Is this the right carb for my '55 T-Bird?
 

I've got a 55 T-Bird that was left to me by my father when he passed away almost twenty years ago. I'm finally at a place in my life where I'm comfortable trying to get it running and driving again. I've got it fired up but the carb is being a real pain- I can't get the check balls for the vacuum secondaries to stay seated so it's flooding and running poorly. I've thrown a lot of time and money at this carb because I believed it to be original and correct. I noticed a few discrepancies recently that lead me to believe that this is actually a carb for a '56, in which case I'm better off just throwing this carb on a shelf and getting a remanufactured unit.
I should explain that this is a very early production Thunderbird, some time in the first two weeks of production according to my research. I've run into a number of reproduction parts that don't want to bolt right up due to the car being built with some pieces out of the '54 parts bin. This is why I was so determined to keep the carb, however I'm noticing that the vacuum choke on the '55 was mounted on the intake, and for '56 it was mounted directly to the carb. The carb on my car has no arm for the choke rod to attach to and actually has unused bolt holes that leak fuel where the vacuum choke would go. So anyhow, can anyone please tell me if my hypothesis is correct and my carb is in fact not correct for the car?
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Re: Is this the right carb for my '55 T-Bird?
 

I'm going to have to say no, that is not a '55 carb. The '55 carb does not have the mount for the auto choke on it like you state. Also part of the lever that operates the choke butterflies is missing (where your choke linkage would connect).

I'm certainly not an expert of "teapots" tho, so I hope someone else will chime in.

Also is that the proper "valve" on the side?

Re: Is this the right carb for my '55 T-Bird?
 

No, that is a 1956. The two brass tubes that go up the back are straight on a 56. on a 1955 carb make a 90 degree turn and go into the top. This carb requires a dual chamber advance distributer. Call me if i can help you with this issue. frank (616) 874-1224

Re: Is this the right carb for my '55 T-Bird?
 

Sounds like I was right unfortunately. It's not worth my time to try to troubleshoot this carb if it's not original. So now I guess the question is where do I get a correct 55 carb? At this point I'd just like one that's rebuilt and ready to go so I can get the car on the road.

Re: Is this the right carb for my '55 T-Bird?
 

Mike Suter in PA rebuilds teapots (is very good) and he might have what you are looking for. 215-757-3678.

The correct original carbs for a 55 are:

ECJ-9510-L List 1077-1 (3 speed)
ECJ-9510-M List 1078-1 (Auto)

Replacement carbs:

ECJ-9501-L List 997-1 (3 speed
ECJ-9510-G List 1077 (3 speed)
ECJ-9510-D List 998-1 (Auto)
ECJ-9510-H List 1078 (Auto)

From the Tbird Restoration and Specifications manual

Re: Is this the right carb for my '55 T-Bird?
 

larrys tbird has rebuilds for 295.www.larrystbird.com

Re: Is this the right carb for my '55 T-Bird?
 

If this is from the T Bird restoration manual, they have it reversed. The lower set of part numbers are the original factory installed numbers, and the upper set of numbers would be very late production or service carbs. Also there is a typo on ECJ -9501-L 997-1. It Should be ECJ-9510-C 997-1.

You can also use the '55 passenger car carbs on the T-Bird. A lot more common and same calibration. Only difference would be the part number for a numbers matching show car and the air cleaner mounting stud. 1955 carb list numbers would be LIST 1074, 1074-1 or 1074-2.

If you need help I have been doing T-Pots since 1968 and know them well. I also have some 1074 cores that could be restored.

Sal Cicala (586) 612-1650.

Re: Is this the right carb for my '55 T-Bird?
 

RPS, I have a NOS 1955 carb in mint condition. It's an ECK 9510 T "182 HP Special" This is for a t-bird or passenger car. [email protected]

Re: Is this the right carb for my '55 T-Bird?
 

Hi Ryan,

I replied to the email and PM you sent me.

Thanks for your interest, Sal Cicala.

Re: Is this the right carb for my '55 T-Bird?
 

To the best of my knowledge, the TBirds carbs were not used in the sedans and vice versa. They were similar, but had different numbers.

Re: Is this the right carb for my '55 T-Bird?
 

according to the "blue bible" page 324 they list this carb as being for both cars? Passenger car with 272 and t-birb with 292. Frank