55 Fairlane vs Thunderbird parts interchange

[Jim.UT]

I met a man who has some good parts he has removed from a 57 Thunderbird project that he says I can have. I've already picked up a starter as I assume it's the same. If not I'll sell it somewhere.

He also has some powder-coated front brake drums. Did the Fairlane and Thunderbird share the same brake drums?

I'm looking for a master parts catalog to buy so I can answer these kinds of questions myself, but haven't found one yet.

 

[miker98038]

Best of my knowledge, brakes, A Arms spindles, etc. are all the same. The drag link is narrower on a bird I think, and the 57 ford had some changes that didn’t make it to the 57 bird.

 

[dmsfrr]

I've been told '57 Tbird front drums are 1/2 inch wider than '55/'56 Tbird front drums but have no idea how they compare to '57 Fairlane front drums & spindles. If matching '57 backing plates are available they might be good to have.

A '57 Fairlane being a larger heavier car than a '57 Tbird it would sure be a good idea to double check the drum sizes. I have a MPC but I'm not sure what years it covers. It's around here somewhere...