Y-BlocksForever Forum / Y-BlocksForever! Forums 2006 / Stuff that fits

May have jumped the gun

Noob — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:12:56 GMT

Had read about the use of Aerostar springs to lower ride height on 50's Ford, though no specific reference to tbirds.

Took a leap and bought a new pair for $50 (anybody want em for $30 + UPS)

My concern is now that they stand about 4" shorter than the stock springs I removed, so my immediate reaction was... Doh!!!

Then as I was repacking the box, I noticed an advisory printed on the side that said 'replacement springs will be shorter than OEM, but are designed for proper ride height'. There was also a generic illustration showing an OEM spring being about 3 coils taller than the replacement.

I am shooting for a 1" drop with dropped spindles for disc brakes, and another 2" or so with the shorter coils, but faced with the possibility of a total 4"-5" drop (1" spindle + 3-4" coil), I'm not sure what to do.

Before I go forward to test/verify the outcome by actually installing everything, I was wondering if anybody here has attempted Aerostar coils on a `57 tbird?

Cheers... Brian

A New Bellhousing Offering For The Y.

Ted — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 04:48:51 GMT

Here’s something new from Quicktime. It’s a couple of bellhousings for the Y-Block but no details on the website concerning flywheel or starter combinations. No pictures available yet for this particular bellhousing.

http://www.quicktimeinc.com/products.html

RM-8055 Ford "Y" Block to TKO, 3550, T5 Mustang - NEW!

· Height = 6.925

· Trans. Bore Ø = Universal 4.910/4.850

· Engine = Ford "Y" Block

· Trans. = Universal TKO 500-600/TR 3550/T5 Mustang

· Clutch Ø = 11"

· Flywheel = 164 tooth

· Weight = 21#

· Has passed SFI testing

· Engine plate included

RM-8056 Ford "Y" Block to Ford toploader, BW-T10 - NEW!

· Height = 6.425

· Trans. Bore Ø = Universal 4.910/4.687/4.850

· Engine = Ford "Y" Block

· Trans. = Ford "Y" Block

· Clutch Ø = 11"

· Flywheel = 164 tooth

· Weight = 21#

· Has passed SFI testing

· Engine plate included

Drive Shaft Source

Noob — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 18:24:38 GMT

... anyway, I've no good local source for lengthening my drive shaft and changing the joint ends for the T-5 swap. Looking for any first hand recommendations for a 'mail order" shaft. Found a company online called Denny's Drive Shafts that has a pretty good Worksheet for specifying dimensions. Any recommended sources for a 'custom' driveshaft?

thanks... brian

Lokar shifter question

Buzz — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:25:12 GMT

I just called Lokar this morning and they said they don't make a floor shifter for my 1956 Ford o Matic. has anyone got another suggestion?

alternator mount

Barry L — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:30:52 GMT

testing the fit of a Ford alt. with "recontoured" main mount and a short homemade rear bracket. Used the straight lower arm with a spacer between it and the alt. Once this is tried in the car, I'll post an update. May have to make a curved lower arm to allow a longer range of adjustment. Tried to keep mounts stock looking. Barry in Manitoba

modified sbc shortie headers to fit early tbird

mongo — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:41:05 GMT

I am half way thru building a chrome set of shorties for my 55 bird, they cheap , but a little time. Used 1 set sbc chrome shorties of ebay , sectioned the main flange . clamped, bolted and spread on to y block header flange . Welded and drilled it. Fits perfect. I will put more if ther is an interest. Just did a full layout , it would not post.

Lincoln spare tire and wheel

Ketterbros — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:53:57 GMT

In Charlie Burns posts on his build of the Comet, I spotted the front wheel tire combo, and I use this set up on my cars..for drag racing, and find no problem.. Just got to get it past the tech's.. Tire wheel combo cost me $25.oo a piece..

57 y-block headers

rmk57 — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 15:10:22 GMT

Just finishing up headers for my 57 Custom. I cannibalized a set of sbc headers for the collectors and bought y-block flanges and a few U-bends. They fit great with lots of spark plug access/header bolt access. Only the brake light switch has to be removed for installation.Hope the photos show up.

Centerforce Clutch Difficulty

Noob — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:27:30 GMT

I emailed Centerforce tech department as follows:

[quote] Hi Roger… have `57 Ford 312 ci with stock flywheel and wish to convert from an 11” Long Style, Type 1 pressure plate to a Diaphragm style plate (and disk), preferably a Dual Friction set-up… the bolt spacing is 3-3/8” center-to-center. Do you have any recommendations? Thanks in advance for your kind reply. Brian [/quote]

To which they replied:

[quote]Upon reviewing some old catalogs we can not determine which clutch would be a direct replacement for your application being we can not cross the part numbers over. It would be a guess to say whether a diaphragm clutch would have the same installed height and whether the spring pack of our disc would work with your flywheel. Therefore I’m not sure what part number to recommend.[/quote]

:blink: :pinch: :crying:

Am I missing something or was my inquiry confusing? A Diaphragm style's height, being inherently lower than a Long style's height, is irrelevant as long as it works with the tranny's input shaft... right? And why wouldnt their spring pack work with my stock flywheel... an 11" disk is essentially an 11" disk isnt it?

I thought all I needed to know was whether they had a model with the 3-3/8" bolt spacing, but now I'm just confused... any suggestions/clarifications would be greatly appreciated.

Brian

not engine, but for a 57 Fairlane...

texasmark1 — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:24:10 GMT

if anyone is interested, J C Whitney sells a window channel part that fits perfect in the rear side window (quarter window?) for the 1957 Fairlane 64B body style (two door post). so far I have installed this in the top channel of my rear side windows. I will post the exact part number and a pic or two if there is any interest... oh yeah, its quite affordable compared to some "specialty" parts suppliers out there...

lemme know.

Mark

four wheel drive for a 57 f100

nathan soukup — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:20:19 GMT

I was thinking about converting to four wheel drive on my 57 f100.I have a mild 292 and c4 transmission.Does anybody know if I can still use the c4 for a four wheel drive transfer case?Did any of the later model 4x4s with Ys come with automatics?

Stuff that don't work

Y block Billy — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:33:57 GMT

I recently found out something interesting, I had picked up a large table from a paper mill to use a s a work bench, the top had grease and grime and graffiti all over it. I had some cans of engine degreaser and thought it should work good so I sprayed it down a couple times and gave it some good elbow rubbing and wiping and barely nothing came off. I had a spray bottle of Fantastic handy and decided to try that, lo and behold the thing cleaned up perfectly with one wipe of the fantastic.

So don't waste money on engine degreasers, just spray with Fantastic and rinse, it appears to work 100% better. Next test will be on an actual engine.

Rack Steering for a 55 Bird

55Birdman — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 08:34:09 GMT

Ok the holidays are done and its time for me to get started on a winter project and I need some opinions/expertise. I would like to install a rack and pinion steering system on my 55Bird. Just dont know which one. I know I can buy a kit ,but I would like to get one out of a donor and install it. A comments on which one /how to install? Looking for one that doesnt involve rocket science to install. I have heard about the cavalier steering doing well along with buick skylark and others . just want to know what you would choose and how easy/difficult it would be to install. I have looked at threads here about them but, I would like to know a bit more. Any input greatly appreciated. If you want to help install that would be ok too. Thanks again for any info. Earl Dagenhart

Have a Happy New Year :)

Horn contact ring & wire

PF Arcand — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 15:37:06 GMT

I have a "Horn Wire terminal Support & Wire" (NOS) part #B8A-14308-A. It was recommended & obtained as part of a 57 to 58 steering box conversion which I've posted about on this site before. So I'll not repeat it all again. Suffice to say the conversion as far as the horn is concerned, went off the rails! My question is, does anyone have a parts or interchange manual that will tell what the part is supposed to do or fit? I thought that it was possibly a replacement for a worn 1958 horn contact ring. I have here what is supposed to be a 1958 horn contact ring & turn signal assembly, (also a 59 Edsel one that appears identical) but it does not appear to fit them. What does it do or fit? Any help appreciated. Thanks

master cylinder

2X57SEDAN — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:38:36 GMT

i hope one of you knowledgable people on here can help me

i either read somwhere or heard that a person can use a master cylinder from i think it was an mid 80's explorer on a 57 failane/sedan body i think is supposed to be a direct bolt on and its made from aluminum and the lines are toward the outside of the engine compartment

does anyone know if this is right? or am i again mistaken i might have read about this in an article in a magazine

T-5 Spacer/Adapter Plate

Noob — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:33:22 GMT

I didnt want to bug John just yet, but need to know the thickness of the adaptor plate he sells for affixing a T-5 tranny to a Y. If anybody knows the amount of rotation his new design offers that would be great too.

I'm awaiting a gutted case and tail section so I can mock-up investigate frame and tunnel mods will be necessary before cut'n and weld'n.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Cheers... Brian

COM bellhousing swapped onto FOM

PWH42 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:13:15 GMT

I've been trying to find a COM to replace my FOM and can't locate one that works on a Y-block.I did find one that came off of an FE.Anyone know if I can swap the bell from my FOM onto the COM and if that works,will the FOM flywheel and convertor work with the COM.

Suspension/Bushing Upgrades

Noob — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:53:47 GMT

I know its not Y-Block specific, but we have some bird-folks here. Anybody search/find a source for upgraded suspension parts (thinking alternate to stock rubber bushings) for the small birds?

I've found some sway bar offerings, firmer shocks, and progressive springs... but looking for bushing improvements and wishing to avoid those made from unobtainium.

Cheers... Brian

58 Fairlane front brake drum interchange

55vic — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:51:49 GMT

Hi, my son has a 58 Fairlane and we were wondering if there are any newer front brake drums ( 11 X 2 1/4) that he might use. Any help or suggestions are appreciated, thanks. Old Guy.

Ladder Bars

Pick Up Andy Hamburg/ Germany — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:26:16 GMT

...im looking for ladder bars for my ´55 f100 for mrear axel, can anybody help with a link????

Greetz Andy

steering wheel swap

montana ford man — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:01:44 GMT

I found a 57 tbird steering wheel that's been restored and painted real nice. my question is ,will it fit my 56 ford customline? it looks identical to mine except it is a little fancier.the shaft hole looks the same and the slots for the horn ring looks like mine.the reason I ask is that my wheel needs some work and needs painting. any help would be appreciated.

Rear Disc Brakes

55Birdman — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:50:00 GMT

Does anyone know if there is a kit available for rear discs for 55 TBird?

Cruisomatic

PWH42 — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:45:01 GMT

A question I've not found the answer to.I have a COM that was in a 61 with a 352 FE.Can I switch the bell housing from my FOM to this COM and bolt it to my Y-Block?What about the flywheel and torque convertor?Use them from the FOM?

Installing large input Toploader in Y block

slumlord444 — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:01:01 GMT

Bought, actualy more like stole, a large input toploader with factory Hurst shifter out of 1970 429 Ford Torino today for $200. Looks good inside. A little normal wear on the dogs on the gears. Plan to have it taken apart and checked out and put in new syncronizers and small parts kit. Will have to change the driveshaft yolk probably. Will definately have to change the clutch disk to fit the large input shaft. Will have to have the hole in the belhousing machined larger so the front snout will fit. Will need larger throwout bearing and retainer. Does anyone know if the clutch fork will work ok with the larger throwout bearing? Am I missing anything in this conversion? I will be installing it in my '57 Tbird. I now have an all syncro 3 speed out of a '64 390 Galaxie in the car. A 4 speed from a 390 would have bolted right in but I could not pass up the large input trans for the price.

Brake pedal rod length

55Birdman — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:43:01 GMT

Just put discs on my bird. Using a 78 Granada m/c and the TBird piston rod. I have about 2 inches of free play and the pedal travel stops about midway and brakes grab. Was just wondering if I should change to a longer rod. Is it a danger to have that much travel before stopping? Other than my satisfaction anyway. The rod that came with the m/c is the same length as the bird original.

Gas pedal

55Birdman — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:00:07 GMT

I am changing the carpet in my bird and I got to thinking about a newer gas pedal. Anybody have a Lokar or other pedal in their car. Which one to use? Thanks

Fuel Pump Blockoff

292 in a '29 A — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:16:56 GMT

If you need to block off the fuel pump hole in your y block, try a chevy big block - block off plate. They are way cheaper and easier to find. The holes are the same and the design is the same. I noticed the similarity one day and tried it out. Running a red Holley electric pump.

Interceptor Marine manifold

xpainter — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:48:37 GMT

Hello all, new to this site just finished installing a Interceptor marine manifold in my 55 bird and longing to show it to fellow birders. What do you think?

2-tone paint combinations

lincoln62 — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:39:10 GMT

can anyone tell me if the Mandarin Orange and Colonial white colors were availlable in white top, orange center,and white bottom? all I have ever seen is orange top, white center,and orange bottom. also, what paint # is the Mandarin Orange? this is on a 56 victoria 2-door hardtop. thanks

Radiators

PWH42 — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:33:34 GMT

Does anyone know if a 55-57 Bird radiator will fit a 56 sedan???

Clutch fan

ltman — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 18:22:58 GMT

Did any y blocks come with a clutch fan 1 car i got has 1 on it

56 clutch rod fabrication

masterced — Wed, 13 May 2009 20:34:53 GMT

Hello all,
I've got a 56 ford country sedan Im converting from a ford-o-matic to a mustang t5 manual transmission. I've got everything in place and I was even lucky enough to find a scrap 56 wagon nearby to get original clutch parts to match up to the original manual bellhousing. I even found the little tab that bolts to the frame for the pedal return spring. Tee-Bird Products has helped me get the few little parts I was missing.
The one part I haven't been able to find is the rod that goes from the end of the z-bar to the throw out bearing arm. I'm thinking it will be easy enough to just get a piece of rod that is bent at a 90 degree, thread the long end, and double nut a washer at the end. The washer will push against the arm, the threaded rod end can pass through the end of the throw out arm that has a hole in it, and the double nut can be loosened and moved to accommodate for clutch adjustment.
Can anyone see a problem with this? Does the hole in the end of the throw out arm require the rod to have a round and adjustable end on it? Will a large washer be too flat and awkward of a connection that it will cause the joint to bind? I suppose theres one way to find out - to just make it happen! - but Im still curious to hear your opinions first.

Battery Box, '53-'56 F-Series

Wreckerman — Thu, 14 May 2009 05:06:34 GMT

As I'm sure most of you know, the '53-'55 trucks used the nearly square six-volt battery. In '56, when twelve volts were first used, the battery shape changed to long and narrow. My '56 battery box was 95-percent gone and, since I had an Optima battery to use, I bolted in a '53-'55 box. (Only involved drilling one extra hole.) Hope this tip can help someone else.

Replacement wheels for 56 fairlane?

rgrove — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:31:36 GMT

All,

Turns out i have a bent rim on my 56 sunliner (stock, 15"). Anybody know of an equivalent replacement and where to get one? Car has dog dish hub caps, so it needs the "bumps" on the mid section for them to clip onto (does that make sense?) Any thoughts on interchanges?

Thanks!

What kind of mirrors are these?

2165 Turbo Rail — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:56:33 GMT

I saw these on Ebay but didn't bid and wish i would have. Does anyone know who made them or what they came on or anything that would help me find some?
[IMG]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i283/chriswmos/1959%20Galaxie%20500/mirrors.jpg[/IMG]

curious if the wiper system from a 59 galaxie will fit a 57???????

2X57SEDAN — Sun, 03 May 2009 18:46:50 GMT

does anyone know (or willing to guestimate) if the wiper system from a 59 galaxie body will fit a 57 sedan? i just want to get away from the cable system and a guy had a 59 at a cruise in yesterday and he said his had solid linkage so i got to thinkin maybe i could get that system to work on mine

Valve spring retainers

lowrider — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:09:49 GMT

I'm sure someone out there has run into this. I'm going through a pair of 113 heads for my 57 Ford 292 and was wondering. Has anyone replaced the 2 piece valve spring retainers with a 1 piece retainer? Can I use a late 60's 289/302 retainer? They have the same valve stem size and the springs look similar. Not looking to spend a fortune, just wondering if any OEM parts might work. Thanks. Dan

55/56 Thunderbird. What are the largest Custom wheels I can fit without butchering my body and wheelhouses?

55Thunderboy — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 18:41:30 GMT

Anyone out there who has one of these and did a succesful swap I want to know what the largest rim, offset and width I can fit and still possibly use skirts and have no suspension rubs. And most importantly no body work. trimming fender lip doesnt scare me off.

I have come across quite a few early Bird customs with 18 front and 20 rear and the cars are bagged and slammed. I love the look but I dont think this is an easy task.

Well my 55 is all painted and being put together and as Much as I love the White walls and wire wheel look I think I want some nice Billet wheels with ZR tires because I plan to enjoy the car.

So fill me in guys on some options. Thanks

SFI Approved bellhousing for a C4 on the back of a Y

Ted — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 06:14:57 GMT

[quote][b]Barry L (3/7/2009)[/b][hr]Has anyone seen a bellhousing that is SFI'd and will bolt a C-4 to the Y ? Barry L[/quote]

Barry. I used your question as the basis for a new post. For mating a C4 to the Y, I’m using the Performance Automatics bellhousing p/n PA26390 for an FE with an adapter. In this case, both the rear motor plate and the adapter are the same. This gets me the SFI certification and keeps my particular combination tech legal. Here’s a link to an older thread giving more detail on the adapter.

C4 Adapter

And here’s a couple of older pics of the PA bellhousing behind a Y.

Another option is giving Flat-O Products, Inc. a call and inquire as to what it takes to make their Y bellhousing for a C4 automatic kit SFI certified.

Explorer rear end - bolt pattern

Tom Compton — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:16:50 GMT

What is the bolt pattern on an explorer 8.8 rear end? Hope it is 5 on 4.5" circle but suspect it may be 5 on 5".

Thx