Newbie working on a '56

[CaptBatty]

I just inherited my grandfather's 1956 T'Bird which hasn't been started for the last 5 years and barely driven for the last 10 years. I am in the process of getting it running and planning on keeping it mostly original and using it as a weekend driver. Here's my first question - what tool do you use to remove the oil drain plug? My car has a 312 with the Ford O Matic transmission and the tranny keeps me from getting a 1 1/16" socket onto the drain plug and any wrenches slip off the bolt due to the recess the drain plug sits in.

It almost qualifies as a "garage find" seeing the condition it was in when I found it. She looks alot better now after some elbow grease.

 

[CaptBatty]

TBird in 2000 compared to 2013

These are photos from when I visited my grandfather in 2000 and then when I went to pick up the car in 2013 from his garage. He died in 2008 and the car has sat undisturbed (uncovered unfortunately) for the last 5 years. It's interesting how fast it went downhill in that time.

Sitting in the other side of the garage is a 1954 Chevy Bel Air hard top coupe that was covered and is almost in pristine condition (unfortunately it belongs to my brother).

 

[paul2748]

Never had that problem with my 56. The only thing I can suggest is you press the wrench (box end) on the nut with one hand (palm flat against the wrench) and turn with the other.

 

[DreemKiller]

Box End Wrench

I agree, I've got the 312 with Fordomatic, and a box-end wrench does it for me. Sometimes it's difficult to get enough torque, though.

 

[CaptBatty]

Thanks for the info - the problem I am having is the edges of the drain plug are worn a bit from before I got it and I can't get any torque lying on my back with the car up on jackstands. I am having the pan dropped and a new gasket installed anyway so I will have a new drain plug installed at the same time and then I will probably have my mechanic change it for me.