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I've been looking for a 59 Ranchero, wanted an auto, and as rust free as I could get it.
Surfing Craigslist found one in El Paso Tx, 59 v-8 auto no glass, engine seized, asking $1500.
i watched for a few weeks and then made an offer $500. He accepted it, and the hunt was over.
Now getting it home went onto Uship.com and got some bids seems like about $800 was the going price. so got a hauler picked it up on a monday and delivered it Thursday morning.
Got it home ran the vin# biult in LA, july 20 1959. 292 auto.
So that sat I went out and put a socket on the crank, Was planning on replacing it with a 302, so socket on and it moved a little, played with it some more 3-4 minutes and i heard a noise from the right side of the block, starter was disengaging. Now it moved about a 1/4 of a turn, but the fan didn't move, cut the belt and now it turned over by hand. Water pump frozen!
So cut the fuel line, put a water hose in the radiator, fresh battery and some starting fiuld and she fired up. SOOOO
whole idea of the 302 was on the fence now.
New water pump,plugs,oil,filter, one freeze out plug,new fuel line running into a gatoraid bottle and it started up ran a bit ruff, but got better with some carb cleaner.
So the 302 is out, staying with the 292 , which someone replaced the intake with a 4bbl.
Now back at work a few days later and I see a nice shiney Edelbrock on a shelf next to a Holley, (I was inspecting a radio station). Left a note, 2 days later the guy calls me and say I can have both of the free.
So the Ranchero now has a edelbrock 1405 on it and it purrs like a kitten.
I've driven it around the yard, but still have to rebiuld the brakes and have the gas tank cleaned. along with new glass, I have the windshield and rear window need side glass now.
i plan on buckets for the interior with center console. black interior with white on top and lite blue lower half exterior.
So that's my story of my $500 running ranchero..
Here's a link to pic...let the fun begin.
Dennis
Surfing Craigslist found one in El Paso Tx, 59 v-8 auto no glass, engine seized, asking $1500.
i watched for a few weeks and then made an offer $500. He accepted it, and the hunt was over.
Now getting it home went onto Uship.com and got some bids seems like about $800 was the going price. so got a hauler picked it up on a monday and delivered it Thursday morning.
Got it home ran the vin# biult in LA, july 20 1959. 292 auto.
So that sat I went out and put a socket on the crank, Was planning on replacing it with a 302, so socket on and it moved a little, played with it some more 3-4 minutes and i heard a noise from the right side of the block, starter was disengaging. Now it moved about a 1/4 of a turn, but the fan didn't move, cut the belt and now it turned over by hand. Water pump frozen!
So cut the fuel line, put a water hose in the radiator, fresh battery and some starting fiuld and she fired up. SOOOO
whole idea of the 302 was on the fence now.
New water pump,plugs,oil,filter, one freeze out plug,new fuel line running into a gatoraid bottle and it started up ran a bit ruff, but got better with some carb cleaner.
So the 302 is out, staying with the 292 , which someone replaced the intake with a 4bbl.
Now back at work a few days later and I see a nice shiney Edelbrock on a shelf next to a Holley, (I was inspecting a radio station). Left a note, 2 days later the guy calls me and say I can have both of the free.
So the Ranchero now has a edelbrock 1405 on it and it purrs like a kitten.
I've driven it around the yard, but still have to rebiuld the brakes and have the gas tank cleaned. along with new glass, I have the windshield and rear window need side glass now.
i plan on buckets for the interior with center console. black interior with white on top and lite blue lower half exterior.
So that's my story of my $500 running ranchero..
Here's a link to pic...let the fun begin.
Dennis
I hope you will continue to update us on the progress you are making as you continue to work on her. 
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