Retrieving a 59 Fairlane 500 convertible

It's a pretty sweet ride. The owner's family owns the Chevrolet dealership in Ellensburg. It has a LS crate motor as it's motivation.
I thought it was neat that there is a 59 FORD and a 59 Chivy in the same shop, at the same time.

 

Well, I guess having an LS isn't all bad; I just would've liked to have seen it in original condition. But yeah, two '59s is very cool.

 

Well, The 59 is back from having all the new suspension and brake bits installed. It did handle and ride much better, but I think the steering box is worn out. There is still a considerable amount of play in the wheel.

It was a nice day so I went straight from the shop to pick my son up from pre-school. He was pretty excited that he got to ride in Grandpa's Fairlane.



I also finally ordered the tires from Coker.
Should be here next week.

 

You might be too used to modern vehicles to consider your thinking about the steering box.
Have a pro look at it.
Vintage vehicles are and were quite loose.

Fun to drive a vintage car my friend and ENJOY IT!!!!

 

Have to agree with Jairas. If you think the steering is loose now on that perfect flat paved road, go for a thrill! Ride some old bias plys, maybe some re-treads on a windy bumpy paved road at some speed ( with no seat belt just like back in 59)
Had a 62 Meteor ( my second car age 16), no seat belts on re-treads........ that was FUN!

 

They can get so, until one takes the play out, through an adjusting screw. He'd want to note if it's a long shaft gear box which it likely is. Those are the ones without that the composite, what looks to be made of nylon fabric and rubber, coupling between the steering wheel and gear box. They have no seals, at the bearing cover. So, you don't want to take it to the quarter car wash to spray off the engine compartment and aim at the top of that box. If that already has been done, the grease in that box should be renewed. In fact, it would be a good idea to renew the grease anyway, if it has never been done. In between, I'd take the play out, before refilling the box with new grease, and try to detect any ball bearing roughness. After all, there must have been a reason for the box to work loose. If you get the impression that the surfaces of worm and bearing aren't yet pitted, you can now add the grease

 

It is possible. Although I don't have a vintage automobile as my DD, I do spend a considerable amount of time driving a number of them regularly during the nicer part of the year. I think I am used to, or at least not surprised by, how steering on vintage vehicles behaves. But for some reason I was surprised with the Fairlane. Perhaps my expectations were set to high when I went to pick it up from the shop.

We plan to. Thanks

PI, thanks for the suggestion.
I stuffed the Fairlane back into it's storage trailer two days ago. Winter made a special encore appearance here in Yakima and brought snow with it.

In the next few weeks I'll have it back out for having the new tires installed etc. Will probably have the steering inspected then.

 

I know I mentioned previously that I didn't care for the standard issue hubcaps that are on the car.
They just look sort of ho-hum.

I have been looking at photos of cars on the inner webs, and I have found some that are sporting these:



They are 59/60 Thunderbird
I think these caps paired with the red wheels and the whitewall tires will look pretty sharp.

Here's a 59 Skyliner set up with that combo:

 

The colors are pretty, against the stainless steel. But, who wants some Sphinx sporting over-sized nads holding out a hand, as if it was directing traffic, so that school kids can cross the road, printed on a wheel cover? Besides, the covers are difficult to judge, being that they're mounted on the shaded side of the vehicle on a cloudy day

 

We do. We're Ford owners.

Jeremiah, those are what you want. I can't remember if I originally voted to change the wheel color or not, but that Skyliner is pulling it off, so yours will also. The caps in any good condition are pricey, but for what you are attempting to do, I think they'd be well worth the cost.

 

I'm assuming your car has power steering with the old cylinder assist. It is mounted on a ball stud and has bronze bushings inside. You can take up that slack via an adjustment on the end of the cylinder. Also, I think I may have an NOS seal kit for the cylinder somewhere in my tool box. I'll see if I can find it.

 

Someone said(?) similar in another thread..... as you get old the eyes just don't work like they used to, more sensitive in some ways so I guess less sensitive in others , "lights/lighting" must follow.

The new idea for wheel covers look great even in the shade you can tell, looking at the other pics of the rag top, the new choice "pop", great choice IMO


Hard to tell I guess, drivers side is in the shade also




I can see a huge for the better difference......... even in the shade,

 

I'd ask the above poster who can see things in the dark, like a possible power steering reservoir on page nine. If not, maybe this link should train his Humanoid-grade eye and the bright red colors should keep him busy signing petitions, donating aid and quit shopping at Walmart or even most anywhere, excluding farmers' markets:

https://www.change.org/p/xi-to-stop-the-cruelty-of-killing-dogs-in-china-for-leather

Incidently, we're already on page twelve and haven't yet seen detailed images of the engine compartment. If it does have power steering or even if it doesen't, you could chuck all that and easily replace the steering gear with a modern integrated power unit of which the modification can't be seen from without. These are available in entire conversion kits. Gone is the vague roadfeel feedback. Say hello to modern handling. There will be less places to leak, being that the kit will eliminate hoses, since the boost has been moved to within the steering gear box. No more grime to enter baggy seals which would otherwise destroy the cylinder and bushings. If you have a hydraulic brake booster, you could even plumb your new unit together with it, without booster loss:

http://www.hotrod.com/articles/installing-borgeson-power-steering-in-a-1959-ford-truck/



Both old and new, side by side:

 

You're right. Mostly because it looks like crud.

 

We've got strong empty stomachs. Show us anyway. That's only a temporary condition. Nicht wahr?