Twenty years ago I moved to the country to have space to construct a decent size shop.  Mine was nothing fancy....40' X 50' , no heat or A/C but it served me well while I was racing.  In 2011 I decided to modify it into a faux Texaco station.  Probably to relive my 20's when all the drag racers/ hot rodders hung out at Dewey's Shell on Main in Grand Prairie, Tx.  I began with the help of my former son-in-law and his 18 year old son.  That lasted two days.  After the three of us put up the main I beams.....they deserted me. No more help.  But with some ingenuity and my John Deere I was able to finish all the metal construction by myself.  I did pay someone to pour the concrete for the gas pump island but other than that....it was only me.  I was 67 when I started and 70 when I finished.  Three years....but hey....I'm retired, it was an enjoyable project.  Originally I had intended to only do the outside/ canopy and pumps, but my two sons insisted I construct an office to make the station more realistic.  I agreed if they would help with the inside framing.  So both of them, plus one of my grandsons did the framing / ceiling, but since they live two plus hours away guess who had to finish the office by himself?  I did all the wiring, which included relocating the electrical panel, putting in the insulation, wallboard/ painting, hang the interior door / interior window etc.  My oldest son did return to help me install the tin ceiling....that was the hardest part of the entire project.  I was glad my sons talked me into doing the office....it makes the project complete and give my car buddies a place to come and hang out.  I was striving for a late 40's - 50's look and I'm pleased with how it all turned out. Altogether it took 2-3 years to finish.  Cost?  I've kept all receipts, but haven't had the courage to add them up.

X2......

MSD 6Al-2 ignition box.  I built the engine for these MSD components in Nov. 2015.  I've since driven the car only 1,003 miles in that time (other projects, etc.) and as is so often the case with MSD quality/reliability these days the two step in the ignition box malfunctioned.  I'm done with MSD products after having used them for decades.  Selling the distributor for $200 (no problems with it) and you can have the ignition box for free.  It can probably be repaired/replaced by MSD but I don't have any confidence in them anymore.  I have the original instructions and the springs and weights to re-curve the dist.  First person to contact me at my email (I'm not often here) 6061ford@att.net will get first opportunity to purchase.  $200 plus shipping.  I take PayPal and U.S. Postal money orders only.
 Marc

I agree with Drew.  I've had a variety of FE's in Fairlanes, Mustangs and Galaxies some with headers, some without.  Never needed a heat shield or wrap.

thanks for the info babybolt.....your effort is much appreciated

I bought a complete factory 6V setup....original manifold, carbs, linkage, fuel log and air cleaner.  Upon disassembling the 2 barrel carbs I found one of the secondary carbs had a metering block numbered 2085 instead of the correct #3434. Does anyone know what the #2085 came on originally?  Compared to a normal metering block...at least the ones I'm familiar with.... it has a California shaped channel located on the lower left and there are two channels at 5:00 and 7:00 in relation to the power valve.  Of course the original secondary metering blocks had no power valve.  Should I block the power valve and just use this metering block?  or find another?  Really curious what the#2085 came on....I've searched the internet and found nothing.  Maybe I just didn't look in the right place....

Actually the grille emblem bezel is also available.......http://dennis-carpenter.com/grille-emblem-bezel/p/C60Z-8213/

when I bought my first Ford, '48 two door, I've always been 100% loyal to Ford Motor Co.  After watching this video my admiration for Ford has been tarnished a little.  I've often wondered why Bob Glidden walked away from drag racing in 1997. Toward the end of this video he explains why.  After all he had done for the Ford brand the way they treated him is shameful.  And yet I have never heard him say a bad thing about Ford.  Maybe in private to his family/friends he did.....but never in public. At least to my knowledge.  What a class act of a man.  SHAME ON FORD! Or maybe I should say "Shame on the 1997 Ford Motor Co.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ciu1DNRhOsc