1967 Ford Squire wagon restoration

For what it's worth...

Dr. Smith,

Nice work on the wagon and best of luck as you progress through the project. I'm a new to this forum but I do have a bit of experience with Ford/Mercury’s so I thought I jump in.

I've rebuilt a '68 390GT motor for a Mustang I had some years ago and there are a couple of things from that rebuild I thought you might be interested in.

First, the oil pan gasket. The gasket kit for this motor might have come with a "newer" rubber pan gasket. I'd suggest not using this gasket. This gasket very easily pinches out between the pan gasket bolts. I unfortunately experienced seepage on my rebuild. It's a fairly easy mistake to over torque these bolts which cause the gasket to bulge. Even going with the minimum torque for these bolts the gasket gets oily and bulges. With this motor I'd suggest using something like a Permatex liquid gasket; where you form the gasket yourself or an old-fashion cork gasket from fel-pro along with a gasket contact solution. I had good luck with the Permatex product.

Another thing on the pan, I would use a rubber saddle gasket that contacts the crank, making sure it's well lubricated prior to initially firing up the engine. This gasket can be easily damaged by dry contact with the crank.

When I rebuilt the 390GT I was able to find some heads off of a 428 Cougar. In an attempt to save money at the time I had the value guides "reconditioned". This turned out to be unwise. Hopefully your heads had new guides put in as part of the rebuild. Worn guides will lead to oil seepage into the cylinder causing smoke at start up.

Last, when I originally rebuilt this engine I was living back in Kansas City. It gets cold there and this engine can be a bit cranky to start when it is cold. For a couple of years I constantly adjusted the point’s gap trying to improve the cold start and idle with this engine along with adjusting the choke. Someone suggested electronic ignition, I have to say that this is a pretty good suggestion; especially if your wife will be driving it. I went from cranking and messing around with this at start up to one turn start up with the electronic unit. Ford unlike Chevy doesn't have an "adjustment window" on their distributors, making adjusting the points an irritating and very inexact science. As such the electronic ignition will make your life so much easier.

I said that was last thing but I'm curious about the transmission rebuild. The FMX / Merc-o-matic was kind of a medium duty transmission. Did you consider just getting a rebuilt C6?

Hope this didn't come off wrong I was just trying to pass on a couple of things I ran into. I hope to soon start my own thread like yours. I'll be restoring a '66 Mercury Colony Park.

Best of luck and look forward to more pictures and progress with your Ford.

Regards,
Martin

 

Hey Martin,

Thanks so much for the tips. They are always much appreciated.

We used a cork gasket on the oil pan. We also decided to go with the permatex make a gasket for the front and rear main seals.

Surprisingly, the car already had electronic ignition installed!

Heads have been completely rebuilt including guides and seals. If it blows smoke, I will not be happy!

As far as the trans, we decided to do a complete rebuild on the original trans to keep it with the car. Also, we did not want to chase down shift linkage to fit the wagon to a C6. The actual original trans is a MX which is more than enough duty for my wife to drive.

Adrian clements from the galaxie club has figured out the following transmissions are in increasing duty as follows:
C4: V-code 240-1V
> some C-code 289-2V
> FX: some C-code 289-2V
> MX: C-code 289-2V (Police)
> some H-code 390-2V
> C6: some H-code 390-2V
> Z-code 390-4V
> Q-code 428-4V
> P-code 428-4V
> XPL Special: H-code 390-2V with Trailer Towing Package
> Z-code 390-4V with Trailer Towing Package
> Q-code 428-4V with Trailer Towing Package
>> Therefore, it is safe to conclude that the XPL Special was stronger than the
> C6, which was stronger than the MX, which was stronger than the FX, which
> was stronger than the C4.


Thanks again, its good to know that you have already been thru a 390 motor, which is very foreign to me since we have always worked on GM engines.

Dr B

 

New floor 3rd row foot well.

We could not find a new floor, so we made a new one!



Engine bay painted in satin black.



Sorry for the lack of updates but there were delays from some of the vendors who we are buying parts from.

The car should come out of the shop in the next week or two and then we will be putting the engine and transmission back in. After that it is going to my shop and we will start with assembly. "Some assembly required!!!"

 

Some assembly required... And then some! Well done with that third row. Did you put any stress 'ribs' on the underside to keep it from flexing? Or use extra thick sheetmetal?

 

Dr B...in the words of Eric VonZipper...
....'you are my ideel'...............

cant wait to see her in her full splendor

 

Wow, great reading, what a car, can't wait to see it when it's done

 

Regarding the roof rack

Dr. Smith,

I was wondering where (or if) you've purchased new rubber seals/feet for your roof rack? For that matter do you have window seals, door gaskets, etc? I've been looking around but have not had any success in finding these items for my '66 Colony Park.

Thanks.
Martin

 

Martin,

Great question about the rubber feet. I would buy new ones but there are none to buy as I have found with many parts for this wagon. The best Idea I have found was to buy rubber floor mats and make them for the four feet. Also, I plan to use the idea below for the center runners.
http://www.rickwrench.com/index79master.htm?http://www.rickwrench.com/rackpads.html

As far as the door seals, fuzzies and window channels, I used restoration specialties in Windber PA. Here is their link and ask for Dave and tell them I sent you.
http://www.restorationspecialties.com./products.htm

As far as any window gaskets..seals for the rear side windows, we had no choice but to re-use the old ones. Chalk that one up to NLA.

 

I don't have anything to add to this thread but it's been a few weeks since my last post and wanted to chime in. I'm looking forward to see it when it is done.I like that color! L8ters

 

I Pulled the wagon out from the body shop today. From here its going to the mechanics shop to have the AC/heater box, engine, and trans put in. Then we will finish putting her together.
Here are some new pics from today.

 

Getting itchy to drive it? Looks really fine.

 

maybe we'll start calling you ...DR Feelgood

 

It looks like a NEW unassembled car.

 

Great pics.... I say..particularly nice weather! .. Thx for sharing!

 

Car looks great! I just hope my resto comes along just as nice. Keep up the good work. :2_thumbs_up_-_anima