throttle bell crank

[1930artdeco]

Hi All,

My bell crank is very loose and sloppy, I was on Thunderbird Headquarters and noticed they have a bell crank for 57's. I am assuming it is set up for a T-bird but will it work on my wagon? I thought they would all be the same.

Mike

[Daves55Sedan]

The are a number of factory versions, tied to the type of intake (2-bbl or 4-bbl) and standard or Fordomatic transmission.
You just need to get the one that fits your application. They're not all the same.

[Dobie Gillis]

Posted to wrong thread.

[1930artdeco]

Rats, ok I will check to see if it will work.

[miker98038]

Just a couple thoughts. Those bell cranks weren’t ever very precise. If the pivot holes/shafts aren’t worn visibly it might just be the nature of the beast.

There’s a procedure to set the kickdown if it’s an auto. Something about putting a 1/4” rod in an aligned hole or something. Too many years since I’ve owned an auto, but it’s in the manual.

If you can post a picture, maybe someone will have one that’s a match. If not here, maybe over at yblocksforever. There’s a couple guys parting cars out that seen to respond a lot for parts needed.

[Patrick brophy]

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There is a big difference between the 56 and 57 Thunderbird bellcranks, trust me I know.
55,56 birds ,most had the teapot carburetor, 57 Holley 4 barrel.
Different transmissions had an effect on bellcranks selection.
Dave55 is correct.

[1930artdeco]

OK, It just seems to be sloppy but not to worn out (oval wise I guess). But if they were sloppy from the factory then I won't worry about it.

Thanks,

Mike

[Daves55Sedan]

These bellcranks do wear and can become a problem, especially with Fordomatics. The wear pattern is a oval shape which allows the center rod of the crank to pitch back-and-forth. That motion can mess up your idle speed.
The ones they used on the Fordomatics had funny shaped washers where the rod passed thru the holes in the bracket. I noticed that the washers were moving back-and-forth with the crank rod, so I welded the washers to the bellcrank bracket so that the rod could no longer jostle in the bracket. Just a spot-weld is all it took to fix it.
I also keep grease rubbed firmly into the mechanism and it needs to be maintained periodically to keep from wearing those washers out.
Anyway, my fix was done decades ago and it is still very firm with no slop.

[Gene F]

Can anyone pont me to the engineering info of how the bellcranks work, and coordinate withthe Fordomatic?

[1930artdeco]

Thanks Dave. Mine moves side to side very easily and up and down a little bit. I will look for the washers and see what I can do with them.