FE into a '54 Ford

[frnkeore]

Hi every one,
I just bought a '54 Ford Tudor, 6 cylinder, Mainline and will install my '58 Edsel into it.

I had been looking for either a '54 or '60 for the last year. I had a '60 but, I have never owned a '54. My folks had a '54 Ranch Wagon, when I was 13 and I always liked the body style and I've always considered the '54, the first "modern" Ford with it's ball joint front suspension. My dad bought that car (in '57) with a bad engine and he installed a '55 272 in it. That was when I learned that '55 was the first 18mm plug as on a trip, a plug blew out and we had to get one installed at a gas station. I remember the guy tried to get the '54 plug in, for a long time, until my dad thought to tell him it was a '55 engine.

At this point, all I know, is that it's a tight fit and I'm lucky to have gotten the 6 cyl, because I have more forward room. I know the fuel line is on the wrong side, as my '60 Galaxy, was a 6 before I put the 352 in it. I also know that the Y block motor mount will take the early 2 bolt FE mount. But, that's about all I know at this point.

The trans is a C6, out of a PU and no idea, how that will line up with the X member. Also, I do not want to use the log manifolds if, I can help it!

Has anyone here done a installation like this? I'd like to know what I'm in for.

[Gaugster]

I can't help with much but I have been led to believe that 6 cylinder engines were heavier then the V8's back in the day. Just one of the million things to sort out. Good luck!

[frnkeore]

I can't help with much but I have been led to believe that 6 cylinder engines were heavier then the V8's back in the day. Just one of the million things to sort out. Good luck!

I don't think that could be. The '54 was a 223, same as came in my '60 Ford had. The Y block, didn't weigh much less than a FE. When I put the 352 in my '60 it dropped the front about 2" or more.

[gregaba]

I put a 428 in my 57 some years ago. The car had a 6 from the factory but someone had installed a 289 in it before I bought it.
The 54 should be real similar to the 57 so I will try to give you something of what I ran into. I have sold the car since then so am taking everything from memory.
The motor mounts from the 312 will work on the FE and  bolt to the 6 cylinder stands but you have to reverse them from left to right. 
If your car has a three speed standard then the transmission mount will bolt up to the later 4 speeds, I used a BW 4 speed.
Can't say much about the rear end as I installed a Frankland Quick Change in mine.
If the spindles are the same as a 57 then you can use Granada front disc'c brakes on it but you have to have the spindle bolt hole modified.
Fat man's charged me $80.00 to do it.
Carb linkage wasn't a problem but for a little re bending.
Thats all I remember for now.
Greg

[427John]

I believe the 54 chassis is more similar to the 55-56 Ford and 55-57 T-bird than 57-59 Ford which is very similar to the 60-64 Ford,but since many FE's have been installed in 55-56 Fords and 55-57 T-birds it should be doable ,I've got some of the old petersen publication engine swap handbook magazines that have several articles on FE swaps into those vintage Fords and T-birds.They seemed to have the most challenges around making the the exhaust clear the steering box and making the transmission clear the X-member.If the truck C-6 is the short cast iron tail housing variety that may help back there. 

[Royce]

That frame X member is going to be a challenge with a C-6  Might require some surgery. even a C-4 is tight..

[FERoadster]

Frank: congratulations on finding a car! Not sure what I have left from my 3 56 Ford Vic's but I do know they are different from the 54. Sold all of mine in 2000-2003 befpre  the  moved to Oregon, but many trips of Ford parts were involved, I do have 2 nice C6 Flanged PU trans. and one is available.
Also from your question about the 58 Edsel Rocker assemblies  from your heads, think I found them but can't tell if they are correct.
Will start a thread about ID of them tomorrow with photo's

Richard

[frnkeore]

Richard, that is good to know. I could help me and I will talk to you more about it.

Regarding the rocker arms, there will only be .016 difference in the location of the push rod socket. The 1.76 is .860 from the center of the shaft and the 1.73, is .876.

From what I understand, the 54 - 59, are similar, I think they changed the chassis a little for 55 - 56 but, they are closer to the 54 than the 57, as John says and I don't know what the 55/56 changes are. I'm sure I'll find some of the differences as I go.

I joined the 52 - 59 group on HAMB and saw but one picture of a FE in a 54. It seems that, for quite a while, everyone has been putting 302/351's in them, with AOD's. That seems to be pretty easy.

Here is that picture.

[shady]

54s are pretty strait forward to convert because of it being the first year for the y block hence they have a cross member. 53 and earlier were setup for flatheads or sixes having the mounts on the bell and very front of the block. No cross member.

[Rory428]

Frank, not sure what the chassis difference between a 54 Ford, and a 55 is, but the FPA headers that I have on my 428 CJ powered 59 2 door sedan, say that they fit 55 thru 59 Ford cars. I am very happy with how well they fit my 59, although I did have to tweak the factory  clutch linkage a bit. FPA also shows a header set for a 54 thru 62 Ford with a FE and rack and pinion steering. You may want to check with Stan at FPA.

[frnkeore]

Thank you, Rory. I'll check that out.