A bumper question for 56's

[Ford56]

I am in the process of buying a 56 Victoria. My 56 Club Sedan was crushed in the recent hurricane Florence. So, the one I'm buying has the exhaust coming out under the bumper, which is the way my Club Sedan was set up, even thought the bumpers had the openings for the through the bumpers slot openings. So, my question is, did the original Victoria have the bumpers with the openings in them for the exhaust, or, was that an option, and the exhaust could also be set up for under the bumper?

[BN]

It's my understanding that the exhaust came out through the bumpers for all 56 Fairlanes. That is the case with my 56 Fairlane Victoria. I've heard stories that back in the day things would get a little "fumy" for passengers in the rear seat and that many owners modified the exhaust to extend out under the bumper. It can be converted back of course, but you will need the interfacing hardware that goes between the tailpipe and the bumper.

[scicala]

I don't know if Fairlanes were available with the 6 cyl., 0r 272 2 barrel engines. Those are single exhaust engines (especially the 6 cyl.). If all Fairlanes had the 292 or 312 4 barrel engines, then I assume all Fairlanes came with the exhaust outlets through the bumper.


Sal

[Herman Munster]

My understanding is the same as what Sal said above. It wouldn't make sense for single exhaust cars to come with bumpers with dual cutouts.
I think I may have seen different bumpers listed in the Ford parts catalog for 6 cylinder & 272's. and the 292's & 312's. I'll have to check again.

[mercman from oz]

Duel Exhausts exiting the rear bumper on a 292 V8 powered 1956 Ford Fairlane Sunliner. Cars with the Mileage Maker Six may have had the regular standard rear bumper like all of the Customline and Mainline Series had.

[scicala]

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The single exhaust rear bumper may even be the same as the '55 rear bumper.


Sal

[Herman Munster]

Here's a screen shot of the manual.

[34pickup]

The Fairlanes had the exhaust through the bumper, the lesser equipped did not. It was common practice in the 60s to swap a 55 rear bumper on a 56 Fairlane to eliminate the hole in the original bumper because by that time they mostly were all rotted out . I know thats what I did.

[Ford56]

Originally Posted by 34pickup

The Fairlanes had the exhaust through the bumper, the lesser equipped did not. It was common practice in the 60s to swap a 55 rear bumper on a 56 Fairlane to eliminate the hole in the original bumper because by that time they mostly were all rotted out . I know thats what I did.

Thx. I thought all Fairlanes did have the slots in the rear bumper, but I wanted to check here to be sure. Also, using a 55 rear bumper could make sense too. I just need to check w/the current owner to determine what was done w/the one I'm buying.

[Ford56]

Originally Posted by Herman Munster

Here's a screen shot of the manual.

Thank you. That manual sure looks definitive to me.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by 34pickup

...by that time they mostly were all rotted out . I know thats what I did.

Leaded gasoline.


EDIT -

There were separate rear bumpers listed for the 55 (B5A 17906-A) and 56 (B6A 17906-A) (w/o exhaust openings).

I have looked through several photos and cannot see a difference in appearance.

Anybody know for certain?

[scicala]

It still doesn't make sense to me that a Fairlane with a 272 2 barrel engine and single exhaust would have the dual outlet bumper. The chart says Fairlane 8 cyl's had the dual outlet bumper, so just confusing to me, unless dual exh. was standard on Fairlanes with a 272 also.


Sal

[scicala]

"There were separate rear bumpers listed for the 55 (B5A 17906-A) and 56 (B6A 17906-A) (w/o exhaust openings).

I have looked through several photos and cannot see a difference in appearance.

Anybody know for certain? "






I guess it's possible they just scrolled the part number to a '56 part number with no change to the bumper. That wouldn't be normal engineering practice though.


Sal

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by scicala

It still doesn't make sense to me that a Fairlane with a 272 2 barrel engine and single exhaust would have the dual outlet bumper. The chart says Fairlane 8 cyl's had the dual outlet bumper, so just confusing to me, unless dual exh. was standard on Fairlanes with a 272 also.

Sal

I think only the high trim FAIRLANE with the 292 (later 312) got the bumper and it would have been an option or within a package option.

[Ford56]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

I think only the high trim FAIRLANE with the 292 (later 312) got the bumper and it would have been an option or within a package option.

I agree. With what I've seen, only the high trim, V-8's, got the dual exhaust thru the bumper treatment. It is the only sensible explanation.

[Daddio]

Not to hijack this post, but can you imagine in 1956 the uncertainty on the assembly line trying to figure out what part goes on what car, especially if they sent a mix of models/options down the line?

I just confirmed the correct exhaust manifolds on my '56 Tbird and was surprised at the number of different p/n's for the same basic engine.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Daddio

Not to hijack this post, but can you imagine in 1956 the uncertainty on the assembly line trying to figure out what part goes on what car, especially if they sent a mix of models/options down the line?

I just confirmed the correct exhaust manifolds on my '56 Tbird and was surprised at the number of different p/n's for the same basic engine.

Actually it was not all that confusing. There was a build sheet that followed the car and a buck tag mounted that gave most assembly codes.

Where it really hit the fan was at WIXOM ASSEMBLY with the 58 LINC, BIRD and EDSEL. The EDSEL was also assembled in both FORD and MERC plant lines so that was where they lost most quality control.

[darrell]

all fairlanes had that bumper except i wouild think the 6.no 272s were used in 56 fairlanes.

[scicala]

Originally Posted by darrell

all fairlanes had that bumper except i wouild think the 6.no 272s were used in 56 fairlanes.

Darrell, you are correct. I found this '56 Fairlane brochure online, and it says the Thunderbird 292 was standard in all Fairlanes, and you could get the 6 cyl. too, but no 272 two barrel available in the Fairlane. Just the Mainline and Customline.


Sal


http://www.oldcarbrochures.org/index...rd-Fairlane-07

[reman]

The 55 272 dual exhaust would also fit the 56, and they all came out under the bumper. As an aside, I have always thought that the 272 was available in the 56 Custom. I had one with a 6 cyl but also had one with a 272. Though I guess someone could have swapped it out.

[Daves55Sedan]

The '55 and '56 Customline/Mainline series rear bumpers are the exact same identical part. All they did was change the part # from B5A to B6A.
All '56 Fairlanes that had a V8 were 292's with a different decal on the valve covers that says "Thunderbird Special V8". '56 Customlines and Mainlines with a 272 used the '55 valve cover decal that read "FORD V8".
'56 Customlines, Mainlines and wagons having a 223 or 272 all had the plain bumper that was standard on a '55's.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by reman

The 55 272 dual exhaust would also fit the 56, and they all came out under the bumper.

As an aside, I have always thought that the 272 was available in the 56 Custom. I had one with a 6 cyl but also had one with a 272. Though I guess someone could have swapped it out.

You're correct.

The 1955 272 was available as either a 2V 162HP - SGL EXH or, 4V 182HP - DUAL EXH.

The 1956 272 was only available as a 2V SGL EXH.

The 1956 FAIRLANE had the 223 as the basic engine and the 292 as optional power (312 mid-model year intro). The 272 was not available on the FAIRLANE.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Daves55Sedan

The '55 and '56 Customline/Mainline series rear bumpers are the exact same identical part. All they did was change the part # from B5A to B6A.

The PN was not changed. It remained in cataloging until MPC FINAL PRINT - 1964.

All '56 Fairlanes that had a V8 were 292's with a different decal on the valve covers that says "Thunderbird Special V8".

'56 Customlines and Mainlines with a 272 used the '55 valve cover decal that read "FORD V8".

ROCKER COVER DECAL-MANIA - PASS CAR

272 'FORD'
292 'THUNDERBIRD'
312 'THUNDERBIRD SPECIAL' (1956 Mid-Year Intro - Optional Engine)

'56 Customlines, Mainlines and wagons having a 223 or 272 all had the plain bumper that was standard on a '55's.

While both years used the same mounting bracketry (except the 56 exhaust cut-out model - slight differences)) and the rear body panels were the same, there had to be a subtle difference in the different year low end face bars. The 1956 low end bar had to mirror the 1956 high end bar.

It is going to be hard to determine nowadays as many cars have a plethora of parts mixing.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Ford56

So, my question is, did the original Victoria have the bumpers with the openings in them for the exhaust, or, was that an option, and the exhaust could also be set up for under the bumper?

While pondering ...

1956 saw many FOMOCO cars with bumper mounted exhaust outlets-

1) FORD

2) BIRD

3) LINC

4) CONT

[Ford56]

Lots of interesting, and knowledgeable, answers & observations here, as I hoped there would be. Since I'm not planning on changing what is already on the car I'm in the process of buying ('56 Victoria), and the dual exhausts run under the bumper, and there are not slot openings in the bumper, I'm going to answer, when I'm inevitably asked at shows or cruises, is that an original bumper, I can now authoritatively say, it is likely a '55 bumper, or a lower model '56. That should satisfy the curious, or the know-it-all's, as the case may be.

[KULTULZ]

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Funny thing...


On the way to the bank early today, I spotted a 55 on a car trailer in WallyWorld. Had to stop and ask and he said he had just bought and loaded it. The car was brought here by the owner who was in Staunton, VA. He was from outside Scranton.


It was a 55 CROWN with a 56 EXH OUTLET bumper on it. No pipes but only the face bar. Talk about coincidence.

[reman]

I've never seen that. Always the other way around. Maybe someone just liked the 56,s better.

[KULTULZ]

Sorry about that. What I meant it was a 55 with a 56 bumper on it.

[Ford56]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

Funny thing...


On the way to the bank early today, I spotted a 55 on a car trailer in WallyWorld. Had to stop and ask and he said he had just bought and loaded it. The car was brought here by the owner who was in Staunton, VA. He was from outside Scranton.


It was a 55 CROWN with a 56 EXH OUTLET bumper on it. No pipes but only the face bar. Talk about coincidence.

Well, now that you'all have pointed out the differences, and the years and models involved, I'll never be able to look at another '56 without inspecting which is which. For over 35 years, I had my Fairlane Club Sedan, and even though it had the slots, and the pipes ran under the bumper, I never even gave it a single thought. Now, I'll be checking out all '55's and '56's to see what is which.

[scicala]

"Well, now that you'all have pointed out the differences, and the years and models involved, I'll never be able to look at another '56 without inspecting which is which."




That's funny, I was just thinking the same thing.


Sal

[raceron1120]

My '56 Fairlane does not have exhaust thru the bumper. It was original 312 automatic. If it came from the factory with the exhaust thru the bumper, it was converted before I got it. And I have owned it since 1968.

[Ford56]

I just added a pic of my 56 Victoria to my Avatar, so you can clearly see what I'm talking about regarding the bumper and the exhaust. Those chrome tips really emphasize the placement.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Ford56

I just added a pic of my 56 Victoria to my Avatar, so you can clearly see what I'm talking about regarding the bumper and the exhaust.

Those chrome tips really emphasize the placement.

This ... ?

[KULTULZ]

! ultimate !

[Ford56]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

This ... ?

Yup, that's what we're talking about, and even though my Club Sedan, w/a 302, had the slots, the exhaust ran out under the bumper, and for all the 35 years I'd owned it, I just assumed that during a rebuild, someone was trying to either take a cheap way out, or just couldn't be bothered running a special exhaust pipe over to the cut outs. Anyway, like I said, I'll never be able to look at another 56 w/o examining the model to see if its "the way it was back in the day" depending on engine option, etc.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Ford56

Yup, that's what we're talking about, and even though my Club Sedan, w/a 302, had the slots, the exhaust ran out under the bumper, and for all the 35 years I'd owned it,

I just assumed that during a rebuild, someone was trying to either take a cheap way out, or just couldn't be bothered running a special exhaust pipe over to the cut outs.

Anyway, like I said, I'll never be able to look at another 56 w/o examining the model to see if its "the way it was back in the day" depending on engine option, etc.

I think the reason(s) for not repairing the exhaust outlets were the damage leaded gas did to the exhaust (I have also seen the face bar eaten) and probably the cost of returning it to OEM style (and parts being discontinued). Two tailpipes were a lot cheaper.

While I have you here ... we need a larger photo of your 56 ...

[Ford56]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

I think the reason(s) for not repairing the exhaust outlets were the damage leaded gas did to the exhaust (I have also seen the face bar eaten) and probably the cost of returning it to OEM style (and parts being discontinued). Two tailpipes were a lot cheaper.

While I have you here ... we need a larger photo of your 56 ...

Yeah, the cut out tips on my Club Sedan were a little discolored and I was always going to get around to it, "one of these days", but that never happened. I always assumed that the carbon caused the discoloration and plus the over 27 years old when I bought it, all contributed to just leaving it alone. It didn't bother me at all.

I'll see what I can do about a larger photo of the new to me 56 Victoria

[Ford56]

So, not being too computer literate, I'm trying to post a larger picture of my 56 Victoria.
Here goes my effort, we'll see if it works:

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1538826464

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Ford56

Yeah, the cut out tips on my Club Sedan were a little discolored and I was always going to get around to it, "one of these days", but that never happened. I always assumed that the carbon caused the discoloration and plus the over 27 years old when I bought it, all contributed to just leaving it alone. It didn't bother me at all.

I'll see what I can do about a larger photo of the new to me 56 Victoria

Yeah, carbon too. One would be able to keep up with it now due to fuel changes. Back then, it most likely an every weekend deal.


ETHYL was a shameless hussy ...

[Anteek29]

Have we EXHAUST-ed all possibilities? LOL

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Anteek29

Have we EXHAUST-ed all possibilities? LOL

GOOD ONE!


I am still going through stuff. It seems the dual exhaust outlet bumer came on any body style FAIRLANE, other than the six.

[Daddio]

When's your next gig at Yuk-Yuk's Anteek29?? :-)

[Herman Munster]

I'd like to give this thread a bump.

[Ford56]

Originally Posted by Herman Munster

I'd like to give this thread a bump.

I like the puns. Keep 'em coming.

[fiddy6]

I have a 56 with a 292 and dual exhausts through the bumper. Seems factory.

I'll save you all from the punishment.