Been on the HAMB for a few years, just joined this group (at the suggestion of a good friend) after I picked up this '56 Fairlane just north of San Francisco. Running and driving (mostly....brakes are hosed), '57 312 Y-block, was a 3 on the tree, previous owner made it a floor-shifted 4 speed. Like each and every one of my cars, it cannot go untouched. It's only been in my garage since late last week, but the front suspension has already been dis***embled to upgrade to front discs. I've spent the past several months digging through various threads and posts regarding engine swaps.....I have a NIB 351W shorblock, with a NIB Tremec 3550 5sp that will, eventually, make it's way between the fenders. So, I'm keen to learn more of what it will take to put it in the car, with as few modifications as possible.....I want to retain the stock manual steering/steering box. So, seeing junkyardjeff's post that he has a 351 in his '55 really caught my attention. I'm looking forward to getting the '56 back on the road, quickly, so the wife and I can enjoy it!
Geez, mate you say you have a 57 312 fitted in the car. The 4 barrel single carb engine was rated at 235hp. Most would say, why remove it. Just put a late model manual box behind it and enjoy. The engine you have in the car now would be readily snapped up by most with a y-block car if it is indeed a 57 312.
Welcome, I think you find this Social Group to be small, but powerfull! I know I have learned a bunch form they perpole on this site!
Thanks for the warm welcome, gents. As far as I can tell, based on information from a good friend that is well versed in early Ford part numbers, it's a '57 312. It was a 312 car from the factory, as the bumpers have exhaust outlets, and it has the Thunderbird emblems on the lower front fenders. As for why I'd like to remove it.....well, I have a NIB 351W roller shortblock that is begging to be used. However, for the next 2-3 years, I plan on doing nothing more than cleaning up a few items (new belt, hoses, fix some minor wiring issues that are bugging me), get it reliable, and drive the bejeezus out of it. I'm fortunate that my friends in the area are all early car nutjobs, and have a wealth of knowledge I can draw from. My experiences are later Fords, as I owned, at various times, a '61 Ranchero, '65 Mustang 2+2 fastback, 1967 Cougar, 70 Ford F100 truck, as well as five different Fox Mustangs.....the sale of the last Fox (2 time Championship winning Camaro-Mustang Challenge racecar) funded the purchase on the '56. It's a perfect SoCal cruiser, and that's how she'll stay.
Welcome from So Cal. Nice looking car. If it was an original 312, the VIN will be P code. The 292 was M code, 272 U code, six cylinder A code.
Hmmm.....I was wondering how to read the body tag. Body: 70C Color: A Trim: BF Production Code: 18 F 265 VIN: M6RT-******....so that means it was originally a 292 car. Any insight to the tag information would be greatly appreciated!
Body 70C is a Fairlane Club Sedan, Color A is Raven Black, Trim BF is Dark Gray and Red Cloth, I think 18F means it was built on June 18th (1956), M is 292 4v, 200 HP, 6 = 1956, R - production plant code for San Jose, and T = Club Sedan. Not sure what the 265 is but I think the 2 means it had an Overdrive trans. the 65 might be rear axle code, not sure though.
We believe it had an OD trans....there is a small box under the hood (just off center, closer to the driver side), with an exposed gl*** fuse that a friend explained was for the OD. raceron1120 - huge thanks for the breakdown! Very, very helpful. And before I forget.....anyone planning to make the 2014 Ventura Primer Nats this year? The fairgrounds is a scant ~2mi away from my house, and I plan to have the '56 in the show this year. A HAMB get together would be a blast.
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