Preferred intake manifold for 1956 Thunderbird

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by zuburg

So what kind of choke does the teapot carb have and the 1957 and later carbs?

'55, '56 and '57 carbs and choke hardware
.

[zuburg]

I like this one to get me buy for a driver car. I can try one of the modification suggestions to make it look more original.

[zuburg]

It’s been so long since I saw my carb I forgot about the automatic choke behind the round black cap. I think it gets the heat through a metal tube, but don’t remember where they all attach. I hope my pictures and notes help my memory. I’ve been waiting over two years to have my Fordomatic rebuilt. I’m either very patient or stupid. My guy is supposedly trying to find a usable intermediate support shaft to complete it.

[paul2748]

No, the 56 air cleaner will not fit the later Holleys and Edelbrocks.

That is a good choice, inexpensive and will do the job. Make sure it will fit under the hood. You should be able to get different height air filters for those.

The alternative is to get a 57 air cleaner. It will look almost stock if that is what you are going for.

Originally Posted by zuburg

As I look further at this possible upgrade, it appears my 1956 air cleaner assembly won't fit the 1957 or later carb? So something else to buy to make this change? What kind of air filter do most people use when making this change? Something like this one?

[paul2748]

Try these guys for parts for the Fordo. They do a lot of antique car transmissions

http://fisherautotrans.com/

Originally Posted by zuburg

It’s been so long since I saw my carb I forgot about the automatic choke behind the round black cap. I think it gets the heat through a metal tube, but don’t remember where they all attach. I hope my pictures and notes help my memory. I’ve been waiting over two years to have my Fordomatic rebuilt. I’m either very patient or stupid. My guy is supposedly trying to find a usable intermediate support shaft to complete it.

[Herman Munster]

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Actually the choke tube isn't broken. I borrowed the brass elbow to use it on my 57 manifold

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by Herman Munster

Actually the choke tube isn't broken. I borrowed the brass elbow to use it on my 57 manifold

True enough, I didn't zoom in that close. Thanks for the 'loan' of the photo

[Herman Munster]

No worries, the photo is for all to use.

[scicala]

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

'55, '56 and '57 carbs and choke hardware
.

Hey Dmsfrr,


I think I recognize that '57 carburetor. LOL


Sal

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by scicala

Hey Dmsfrr,
I think I recognize that '57 carburetor. LOL
Sal

~ When only the best will do ~

I could have used this photo, but it's a bit cluttered looking and the carb has an elect choke.
.

[Kahuna]

Hi Zuburg

I know you've been going thru all the gyrations re the carb & manifold change, but a good option imo, is to have that Teapot rebuilt by Sal (here, post #29). Have him add the electric choke & do the slight mod so that you can use a later (57 & up) distributor.
Car is still very original to all but the purists, and will perform real well.
Plus, a lot less work & money & your air cleaner still fits.
Don't worry about the folks that tell you about Teapopts burning up. Some actually did, but the reasons are not well known:
1) If a big backfire occurred, there was a chance of fire happening (tuning issues).
2) Above the fuel inlet valve there is a plug that if not sealed well will allow gas to leak badly. BIG fire hazard.
Sal will confirm that most teapot problems are caused by people that should not be working on them
Do as Paul does and add a Pertronix module to your later distributor. I have the same mod & it works great.
Just a thought
Jim

Good luck with whatever you decide

[scicala]

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

~ When only the best will do ~

I could have used this photo, but it's a bit cluttered looking and the carb has an elect choke.
.

That's a mighty nice looking engine and compartment. Is that your '57 ?


Sal

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by scicala

That's a mighty nice looking engine and compartment. Is that your '57 ?
Sal

Thanks Sal.
It's my unfinished not-quite-original '55.

[scicala]

Very nice ! Great detail.


Sal

[zuburg]

How did you get your exhaust manifolds looking so nice?

[zuburg]

So it sounds like you are suggesting keeping my 1956 intake and teapot carb, but changing the distributor to a 1957 and up? What benefits do you get by just making that change? I might as well keep it all stock? Are there benefits in replacing the stock choke with an electric choke?

[Herman Munster]

May I add that switching from the teapot to something else may improve your fuel economy.

[Kahuna]

Zuburg
By merely replacing the original distributor with a newer one (57-up), you gain excellent driveability, and better fuel economy. Changing the carburetor to something newer, IMO, will not change or improve your fuel usage. The teapots are excellent carbs when in good condition and will give as good fuel mileage as anything you might replace it with.
Just my experience & opinion.
I run one on my 56 & two on my 32.
The 56 has the original carb, slightly modified per Ted Eaton.
The distributor is a 57 unit with a Pertronix module.
The 32 is flathead powered with 2 Teapots & a Pertronix module installed in an original distributor.
Like you, I think using the original stuff is the way to go. However, those old dual diaphram vacuum units are now over 60 years old and very suspect. I wanted to use one on my 56 and found a fellow online that had 2 NOS units for sale. I communicated with him & told him I would buy one if he would verify that they held vacuum. He responded that they did, but that he would NOT guarantee that it would work when I received it.
At that point I decided to use a more modern 57 distributor & modify the Teapot.
I'm sure I made the right decision

Jim

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by scicala

Very nice ! Great detail.
Sal

Thanks. It's got a way to go but life keeps getting in the way.

Originally Posted by zuburg

How did you get your exhaust manifolds looking so nice?

I had them sandblasted and brushed on some Eastwood exhaust paint, Factory Gray.
And they are the '57 T-bird version, not the incorrect ones that came with the '54 256 in the car.

Originally Posted by zuburg

So it sounds like you are suggesting keeping my 1956 intake and teapot carb, but changing the distributor to a 1957 and up? What benefits do you get by just making that change? I might as well keep it all stock? Are there benefits in replacing the stock choke with an electric choke?

Stock vs elect choke? They should work equally well, but the heat tube thru the intake manifold is a definite weak spot. If the intake is already off the engine seriously consider plugging those two tube holes. I don't know the best method for doing that.

A '57 distributor is likely more dependable in the long run and should perform better.
If you stay with the '56 carb and slightly smaller 'A' manifold it may(?) not be as noticeable as when using the '57+ style carb & intake.

Since you already have all the '56 parts, putting them back on would be the simplest thing to do.
If the '56 Dist or Carb need expensive repairs that can tip the scale toward changing to '57 parts.
Now while it's still mostly apart is the easiest time to change things.

If you're slightly inclined to keep it 'more original', it's up to you.
.

[zuburg]

I just received my paint from Eastwood for my exhaust manifolds. How much should it cost to have them sand blasted? I inquired at one place and they told me they could blast them and powder coat them for $100. I thought that sounded like a good price. Would that be a good option instead of the paint? Also, did you bake yours after painting?