Floor Problems - Any help with parts?

[ashmatk2000]

In follow-up to my discussion "Frame off dilemma", I removed the custom, ugly fabricated floor hump from my '57 last night and pulled the engine and trans. I'll now need a good '57 hump to put back in. In the catalogs I've found, I haven't seen this part as being available. Do any of you folks know where I could find a good, non-rusted floor hump? Any help would REALLY be appreciated.

Just to give you a sense of how bad the situation is for me, I also dicovered that the prior owner/bonehead notched the frame top just in front of the "X" for some reason. I don't know why he did this as the trans (a T85C) and mount fit fine withhout this distruction. He removed the top of the frame's beam, and about 2" of the web for a length of about 6". Not a problem to fix, but frustrating nonetheless.

[nomadbird]

I had a feeling this question would be coming. There is a super nice Bird guy up in Portland. He buys and sells Baby Birds both cars and parts. If you have any luck at all (and you're overdue for some of the good type), he might have a parts car now that will bail you out.
http://www.birdbrains.net

If Jerry or one of his guys can't help you out, c'mon back and we'll try something else.

Tom D

[Ts & As]

Checked all of my catalogs also - no luck - the hump usually does not rust out like the floor pans did. They did not take into account human caused destruction of that magnitude.

Looking at the hump - the contour does not seem so complex that you may be able to patch with one or two pieces of sheet metal of similar gauge spotted into place. That may be easier than finding a body being surgically parted out. Just a thought - Hope you do get lucky.

Tom R
57 Dusk Rose

[ashmatk2000]

Thanks Tom and the other Tom, you guys are great. I have messages into Birdbrains and the other usual suspects (Grumpy Bob from Florida and Thunderbird Center). I'm in dissasembly mode now, so I have plenty of time to search. If I get stuck, I'll be back in touch. Aren't you glad your projects are past this stage? Thanks again. If you're ever in Vegas, lunch is on me.

[Brian]

I am suprised at how attractively priced his cars are for sale (birdbrains)!

[ashmatk2000]

Well I had a little bit of good news today. I found someone who will sell me a hump. $550 plus shipping. Not cheap, but what choice do I have - none. I'm just happy that I could find one.

[Ts & As]

You have a touch for finding the near impossible - congratulations. Just curious - how much did the previous owner(butcher) chop out of the hump?

Tom R

[ashmatk2000]

The section removed is about 30" long, and from 18" wide to about 6-1/2", starting from about 1" in front of the firewall. The first 20" in length is the widest at 18" width, with the remaining 10" ranging between 6-1/2" and 18". The 18" width is basically the entire raised portion of the tunnel. Judging by the crackle I felt below my feet while taking measurements of this and the site of exposed fabric, apparently he also repaired floor pan sections with fiberglass (directly above the mufflers of course).

The prior owners desire for authenticity seems to have also been reflected in his engine building technique. The motor, and "E" code 312, has each head correctly cast as "ECZ-G", however, one head has one piece retainers and 1:54 rockers (correct for the "E" model), while the other head has two piece retainers and 1:43 rockers. I can't wait to see what he did with the short block.

It just keeps on gettin better folks.

As an aside, Brain is right about Birdbrains prices for their cars. They are also some of the friendliest folks I've dealt with. At this rate I'll have well over the asking price of their "E" invested in parts and labor for mine.

One more question: Does anyone know if the floor and hump are different for an automatic versus a manual trans car? The concern here is that the shifter opening may be different in the two versions. I have a 3 speed/OD trans, and floors may only be available from automatic cars.

[ 04-10-2003: Message edited by: ashmatk2000 ]

[nomadbird]

I am not aware of any body or frame differences between the automatic and manual cars. All cars have the threaded holes on the left frame rail for the clutch linkage mounting, and all cars have the same size opening on the left side of the tunnel for the shifter/selector and all cars have a rubber plugged hole on the tunnel for Ford-O-Matic band adjustment.

I sure hope there is a very specific understanding between buyer and seller regarding the size and included features of this floor panel. Especially true if it is coming all the way from Florida.

You mentioned the financial aspect of this restoration vs buying a completed car. If you can see the financial futility this early in the game, it will only get worse.
Perhaps the purchase of Birdbrains' F-Bird would give you a whole lot more value, with something to tinker with (hunting the missing F parts) and having a far more valuable item in the end. We all have to recognize that the entry price for a good quality, not top show quality but nice authentic car is $30K. There is a lot of stuff out there for a lower purchase price, but you will have at least $30K in it by the time you have a nice, proper, complete car.

Tom D.

[ashmatk2000]

Tom, Thanks again for the info. Your comments are well noted. I'm in for the duration on my car. If I'm out 50k I will see it done. Resale is not a consideration for me. This is my hobby and I enjoy it. Challenges just make the solutions more interesting and rewarding for me - something my wife will probably never understand.

[gbhrps]

Just some followup assurance. Our restoration shop just swapped transmissions between two 57 Birds earlier this year. The automatic from one was switched with the stickshift from the other with no problems concerning floor pans at all. Obviously prop shafts, pedals, etc. were swapped as well. Good luck on your project, and welcome to the fraternity!

[Brian]

Here's one more to complicate the issue:

I have cut an access hole in my hump to get to the overdrive solenoid assembly. This thing is impossible to get to, and my thinking was that a little access plate will be a nice addition.

My car won't be concourse, but I doubt you could see it unless it was on a lift.

And me too - this is a fun hobby! Hope the wallet holds up.