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I also found the reason for my driveline vibration....

It's called a boogered-up-one-year-only U-joint.... they can be had, but they ain't cheap... 





I also decided to pull the front end apart the other night so I can rebuild the front end prior to reinstalling the engine.  Still have to pull the fenders and liners, so I can re-spray the firewall, then back in goes the powertrain....

So, pretty much just undid what I put together in the Spring... 

Looking good.

I'd love to have a Fury....

not only are the lines of the 2dr hardtops so pretty, but the limited production numbers of the Fury give it a value higher than any other 57-58 Plymouth models... especially the '58s as there were so few of those built.  Junkers rotting into the ground get many thousands of dollars.  About 6 months ago, I saw one, a '57, listed for sale on the west coast, in a condition about like mine, missing the rare correct drivetrain, and the wanted $13,500 for it.....

A '57 Fury was one of the cars that fueled my interest in these cars from the beginning.  When I was a little kid, my dad and I used to eat dinner at the Brass Register downtown prior to the season opener football game at UTC.  Every time, we would leave there, and walk over to the (later Unum Provident) lot across the street, and there was this big, white car with a gold trim spear running down the side.  Blue tinted windows, and tailfins taller than me.  My dad would point through the windows (which I was right at the height of) and show me the push-button drive controls.  That was one of the most fascinating parts to me.  To this day, I remember that car perfectly clear.  I always knew someday I'd have one.  But with my budget, and all the kids, a 4 door Savoy is good with me.  But, I can still dream.   

Maybe I can go buy one of those die-casts and call it done....

The cliff's notes version...

From 1957-1958, this is how it breaks down:

Plaza... Entry Level, Available in Sedan and Club Sedan (2 door post) Models.  
Savoy... Mid-Level, available as a hardtop (2 or 4 door) or sedan (2 or 4 door).
Belvedere... Top Level, available in same body arrangements as the Savoy, plus a convertible was offered.
Suburban.. Wagon Models, 2 or 4 door versions.
Fury... Limited Production, 2 door hardtop only, only one color available (white, gold trim for 57, Buckskin Beige with gold trim for '58.)  

The Fury was only offered with a V8, the 318 in '57-58, in addition to the "Golden Commando" 350 cu.i. V8 in 1958.

The key here is that in those days, all four models were basically the same shell, differing by hard top/ sedan, and two or four doors, but they were basically one series of cars with varying trim, engine, and option levels.

Started peeling back the layers for the forward frame / engine compartment refresh...

Removed the hood, fenders, inner fenders, and radiator core support.  All I will say is "Thank You Undercoating"   .... there is still shiny black paint wherever I rubbed the undercoating away, and inside the fenders, up on the body shell, the paint is a brilliant shiny gray, with only a slight layer of road dust/film. 

A couple of pics from the night of work:

goodness, stop taking it apart, throw that engine in there!

It's o.k., dude... That's as far as I planned on going.... 

I just wanted to make sure there weren't any hidden issues tucked away in the forward body shell area.  These cars are notorious for rust, so now that I know it's all okay in there, I just plan on cleaning up the forward frame area, painting the frame and firewall areas, replacing the few front end components that are worn out, and reinstalling the engine and trans.  Actually, gonna go back and finish this eternal bus mess first so I can get it out of the way.  I just wanted to get to everything in the front so I could start the process of finding / ordering all the parts that I will need, which, thankfully isn't going to be all that much.  It'll be rolling down the road again by next spring for sure.   

Finally got to re-shoot the paint on the block after letting it cure... came out broo-tee-full.... Nice, glossy, deep silver...



Also, cleaning up the firewall area.  I was gonna paint it, but after just a little degreaser, I am staring right at some super shiny og silver charcoal paint.... 

The only rust so far has been some surface stuff at the lead edge of the rocker.  The other stuff that looks like rust is just peeling paint where the seam sealer was applied.  I will just spot in those areas, along with the area surrounding the master cylinder (brake fluid and paint don't get along so good) and get the engine back in.

Ordered the seals and pan gasket for the trans., and got to get some new control arm bushings and fix the floppy idler arm, then drop the powertrain back in. 

I told you it would get better, Travis...