump died on the 740. By the time I got back to working on the Skyliner, someone had broken into the garage it's in and stole all my non-metric tools. While having no tools, I finally figured out why the top's not working right. I have a bad motor on one of the screw latches that holds the top down to the rear fender. I also got all the lights working and replaced the brake lines. I put a new gas tank in and got all the suspension work finished before the tools disappeared. I got a new basic tool set just before black Friday and have gotten back to work.




The valvetrain's rusted solid, but the further down I go the better it's looking, and I know there's still oil in the pan. I also found 3 of its hubcaps in my basement, don't know why my father-in-law put them in his in-law's basement. Here are a few more pictures from the past few months.

 

Sorry to hear about your tools. Glad to see it hasn't stopped you from working on the car. The hubcaps are a great find! Keep us posted on your progress. Can't wait to see it ready to go down the road.

 

Seems like more things come up missing lately while someone is on a vacation.
I guess that's what friends are for!
Everytime I read about a Skyliner I get visions of the one my younger brother tore apart just for the top motors, cylinders, etc. then scrapped the car.

 

Is that engine a 332? It doesn't look like a Y block.

 

352 FE block.