'55 Restore

[EricJ]

Been a while, bought the Bird 2 years ago now and just getting started on the restore. I have putted with it for awhile but had too many other projects to get started with it. I checked it out mechanically and made some plans for upgrades. She needs major engine work, I'm going to pull the heads and take a peak, if the cylinders look good, I'll just do rings and put it back together. She runs and drives fine, has plenty of power but smokes like a chimney. I'm hoping stuck rings. I also acquired a mostly complete 292 bored to 301 with all the internals and the heads. all is machined and ready for assembly, so it the original doesn't pan out I have a plan. The trans I will upgrade, it is a 3 spd standard, I bought a 4 spd top loader wide ratio for her and did the machining and installed it, and made a shifter and linkage to fit the original hole in the floor. The plan is to swap the rear gears in the dana 44 to 3.08's. That will give me the same gear ratio off the line but act as an OD in 4th.

I cleaned out my shop, added shelving, and new 10x20 loft area and a car storage lift to give me enough room to do the frame off resto here. The body is pretty good, there is a lot of surface rust, but no rot that I can find yet. But it will be on the rotisserie so we will see.

I bought a generator look alike alternator in 12V, and I'm going to use 2- 6V batteries mounted in the trunk so I can use both the 6v accessories it has and add 12v if needed. That will allow me room to use a more modern firewall mounted booster and dual master to the brakes. Jury is still out on front disc or 4 wheel drum. I will add som pix later, have to head for work.

 

[Inertialmass]

Sounds like a very nice project with tools and space to work with. I look forward to seeing photos.

 

[unibody62]

Been a while, bought the Bird 2 years ago now and just getting started on the restore. I have putted with it for awhile but had too many other projects to get started with it. I checked it out mechanically and made some plans for upgrades. She needs major engine work, I'm going to pull the heads and take a peak, if the cylinders look good, I'll just do rings and put it back together. She runs and drives fine, has plenty of power but smokes like a chimney. I'm hoping stuck rings. I also acquired a mostly complete 292 bored to 301 with all the internals and the heads. all is machined and ready for assembly, so it the original doesn't pan out I have a plan. The trans I will upgrade, it is a 3 spd standard, I bought a 4 spd top loader wide ratio for her and did the machining and installed it, and made a shifter and linkage to fit the original hole in the floor. The plan is to swap the rear gears in the dana 44 to 3.08's. That will give me the same gear ratio off the line but act as an OD in 4th.

I cleaned out my shop, added shelving, and new 10x20 loft area and a car storage lift to give me enough room to do the frame off resto here. The body is pretty good, there is a lot of surface rust, but no rot that I can find yet. But it will be on the rotisserie so we will see.

I bought a generator look alike alternator in 12V, and I'm going to use 2- 6V batteries mounted in the trunk so I can use both the 6v accessories it has and add 12v if needed. That will allow me room to use a more modern firewall mounted booster and dual master to the brakes. Jury is still out on front disc or 4 wheel drum. I will add som pix later, have to head for work.

You may want to try Valvoline R&P oil. I’ve read lots about it on a Subaru forum and seems to have good results. It’s reported to free up stuck rings and clean up carbon deposits. Here is a good video to check out. https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/astm-d5293-ccs-vs-astm-d4684-mrv.349916/

 

[EricJ]

have some pix, the body isn't bad, the paint is falling off because whoever changed the color used a primer and a paint that weren't compatible, or the conditions were not good. Under all the paint is surface rust, but most of it is very minor. And the body only has a couple of small dents. I also threw in some pix of the trans. mount, and the shifter and linkage.

 

[EricJ]

the last picture it the ID plate off the Ford wide ratio Toploader, I also have two more on the shelf and both look the same as the one I used. One is a close ratio and one is a wide ratio.

 

[EricJ]

As far as the mods go, it will stay looking stock with the exception of the wheels, not sure where that will go. She will be a 12V conversion with 2- 6V batteries in the trunk So I can use 6 or 12V for any accessories. I am eliminating the water pump spacer, I have found in the past it stops the low speed overheating issues they have. I went with a 12V alternator that is a generator look-a-like. It will get power brakes via a newer style firewall mounted booster. Not sure if I am going front disc, or all 4 drums yet. The 4 speed wide ratio with a higher rear gear,(3.08). IT will get blue tooth stereo, haven't decided how to go about that yet, and I am working on a design for an integral A/C system. I also need a soft top and it only came with the hard top.Oh I think it is going to get a early Mustang style luggage rack on the trunk since It is going to be my Florida Keys Cruiser if I live long enough to finish her.

 

[EricJ]

You may want to try Valvoline R&P oil. I’ve read lots about it on a Subaru forum and seems to have good results. It’s reported to free up stuck rings and clean up carbon deposits. Here is a good video to check out. https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/astm-d5293-ccs-vs-astm-d4684-mrv.349916/

She's on the engine stand now, so I'm just going to pull the heads and take a peak. If the cylinders look good I'll pop the pistons and do rings and valve seals. And if not I have the other block all machined and ready to be assembled.

 

[Inertialmass]

That's a sweet looking machine, thanks for the pics. My 64 is slowly being reassembled. I'm now checking and repairing the firewall wiring prior to reinstalling the rebuilt AC/heater box. I'm also modifying my wiring a little bit by adding a custom security circuit to prevent a thief from being able to hotwire my car. They'll have to tow or trailer it if they want to steal it.

 

[Inertialmass]

have some pix, the body isn't bad, the paint is falling off because whoever changed the color used a primer and a paint that weren't compatible, or the conditions were not good. Under all the paint is surface rust, but most of it is very minor. And the body only has a couple of small dents. I also threw in some pix of the trans. mount, and the shifter and linkage.

The paint on my car is similar. Whoever painted it didn't prepare the substrate very well. I've had paint come off when removing yellow masking tape I've applied in various spots.That's the last of my concerns though, I'm mainly working on the functional and reliability aspects, and correcting the paint in the areas I'm working. No frame-off restoration here, but a complete refurbishment of the roof side rails, windshield and frame, and everything hidden by the dash. I'm just trying to make this my daily driver.

 

[EricJ]

The paint on my car is similar. Whoever painted it didn't prepare the substrate very well. I've had paint come off when removing yellow masking tape I've applied in various spots.That's the last of my concerns though, I'm mainly working on the functional and reliability aspects, and correcting the paint in the areas I'm working. No frame-off restoration here, but a complete refurbishment of the roof side rails, windshield and frame, and everything hidden by the dash. I'm just trying to make this my daily driver.

I like that body style, I had a customer that had 2 of those, a baby blue coupe and a dark green coupe. Really nice riding cars.