312 in Fairlane Victoria

Rich Largent

Rich Largent

Member
Continuing my search for an original 56 Fairlane Victoria. Found one recently listed to have the Thunderbird 312 in it. Would like to know if anyone can tell me if in 1956 you could get a car so equipped. My research seems to indicate they were only available in the Crown Victorias.
 
My dad bought new a 56 Fairlane Fordor with a 312 in it. If I recall correctly it said "Thunderbird" on the valve covers.
 
First year of availability in the Ford. I had a 56 with a 292 in it. It also said Thunderbird on the valve cover so you can't go by that exclusively.
 
Anything was possible back then when you could order a car just how you wanted it . The 312 did come out later in 1956 for the 1957 year but you could get the 312 if you wanted it .
The only way to find out if you have a true 312 is by the crank used or by the stroke . Everything else was the same along with the bore .

Jim
 
Very hard to tell externally. The crank flange is marked with a "dot" but is extremely difficult to see with the engine in the car. Not all 312's had the "dot".

Only way to truly know is internally as already mentioned. 312's had a different bore and stroke, main caps (marked ECZ), rear main seal retainer and seal etc. Some others...



Check here; How to ID a 312
 
Crank flange should have a crescent and a flat area with a large dot, or multiple small dots. Mummert has a good description on his site.
 
312s were not an option in full size 56 Fords until late March of 56.They were standard in all 56 Mercurys and optional in 56 T-Birds.Any full size car(Fairlanes) built prior to March would have come a 292 or a 6-cylinder.Customlines and Mainlines would have come with 6-cylinder,272,292( or a 312 after March).All 56 292s had the Thunderbird decal on the valve covers.A 312 had a Thunderbird Special decal.
 
If the car has the original engine (fat chance of that!!) the vin# for the 292 is M and the 312 is P
 
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