Thank you for your replies. I have taken the head off and poured ATF down the cylinders. It drained through in 48 hours. I hand cranked the engine and it was very smooth. The engine is not siezed which is good news, and there's no rust on the cylinders or pistons. I'll need to replace the rings eventually, but it's fine for now just to get it running. Does anyone know where to get the gasket kit for the engine? I also need a rebuild kit for the carb becuase I'd like to run E85, while they still offer it at the local gas stations.

Yeah the door panels have been taken off and the lock pawls are off of the rotator. And even laying in the back seat and kicking with both legs isn't budging the door (including a helper). I still will give the pry bar idea a go, but if that doesn't work i'm at a loss.

I can't get the back doors open, even after spraying two cans of Kroil on the mechanisms inside the doors. It's as if they are welded shut, and I really don't know the next move I should make. Has this happened to anyone else? If so what did you do to break them loose? The car has possibly been sitting for 40 years

Thank you all for your immediate responses. I was worried that parts would be extremely hard to come by, and over the phone quotes for machining and parts were in the area of $2000 or more. That's why I was I entertaining the 302 idea, because I knew parts would be inexpensive and plentiful. But, now I will definitely try to get the ol' thunderbolt going. It's a complete car why change it now? And it truly is an awesome engine. One question I have is how can you tell if it is an automatic or standard tranny? I have a clutch pedal but no floor shifter. And do you know where I can get a distributor? That is the one thing I know i'm missing.

I currently bought a 1952 200 deluxe from a salvage yard in hopes to bring it back to life. The original engine is still in it but I am curious as to if it is possible to install a small block 302 without making any drastic changes to the body or frame. The reason for doing so is i'm still in high school; about to graduate; with not a whole lot of cash to work with to rebuild the current straight 8. I still would like to return the car to its original state once I get enough saved up. If anyone can offer a helping hand it would be greatly appreciated.

- Garrett

See the car athttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ_N_4wT8kA