dmsfrr
Well-known member
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Preferred intake manifold for 1956 Thunderbird
- Thread starter zuburg
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zuburg
Senior Member
It’s been so long since I saw my carb I forgot about the automatic choke behind the round black cap. I think it gets the heat through a metal tube, but don’t remember where they all attach. I hope my pictures and notes help my memory. I’ve been waiting over two years to have my Fordomatic rebuilt. I’m either very patient or stupid. My guy is supposedly trying to find a usable intermediate support shaft to complete it.
paul2748
Well-known member
No, the 56 air cleaner will not fit the later Holleys and Edelbrocks.
That is a good choice, inexpensive and will do the job. Make sure it will fit under the hood. You should be able to get different height air filters for those.
The alternative is to get a 57 air cleaner. It will look almost stock if that is what you are going for.
That is a good choice, inexpensive and will do the job. Make sure it will fit under the hood. You should be able to get different height air filters for those.
The alternative is to get a 57 air cleaner. It will look almost stock if that is what you are going for.
paul2748
Well-known member
Try these guys for parts for the Fordo. They do a lot of antique car transmissions
http://fisherautotrans.com/
http://fisherautotrans.com/
dmsfrr
Well-known member
True enough, I didn't zoom in that close. Thanks for the 'loan' of the photo
scicala
Well-known member
dmsfrr
Well-known member
~ When only the best will do ~
I could have used this photo, but it's a bit cluttered looking and the carb has an elect choke.
.
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Kahuna
Well-known member
Hi Zuburg
I know you've been going thru all the gyrations re the carb & manifold change, but a good option imo, is to have that Teapot rebuilt by Sal (here, post #29). Have him add the electric choke & do the slight mod so that you can use a later (57 & up) distributor.
Car is still very original to all but the purists, and will perform real well.
Plus, a lot less work & money & your air cleaner still fits.
Don't worry about the folks that tell you about Teapopts burning up. Some actually did, but the reasons are not well known:
1) If a big backfire occurred, there was a chance of fire happening (tuning issues).
2) Above the fuel inlet valve there is a plug that if not sealed well will allow gas to leak badly. BIG fire hazard.
Sal will confirm that most teapot problems are caused by people that should not be working on them
Do as Paul does and add a Pertronix module to your later distributor. I have the same mod & it works great.
Just a thought
Jim
Good luck with whatever you decide
I know you've been going thru all the gyrations re the carb & manifold change, but a good option imo, is to have that Teapot rebuilt by Sal (here, post #29). Have him add the electric choke & do the slight mod so that you can use a later (57 & up) distributor.
Car is still very original to all but the purists, and will perform real well.
Plus, a lot less work & money & your air cleaner still fits.
Don't worry about the folks that tell you about Teapopts burning up. Some actually did, but the reasons are not well known:
1) If a big backfire occurred, there was a chance of fire happening (tuning issues).
2) Above the fuel inlet valve there is a plug that if not sealed well will allow gas to leak badly. BIG fire hazard.
Sal will confirm that most teapot problems are caused by people that should not be working on them
Do as Paul does and add a Pertronix module to your later distributor. I have the same mod & it works great.
Just a thought
Jim
Good luck with whatever you decide
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scicala
Well-known member
~ When only the best will do ~
I could have used this photo, but it's a bit cluttered looking and the carb has an elect choke.
.
That's a mighty nice looking engine and compartment. Is that your '57 ?
Sal
dmsfrr
Well-known member
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zuburg
Senior Member
So it sounds like you are suggesting keeping my 1956 intake and teapot carb, but changing the distributor to a 1957 and up? What benefits do you get by just making that change? I might as well keep it all stock? Are there benefits in replacing the stock choke with an electric choke?
Kahuna
Well-known member
Zuburg
By merely replacing the original distributor with a newer one (57-up), you gain excellent driveability, and better fuel economy. Changing the carburetor to something newer, IMO, will not change or improve your fuel usage. The teapots are excellent carbs when in good condition and will give as good fuel mileage as anything you might replace it with.
Just my experience & opinion.
I run one on my 56 & two on my 32.
The 56 has the original carb, slightly modified per Ted Eaton.
The distributor is a 57 unit with a Pertronix module.
The 32 is flathead powered with 2 Teapots & a Pertronix module installed in an original distributor.
Like you, I think using the original stuff is the way to go. However, those old dual diaphram vacuum units are now over 60 years old and very suspect. I wanted to use one on my 56 and found a fellow online that had 2 NOS units for sale. I communicated with him & told him I would buy one if he would verify that they held vacuum. He responded that they did, but that he would NOT guarantee that it would work when I received it.
At that point I decided to use a more modern 57 distributor & modify the Teapot.
I'm sure I made the right decision
Jim
By merely replacing the original distributor with a newer one (57-up), you gain excellent driveability, and better fuel economy. Changing the carburetor to something newer, IMO, will not change or improve your fuel usage. The teapots are excellent carbs when in good condition and will give as good fuel mileage as anything you might replace it with.
Just my experience & opinion.
I run one on my 56 & two on my 32.
The 56 has the original carb, slightly modified per Ted Eaton.
The distributor is a 57 unit with a Pertronix module.
The 32 is flathead powered with 2 Teapots & a Pertronix module installed in an original distributor.
Like you, I think using the original stuff is the way to go. However, those old dual diaphram vacuum units are now over 60 years old and very suspect. I wanted to use one on my 56 and found a fellow online that had 2 NOS units for sale. I communicated with him & told him I would buy one if he would verify that they held vacuum. He responded that they did, but that he would NOT guarantee that it would work when I received it.
At that point I decided to use a more modern 57 distributor & modify the Teapot.
I'm sure I made the right decision
Jim
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dmsfrr
Well-known member
Thanks. It's got a way to go but life keeps getting in the way.
I had them sandblasted and brushed on some Eastwood exhaust paint, Factory Gray.
And they are the '57 T-bird version, not the incorrect ones that came with the '54 256 in the car.
Stock vs elect choke? They should work equally well, but the heat tube thru the intake manifold is a definite weak spot. If the intake is already off the engine seriously consider plugging those two tube holes. I don't know the best method for doing that.
A '57 distributor is likely more dependable in the long run and should perform better.
If you stay with the '56 carb and slightly smaller 'A' manifold it may(?) not be as noticeable as when using the '57+ style carb & intake.
Since you already have all the '56 parts, putting them back on would be the simplest thing to do.
If the '56 Dist or Carb need expensive repairs that can tip the scale toward changing to '57 parts.
Now while it's still mostly apart is the easiest time to change things.
If you're slightly inclined to keep it 'more original', it's up to you.
.
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zuburg
Senior Member
I just received my paint from Eastwood for my exhaust manifolds. How much should it cost to have them sand blasted? I inquired at one place and they told me they could blast them and powder coat them for $100. I thought that sounded like a good price. Would that be a good option instead of the paint? Also, did you bake yours after painting?