Value of a 1955 292 T-bird engine?

[31pickemup]

Im looking at buying a good running 1955 292 t-bird engine. Motor runs great and doesn't smoke or leak. Motor was pulled apart and just needed honed and was re-ringed as it wasn't needed to bore. Has about 600 miles since this was done. Thundebird motors worth any more than a typical 292? What is something like this worth. I dont want to over pay

[Charlie Stephens]

Is it a Thunderbird motor out of a Thunderbird or out of a passenger car. If it is out of a Thunderbird it will have a few unique parts. I have been away from the Birds for so long I won't even guess about the price.

Charlie Stephens

[scicala]

Like Charlie Stephens said, if it's a real T-Bird engine out of the two seater and not out of a passenger car, there are a lot of parts that make it more rare and valuable. Cylinder heads were '55 T-Bird and '55 Merc Montclair only (higher compression), Carburetors were unique part numbers, distributor had a tach drive hookup on it, oil pans were rear sump instead of front sump, blocks had a unique casting number because of the dip stick location, thermostat housing was T-Bird only, and water pump had a spacer on it to push it forward a little bit. May be other differences too.

As far as value it's hard to say. a lot more valuable that a 292 out of a pass car to me. I would make a low offer and barter from there. Should bring an experienced person to check the originality if you are not sure what to look at.

Good luck, Sal

[31pickemup]

This the motor in question. Original carb was apparently stolen

[31pickemup]

Another picture

[billwill]

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Camshaft were ailso different goodluck

[scicala]

It looks like a mixed bag of parts to me. It does have the 1955 tach drive distributor, and the T-Bird thermostat housing. Also appears to have the air cooled Fordomatic trans that was used in '55. Can't tell if it has the t-bird oil pan, but probably does. The cylinder heads are not '55. They are '56 or later. The intake is from a '57 312. Large flange carb and vacuum port at back. To tell for sure if it's basicly '55 T-bird, you would need the block and head casting numbers.

[dmsfrr]

The driver's side exhaust manif. also looks like the 'T-bird only' correct one, and both exh look like 57style & not 55/56. The 57's are larger & flow better.
Check casting #'s here >> http://www.y-block.info/casting/exhaust.html

The ECZ-B intake manif for the 312 is the good one to have. Most any carb for 289 or 302 should work fine if you can't find an orig Holley 'List #1273' (try ebay?)
If it has 57 ECZ-G heads they are worth a bunch extra.
Y-Block casting ID numbers, parts, etc. http://www.ford-y-block.com/technical.htm
If it has later model heads it may also have the hi-ratio ECG rocker arms.
http://www.ford-y-block.com/rockerarm.htm worth abt twice as much as the plain ones

The (un-seen) front damper pulley is T-bird specific, and pricey to replace. The timing mark pointer is T-bird specific also and abt 1.5in longer to match the damper pulley.

[31pickemup]

How do I identify the front damper dmsfrr? Looks like its going to be a 55 shortblock with later head and intake upgrades.

[dmsfrr]

Two T-Bird damper pulley pics, note the deep center & 6 rivets.
If you're thinking of putting the engine in something other than a T-bird some of the Bird specific parts may need to come off.
example: I've been told the exh manifolds won't fit in trucks and I'm not sure abt the fan to radiator clearance, there's an extra 1inch spacer between the timing cover & water pump on T-Birds.

FYI: the first pic is a 55 T-Bird block w/ later model heads, just not nearly as complete.
(It's a Y-block rear engined toyota 4runner)

31pickemup, How much are they asking for it? Just for the engine, or with the trans too?

[31pickemup]

Its going into my 32 3-window. I'm running rams

[dmsfrr]

That'll be a nice looking 32 Rams should work fine.
Top manifold in the attached pic is the T-Bird specific driver's side one. Worth 150 to 200 to the right buyer, w/ no cracks or repairs. If it looks like the bottom one they're from a regular Ford car, 50 to 80ish(?) each for the 57 style, not 56 & earlier.

[dmsfrr]

But you asked, 'What's it worth?'
The Short Answer is... 'How much is the seller asking and what are you willing to pay?'

The Long Answer....
A Tbird 292 engine is worth more than a regular ford 292 mainly because it's the ONLY one that will work in a Tbird due to the specific parts previously listed. Even the valley pan is different w/ a shorter oil filler tube to clear the hood.
The Tbird only oil pan & dipstick could be swapped for a rear-sump truck or front-sump car pan and you might get double your pan replacement cost.
The transmissions are Tbird specific also, w/ a shorter case for the shorter wheelbase, and the air cooled one is 55 only.

To someone with an early Tbird it's all worth more to them than you, and that makes your question harder to answer.
On the low end it's worth 500 to maybe 800 since you can't 100% verify the condition of the eng & trans. You said they re-ringed the block, did they replace the crank bearings, oil pump or timing chain, or have the heads re-done with hardened valve seats? If they need it that's an easy 1k just for the heads. A trans rebuild is abt 1500.

A rabid 55 Tbird owner who really needed a complete eng and trans might pay as much as 1500 to 2k, depending on how desperate they are.
The other side of that coin is; project 55/57 Tbirds missing the complete eng & trans are very often converted to later model drivetrains. The remaining 55/57 Tbirds generally need 'parts', not a complete engine & trans.

[Charlie Stephens]

Pay attention to those valve covers. If they are in good shape they could be worth $500 to the right person. When I give that number I must admit that I have not been following the early bird stuff and could be off but lets just say they are valuable and not argue about the price.

Another thing if you put it in a rod. The exhaust manifold that Ford used on big trucks (trash trucks etc) will bolt on and look great. Are these the "rams" you referred to? They are available as reproductions but I don't know anything about the quality.

Charlie Stephens

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

Pay attention to those valve covers. If they are in good shape they could be worth $500 to the right person. When I give that number I must admit that I have not been following the early bird stuff and could be off but lets just say they are valuable and not argue about the price.

Charlie Stephens

Yes
FYI: New-in-box reproduction Tbird valve covers are 200 to 220 each. OEM in excellent condition are more desirable, but usually a similar price due to age/condition issues.

[sprink88]

You should just send it my way, I will pay for shipping

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by sprink88

You should just send it my way, I will pay for shipping

I saw it before you did. I'll go pick it up.

[y'sguy]

I you don't have to ship it that's worth alot to me. It does look to have come from a tbird. It does have some bird specific parts, however those parts won't be of any more importance to you in your install. Except maybe the Valve covers. If you like them. The other stuff could be sold off to recover quite a bit of cash. Dist(if it's a 55 250, 57, 500-600) I bought valve covers like those recently for 200. Oil pan 400. Harmonic balancer 250-450. I wouldn't think you would run the trans either, 150-250, but the the speedo angle drive-as much as 150. If the intake is a mod. "B" they go around 150 and up on ebay. Divers side Ex manifold150-250.
Also has some goodies of linkage on the intake worth extra dollars too.
Also looks like the heads have been changed from a 55. 55's and earlier I believe had freeze plugs in the ends. Which in your case would be better anyway if they are of a newer variety. I also just bought a running truck 292 for 300. Same engine as for the guts basically.
As far as the way it runs you'll never be able to tell the difference between that a car, or a truck motor. If you do all the right stuff to it you make it run great and build more hp than you need!

[y'sguy]

u buy yet? : )

[31pickemup]

I made him an offer . Find out tomorrow