Hey all. Name is Ryan, am 32 and single. haha.
I have been trying to get on this board for a while, but I didn't realize my email was sending the confirmation to my spam box! I've been a member of the HAMB since 01, been building hot rods for many years and have just picked up a 1958 430 Lincoln to put into my 1954 Ford Ranch Wagon (pictured below). Initially plans were for a 302/AOD that I have, but after installing a 1958 430 Mercury Marauder into a 1955 F-100 at the shop, I was sold on the torque of the MEL. I helped a friend a few years ago restore his '58 Edsel Villager Wagon, but I moved to Illinois before I got to hear the engine fire. A week ago I went and picked up my 430 from a guy who, sadly, got the engine from a future derby car. Made me sick thinking about it, but I got the engine and trans out of it at least.
Plans are to freshen up the heads, check the bottom end, re-gasket and clean it all up. I just rebuilt a W&H DuCoil Distributor for it and I have a polished Edelbrock LM6 6x2 intake that I'll be running six Rochester 2GCs on. With a Wil-cap adapter, I'll put a 700R GM trans behind it with a 9" Ford and our shops signature rear suspension. Should be a good platform with plenty of power to pull my vintage camper with and I can't wait to get it to that point!
My wagon before:
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii31 ... Wagon1.jpg
Now, it is all torn apart with the frame at the blasters.
Here's a pic of the Edsel I helped with:
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii31 ... Edsel1.jpg
And the F-100 we just finished up at the shop:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e320/ ... CN2124.jpg

Hi Ryan, welcome to the forum. Nice wagon you got. I'm curious to see the progress of your work. If there's s.th. you can call a head turner, this one will be. Please keep in touch.
Have fun

Thanks for the nice words, Theo. A little more background on the Ranch Wagon, my sister became the second owner of the car around '87 for her High School car. Years later I got my hands on it and drove it for a while til the Y-block puked. After getting some other projects done, my dad and I decided to tear into it about a year ago. Originally it was the sea green, but I'm thinking of going with the original color the interior is, Kilarney Green for the body with a white and abalone flake roof.

I love wagons. For the last 30 years all my cars except for my T-Bird were wagons.
So here's the base you're going to use for car. Great color. It will nicely contrast the six duals in the engine bay. Wow!! Enjoy life NOW. You will soon get married

Theo, I hope that's not a premonition about me getting married!

Well, it is. Nothing you can do about it. Wagons are family cars and sure do send out signs. I've been there;)

Welcome Ryan! Looking forward to seeing updates of your project. Hope the MEL 430 will prove to be a solid starting point. Don't forget to replace that timing gear & remove the two block thermostats!

How much customizing will you have to do to make the 430 & tranny fit the wagon?

cheers,
Reijer