My year old 57 Ranch wagon project

Here's the short story verson on my Ranch wagon build.
I found it for sale in Grand Forks BC. Its hot and dry up there in the summer and deep in snow in the winter.
The old girl had been parked in a 3 sided carport for years. The original owners had given it to the grandson and because it hadn't run for a few years, The kid pulled the head off the motor... then gave up and walked away.

What really appealed to me is how solid the body is, that it was a two door and that it's floors, although needing repair were generally intact.

I phoned the owner, told him I was really interested and not a time waster. When I got there, he had already pulled it out of his carport and had it sitting on the trailer. He said, "For $50.00 I'll haul it to Vernon for you." Dun deal!








Get the feeling I have a thing for 57 fords?
... sorry the pictures are so big.. dont know what happened there.

 

The interior rear seat is useable but the remains were best used for templates.



But the happy thing was the floors adn rear deck... rust free!

 

found some cool stuff in the grub pile inside the car. I threw out the mouse nests and nuts but kept themirrors, trim and the stainless wind grabbers for the rear deck.



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I didnt have far to go for my 390. My neibour had his old work truck sitting in his back yard. I had been looking at it for 8 yers and finally struck up a conversation about it. $400 and I could have anything off it I wanted.

Started making room in the garage for a motor re and re. Moved the fairlaine into its winter storage spot at the house ( but will have it out a few more times this year).

In the morning I went down and lubed up the cylinders in the truck. When the owner can fit it in, we'll drive it straight up my driveway this weekend and I'll pull the motor/ tranny. He wants the rest back for selling for scrap later on. Cant complain about that.

Motor turns free by hand and was on the road daily until '99 when he parked it. He had rebuilt the motor in 97 so he thinks he has maybe 10, 000 on the rebuild.

 

Over last summer I hit some swap meets to find the missing goodies I needed.

some of my summer finds...

eyeballs...



the bumper...



gas cap...



cowl vent...




some Eyebrows for Hugh...



and a windshield label for fun...




With the others over at the house, I guess I'm ready to start working.



Once the mechanical work turns to body work, the Ranchero will make its way back over as well.

 

Went digging under the flakes and primer so see whats under there.
Not enough filler to mention but lots of the original grey paint still intact.







Just thinking ahead... shave the hood ( fill in the holes) or decorate with trim....hmmmmmm

 

Got more sanding done looking for rust destruction in the body.. none showing up yet. The wheelwells are untouched.

 

Another few hours of sanding and the old ugly will be off and I sweep and blow out the shop.

I'm pleased to report I've finally found some old body work.
The drivers side of the deck lid has a skim coat about 3 x 2. In digging I found it was a dent, not rust.
that and 2 goobies on the roof. The next day, the final door, quarter and rockers.

 

The head was just hanging on with a couple bolts but siezed solid.

popped the hood off....




Pulled the motor and tranny..



Started scraping and wire wheeling all the mung off..




Must have dropped 6 pounds off her. Them self lubrication systems worked pretty well in protecting them parts.



Sanded and semi glossed the inner fenders and cross member.

 

with the hood cleaned up it can be put to the side.




Bruce and I pulled the motor on sunday and I'll give it a little scrubbing before hoising it back in the air and into the 57 engine bay.





I'll need to use different motor mounts to get it to fit but no biggie.

 

More scrubbing and then in she goes.

She cleaned up well enough for installing it.



But as always, I changed out the motor mounts for 332 motor mounts and thought I'd take a chance to see if it would clear the steering box, but when you think things will go smoothly you know what can happen...




IT FIT!!!! IT CLEARED THE STEERING BOX and there's plenty of room for exaust work... I didnt have to change the exaust manifold! It dropped like a 14 years olds testicle. WOOO HOOOOO!!!!!!!

Now I can move it into place by the work bench and start bolting it all together.

 

Was a great summer and fall, but tiem to take the wife to hawaii for a break. When I returned my mail box had a bunch of goodies filling it.




I pulled the intake out of the box and dunked it in a very large vat of degreaser and let it sit for a couple hours. Then came out and scrubbed like hell redunked and scrubbed more. It came out nice and clean after about 2 hours of toothbrush, steel wool and other scrubby thing attention.

Out popped the carb from another box. After a lite blast of aluminum paint and a coat of clear, the carb dropped into place for a little look see.



From box number 4, the roof rack came out. 5 roof strips in all. I think I'll shave about 2 inches off its full length before I install it for good. It's fomoco but i dont know what year. I'm guessing mid 70's.





Was a good day. Wont be back out there for another week... urgh!
Then I'll pull the intake, install new one and the linkage.
then I'll turn my attention to pulling the seats and outing the floor.

 

Then was time to get dirty. I pulled the bench out to start looking at the contiditon of the floor.



some soft areas gave way pretty quick under a little pressure.



Time to cut out some of the floor rot and stand back and think through if i'll order new sheet metal or patch.



Patches it is. Most of the floor was sound and solid.

 

Big holes cut and ground clean then fired up the welder, some 18 guage and a heavy hammer and plugged the holes.Wacked it with rust mort first and a little rubber shoots to close it up. Should keep the feet dry.





I took a 5 month break to start working on the 34 plymouth but all the while, that voice could be heard..."yoooohooooooo, over here...."

It started with blowing it off, then installing a period correct factory rad in the old girl.



Then time to shift things around in the shop a little for some elbow room.



the mind is made up on colour too.
Satin black.

I have always loved 55-58 Nomads.
By chance I ran into 5 of 7, 58 Nomad ribs ( along with a six pack of hens teeth)





They just look kinda cool.

 

Finally its time to wet sand it and paint it.
I've shot Hot Rod Flatz in the past. This time I used SEMA flat black, its more of a satin flat finnish. Just a bit more shine than flat.









After installing all the bright work I had it's time to look for a very hard to find rear bumper and turn to the interior.