1955 t bird engine...........

[ronn]

I was on here last year and asking about what engines would fit in my 55 t bird.


well I am just getting back to this car and found a 54 Merc y block that is rebuilt for cheap $.


How likely is this to bolt right up?


you fellas are the experts and I know nothing about this. I understand that
this motor has less output then the original 292, but I am in no hurry.

[dmsfrr]

'54 was the first year for Y-block engines. There were quite a few changes and upgrades for '55 and again in '56 & '57+. Most of those improvements will not fit the '54 engine.

With the greater availability of 292 engines (thru '64) I don't see a logical reason to use the older engine.

[KULTULZ]

The 54 MERC Y-BLOCK 256CI was the fore-runner of the 272/292. There were two series of engines in 1954, one the 239CI which was made in DETROIT and the later 239/256 which was CLEVELAND FOUNDRY (updated design). The CLV foundry engine was for all purposes the same design.

If on a budget and not concerned with correct assembly, I say go for it. There will be a few differences but nothing that cannot be overcome (IMO).

Just make sure it is the MERC/LT 256 as if it is a DETROIT 239 you will have problems (again nothing that cannot be overcome).

[ronn]

thanks gents.


what I needed to hear.

[darrell]

do you have a tbird parts engine

[KULTULZ]

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Originally Posted by darrell

do you have a tbird parts engine

Now that is a good question as you will need some BIRD specific parts to install.

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by ronn

I was on here last year and asking about what engines would fit in my 55 t bird.
well I am just getting back to this car and found a 54 Merc y block that is rebuilt for cheap $.
How likely is this to bolt right up?

Originally Posted by darrell

do you have a tbird parts engine

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

Now that is a good question as you will need some BIRD specific parts to install.

The 256 block will bolt to an oem T-Bird transmission but...
there are several important T-Bird specific parts that are required let the Merc block fit into
a longer narrower '55/'57 T-Bird engine compartment:
Oil pan & pick-up tube.... $500
Timing cover.... $65+
Front motor support bracket & mount.... $75+
Block side steady-rest brackets & rods... $75+
Crankshaft pulley.... $150+, not including rebuild for $180
T-Bird generator pulley.... $125
Water pump spacer ring (and water pump pulley?).. $75+
Drivers side exhaust manifold.... $250
Flywheel or flexplate...?
'54 or '55 distributor...?

I included some prices you might see when looking for these parts, IF you can find them.
There are a few other parts too (tach drive distributor, etc.) just not as critical as the above.

If you can find a mostly complete '55/'56 T-Bird engine for parts or rebuild it will save a bunch of headaches. A '57 Bird engine would work if you solve the incorrect size Temp Sensor problem.

FYI: the carb, intake manif & distributor were originally Each-Year-Only specific. Those pieces do not mix & match between years, unless used as a year-matching set.
'55 was the last year of the 6 volt positive ground electrical system. '56 was 12 volt negative ground, like '57, but the dash gauges & senders are Not the same or interchangeable.
.

[40 Deluxe]

According to one source, the very first '55 T-Birds used the '54 Merc Y-block. I found this in a 1954 Popular Science magazine, I think around July or August, that described the all-new T-Bird. They listed the engine as being the 256 Merc. I don't know if the 292 went into the first production Birds or if the 256 was used at first. I remember someone on this forum has a '55 Bird with a 256 in it. Maybe it's original after all!

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by 40 Deluxe

According to one source, the very first '55 T-Birds used the '54 Merc Y-block. I found this in a 1954 Popular Science magazine, I think around July or August, that described the all-new T-Bird. They listed the engine as being the 256 Merc. I don't know if the 292 went into the first production Birds or if the 256 was used at first. I remember someone on this forum has a '55 Bird with a 256 in it. Maybe it's original after all!

If someone is trying to quick flip or unload a '55-'57 T-Bird with a bad engine, swapping in any other y-block with some needed pieces from the bad engine happens fairly often. (ask how I know)

The pre-production brochures for '55 Thunderbirds did list the engine as a 256, but as later advertising came out and production actually started in September '54 the standard engine was the 292.

Probably had something to do with the creation of the: EC 3.30" (stroke) crankshaft.
http://www.ford-y-block.com/dimensions.htm

"For 1955 . . . All of these cars had the same 292 cubic-inch V-8 engine . . . "
http://www.tbird.info/first-1955-thunderbirds.htm

.

[Gene F]

The cost for those incidentals adds up quickly, evidently.

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

. . . swapping in any other y-block with the needed pieces from the bad engine happens fairly often. ask how I know . .

Originally Posted by 40 Deluxe

. . . I remember someone on this forum has a '55 Bird with a 256 in it. ...

That could be me...?
I bought a Nov. '54 built '55 T-Bird back in '12 that was advertised as a 292 w/ some '57 parts, but it was a Merc 256.
Drove it for a few weeks then pulled the 256 out. Found a '55 292 long-block to replace it, which had been pulled out because it was masquerading as a 312 in a '57 Bird.
The '57 owner replaced it with an actual 312.
.

[paul2748]

Another one of our members had the same thing (256 in 55 Bird). Can't remember the name. He also went with a 292 if I remember correctly.


The distributor can be a problem The tach drive distributor will not work as and later distributors had a different oil pump drive than the 54's, although this can be remedied fairly easy with a 55 and later oil pump.


As others have mentioned, 292's are fairly available, not very expensive and repair parts are readily available. Even a 272 would be better than the 256.

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by paul2748

Another one of our members had the same thing (256 in 55 Bird). Can't remember the name. He also went with a 292 if I remember correctly.

It might have been this one???
A couple years ago the owner of a white '56 Bird was here, it turned out to have a 239 in it.

Originally Posted by paul2748

Even a 272 would be better than the 256.

http://www.ford-y-block.com/Block%20identification.htm

Especially if the 256 heads have the smaller intake port size. If you don't have a matching '54 or "EBY" intake manifold (and carb) you'll have a vacuum leak that won't go away.
.

[KULTULZ]

-EBY - 256 CI V8 - 1954 MERC

EBY-6015-E - CLV

[ronn]

OK, more info is good. Guess I am better waiting for the 292.


Have looked and finding not much, though everyone says they are easy to find.


dms, thank you for giving me the price list, kind of makes it worth waiting for the right motor.


No, the car has no motor at all. Trans is manual with overdrive. someone once mentiuoned making the trans into an 8 speed? how is that done?


the reason I asked about the 256, there is a rebuilt one near me for 350.

[darrell]

its not the matter of getting a 292 its getting one from a tbird or you will still have to find all those parts.

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by darrell

its not the matter of getting a 292 its getting one from a tbird or you will still have to find all those parts.

Yes,

or... going with a 302 (or similar) because you'll need everything under the hood to match the replacement engine anyway.
If I had it to do over again I'd consider a 302 or 351 and AOD transmission more seriously.
.

[40 Deluxe]

Originally Posted by ronn

No, the car has no motor at all. Trans is manual with overdrive. someone once mentiuoned making the trans into an 8 speed? how is that done?


the reason I asked about the 256, there is a rebuilt one near me for 350.

About the trans: You can't make it an 8 speed, but it's real easy to make it a 6 speed. In fact, it already is a 6 speed! Just rev it up to about 30 MPH in low and briefly let off the gas and it will shift into overdrive. When you shift into 2nd floor the gas so the trans kicks down out of overdrive so you're in straight 2nd. after you gain more seed, just let off the gas and you're in 2nd overdrive. Repeat in third. so you have 1st, 1st overdrive, 2nd, 2nd overdrive, 3rd and 3rd overdrive (or any combination thereof).
Also, you can connect a toggle switch to the governor wire to bypass the governor and control the O/D solenoid manually. There are some things to watch out for if you do this. Let4 me know if you're interested and I can explain.

[fordrodsteven]

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

Yes,

or... going with a 302 (or similar) because you'll need everything under the hood to match the replacement engine anyway.
If I had it to do over again I'd consider a 302 or 351 and AOD transmission more seriously.
.

The only issue then would be fabricating mounts for the 302 and modify the trans mount for the transmission. That's the setup that was in my '55 bird (289, 3 spd) when I bought it. Over the years I converted to 302, auto. I currently have the body off the frame. I found a very rotted area of the frame so I picked up a '56 frame. Now I have to fabricate an engine / trans mount setup to put it into the '56 frame.

[39deluxecp]

installing a Boss 351c in my 1955 t-bird, with a c4. cant wait to get it on the road.

[fordrodsteven]

Originally Posted by 39deluxecp

installing a Boss 351c in my 1955 t-bird, with a c4. cant wait to get it on the road.

In talking with a guy I know (40 plus years in the Thunderbird club). He has done a few updates for other people besides doing two of his own Thunderbirds.... He tells me the biggest issues are clearing the steering box and the exhaust manifolds or headers that you choose.

[56sedandelivery]

Originally Posted by 39deluxecp

installing a Boss 351c in my 1955 t-bird, with a c4. cant wait to get it on the road.

Gonna be a tight squeeze. I put one in 56 SD and it is tight.

[ronn]

and then there is the thought of the 327 that was already mounted in the car


so yes, chevy motor mounts are present.


wonder if a chevy motor will clear the steering?

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by ronn

...and then there is the thought of the 327 that was already mounted in the car

so yes, chevy motor mounts are present.

wonder if a chevy motor will clear the steering?

... Damn Browser! Must have hit the wrong button... click ... click ...


No, says FORD BARN...

[paul2748]

Yes - it was a white one - wasn't sure of the engine size, only remembered it was a 54.

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

It might have been this one???
A couple years ago the owner of a white '56 Bird was here, it turned out to have a 239 in it.
.