1956 FORD COE C600 BUILD
New User
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Tornado Alley,OK
Dynamic I am very interested in this build and have been following your progress. I have a 55 COE and a 1990 E 350 Calista motorhome that I will mating together similar to what you are doing. I will be very interested in seeing how you are able to install the steering column and shaft. Keep up the great work !
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,322
Likes: 20
From: Rhode Island
Dynamic I am very interested in this build and have been following your progress. I have a 55 COE and a 1990 E 350 Calista motorhome that I will mating together similar to what you are doing. I will be very interested in seeing how you are able to install the steering column and shaft. Keep up the great work !
Welcome to the fun! I don't envy you on tearing that body apart. Good luck and make sure to start a build thread if you haven't so we can follow along with your progress.
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,322
Likes: 20
From: Rhode Island
I felt ambitious this evening an pulled apart a little more of the bus.
More wiring to contend with.
Pulled out the linear actuator from the side door then the inside trim panel.
I chased all he wiring into the dash and engine compartment. Discovered that the bus actually had two ac compressor. Didn't realize that, but it makes sense.
Second compressor might Make a good onboard air pump??
Started the bus up to make sure nothing critical was removed and the only complication is that the airbag light is blinking now. No biggie. That crap is being removed anyway.
More wiring to contend with.
Pulled out the linear actuator from the side door then the inside trim panel.
I chased all he wiring into the dash and engine compartment. Discovered that the bus actually had two ac compressor. Didn't realize that, but it makes sense.
Second compressor might Make a good onboard air pump??
Started the bus up to make sure nothing critical was removed and the only complication is that the airbag light is blinking now. No biggie. That crap is being removed anyway.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 24
From: Maryland
With all that wire saved you should be able to wire up your next 2 projects. That's the benefit of those big vans lots of materials and cheaper.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 857
Likes: 84
From: Queen Creek AZ
Two A/C compressors is cool. I would imagine the factory compressors mounted by the factory is way better than you could add on later. Using one for an air compressor sounds like a plan. Not sure about the lack of lube that's in the Freon to keep it oiled up though.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 857
Likes: 84
From: Queen Creek AZ
Dynamic I am very interested in this build and have been following your progress. I have a 55 COE and a 1990 E 350 Calista motorhome that I will mating together similar to what you are doing. I will be very interested in seeing how you are able to install the steering column and shaft. Keep up the great work !
Good luck. Nice truck to start with. Keep us updated. I'm looking for the little shorty running boards if you know of any for sale. Mine are rusted pretty bad. Thanks, Ken.
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,322
Likes: 20
From: Rhode Island
You actually pull the compressor apart. Plug the oiling port. Fill the cylinder with grease. And your good. U can add a grease fitting to certain ac compressors. Obviously u need to add all the regulators and such needed for an compressor, but it's fairly simple. And hell the brackets are already figured.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 857
Likes: 84
From: Queen Creek AZ
That sounds like the way to go. My '53 has air ride and I'm gonna have to use an electric compressor. My EFI 460 has an A/C compressor but I want to use a Vintage Air system. It's too hot in Arizona to not have A/C.
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,322
Likes: 20
From: Rhode Island
So I am finished with the body tear down.
Cut the roof cone free.
Then pushed the roof free with the trusty floor jack.
Then started cutting the roof bows free.
Then tackled the step well.
After all was torn down Saturday I called it quits.
Sunday I started by loading up the trusty saws all with a fresh blade to process the roof cone and step well. I barely touched the blade to the fiberglass and this happened.
It was devastating. We have been through so much together.
I need to look online for some replacement parts. Not giving up on the old girl yet.
I ended up having to use the less than reliable ryobi cordless saws all.
Cut the roof cone free.
Then pushed the roof free with the trusty floor jack.
Then started cutting the roof bows free.
Then tackled the step well.
After all was torn down Saturday I called it quits.
Sunday I started by loading up the trusty saws all with a fresh blade to process the roof cone and step well. I barely touched the blade to the fiberglass and this happened.
It was devastating. We have been through so much together.
I need to look online for some replacement parts. Not giving up on the old girl yet.
I ended up having to use the less than reliable ryobi cordless saws all.