I just pickup up a 56 T Bird. I am not totally sure about how good the drivetrain is and have not had an opportunity to test it. A fellow not too far from me is selling a complete 55 drivetrain. I started to research it and it seems that Ford upped the horse power a little from 55 to 56. Based on that info/I would probably try not to change the engine at least to keep the car original. My question is the three speed ****** , the shifter and the rear the same between 55-56. I am sure that there is someone that has a lot more expertise than I. Can some clarify this point so I don't want to buy extra parts that will not match or reduce my correctness for the car. Thanks Tom
1955-56 T Bird Drivetrain
- Thread starter toms32
- Start date
dmsfrr
Well-known member
You should find out what engine you've actually got, and what model the '55 parts are from.
If the '55 drivetrain parts aren't from another T-Bird that makes them generally less usable.
As delivered there were several changes between '55 and '56 T-Birds, and in the 60 years since new, many things could have been swapped with something else.
It's common for T-Bird engines to have been in & out of the car a few times, and the chances of the '56 being 'original' are fairly small.
The '55 T-Bird engine was a 292 4bbl. A '56 could be a 292 4bbl or a 312 4bbl (with more options).
A 3 speed manual transmission; they may(?) be the same between '55 & '56. There was an OD option.
The '55 / '56 automatic transmissions can have a different style cooling system.
Various T-Bird specs & gear ratios are listed in the 'mileposts' links below, the rear axle housing is the same in '55 & '56, but not '57.
The '55 & '56 T-Birds had similar but different; carb, intake manif, and distributors. Those individual parts are not interchangeable between the two years, unless you keep them together as a 'set'.
In '57 those parts, and more, were upgraded again.
A drivetrain from a full sized '55 Ford is not a bolt-in swap into a T-Bird. There are more than a few T-Bird specific parts for the engine, and I believe the transmissions are a different case size & length. The rear axle housing and/or spring pads may(?) be a different width.
A non T-Bird '55 y-block engine would most likely be a 2bbl 272.
Here are a couple links to start looking at.
Check the casting numbers on the engine blocks to help figure out what they are/might be.
The block casting number should be just above the oil filter, or at the base of the distributor.
http://ford-y-block.com/technical.htm
http://automotivemileposts.com/tbird/prod1956tbird.html
http://automotivemileposts.com/tbird/prod1955tbird.html
http://www.portholeauthority.com/thunderbirdETC/tbird/tbirddesc.html
You can post a reply with pictures of anything you're not sure of.
.
If the '55 drivetrain parts aren't from another T-Bird that makes them generally less usable.
As delivered there were several changes between '55 and '56 T-Birds, and in the 60 years since new, many things could have been swapped with something else.
It's common for T-Bird engines to have been in & out of the car a few times, and the chances of the '56 being 'original' are fairly small.
The '55 T-Bird engine was a 292 4bbl. A '56 could be a 292 4bbl or a 312 4bbl (with more options).
A 3 speed manual transmission; they may(?) be the same between '55 & '56. There was an OD option.
The '55 / '56 automatic transmissions can have a different style cooling system.
Various T-Bird specs & gear ratios are listed in the 'mileposts' links below, the rear axle housing is the same in '55 & '56, but not '57.
The '55 & '56 T-Birds had similar but different; carb, intake manif, and distributors. Those individual parts are not interchangeable between the two years, unless you keep them together as a 'set'.
In '57 those parts, and more, were upgraded again.
A drivetrain from a full sized '55 Ford is not a bolt-in swap into a T-Bird. There are more than a few T-Bird specific parts for the engine, and I believe the transmissions are a different case size & length. The rear axle housing and/or spring pads may(?) be a different width.
A non T-Bird '55 y-block engine would most likely be a 2bbl 272.
Here are a couple links to start looking at.
Check the casting numbers on the engine blocks to help figure out what they are/might be.
The block casting number should be just above the oil filter, or at the base of the distributor.
http://ford-y-block.com/technical.htm
http://automotivemileposts.com/tbird/prod1956tbird.html
http://automotivemileposts.com/tbird/prod1955tbird.html
http://www.portholeauthority.com/thunderbirdETC/tbird/tbirddesc.html
You can post a reply with pictures of anything you're not sure of.
.
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Last edited:
miker98038
Well-known member
In addition to dmsfrr's comments, spend some time at the ford-y- block site he mentioned. John Mummert is an expert on the engine. Note that the casting numbers do not necessarily indicate the displacement. The crank or main caps need to be examined to differenciate a 292 or 312.
I'm not positive, but in 55, the three speed, standard or O/D, are T-86 BW's. In 56, with the 312, they were the much heavier duty T-85 with or with out O/D.
On the subject of the Dana 44 rear end. They were also used in trucks, wagons and police cars. Axle sizes and bearings may vary, as did ratios. My 55 had a truck rear end, with the 'bird spring perches rather poorly welded on. Didn't pick up the difference till I went to replace the axle bearings. The hot number in the old days was to find a 55-56 6 cyl 3 sp O/D wagon. They had a 4:27-1 rear gear, and ran real well leaving a light.
I'm not positive, but in 55, the three speed, standard or O/D, are T-86 BW's. In 56, with the 312, they were the much heavier duty T-85 with or with out O/D.
On the subject of the Dana 44 rear end. They were also used in trucks, wagons and police cars. Axle sizes and bearings may vary, as did ratios. My 55 had a truck rear end, with the 'bird spring perches rather poorly welded on. Didn't pick up the difference till I went to replace the axle bearings. The hot number in the old days was to find a 55-56 6 cyl 3 sp O/D wagon. They had a 4:27-1 rear gear, and ran real well leaving a light.
Alaska Jim
Well-known member
as a side note, I am pretty sure my 51 Merc has a dana 44 rear. it has larger brakes than the Ford. my car is all original survivor and is equipped with a 3sp. w/ o/d the rear ratio is also 4:27. I believe that the housing may be wider than a ford.
