1958 Country Sedan project

Update:


Not much to report. The wagon is running great, no major problems but unfortunately the $ has run out.
I took on a part-time job at local sign shop until I can land some decent illustration contracts. Need to start saving the cash to finish some of the major things I want to repair. (Be nice if the gas prices would drop!)

The front door glass needs replaced along with the felts and channels.
Like to build up the front seat with decent bolsters as they guys only covered sheets of foam rubber and that gives no support what so ever.
Of course she needs a radiator as I mentioned earlier, but with moderate attention seems to perform well and keep the engine cool so no worries there.
Got to get that AM radio fixed and really want to pull out all the dents in the body and align the body panels. (color probably won't change soon)
Of course I am still wanting to put wood on the sides.
But more important, noticed a drip coming from the rear axle so the nose seal behind the yoke is next to be replaced. I hate leaks, so I seek out and fix all drips as soon as possible. It is with some pride I can say that that 390 and the C6 trans are tight and drip free!!!

Been taking the wagon to lots of local shows and swap meets selling shirts. The pic above was at the Chemeketa community college swapmeet last weekend (June 17th). We did well and I had two people who wanted to buy my car... but I politely told them both it's not for sale.

Drive it every day and love it so far! July 21st marks my one year anniversary by the way.

 

WOW....a year already?! Sure doesn't seem that long, Jairus. Time flies when you are having fun. You are doing good with that car and I admire your loyalty to it. That car is lucky...it's only going to get better and better as time goes on under your care!

 

I couldn't stop reading this thread. It was like reading a novel that hooks you on the first paragraph and you just can't put it down.

Some excellent thoughts on diagnosis and repair displayed here. Not to mention the superb artwork, Jairus. The '58 thread is completely inspirational all the way through.

When I find my '60 Ranch Wagon, I wanna be just like Jairus!

Chap

 

I am not sure how exactly to respond to your post.
Honored to be sure, but my life has had a lot of ups and downs so don't try to be like me please.
As for finding your '60... good luck! Plenty of stock around if you are willing to sacrifice and find a build-able project worth working on.

Thank you for the compliments on artwork. Being an artist is sometimes hard and seems at times to have few rewards when the economy goes bad.

As for the '58, it is resting quietly tonight. I entered it in the "Rust-O-Rama" car show yesterday. Sold shirts at our booth all day, got a little sun and ogled the sweet tasty walking around. Was a great day!
Sunday, today, became a recharge day, with going back to work on Monday.
Next show is in a couple weeks. Nothing new to report regarding the surf wagon. Fixed a couple of shorts in the wiring and still need a radiator and front glass in the doors.

Oh.. and the drive belt on the 8-track broke finally. Not surprising since it's the original and I'll miss my tapes till I can get back to NORVAC and find a replacement. Least I know how to fix it.

 

Thinking about stickin' an 8-track in mine too, separate from the regular stereo I have in there. Just for giggles. Lord knows I have enough 8-track tapes. You're right... being an artist IS hard. Every time I do a drawing or a painting people ask why I don't do it professionally and I say because I like to eat. I do enough for my projects and that makes me happy and gives me an edge when selling my cars. I give you kudos for making a living out of it. Good job!

 

just read thru the whole thread myself Jairus ,enjoyed it the whole way...Its nice to see car owners dig in and get there hands dirty doing the repairs themselves that are managable..I also have a 1935 ford that is totally re-done that we show here in washington...and at the last goodguys show i went to a gentlemen came up to me and was asking questions about our car , saying he is building one himself....well....our car is probably worth around 25 -30k depending on market , and this guy said he was getting close to driving it and was around the 70k market ....hmmm.. my first thought was....how much did he actually do himself?...probably none of it....lol.....so hats off Brother for all the rebuilding...painting ...and design thus far on your journey....thats where the satisfaction comes from...

 

Well thank you sir! I agree about that doing for yourself stuff. Only time I have used professionals was when I needed specialized help or tools.
Indeed, it does feel good and thanks for reading.

 

I wish I had taken pictures... but, spent a couple hours under the car today after church replacing the rear end main shaft seal. Pretty easy overall and now I won't be leaving a drip or two of gear oil on the pavement where ever I stop.

The car has been a dream to own and drive the last year and the thumbs up I get daily just cruising through town to and from work are worth the trouble.

(What am I saying... I LOVE working on cars!)

 

Thumbs up to Jairus. Luv the way you work with your wagon..

 

Not much to report. I drive the wagon daily and now that fall has come upon us here in the Pacific Northwest rain is falling and the leaves are turning brilliant colors.
The '58 Ranch Wagon is running wonderfully and my Chuck Taylors stay toasty warm under the heater vents. But I am noticing a slight usage of crankcase oil lately. With no odometer, I am guessing about a quart every 3 months of general usage. Sooo... suppose I might need to look for another 390FE core eventually. Or the alternative is to get this one rebuilt down the road. But for now the oil consumption is not worrisome. Just interesting.

Have not replaced the radiator yet. Getting into the rhythm of checking the water level and that is working, and no overheating so why spend money I don't have?

But.... I did manage to fix something that was bugging me!
When I got the car it only had one license plate light.
Didn't work of course... but after I replaced the busted lense with a piece of plexaglass and repainted the reflector and ground off the rust and rewired the ..... well you get the picture.

Searching for another during the last 16 months turned up nothing! Turns out these things are VERY rare and were made one year only!

Well, I finally found one! Or, better yet, I found a set!!!

Now John Law can see my legal plate at night!

 

...keepin the Chuckys warm....

Hey J...dont forget...if you go looking for another motor...it could be a 352 or 360 or 390...or 428...they all fit:2_thumbs_up_-_anima

and for the NON geek Ford guy...its real hard to tell the difference bewteen the early 352 and 390...you have to yank a plug and measure the stroke...and thats the easy way

 

Cool car!

1958 is my favorite of the 50's Ford wagon.

 

Been a while since I posted any updates here. Not much to report as I've had little money to spend on parts... Until today.

I've been saving pennies for over a year to replace that leaky radiator. Never in my life have I spent as much for a radiator as I just spent today!!!!
But, a new radiator will be arriving in one to two weeks and I cannot wait!

It has been 9+ months since the core sprung a leak and the story from the guys I normally go to for repairs and replacement all tell me the same story: "the price of brass and copper and solder is going through the roof!"

But, the days of having to carry a gallon jug of water around and leaving the stupid cap loose will very soon be over.

Now, to save up the pennies for door glass and window felts starts.

Only other thing to say is... I drive the Ranch Wagon every day, it always starts, has never left me stranded and I love long roof wagons!

 

been reading since the begining......really cool old ford ,,,,you need to invest 10 bucks on some curb feelers.................too cool on that low front end....even better and fits time period....just my .02.......keep the blue looks good......

 

J...when it comes time for the glass and sweeps and all that garbage...you talk to me 1st...