Thread: 55 Wagon Progress

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Robert, it goes without saying that your attention to detail is extraordinary. I just looked, you're 12 years into this build. Some folks who've never gone to these kinds of lengths might think that as crazy (and being crazy doesn't hurt when building hot rods), but I say "welcome to reality". It took me close to 18 years to get my old '36 roadster done (admittedly a good chunk of that was idle time while I focused on other things, but still....) but the results made demands on time and effort. The young lady who hired you to build this for her made a good choice in my mind, and she'll be rewarded for it in having a very special vehicle.

I have a question, are you going to put the headlights on relays to relieve the power drain at the dimmer switch?
The wiring looks great, especially the disconnects at the gauge clusters.

Headlight relay location is not 100% mapped out but will likely be on the back side of the core support.

Originally Posted by MP&C

Headlight relay location is not 100% mapped out but will likely be on the back side of the core support.

On my 76 Corvette I placed them on the left inner fenderwell, made for a short access to the alternator.

Beautiful work, that is one nice and well built car!

incredible!

Man that's sweet than CANDY !!!!!!!

Shop truck update, I had some exhaust parts left under the tree. A 2-1/2" mandrel bend kit and a pair of Black Widow Venom 250's.


[IMG] https://hosting.photobucket.com/b776...490b51e846.jpg [/IMG]


We had a spot going through a crossmember that was a bit snug, so we made a set of dies to flatten the pipe, as well as a plug for the end of the pipe to keep it round for welding to the next piece. Some quick geometry gave us the size and offset needed. Yeah, one of those classes from high school they say you'll never use again.











https://youtube.com/shorts/3m3mNGYTF...iG10O1OFryXYib


Plenty of clearance...











My favorite exhaust... heard and not seen.








test fire (inside the paint booth)


https://youtube.com/shorts/cUAwM1RGm...sK9UDwr_1oLtP_


And a couple drive bys..


https://youtu.be/bx0tNjLgP1Y?si=pjk84lpaog_lAHuF


https://youtu.be/urcF2-tLet8?si=6H8sXZ0B6VvOuOmD


I also "ran across" an engine suitable for rebuild to eventually replace the original 352 one day.














Yup, a 410 Mercury.

Sweet! Exhaust sounds great, and looks great too!

Nice work on the exhaust system. does sound nice.
A 66 410? HMmmm I'd have to look that one up.

Originally Posted by 34_40

A 66 410? HMmmm I'd have to look that one up.

That had me scratching my head too, Mike! Looks like only '66/67 for the Merc Marauder - https://bangshift.com/bangshift1320/...gotten-oldies/

Originally Posted by rspears

That had me scratching my head too, Mike! Looks like only '66/67 for the Merc Marauder - https://bangshift.com/bangshift1320/...gotten-oldies/

Yes, it popped into my head after I hit Post, the 428 FE crank bolts into the 390 FE to make a 410. The conn rods should've tipped me off.
A rarity to be sure! But... I hope it doesn't take him 12 years to put it together!!! HAHAHAHA.. Kramer and I are waiting wink, wink.

Correct, the 410 was a two year production, essentially a 390 with 428 crank. Not that the shop truck needs a new engine, but want to have one ready to drop in when I get to that point. And it’s going to our local engine shop, so it should be a few weeks, not years.

I am still collecting parts, this was a short block only.

Weeks, not Years... hahahaha Thanks for the update!

Collecting more parts for the shop truck... These are reproduction cast shorty headers by Kugel Komponents, based off the OEM Ford 406 headers. They were media blasted and have been dropped off for a Cerakote finish. Still looking for some C6AE-R cylinder heads, rockers, and an intake for the 410 block.





We also got the underdash AC bezel back from Chrome plating, still waiting on the round vents*[IMG][/IMG]





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vhiNxtUtxE





Still plugging along with the wiring on the 55. Fuse box is installed, still have some fine tuning (shortening) on some of the wire bundles.. but someone installed a steering wheel in the way. And since our Snap On puller doesn't fit the Billet Specialties hole pattern, it's time to make a new one..





Strike two, we didn't have a 1/2-20 tap to fabricate the new part, so we opted for a 1/2-20 hex nut. A shoulder was machined to center it up in the clearance hole, and welded onto our bar stock








All removed, ready for some wiring...





Shortening up another bundle and crimping on new Pak-Con pins

















We went to install the reproduction ignition switch, which came with a grooved retaining nut. We didn't have the needed "socket", and the one found online had fingers that were too short, for a guaranteed slip and scratch of the chrome finish. So yeah, let's raid the scrap pile of some 1-1/4" tubing..





https://youtube.com/shorts/6BCdxgtIQ...3lPnJ6-O-g4KVx











https://youtube.com/shorts/mQLstGXZn...lj5an-ORz-DULd





Works like a charm...