My current project

[19Walt93]

This is a 57 T Bird I'm working on for a friend. It has a fairly stout 351 with aluminum heads and a Mass Flo injection system, an AOD, a 9" with a Detroit locker, and a split brake system with an electric brake booster. The guy who started the project and was doing a nice job died, then his family sold it to a pawn shop that has someone cobble it up. I'm trying to get things sorted out but it's been a challenge because everywhere I look I find more hack jobs. Chafed and corroded wires every where, the positive battery cable was pinched every time the hood latch was pulled, the oil pan and oil filter were resting on the front crossmember, just to name a few things. It's a great looking car and runs strong at WOT.

 

[ford4wd08]

Wow, that is a looker. I like that hood. That is a sweet ride.

 

[19Walt93]

55-57 T birds look great but I'm 5'9" and I have trouble getting in and out without cracking my head. That's why I dropped the top while working under the dash.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I'd say they picked the right guy to fix it up...

Cool project Walt.

 

[justlexi]

Any update with regards to this project?

 

[19Walt93]

I finished it as far as I'm going, at least for this year and gave it back. I got the electric brake booster working but I had to solder over my face to reconnect the wires to the bottom of the unit, which was located under the master cylinder. I basically rebuilt the throttle cable brackets, remounted the gas pedal to allow full throttle, replaced the radiator and reworked the electric fan so the blade didn't drag on the motor- it had melted the connector- and modified the mounts to better fit it on the radiator, modified a new right engine mount to fit and installed it, rewired the gear reduction starter so it didn't stay engaged after starting, removed the throttle body and ground the right rear corner so the ACT sensor plug wouldn't hit it, rebuilt the air cleaner lower section so the MAF was actually attached to it instead of siliconed in place and so that it didn't rub on the #3 plug wire anymore, cleaned the throttle body and IAC, adjusted the base Idle and TP sensor, cleaned and reattached at least 6 grounds and repaired and heat shrinked more wiring than I can remember. And many other smaller repairs. It needs a wiring harness and that may happen in the spring.

 

[onequerl]

This is a 57 T Bird I'm working on for a friend. It has a fairly stout 351 with aluminum heads and a Mass Flo injection system, an AOD, a 9" with a Detroit locker, and a split brake system with an electric brake booster. The guy who started the project and was doing a nice job died, then his family sold it to a pawn shop that has someone cobble it up. I'm trying to get things sorted out but it's been a challenge because everywhere I look I find more hack jobs. Chafed and corroded wires every where, the positive battery cable was pinched every time the hood latch was pulled, the oil pan and oil filter were resting on the front crossmember, just to name a few things. It's a great looking car and runs strong at WOT.View attachment 50027

Good luck on the project. Love everything about it.