Carb on Stock '55 Vic?

[Anteek29]

Have a '55 Vic (3 speed OD 272 dual exhaust) coming in. Judging from the round inlet with horizontal crossbar air cleaner, it must have a 4 bbl carb?
OMG - Could it be the infamous towering inferno teapot?
Well, I'll know for sure when the car arrives.

[reman]

Yep, if it's original, thats what ya got.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Anteek29

Have a '55 Vic (3 speed OD 272 dual exhaust) coming in. Judging from the round inlet with horizontal crossbar air cleaner, it must have a 4 bbl carb?

OMG - Could it be the infamous towering inferno teapot?

Well, I'll know for sure when the car arrives.

Don't let the H4000 worry you. Properly setup, it is a good carb, especially if the car is a dedicated resto.

[scicala]

I agree. Don't pay attention to the towering inferno tales. They are only that to people that don't know carburetors, but love old tales.
Good luck with your car when it arrives !


Sal

[Anteek29]

Added another pic of the '55 Vic

[KULTULZ]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by Anteek29

Added another pic of the '55 Vic

Absolutely Beautiful! Is it a survivor or resto?

[Anteek29]

Thanks! Restored

[texas webb]

That's a good looking Ford there.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Anteek29

Have a '55 Vic (3 speed OD 272 dual exhaust) coming in. Judging from the round inlet with horizontal crossbar air cleaner, it must have a 4 bbl carb?

Interesting. Where did you hear or learn of this? I have been trying to figure out the horizontal and vertical bars for awhile.

[scicala]

Beautiful '55 Victoria !


From the picture in post #1, it appears the engine has been updated to a later intake manifold. Appears to be a '56 style (ECZ-A), but more likely a '57 (ECZ-B).
Appears to have original style '55 heads with the core plugs though.


Sal

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by scicala

From the picture in post #1, it appears the engine has been updated to a later intake manifold. Appears to be a '56 style (ECZ-A), but more likely a '57 (ECZ-B).


Appears to have original style '55 heads with the core plugs though.

Sal

We'll ask him to remove the ACL when he gets it ...

[paul2748]

Early 56 heads had the core plugs. Oddly enough, both were "C" heads. And, you must have real goooood eyesight - I really can't see the core plugs in the heads.


The coil mount is the 56-57 mount

[scicala]

Originally Posted by paul2748

Early 56 heads had the core plugs. Oddly enough, both were "C" heads. And, you must have real goooood eyesight - I really can't see the core plugs in the heads.


The coil mount is the 56-57 mount

Yes, the early '56 heads still had core plugs. Don't see them very often though. My eyesight isn't that good, but when clicking on the picture to increase the size, I can see the core plug on the pass. side head.


Sal

[scicala]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Anteek29

Have a '55 Vic (3 speed OD 272 dual exhaust) coming in. Judging from the round inlet with horizontal crossbar air cleaner, it must have a 4 bbl carb?
Interesting. Where did you hear or learn of this? I have been trying to figure out the horizontal and vertical bars for awhile.




From my experience the '55 air cleaners had a horizontal bar at the inlet, and '56 had a vertical bar, and have seen with no bar also for '56. Don't know if one is early or late production. Not sure what the reason is to even have a bar there, except for maybe induction noise ?


Sal

[Daves55Sedan]

That air inlet tip on the air cleaner is a separate stamped steel part that gets pressed onto the air cleaner at the factory. The way the tip should be installed is with the "bar" oriented vertically. The purpose of the bar is to separate the air in the middle of the inlet so it will flow around on the inside of the air-cleaner. But I have seen many of them oriented horizontally. I always called those "factory bloopers".

[Daves55Sedan]

Is that an 8-volt battery??? It is odd to see that this car has the cheaper vacuum type heater control instead of the deluxe type with the thermostatically controlled water valve and bypass hose.
From the photo, the steering wheel appears to be black. In '55, All Fairlane models had the steering wheel painted to match the color of the dashboard and interior garnish mouldings.
Not being picky. I didn't re-paint my interior with the factory colors either.

[Anteek29]

Yes, the battery has 4 cells = 8 volt. At some point I will either revert to the original 6 volts or upgrade to 12 volts.
I have verified the steering wheel is not black but does perfectly match the turquoise interior.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by scicala

From my experience the '55 air cleaners had a horizontal bar at the inlet, and '56 had a vertical bar, and have seen with no bar also for '56. Don't know if one is early or late production. Not sure what the reason is to even have a bar there, except for maybe induction noise ?

Sal

Originally Posted by Daves55Sedan

That air inlet tip on the air cleaner is a separate stamped steel part that gets pressed onto the air cleaner at the factory. The way the tip should be installed is with the "bar" oriented vertically. The purpose of the bar is to separate the air in the middle of the inlet so it will flow around on the inside of the air-cleaner. But I have seen many of them oriented horizontally. I always called those "factory bloopers".

OK. Makes sense.

I have photos of either being on either year but being so long ago and parts being swapped may explain it.

[scicala]

My '55 Mercury I had when a kid had a horizontal bar at the inlet. I know it was the original air cleaner. Have seen more '55's like this than any other way. Same with the vertical bar on the '56.


Sal

[Anteek29]

From my research the air cleaner bars were horizontal for '55, vertical for '56.

[darrell]

sal you said you seldom see 56 heads with core plugs.ive never seen a set without them.anyone know the month the change took place.have wondered about this for some time.like to know these things.

[scicala]

If you look at this video of a '56 Ford commercial, the part when the hood is up, you can see the air cleaner has a vertical bar on the inlet.


Sal


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3pECsn8WeQ

[scicala]

Originally Posted by darrell

sal you said you seldom see 56 heads with core plugs.ive never seen a set without them.anyone know the month the change took place.have wondered about this for some time.like to know these things.

Darrell, that's odd, because most '56 Y-Blocks I've seen, don't have the core plugs. I don't know if there was a date when there was a switchover, or if they just mixed it up. I know they had '56 type casting numbers (ECZ-A,B,C). The man to ask would be John Mummert at:
ford-y-block.com


Sal

[paul2748]

I have the 56 "C" heads on my 56 Tbird. No core plugs. Friend on mine has a spare set of 56 "C" heads with the core plugs. My car was built late in the year. Don't know what month in 56 that the change was made

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Anteek29

From my research the air cleaner bars were horizontal for '55, vertical for '56.

You are correct. Also, the 55 and 56 ACL housing was different.

[Herman Munster]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

My original 56 ACL has no bar at all. It doesn't look as if it was altered. I may have to look at it again when I have a chance.

[scicala]

I've seen the '56 Ford with a vertical bar and no bar. I'm thinking the air cleaners without the bar (insert) was late in the model year.


Sal

[Herman Munster]

Mine is an early model, built 10/21/55. Who's to say someone didn't replace it or it got switched while being serviced many years ago?

[Herman Munster]

I gave a good look over my old ACL and there's no sign of any bar if there was one.
It does have some dents, one area looks like someone tried to fix one of them and then repainted it. It's definitely not show quality.

Here's an old photo taken by the PO before I bought the car.

[KULTULZ]

Ignore This Post - Refer to Post #31


POST NO BILLS!

[KULTULZ]

Here is what I found guys and failed to share-

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-Ford-M...-/113069313297

1955 Ford & 1955 Mercury ORIGINAL FACTORY OIL BATH AIR CLEANER FOR 4bbl. CARBURETOR

This air cleaner is specific to '55, the '56 base has no clearance indent on the lower front which is present on this one. Note the horizontal cross brace in the round intake port- these are often missing on these. On the '56 this brace is mounted vertically. The '55 Ford air cleaner is painted silver, the '55 Mercury uses the identical air cleaner, painted yellow.

E-BAY SELLER DESC - mp44sturmgewehr @

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-Ford-M...Uns:rk:45:pf:0

He also has a '56 listed and you will see the difference(s).

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/1956-Ford-Me...lY8V:rk:8:pf:0

1955 4V SHOWN - VANE MISSING

3RD EDIT - Let's See If I can Do This Without Screwing Up ...

3rd photo shows the '56 vane (I guess it would be called) seemingly attached to the housing snorkel -

[scicala]

My '55 Mercury had the horizontal bar like the 2nd picture.


Sal

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Anteek29

Have a '55 Vic (3 speed OD 272 dual exhaust) coming in. Judging from the round inlet with horizontal crossbar air cleaner, it must have a 4 bbl carb?

Not sure if this question was answered, but yes, the ACL inlet bar indicates a 4V. The 2V ACL was shaped differently.

[Anteek29]

Yes, question answered with all the informative inputs

[tjaybo]

Alan, great looking car. I am in the middle of restoring a 55 fairlane 2 door club sedan. I would love to see your car and talk in person as I have some questions about some details. Do you think we could make a time when I could come down [i'm in Templeton] and meet? If nothing else maybe at a cars and coffee or something. Thanks Jim 805-459-5354

[Anteek29]

The '55 Vicky arrived today and I have alot to learn. I did pull the ACL, expecting to see a factory teapot carb - nope! It is a newer Holley of some kind, so here are 2 pics for your evaluation. What is it?
2 or 4 bbl?

[Herman Munster]

It a "newer" 2 bbl Holley.

[Anteek29]

Thanks, Herm!

[40cpe]

Hopefully the distributor has been changed to a '57 up with centrifugal and vacuum advance. If you pull the distributor cap and see two springs on the advance plate, you would be much better served to find the later distributor. The '55 or '56 distributor will not work correctly with a later carburetor.

[dmsfrr]

A quick way to confirm if you have a '55/'56 style distributor or a '57+ is to look at how the rotor is indexed on the shaft.
The '55/'56 has a 'flat' side (and the two springs 40cpe mentioned) '57+ versions have a notch.
The vacuum advance canister on the distributor in your photos looks like a '57+

If it's an aftermarket distributor, I can't say for sure...

[scicala]

Just by looking at the distributor diaphragm, it looks like the '57 type (smaller dia. diaphragm).
Also the intake is a '57 or later factory 2 barrel intake with a very early Holley 2300 two barrel carb (with flat front bowl). That style bowl was used in '57 and early '58 only. It's either a truck carb or someone put a manual choke in it. Cars came with auto chokes.


Sal

[Anteek29]

Thanks for the update. My '55 Fairlane owners manual describes using the manual choke for starting the 6 cyl and 162 hp V8. However, the manual makes an exception for cars equipped with the 182 hp V8...no manual choke needed, choke is automatic.
My Vic has the factory installed/labeled manual choke knob on the dash.

All in all, guess my 272 engine is the standard 162 hp version.

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by Anteek29

. . . All in all, guess my 272 engine is the standard 162 hp version.

Without other evidence I wouldn't automatically make that assumption.
An oem / nos manual choke could well have been added by a previous owner, and much more easily than upgrading to the newer intake manifold, carb and distributor.
.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Anteek29

My '55 Fairlane owners manual describes using the manual choke for starting the 6 cyl and 162 hp V8. However, the manual makes an exception for cars equipped with the 182 hp V8...no manual choke needed, choke is automatic.
My Vic has the factory installed/labeled manual choke knob on the dash.

All in all, guess my 272 engine is the standard 162 hp version.

How was the car's engine described by the seller? The present carb is a HOLLEY (early) 2V 2300 as Sal has pointed out. The 55/56 4V ACL will fit this later style 2V carb. That can make the engine appear as a factory 4V at first glance. The IGN has also been upgraded to the 57/ dual advance distributor style.

Look @ the included Ill's-

The 1st character will define the engine the car (or at least the present PATENT PLATE) came through with.


EDIT -



This may interest you if considering to return to OEM if engine originally was a 2V-


http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic139198.aspx

[scicala]

In other words, if your VIN plate has a "U" as the first digit, it was built as a 272 two barrel 162 hp. If an "M" it was the four barrel 182 HP 272. If a "P" it was the very very rare (in a pass car) Police Interceptor 292 198 HP engine.


Sal

[Anteek29]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Sal...yes, the VIN does have a 'U". Thank you for all your valuable insight and tips!
I still have alot to learn concerning my latest toy

[poolplayer1]

That's really a nice looking car. Looks like you will be busy replacing some of the rusted out parts.I had the same problem with my 55 ford wagon.Had to replace all the floor boards and also the rocker panels.Also replaced one of the quarter panels.
Took quite awhile but got it all done. Now waiting for the rain to stop so that I can road test it and see if I have any more problems.

[poolplayer1]

Sorry,posted to the wrong post. This was meant for the person that had the problem with some rust on his car.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by scicala

In other words, if your VIN plate has a "U" as the first digit, it was built as a 272 two barrel 162 hp. If an "M" it was the four barrel 182 HP 272. If a "P" it was the very very rare (in a pass car) Police Interceptor 292 198 HP engine.

Sal

... hmm ...

Guess I should have pointed that out ...

THANX! for covering my butt Sal ...

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by poolplayer1

Sorry,posted to the wrong post. This was meant for the person that had the problem with some rust on his car.

Maybe chalk your stick?

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

Here is what I found guys and failed to share-

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-Ford-M...-/113069313297

He (seller) also has a '56 listed and you will see the difference(s).

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/1956-Ford-Me...lY8V:rk:8:pf:0

1956 4V SHOWN - VANE MISSING

3RD EDIT - Let's See If I can Do This Without Screwing Up ...

3rd photo shows the '56 vane (I guess it would be called) seemingly attached to the housing snorkel -

EDIT -

I am quoting myself here to add info to the ACL thread -


https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...lve-elbow.html

[scicala]

KULTULZ, are you sure the top picture is a '55 ? it has a later style '56 air cleaner, '56/'57 type valve cover decals and more of a flat top radiator top tank which started sometime in '56.


Sal

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by scicala

KULTULZ, are you sure the top picture is a '55 ? it has a later style '56 air cleaner, '56/'57 type valve cover decals and more of a flat top radiator top tank which started sometime in '56.

Sal

Well, now that you point it out, no ...

You are right. The 55 had the dimple underneath for the HTR CTL VLV.

I will correct my reference. I was trying to show an ACL missing the vane.

THANX! for catching that ...

[Herman Munster]

The top one is of my 56 taken by the seller just before I bought it. The car has a build date of 10/21/55 indicated by the patent plate.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Anteek29

The '55 Vicky arrived today and I have alot to learn. I did pull the ACL, expecting to see a factory teapot carb - nope!

It is a newer Holley of some kind, so here are 2 pics for your evaluation.

What is it? 2 or 4 bbl?

It appears the restorer/builder took the top end (intake - carb - distributor - ACL) from a 57 292 2Vengine. The carb is the early H2300 with internal float setting.

It is a thoughtful/nice touch for drive-ability but I think he should have advertised the fuel system being as modified and not OEM. I wonder if he kept the '56 setup (if you wanted to make the car bone stock for either resale value or bragging rights)? That style 2V will only accept the later 57/ 2V/4V ACL.

This is how the engine should appear-





Regardless, the damn thing is beautiful and if I were to see it in person, somebody better have a box of facial tissue ...

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Herman Munster

The top one is of my 56 taken by the seller just before I bought it.

... curses ... caught again ...

What I do guys is when I come across something interesting is to save it for study/future reference. No harm intended.

[Anteek29]

Thanks Kultulz. My '55 came from an estate sale so I do not have prior details.
I just switched the 8 volt electricals back to stock 6 volt for the time being...until I am ready to go 12 volt setup. 6 volts works OK for cranking here in CA.

[KULTULZ]

That explains it.


Regardless, the fuel/IGN upgrade was within taste (IMO) It looks very well thought out.