My first car was a 55 Ford Club Sedan with a 272 c.i. Y! I was only 16, and no it wasn't back in the 60's - that was in 1991! I just sold this car to my father-in-law...and bought a convertible basket case to resto.

I have also done a frame off 56 F100 for my dad - it had a 272 built up a bit, but it ran the original 4 speed trans - no speed demon, but a really nice truck and real workhorse.

Dan

Welcome to the world of car restoration, CDF.  We all started knowing absolutely nothing about cars.  Soon after being 'interested' comes the passion for cars that never leaves.  I wish you many decades of gratification as you learn all you can about this great hobby.

That #1 crossmember is notorious for rotting out on ALL '50's Ford-made cars.  My '55 Customline was no exception.  Because I have a cutting torch and a stick welder, I got a piece of 3" angle iron and a bed frame, and made my own.  Check it out:

It cost me about $15 in electricity and gas (to burn out the old one).  I welded it in my '55 and it works great!
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.  This site has a great bunch of restorers, willing to help out.  - Dave

First thing I did after looking under there, was to make this crossmember and replace the skinny OEM sway bar with a 1-1/8" (from Thunderbird & Fords Southwest).  Inside these bolt holes (on the new one), I welded 1" rigid pipe nipples.  Now the lower "A" arms are rock-steady.

Forgive me but I pulled the 272 and put a 352 in it, I used the original Ford O Matic (water cooled) and found a torque convertor from a Rambler that fit both the transmission and the 352 flex plate. I eventuly junked the car as I moved on to something I thought was better (65 olds 442)

A year later a guy came to my house, he purchased the 56 from the junk yard and wanted the registration signed so he could avoid a salvage title. Still wonder what happened to that car. In 1998 I purchased a 56 Club Sedan that made the Customline look like a showroom car. After a 3 year frame off restoration (not correctly done but nice) I have the car of my youth back.

Now if I could only get my youth back, It's amazing how your point of view about cars can change between 17 and 50.

By the way, if you think your Y block runs hot try a 352 on the stock 272 radiator. I spent more than a few hours on the side of the road waiting for the car to cool down. I was the car no one wanted to be in during the summer because I always had the heater on.

I bought a new 74 Ranchero 351 C 2 bbl while living in the DC area which was the first vehicle I owned with a/c, I was so proud. But in stop and go DC traffic in the hot humid summer it would start overheating. First I would turn off the a/c, then the windows would be rolled down, and finally, on would come the heater. I would sit in traffic pretending I was enjoying the miserable muggy hot DC summer weather. Bad thermostat.

Missouri Mike