If everything works out I'm going to take a U-Haul car transport trailer up to my grandfather's farm this weekend to pick up a 56 Ford Customline Sedan (will it fit on a U-haul?).  For a long time they were religious about starting the car every year, but a few years ago (maybe more like 4) they stopped and it hasn't been started since.  A year ago we pulled all the plugs and sprayed in some of the stabil heavy oil used for winterizing engines hopeing this would prevent further damage from sitting until I got around to picking the car up.

I know as soon as I get it home I'm going to want to try starting her.  I figure if I change the oil and I disconnect the fuel line and drop it directly into a clean container of gas just before the fuel pump I won't have to worry too much?

What else?  What about the car itself?  Are you guys familiar with these cars too? Has 3-on-the-tree tranny. Car has about 70k original miles on it. My aunt and uncle used it as their college car in the 60s-70s.

I'm just basically getting excited to add this car to my small but growing collection and being a huge believer in the auto forums, eager to hear from some of you about what I'm getting in to!

Nate - Madison, Wisconsin

 

56 Ford Customline Sedan

 

Welcome to the site. I drove a 56 Ford Customline in college for many years after. And I now have 4 of them. Are you talking about a U Haul car hauler? It will fit. I'm not sure that U haul car haulers have brakes. Be careful. Although the 56 Ford was a small car for its day. They are heavy. If you use a toter, disconnect the drive shaft because the transmission will not oil. Before you try to start it, it would be a good idea to remove all the plugs and the rocker covers. Make sure all the valves are opening and closing. If they hang open, they can hit a piston. I use an aluminum go cart tank with a petcock on it. I hang it from the hood and connect it to the carb. This gives about the correct fuel pressure. Whatever fuel is left in the fuel tank, get rid of it. Stale valves will cause valves to hang open. It would be a good idea to either replace or file the points. They usually corrode over from sitting.

Kenneth

Fredricksburg, Texas

Your fuel pump could be bad from all the sitting. So, just hook up a can to the carb for now.Turn the engine with the help of a breaker bar on the crank pulley. As it turns watch the valves move. That done I would pour some oil on the rockers and pushrods just to be safe. Check plug wires and if you have an extra coil lying around I would install it until I could be sure the one on it now works. Flush the radiator. Maybe even disconnect the hose to the engine from the water pump till you are sure its ok to connect it.  Lot s of odds and ends to do but in a couple hours if all is well it will fire up. If it doesnt get back on this site and get some good advice. The guys on this site are wizards when it comes to their knowledge of Ys.  Welcome you came to the right place. Good luck. Keep us informed. 

55Birdman  Hickory NC

nate, as far as the UHaul trailer idea...take a look at the photo below. Yes, it will fit. However, the cars I haul on UHaul trailers are clunkers in need of full restorations or just plain down right parts cars. I also tow with a heavy Ford Expedition with all the bells and whistles on the towing package - heavy duty equipment. If I am going to pull a car I have invested in, or has some value (be it sentimental or otherwise) I borrow my buddy's hydraulic brake trailer. Like Ken said, be careful no matter what you do.

As far as starting the car,,,, make sure the motor isn't locked up (breaker bar and socket to the crank bolt), and double check all of your battery/starter/solenoid connections. Hopefully you won't run up against those gremlins, but most of us have had the starter troubles a time or two. The advice so far has been excellent. Before introducing fuel and spark, I would suggest installing a temporary oil pressure gauge, removing the valve covers and spark plugs as noted, disconnecting your fuel line, and turning the motor over (this is of course after you change the oil). Check your oil pressure and your oil flow to the rocker arms first.

Let us know how it goes. If you check some of my other posts in the This and That section, refiring and sprucing up an old motor can be quite rewarding!

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

I used a u-haul trailer a couple of weeks ago similar to the one in Daniel's picture.  Mine had surge brakes and towed like a dream.  Only problem is that I didn't read the instructions on the fender, loaded the car and then couldn't get out of the car.  Dummy me didn't know that the fenders swing out so you can open the car door.

Later,

Timbo

thanks guys!!

I put a freshly rebuilt 350 in a 3/4 ton suburban, this is what I plan to tow the u-haul trailer with.  I'll go as slow as I need too, I protect my cars like they're my children, everyone in a hurry can go around me. My understanding is that the uhaul trailers have surge breaks, that is what I'm counting on anyway!

I'm super pumped to hear that the car fits on the uhaul, that was one of the big questions heading into this weekend, I had more poor 82 yr old grandpa out in the rain trying to measure the width of the car himself (he pulled it out the barn with a tractor on Monday).

I'm also super pumped to see such a strong forum community!  I'm a self taught car guy, but not really, I'd say I'm really a "forum-taught" car guy, I've built a 71 pontiac, and swapped 3 engines, but never would've made it without help from generous experienced people on forums.  Thanks for all the great tips on what to watch for and check out before I try firing her up! It is easy to get ahead of myself when I'm excited.  this is the first ford on my project list, I'm truly a ford guy ever since my first car...1984 Grand Marquis!  But my projects have been chevy's cuz they're cheap and easy.

I have so many questions, but they can wait for later posts and after I've done some more snooping around this forum and had a chance to pick apart the car more carefully...the first thing I need to do is get some solid rubber on her, then take the shag carpet off the dash from my uncle's college days, and take out the sun visors which have broken down into slimy sticky messes. (whats up with that?)

I'll be back soon hopefully monday with some pics!

Nate - Madison, Wisconsin

 

56 Ford Customline Sedan

 

Welcome Nate.

Good luck with hauling that car, you have got some good advise from some of the best Y-block guys around. 

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias

Nate, shag carpet from the 70's huh???? Now that I would like to see!

Since the car does not run, and since UHaul trailers do not have any kind of winching system, how do you plan to get that car up there on the ramps? If you take your time, the portable "Chinese" winches that you can get at Wal-mart work ok. I have moved several this way with a good heavy logging chain for safety.

By the way, when you rent the trailer, the person behind the counter will ask you what you are towing and will tell you that it won't fit, but if you tell them it is for a Fairlane, you should be ok. just pick one from the sixties...

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Or just tell them you're hauling a VW bug No problems there!! seriousley the U-Haul guidelines are quite Nazi-ish so if the car you're hauling weighs anywhere near what you are towing it with they are supposed to say no.. I've run into a couple problems with em'

Dustin

Southern Oregon Y's Guy

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1441322018

this is the most "familiar" bunch with the Y era cars you ever meet my friend.. and the most generous with their knowledge.. welcome and prepare to learn more than most of these guys have forgotten

Dustin

Southern Oregon Y's Guy

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1441322018