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1955 Ford 2 Door Ranch Wagon/ Has a Vibration


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mando1
User

Aug 5, 2015, 6:11 PM

Post #1 of 16 (5874 views)
1955 Ford 2 Door Ranch Wagon/ Has a Vibration Sign In

Hello to all of you from Az. This is my first post so I hope that I do it right,if not,excuse me.I have this 55 ford 2 door station wagon.ranch wagon that I bought quite a few years ago and just put it in storage.I now have some time and a few dollars to try to get it going in good shape.I will be keeping this car so I decided to remove the original motor and tranny and replace both.I put in a 302 with a C6 automatic tranny in it and it runs ok,plenty of power but the problem that I have is that I feel some vibration when I rev up the engine or when I am going down the road.The motor itself has been completely rebuilt and so has the tranny.I was thinking that maybe the drive line may be causing the problem but not sure.Sounds to me like something is not balanced.I would like to have some opinions on what may be causing the problem.The motor and tranny are both out of a 1967 ford station wagon.I can run at 65 miles per hour and I can feel the vibration.
Has plenty of power,just not a smooth ride.
Thanks to all for your help and suggestions.
Mando


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 5, 2015, 11:59 PM

Post #2 of 16 (5861 views)
Re: 1955 Ford 2 Door Ranch Wagon/ Has a Vibration Sign In

Mando - find out what you have. Ford didn't make a 302 in 1967! That if OE would be a 289 that looks about the same. They did make the C-6 trans. Learn that trans too. It should be dual range for "Drive" meaning you just choose all gears or just 2nd and third for traction wouldn't use first so you don't spin wheels when even wet roads.


This must have had work to driveshaft to fit in. High chance there's your problem. Two types, four u-joints or two. Two together means it's a CV joint and those all stunk.


Driveshaft would be balanced or whip around without seeing it but feel it in floorboards a bit or whole car.


Tough swap from '55 to '67 IMO. Lots of thought goes into how to support trans, and do the driveshaft and keep it in balance.


If it once was good it's probably just a bad u-joint now or bearing.


It has to all be custom so would help to know how it was done,


T
(edit again) Fords - almost all in those years were VERY sensitive to wheel lug torque and order of tightening. Done wrong you easily bent wheels or didn't set on properly. You would notice this with 15" wheels at exactly 65 MPH when that happened if wheel or driveshaft out of whack when orginals now altered just means you need to know what it is now........



(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Aug 6, 2015, 12:12 AM)


mando1
User

Aug 6, 2015, 11:31 AM

Post #3 of 16 (5849 views)
Re: 1955 Ford 2 Door Ranch Wagon/ Has a Vibration Sign In

Thank you very much Tom for your reply with this question.Sorry,I did make a typo.The motor came out of a 1968 and not a 67.Yes,we did have to make some changes to the drive line to fit so it might be the problem.Like I mentioned in my post,I can feel the vibration even when the car is not running,just increasing the RPM will cause the vibration.Also,it can be felt when its down the road.I feel the vibration on the floor board,right underneath the gas paddle.So,eventhough its felt with the car parked,can it still be the drive line? Also,I knew that the original rear axle/rear end,would be geared too low for the 302 and C6 tranny,I replaced it with one of a later model.Can the drive line be balanced to perform better? Thanks again for your help or anyone else in the group that has any tips or idea's on this problem.
Mando


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 6, 2015, 12:19 PM

Post #4 of 16 (5846 views)
Re: 1955 Ford 2 Door Ranch Wagon/ Has a Vibration Sign In

To be clear - you can feel this without the car moving? The driveshaft isn't moving at all so not that if sitting still. Except for dripping out the back of trans you could take it out.
Note - driveshaft does spin with the rate of the rear differential which is normal - gear ratios not a cause alone.


So, if vibration while not moving what is moving is parts of engine* ring gear for starter, torque converter and front pump of transmission.
* On engine you have a lower front pulley called a "Harmonic Balancer" that even this vintage can come apart and is a critical balancer for the engine. You don't see it at a glance when intact but inside metal isolated by rubber then heavy outer ring absorbs the "resonant" frequency that a running engine makes. At least glance at it while idling to see belts in perfect alignment and no wobble there. If (think timing marks are on outer metal of this damper/balancer) are all off it may have slipped but stayed in line with a common ignition timing check.
That sucker is real important to the engine. Not witnessed but in tech school showed an engine explode with one missing on purpose to demonstrate!


Again - let's NOT focus on driveshaft but parts that move and can make a vibration while car is sitting still as listed already.


Other would be is the engine on rubber mounts completely now or only part isolated by motor mounts? About any engine if bolted into cradle and not buffered by mounts would have to cause weird feelings or some vibration as they aren't that well balanced,


T



mando1
User

Aug 6, 2015, 2:47 PM

Post #5 of 16 (5837 views)
Re: 1955 Ford 2 Door Ranch Wagon/ Has a Vibration Sign In

Thank you kindly Tom. You have made some really good points here.I am going to take a look at the harmonic balancer and see if I notice any wobble or something out of the ordinary.So, the drive line is out of the question and therefore,not a suspect.I have a question for you on the Torque Converter.Please Keep in mind that I am a novice at this but I am willing to learn.When installing the torque converter,do you match it to the Tranny,or the Engine size? I would say the tranny but would like to know for sure.I hope that I am not asking a stupid question here.
Mando


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 6, 2015, 4:04 PM

Post #6 of 16 (5835 views)
Re: 1955 Ford 2 Door Ranch Wagon/ Has a Vibration Sign In

Arggh. Good questions and short of exact answers. Harmonic Balancer TMK is matched to the engine. Might have come with or without A/C, PS even in '68 including full size cars. Trans options would also include C-4s, and 3 and think a possible 4 spd standard trans.


Did engine and trans come out of the same vehicle and do you know what it was? I just never had to think of matching a balancer and a torque converter before rather put back what was known to be OE if needed. Both are balanced new. If put in with a standard trans it would have a torque converter but rather a balanced flywheel so I have to think the important part that is most likely to cause a vibration would be the balancer and almost certainly be visibly not turning true as that is firmly pressed on to the engine's crankshaft.


Oh boy. I recall people who wanted to beef up performance putting on what is called a "high stall" torque converter meaning if fighting brakes and engine would quit to a lock at a higher RPM a bit like part riding a clutch for beating the hell of cars which was popular for those days. Then again why mess with a wimpy 302 when nuke power was all over the place?


For now just check the front balancer for anything odd. Any info or history that you know of that might matter let us know that.


I can only say I've personally never known of a torque converter being found as the cause of a vibration except those that lock up and they didn't do that near 1968 TMK.


Do know those C-6 transmissions do adjust for shift times and bands are supposed to be periodically adjusted - neither of which caused vibrations if not done.


Again so no mistakes. THIS VIBRATES WITH THE CAR SITTING STILL - RIGHT?


T



mando1
User

Aug 18, 2015, 8:48 AM

Post #7 of 16 (5701 views)
Re: 1955 Ford 2 Door Ranch Wagon/ Has a Vibration Sign In

Hello Tom and everyone else here in the forum. I checked everything that was mentioned here in my posting and could not see any obvious problems within the engine.I decided to go ahead and replace the harmonic balancer over the weekend and guess what,the vibration is gone.
It really sounds and feels a lot better than before.Now, I am going to replace some of the old wiring,which is kind of brittle and some of the insulation has come apart.I was moving some wires around yesterday and 3 wires came loose and looks like they are going to the heater control assembly.I need to know which one goes where.Does anyone here have the Electrical wiring diagram fro the 55 ford station wagon or can tell me where I can find and purchase the diagram so that I can re-do the wiring.Thanks for all your help.
Mando


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 18, 2015, 9:20 AM

Post #8 of 16 (5694 views)
Re: 1955 Ford 2 Door Ranch Wagon/ Has a Vibration Sign In

SO GLAD TO HEAR THAT WORKED, HAD TO BE THE ISSUE.
Wiring etc? Insulation about can't be that great but the wire inside was superior for 1955. Hmmm - If it's all still there why not just follow them one by one even hunting down correct colors?


You can buy wiring split plastic to hide where it should be and placed where it was too. Orig might even be some almost cotton type stuff probably gone?


If things are all working now I'd take time to find the right wire which is not close to all equal. I think most Fords in 1955 were 6v, negative ground and could be changed to 12v now?


If it was 6v you should notice the gauge was about double that of what an OE 12v would be. It also would be real copper wire and fine strands. It matters that it's automotive grade and hopefully copper and now harder to find fine stranded inside wire. Reason is it bends and bends, tolerates vibrations, heat and cold tons better.
Seriously hope you have some time to find what you need. IDK why you need diagrams if you do this one by one checking each time one is done?


This wire and grade of it thing: Try this: Take some junk (if available free somewhere) home toaster, or clothes iron and check out the wire vs wire for a table lamp. The two are totally different new stuff clearly marked in fine hard to see ratings. Toaster wire is bendy, tolerate higher heat. OK - you won't find that in colors - tried - forget it.


Might find rolls of stuff on line someplace just know how much you need. High bet connections and plug ends could be reused and were brass which will take solder and always shrink wrap over your work.


Just maybe you can find an entire harness ready to go or be made up special? Try checking out www.hemmingsmotornews.com for stuff like this or not that long ago found a paper copy of that at a Walgreens no less!


Been a while since last restoration of old and this way beat how old and actually didn't need to redo much wiring - just short areas.


Sorry for the book but it's worth the time to do it right and have no disasters.


I'm thrilled at the good news on the vibration and hope that stays gone forever for you. Zooming in on some of that isn't always very easy unless those are about falling off,


Tom



mando1
User

Aug 19, 2015, 11:08 AM

Post #9 of 16 (5678 views)
Re: 1955 Ford 2 Door Ranch Wagon/ Has a Vibration Sign In

Thanks again Tom for your help.I will see if I can figure out the wiring on this wagon.
Mando


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 19, 2015, 11:18 AM

Post #10 of 16 (5676 views)
Re: 1955 Ford 2 Door Ranch Wagon/ Has a Vibration Sign In

Good luck. The harder you try and the moe you know the better the luck - sometimesCrazy


Tom


mando1
User

Aug 27, 2015, 6:11 AM

Post #11 of 16 (5536 views)
Re: 1955 Ford 2 Door Ranch Wagon/ Has a Vibration Sign In

Good Morning Friends.
Ok, I have changed all the bad wiring in this car and all is working good.Now, I wanted to see how bad the floor pan was and it has a bad rusty spot on the driver and passenger sides.This bad area is about 8 or 10 inches but the rest looks kind of bad too.My question is? What gauge of sheet metal is used to replace the bad areas and also,do they have to be welded or can it be put in there with rivets.I have never done one before so don't know.If they have to be welded,than I will have to get somebody to do it for me,I cannot weld at all.Do any of you know where I may be able to find this floor pans for this 55 ford Ranchwagon/Mainline 2 Door?I'll probably end up taking to a body shop to have this done for me.Thanks for all your suggestions on this matter.
Mando


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 27, 2015, 6:55 AM

Post #12 of 16 (5535 views)
Re: 1955 Ford 2 Door Ranch Wagon/ Has a Vibration Sign In

The end answer already is a body shop.
Slow today so will share some on rust, fixes and approaches. I doubt a LOT you'll find pre-made stamped metal to just weld in for this car. If a '55 T-Bird bet you could.


8X10 do you mean inches and by bad a hole or weak? Seen from underside or under whatever flooring used in this? You said it's still not great beyond that.


Gauge? Possibly 16 or 18 gauge as a guess only. Available in sheets at many hardware stores last seen were about 2X3 foot sheets, plain steel meaning not special in any way like galvanized or stainless.


Know this: It's about impossible to kill rust as it's behavior is like cancer. It really must be cut out back to unrusted metal to be the best fix then coated with an appropriate primer and paint or more depending.


It's critical to know if it's a structural issue or mostly obnoxious?


Pics would help tons but a body shop seeing it with suggestions on the fix and include how good looking you want it also will matter.


If it needs to be shaped to fit it can be but nice to have the tools and equipment for that.


You can watch or look for assorted repair done on a site like YouTube but each situation will be unique for right fix for strength so this ends where I started, let a body tech take a look and suggest approaches and an idea of how much for what you can do or how much they would want to do it if that shop would at all.


IDK - AZ is pretty rust free so might have to ask a shop who would take it on depending on exactly what you mean by bad what it really is,


T



mando1
User

Sep 1, 2015, 4:26 PM

Post #13 of 16 (5475 views)
Re: 1955 Ford 2 Door Ranch Wagon/ Has a Vibration Sign In

Thanks Tom. The 2 rust areas that I mentioned are about 8"x10" on the floor pan on each side,driver and passenger.At first I thought the complete floor was bad because it looked like rust but is was not,it was some kind of yellow glue that somebody used for the rubber mat.
I took it to a body shop where I know the owner pretty good and after seeing the car,he said he could cut and weld some metal plates to cover the bad areas,or He could replace the complete floor pan if I was willing to spend the money.However,he said repairing it would be fine.
So, I am going to drop it off next week and let him fix it for me.He is also going to sand blast and powder coat the frame in black.He does good work so I'm sure it will come out nice.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Sep 1, 2015, 5:46 PM

Post #14 of 16 (5471 views)
Re: 1955 Ford 2 Door Ranch Wagon/ Has a Vibration Sign In

Mando - sounds great. Pro body shop is the way to go. The equipment, space, tools and experience up to know when if a horror to quit with that one.


Sounds a lot better and the place gave you choice of the approach - perfect.


For yourself or to share take some pics before and after and the whole car if you can and wish.


A two door "Wagon" has some interest value IMO if nothing else,


Tom



mando1
User

Sep 4, 2015, 12:56 PM

Post #15 of 16 (5431 views)
Re: 1955 Ford 2 Door Ranch Wagon/ Has a Vibration Sign In

Ok, my car is in the hospital ( Body Shop) and will be there for up to a month so I guess I will have some time to read some posts here and learn as much as I can from the Pro's here. I took a picture of (Before) and when I get it all done,I will post a picture of the (After) so that everyone here can see my 2 door wagon.Thanks for your help given when needed.
Mando


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Sep 4, 2015, 5:47 PM

Post #16 of 16 (5428 views)
Re: 1955 Ford 2 Door Ranch Wagon/ Has a Vibration Sign In

This is the "Antique" Car Talk spot on this site so I can and do plenty of keyboard chat.


Cars mechanical and some funky upholstery fixes were about as far out in the many trades of cars/vehicles. Welding and finish body work I sent out if fine to perfect work (appearance and or frame rust safety fabrication) on vehicles to keep as long as possible. It is impossible to drive a vehicle in New England Winters with the salted roads and keep a car for endless decades. Two of last three junked had rusted so bad I was buying bondo by the gallon can, sheets of metal then down to any dang fix to get that one more year. See the rear tires thru the trunk type bad rust! Oddly floors stayed fine some frames in front of rear wheels done a few times at I'll call a torque box area that needs to be totally strong.


Have owned more cars than many car dealers! Whacked as took interest and spent way too much on cars of little wild interest like say a 1964 Mustang, '57 Chevy or '59 Eldorado Biarritz (must be red, white convertible w white leather) if a wish.


Best lookers were a boring '77 Ford Landau? Not a mark saying it was just a loaded up LTD - just liked the dang thing. A '79 last year monster Continental (when full size) with a sunroof so big and color was so wild had to do that one up to about new.
A '70 Olds 98 only of interest because it was a 2dr with a special, rare, Rocket 455 with obscene power. Fun because never into the muscle car thing to have some boring (to many) car that would suck a road burning muscle car thru the grille and spit out molden metal out it's tail pipes! Did up the last model year '69 Continental to have "suicide doors" no option car but to run and look as new. Last unit body full size monster with wild HP too but so heavy you really needed it. What a pig! 5MPG was common!
Things went in phases. Had an itch for AMC Ramblers for a while the uglier the betterCrazy. The Mopar days just because? Darts, Valiants too many to count, a Polara like that Police type looking thing "One Adam 12" if you recall?


Bring on the Cadillacs! Fav was '67 Fleetwood Brougham 75 model body so loaded with options is was nuts. EIGHT power windows in the thing. Pic-nic tables with tissue holders like first class airline seats for rear passengers. Dial you speed cruise control was funky. Gave up on Caddys when they downsized. Last good ones were 1972 and never owned one.


The T-Bird era. OMG - only year I loved and were lookers. 1966 the best of the years for the transmission, first real good shifting automatics came out that year. Overhead consoles. Low, heavy w thick unit body chassis would fly and ride like a cloud both. Power windows so fast they could cut your arm off if not careful.


Never owned NEW anything so easier to find better vehicles that were not intended to be road burners nor interested in that.


Gettin' old now Mando - next may be new and a small box on wheels with no frills.


Good luck with the body work fix. a month seems like a long time but depends on what you asked for at what cost,


Tom







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