Picked up a nice little 1953 Ford Sunliner over the weekend!

[mercman from oz]

Here are some closeup shots of these 3 similar year Fords. The Maroon car is a 1952 model, the Blue car is the 53 model, the same as the Convertible in this Post. The bottom photo show all 3 years, starting off with the 54 model. While they are similar, the front fenders of each are all different and not interchangeable, though they will fit.

[itsa52]

Nice car and a great price,, Top OK? Not sure about the K wheel I may have one.

[wbedwards]

I like it! What a nice old ride!

[Chris]

Originally Posted by itsa52

Nice car and a great price,, Top OK? Not sure about the K wheel I may have one.

No, the top is bad. I may try replacing it myself. If you have a spare assessory wheel let me know!

[Sid the Maineiac]

Great car and great deal I would think ! Drive it like you stole it as I think you did !! lol

[JSeery]

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The funnel should be good for short trips, very short!

[hotrodA]

Chris scores AGAIN!

It never ceases to amaze me what you drag home!

[mercman from oz]

For some unknown reason, the pictures on my Post above have disappeared, leaving little squares? I had close up shots of 1952 and 1953 Fords, plus a picture of a 1954, to highlight the differences. If you wish to look at these pictures, please go to my Test Forum. I will add the picture of the 1953 Ford again, and hope that it doesn't disappear this time around. This is the Grille that this lovely Sunliner should have.

[itsa52]

I know where there is a 52/53 Merc accessory wheel,, complete but needs restored 250 but I'll bet he would sell for less

[itsa52]

And now I know why they call it the "K" wheel

[flathead_jr]

53s came with EAB flatheads not 8BA but it's possible someone found a good running swap. I know where there's a 53 rag top for sale in my area but it's a project for sure. I have a 54 I'd like to sell as well again a project! Both cars located in Southeast Idaho.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by flathead_jr

53s came with EAB flatheads not 8BA but it's possible someone found a good running swap. I know where there's a 53 rag top for sale in my area but it's a project for sure. I have a 54 I'd like to sell as well again a project! Both cars located in Southeast Idaho.

I called it an 8BA as thats normally what I refer to late model flathead engines as. After looking closely this car has Mercury heads. Makes me wonder if its a 239 or 255...

[flathead_jr]

If it has the EAC Mercury heads chances are it's a Mercury engine, if so install a set of EAB heads and you'll have a way better set up anyways. The Ford had higher compression. With a 4" stroke you get 8:1 compression with Ford heads.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by flathead_jr

If it has the EAC Mercury heads chances are it's a Mercury engine, if so install a set of EAB heads and you'll have a way better set up anyways. The Ford had higher compression. With a 4" stroke you get 8:1 compression with Ford heads.

They do say EAC on the heads, but you can simply put Mercury heads on a Ford engine, correct? So it will be a guessing game unless I measured the stroke or pulled the pan

[Chris]

I got the brakes gone through, tank cleaned out and new fuel line run. I have rebuilt the carb, fuel pump and gone through the cooling system. Also painted some wheels and put new tires on it. It now drives but I still need to fiddle with the wiring and I need to look into why one rear brake locks when the brakes are applied.






I picked up a set of skirts to help hide the wonky repaired wheel wells. I also picked up a 53 vicky that has a lot of new and NOS parts as well as some nicer trim and such. I'm going to take what I need and sell the rest.

[Tim Ayers]

Man, you just seem to have a knack for kicking up these old Fords. Rock on!

[1937pickup]

Congrats-great looking car at a great price.

[FL&WVMIKE]

You are lucky that the upholstery is usable. The converts had a hard time with that. You are, also, lucky, to make it original, you only need a grille and wheel covers. Maybe an air cleaner too.
In the 60s, I had a '53 hardtop, which I drove, daily, to work. The black paint, on the dash, looked so deep, it was, as if, you could stick your finger into it.
I had a chance to double my money on it, so I sold it. What a dumb thing to do. I found it on the back row of a car lot for $450.00, drove it for two years and sold it for $900.00. Sure wish I still had it. The $900.00 is long gone, now ! I had collected a large box of NOS parts, which I let go with it, including a NOS Coronado (fake Contininal kit) for it. 1950s parts were very inexpensive, in the 60s. The Ford dealers were junking them.
Have fun !
MIKE (mikeburch)

[mercman from oz]

The builder of this imported 1954 Ford Sunliner couldn't locate decent Parking Lights. Also, the original Grille needed to be chrome plated. His solution to this problem was to make a tube Grille, and thus saved lots of money in Chrome Plating. The finished car was painted in period style scallops.

[TJ]

You might want to buy the V-8 Club's 52-53 Ford book. It's a two volume set with a ton of information on these cars. These Fords are still affordable for young people on a budget that desire to get into the hobby. My first car was a '52 Merc in 1960. It was "nosed" and "decked" with lake pipes and Dodge Lancer caps. It had a flathead with a Merc-o-matic . Wish I had it back.