Gonecat

wow, no kidding!!!! it really is cool as heck. man, the roads were splattered with cars in technicolor back then. when i was back in LA a few years ago they were filming an era movie and the neighborhood was stocked with vintage wheels parked here and there - what a thrill to travel back in time like that.

hey 54vicky - thanks a lot for the post - great info!!! i love the photo - i even dig that crazy yellow paint job 😉 man, 2dr HT's are killer. and yeah, i'm one of those guys that just LOVES fender skirts.... sweet ride and i bet the kids love it - that's one of the big reasons i can't wait to have mine back on the road!

@AJFord54 has it gotten that bad?! heh.. man i am so glad that you fellas have taken the time to share your wisdom with me, its the least i can do to respond back to everyone. i've learned so much from this post; thanks to every last one of you.

@AJFord54 Thank you so much for the great input and links. When I get back to the states next year and get my hands back on the wheel I will definitely join and support the club. Great to know about it. That Hemmings article was killer; learned so much from it. @Frantz I totally agree - original is always the coolest 😉 So it looks like I will: 1) See if I can keep this original motor rolling; of course 2) Replace it with another original motor 3) Look into options for upgrading it. I admit that no investment in this car will be to increase its re-sale value - I lean towards original (which I drove and loved for over 10 years in Los Angeles as my only car!) but I'm smart enough to openly invite feedback from you pros on what the best options are - and to be honest, for me it's first and foremost about ease of implementation, reliability and parts availability. That Hemmings article AJFord54 suggested seamed to indicate most everything is still available for the original which is a huge game-changer for my understanding of how doable it is to keep stuff original(esque). @mcdarrunt Amazing looking stuff! Like works in a museum! @Tinindian That is excellent advice; I will do that for sure. I build various electronics projects for audio work and my note system for them has saved my tookus many times!

@Frantz Your profile photo looks darn close to mine - it was stolen from me and found in downtown LA with 'Gangster Love' spray painted on the side. I got it back and spray painted the (originally white) body blue and left the top white - just like your photo! (Is your's a '53?). Glad to hear the great news because I'm more than cool with putting another era 239 in it if that's the best bet. Just want reliable, don't care about speed or anything! @28 Chrysler Indeed, it was the oil filter that was not replaced correctly, not the oil cap. @Rusty_OToole I will definitely have it opened up for a look before making any moves and really appreciate the info. Imagine - back when they built motors with enough foresight to account for eventual re-builds! I'm out of the states until spring but I do have a spot (Modern Engine in LA) who I will consult with to see if it can be straightened out with the current block. @JACK M That bad oil change was a long time ago but their response was "we'll refund the cost of the oil". @61polara "You may not care about resale value with a different engine in it because you will never sell it, but when you are gone, someone is going to have to deal with selling it." - Man, with all due respect, that gave me a full-on belly laugh. I can't be bothered with someone I'll never meet, after I'm dead, having a problem selling the car. I'd prefer to keep it on the road and enjoy it to the fullest while I'm alive. I mean, how should I feel about putting seat belts in it? If it was a '53 Vette or something, I'd definitely feel differently. Anyway, truth be told, it will probably go to my niece who will probably be better at fixing it than I ever will be! But, my heart is in going as original as possible, so I think we ultimately concur 😉 All of you guys rock for shooting me your feedback on it. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. Funny enough, the guy who suggested the Mustang engine was the owner of one of LA's main 'classic car repair shops'.

Fantastic array of input, everyone. Thank you. I have done little more than replace the water pump and gas filter on it myself, the rest i left to garages around LA. But, I am trying to educate myself so that I can do more of the work myself (or at least be better informed about it). 6 Volt. (I sure had fun getting a modern radio to work on a 6v positive ground system - Don't let the radio chassis touch the car chassis!) 239, overhead V8. Automatic. No overdrive. The last garage left the oil cap half screwed on, my family member drove it for many miles before getting back and noticing the leak. It didn't drive much after that I am told (I was out of the country). No wonder they didn't tell me about it until i was back! If getting another era Y-block is a better choice (money, time, retrofitting) I am all for it. I do understand a 289 is not a 'bolt-in' and was expecting that a lot of other things would have to be upgraded. Really just hoping to find out the pros and cons. Thanks again for all the feedback

Hi All, my first post here so please excuse my newbieness... I have had a '54 Ford Crestline 4-door since I bought it for $1,200 in 1995. From what I recall, the mechanic who rebuilt the engine said they "re-bored the cylinders and there wouldn't be enough diameter left to do it again". Well, since then, the engine has frozen again (not long after an oil-change at a shop that left the oil cap screwed on improperly). I have been told that I could put a Mustang 289 in it (the original is a 239). Seems parts are easy to find, core is not too expensive, and I'm not worried about resale value cuz I'll never ever sell it. What would you pros suggest? Appreciate your input.