1958 Ford Ranch Wagon build "Class Project"

This thread will document the progress of the first ever “Auto Restoration” class at Seattle Lutheran High School in West Seattle, Washington.
I’ve had this idea for a while that I’d like to build a car with a group of kids. I bought the car in September 2008 with the intention of building it as a church youth group project. That didn’t take off but I and a couple other guys started picking away at the project over the course of the next year. The first set of pictures represents that progress.
In the summer of 2009 I pitched my idea to the Seattle Lutheran High School principal and got a class formed. The students will earn elective credits for participating in the build for the full nine months of the school year. In June of 2010, we will drive the car to a couple of local car shows and then sell it.
I should clarify that we have no intention of actually “restoring” this car in the traditional sense. We’re going to fix it up so we can drive it safely and comfortably.
Just to set expectations on the frequency of updates you’ll see – the class meets for 3-4 hours every other Sunday.
This is what the car looked like when we bought it:


It’s a California car (still had the black plates on it) so there’s not much rust beyond the surface rust.
Parked in its new home:

 

Initial cleanup

Here’s some shots after an afternoon of cleanup:

 

The early days of theproject

In the time before the class started we worked on getting the thing cleaned up.
- Wire brush and paint the floor
- Remove the old engine/trans
- Remove bent trim
- Started removing the surface rust
- Rebuilt the brakes
So here’s what it looked like when the class started:

 

Are you going to need to find parts like lenses and weatherstrips, or are you going to have your students use the web or repair/mold their own?

I don't want to post a mess of links if your approach is to test their resourcefullness. You'll kind of have to guide us, so that your students make the effort you expect, and not our ideal view of a $15,000 or more restoration, like your Chevy seems to be.

 

Wow, it's looking better already!!

 

that is such a great idea teaching kids thru the church! too bad there aren't more people out there like yourself that would participate....keep us posted on the build and god bless ya!

 

The goal is to be as resourceful as possible, but I don't mind buying the real specialized pieces. I've been casually on the lookout for headlight chrome and a grill, but we'll scrounge a radiator, seat, etc and construct what we can (though my fabricating skills are pretty weak).

I've posted a bunch more pics, but they seem to be off in space waiting to be moderated...

 

Ok, here's a few links that might help you out.

NOS Ford Parts. You'll need some VIN ID decoding info,
http://www.fomoco.org/Part numbers.htm

but this site does a good number range breakdown. Right-click to download these catalogs:
http://www.spacecoastshelby.com/nos.html

Self-explanatory:
http://www.dearbornclassics.com/

Ditto:
http://www.dennis-carpenter.com/

More classic Ford help:
http://www.fomoco.org/Tech tip.htm

Bezels and Lenses: He does respond and can find stuff:
http://www.taillightking.com/

Trim clips:
http://www.clipsandfasteners.com/Ford_Clips_And_Fasteners_s/63.htm

And this:
http://www.ranchwagon.com/

You can use this thread as a project diary, and save it in a clean HTML file, one page at a time, using the 'Display Modes' or 'Thread Tools' menus.

 

This is a good site for repair materials and kits:
http://topoftheline.com/auto-interior-repair-system.html

And the HAMB might be a distraction, but its mostly about Old classics and restoring them:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/index.php

 

Session #1

Our first class was September 13th. The first order of business is to put a newer motor in the wagon, so we got a ’75 Ford pickup the day before for its 390/C6.
The first class session was spent prepping to pull the motor.


The students in the "before" shot:

 

Treat that wagon right guys. Some of us are old enough to have started off in one just like it.

 

Good to see another FORD being brought back to life. Keep us posted and hopefully next go round your pics won't get caught up in any "Super Highway" red tape. :2_thumbs_up_-_anima

 

Session 2

Today was our second class. We pulled the motor from the pickup and started cleaning it up and sizing it up against the old motor.

Things I learned today:

• Not all FE motors have the motor mounts in the same place - the mounts on the new motor are about 3 inches forward of the old motor
• FE motors don't like to give up their exhaust manifolds easily - broke 7 of the 8 upper bolts on the manifolds. The 8th one stripped.

 

Sharp looking students. How many in the class?

Are you going to buy or build new Mount platforms on the crossmember or seek out the 390 member. My dad ordered his 1958 Ranchwagon with a 289 but got a 390 by mistake. He suddenly got the need for speed.

I think period model crossmembers will fit. In Canada, the Fords back then were all built on the same line. Dad was told that the 390 was scheduled to go into a TBird, but the mixup on the assembly line gave him the 390 member and engine. Some TBird got his order.