The pic in the next to last post showing the medium gray stuff is diy zinc plating. Here are my thoughts.
Metal prep is huge perfectly clean and no rust is needed.
Polishing is needed to get a shine.
Unpolished is a perfect base to paint over.
A commercial home kit will likely give better results if shininess is your goal.
Ther are plating forums that could help you get it perfected.
Zinc plating acts as a sacrificial material keeping the other metal from rusting even after parts of the plating wear away. Nickel only protects as long as the plating completely covers the item. Once it wears the metal item is sacrificial to the nickel.
John

Just installed Newport Engineering 12 volt wipers. They are a bolt in replacement for the vacuum wipers. They are nice. Not for 6 volt cars. Also new wiper blads and arms. My car had 11 inch blades but 13 inch blades will fit with shorter arms.
John

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Doing diy zinc plating of fastners. Getting the metal clean is key.
John

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Started electrolysis rust removal.

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I have made some progress on the rear axle. It is fully disassembled now and I need to setup my electrolosis rust removal tank to clean up some of the parts before painting or diy zinc plating the parts to be reused. It's getting there. Had to drill out the rivets for the rusted out dust shields. Also starting on building my transmission controller. I got the code loaded and I can hook it up to my pc and "talk to it."

Regards
John

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Jim
If you are wanting to use a late model v12 I would suggest standalone engine management like megasquirt and ditch the OEM computers.

John

Thanks for all the tips. I will really try to take just the trans out. I can get the car about 3ft off the ground. I will take pictures and post them in my project blog on this site. I likey wont start for a couple of months since I an still getting parts ready that I need and warmer weather in my unheated garage would be nice.
John

Thanks for the tips and the support bar pictures. I do have a lift so I guess I will try underneath.

Thanks
John

On a 51 to 54 with an ultramatic. Any suggestions on removing a transmission?
From the bottom and leave engine in place or pull engine and trans together?

To pull engine and trans together wont removing front clip make it easier?
Thanks for the tips.
John

Here is the parts list. I haven't done it yet and won't likely get to it soon. But other on this forum have done it:
Parts From 1973-79 Ford F100/F150 2wd (80-81 may work too based on King pins and wheel bearings)
Calipers
Backing Plates / Splash Shields / Bolts
Spindles/Knuckles
Spindle Lock Nuts (not Dorman #05919)
Brake Hoses
Caliper Mounting Brackets
Brake Pads
King Pin Set

1973 Ford Galaxie/Custom/Thunderbird: (Certain Mercury/Lincoln that year too, but not the 74-78)
Rotors
Dust Cap

Universal Parts
2ea. Timken Bearing Set 12
2ea. Timken Bearing Set 13
2ea. Timken Seal 6815
10ea. Ford Lug Nuts

Best Regards,
John