Starting work on my 61

[mike-61]

Hello everyone, I am starting the planning process of fixing up my 61 hardtop, but I have a few questions. First, let me say the reason I am restoring this car is not to simply fix up a beautiful car, but this is a dream car for my son and I. This will give my son and I, who is twelve, the opportunity to build memories that I and many kids never got/get. Plus having him experience planning, patience, and the gratitude of a finished product would be a great life long experience. Okay, enough of that!

The level of detail I plan on doing is not to show quality, but I want to do a thorough job while keeping things original as much as possible. I understand this is a HUGE undertaking, but this is something I have thought long and hard on doing so I'm committed. I did a little research on a good place to start and what direction I should take, but I wanted to know your thoughts. To explain in a really simple way this is what I have came up with:

1. Plan, Plan, Plan! I know this is vague, but to break this down even more:
• Obtain proper documentation (maintenance manual, cross reference manual, and immerse myself in the many threads here.)
• Figure out the cost I think it will take and then double that amount. That should give me a ball park figure.
• Research proper tools required and this includes small part labeling and storage system.
• Find a large enough space for storage, work and more storage.
2. Pull the engine and transmission to set aside for a rebuild or a reconditioning.
3. Inspect, rebuild/recondition/replace the safety related components (brakes, steering, suspension, etc... (This will include fuel tank/lines and rear-end).)
4. Paint the bottom of the body and in the areas that have the suspension components removed (this will include fuel tank, rear-end, and any other components.)
5. Re-install all safety related components (and basically everything under the vehicle.)
6. Repaint engine compartment.
7. Replace all the electrical I can, under and in engine compartment.
8. Rebuild/recondition/upgrade engine and transmission (upgrades would consist of, nylon gears and other engine components to improve longevity.)
9. Install engine and tranny.
10. Strip glass and chrome.
11. Strip interior.
12. Body work.
13. Send to paint.
14. Put all cosmetics together.

I tried not to get into details because I would to look at the 10,000 foot view then narrow down processes from there. What do you guys think? I would love suggestions and or any other feedback.

Here are pictures of my car (I bought the car about four/five years ago and posted pictures of it before, so to some of you they might be familar.)

[LithiumCobalt]

Anything can be done if you have the patience and a little skill. Oh, and cubic dollars! It sounds like you are on the right path, though. Starting with a better car can make your life easier and yours seems like one with good bones. That interior looks like you could retain and use it. One thing to keep in mind is that you will surely spend more than a sedan is worth by restoring it. This is a problem if you have to sell it for some reason. It doesn't sound, however, that you are looking to invest to make money, but more to spend quality time with your son. The people here are a terrific resource adn there's so much information posted here it's amazing. Check out all of the threads of other members' projects for inspiration. Go for it and good luck!

[mike-61]

Oh, and cubic dollars!

I figure it will take some serious cash, but if I can break this project up into many different projects and giving myself the rest of my life to work on it ... I can do it.

[Milsteads Garage]

Don't go into the car that far, absolutely a bad idea.The "all out" approach you list rarely works out for the amateur restorer and this is where cost gets doubled by 2 and you dump the car for 1/3 of what you have into it because your "dream" isn't materializing. Your kid won't understand or enjoy watching you beat your head against a lost cause and expecting him to join in. Driving the car, fixing manageable stuff is the way to do a father/son project and I speak from experience as a father and someone who took the "all out" approach and gave up on my first car, a 1959 J code Thunderbird. I am in the middle of an "all out" restoration on a very rough 57 mark II. The car is completely dismantled and now I am thinking"should I sell it and buy that other 56 mark II on ebay and just do the necessities?" It needed dismantled and cleaned but I regret taking that big of a bite out of it. A close friend of mine is a car collector and takes the "all out" approach and do you know what he has resulting from all of it? 30 torn apart cars and a whole ass load of lost parts. If you take a good look at the car, it doesn't need much besides paint, chrome, a set of wheels, and maybe the basic necessities to get an old car safely back on the road.

[John Mc]

Don't go into the car that far, absolutely a bad idea.The "all out" approach you list rarely works out for the amateur restorer and this is where cost gets doubled by 2 and you dump the car for 1/3 of what you have into it because your "dream" isn't materializing. Your kid won't understand or enjoy watching you beat your head against a lost cause and expecting him to join in. Driving the car, fixing manageable stuff is the way to do a father/son project and I speak from experience as a father and someone who took the "all out" approach and gave up on my first car, a 1959 J code Thunderbird. I am in the middle of an "all out" restoration on a very rough 57 mark II. The car is completely dismantled and now I am thinking"should I sell it and buy that other 56 mark II on ebay and just do the necessities?" It needed dismantled and cleaned but I regret taking that big of a bite out of it. A close friend of mine is a car collector and takes the "all out" approach and do you know what he has resulting from all of it? 30 torn apart cars and a whole a$$ load of lost parts. If you take a good look at the car, it doesn't need much besides paint, chrome, a set of wheels, and maybe the basic necessities to get an old car safely back on the road.

Well said and I agree wholeheartedly. You can still have tons of fun with your son by doing "rolling restoration" meaning restore the car AS you drive it and that way you'll avoid the frustration of seeing the car in the sitting position month after month. Do not assume your son will have the same patience level as you do on this thing. Not sure where your from but the car looks darn solid. I'd say enjoy it as it is and restore only what's needed - especially safety items. And for God's sake, please keep the car bone stock, (IMHO). The 1961 Lincoln is one of the most beautiful cars of all time - the designers knew what they were doing. Best of luck!

[NicSanford]

The interior looks gorgous! I'd rebuild the carb, fuel pump, master cylinder, new wheel cylinders, possibly a rebuilt radiator, new exhaust, brake hoses, and paint, and that's it as long as the motor runs. I did all this to my 62 except for paint for about $1500, and it runs and looks great. Now I have the satisfaction of cruising it while I work on the cosmetic stuff. Nothing like having a project with your son, my 2 year old loves helping me with the car, and taking a cruise with him is such a great feeling. You may also consider an alternator conversion kit if yours still has the generator. Look forward to seeing your project come along...

[mike-61]

Thanks for all the feedback. As hard as this is for me to say, but you right. I will take things really slow and not get all crazy. Looking at the engine I did notice the carb is not a Carter, but a Motorcraft. I would like to keep things OEM, should I find a Carter somewhere or should I just keep this Motorcraft in place? Maybe I will start there

Here are some pics of what's on there now:

[NicSanford]

Doesn't look too much different than the Carter ABD, but if you plan on going with the Carter 3 port fuel pump, I'd try to find a Carter carb. I doubt there's much different in these two, but for originality's sake...

[wasagachris]

If you want to work on that carb it is a replacement carb originally intended for a Mercury 351 CID engine.
D = Ford
2= 1972
P= Replacement
F = Engine Accessories


G = Mercury
B = 351 CID engine

C = Design Change
2 = 1972
L = November
16 = 16th of the month.
It is a Ford 2100 carb.

[Milsteads Garage]

The carter ABD is a tough carburetor to find and to find parts for. The motorcraft carburetor is actually a pretty good unit but it is incorrect. It's a very simple carburetor with only a couple moving parts. The only thing to watch out for is the accelerator diaphragm as those split and leak fuel all over the engine. They sell just the diaphragm and it is 4 screws to fix the problem They will run pretty much anything as I used to run them on 392 international engines to get rid of the troublesome holley 2 barrel carbs that they came stock with.

Also you need to put the springs back in place with your accelerator linkage. Without them your transmission and gas pedal isn't going to work right. As a matter of fact, where is your transmission kick down rod?

And looking again, It has a 66 date code 4 barrel intake on it with a 2 barrel adaptor plate(look at the date code 2nd photograph,next to the carburetor). Are you sure this car doesn't have a 462 in it? I think I would be getting rid of this and putting an edelbrock in it's place.

[mike-61]

Hmmmm, interesting. It wouldn't be original, but not the end of the world. So I will check the numbers on the block and let you guys know what I see. The numbers are on the front of the block correct?

[linc64]

Mike, check this thread:
http://www.thelincolnforum.net/phpbb3/v ... ad#p276728

[Milsteads Garage]

No, definitely not the end of the world. I am getting ready to put a complete 63 4 barrel intake on my 61. The one thing I did notice is you are going to have to use the springs and upper linkage that attaches to the carburetor from a 4 barrel car which you might have but these parts are easy to make if you don't have them. I used a brake spring in place of where the heavy spring goes to control your transmission kick down. If anyone questions putting a 4 barrel in place of your 2 barrel, this is the thread to read. It looks here like we have a 462 intake on a 430 and it obviously works.

[mike-61]

Well, this is something I did not anticipate , but I am excited to see if this is what we have here. If it is I would be glad to take pictures or more examples if it means it could help someone. I will check the block tonight and let everyone know what I have.

[LaZalleTT]

Don't forget to take pictures!! A. Everybody on the forum would love to see your progress, and B. It will help you SO MUCH when you start to put everything back together. Take something apart, take a picture, take something apart again, take another picture. Save all of your pictures on your computer, and back up the pictures. This will save you so much time, instead of flipping through the manual, you'll just flip through the pictures.

When I took apart the engine in my LCC, I had my I-Phone beside me and snapped hundreds of pictures. Then I labeled the pictures in my computer Day 1, Day 2, etc ...

And I think it's awesome you are sharing this with your son, I'm doing the same with my son and my Dad. The memories and good times, with some head banging of course, will be awesome in the end.

Best of luck, and keep the questions and pictures coming!!