Technical Ford Thunderbird 1957 ? >

Hi!
I would like to buy a Ford T-Bird 57, but I read several times that the engine heated easily and broke the cylinder head gasket! is it true?
Can you tell me the other problems of this beautiful car?

Thank you very much!

 

Look for anything associated with y-block issues. First thing that comes to mind is a lack of oil reaching the valve train.
Read these

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/why-is-the-292-y-block-motor-getting-a-bad-rap.144937/

another issue is driver space.
If you are of large size you may not even fit in these cars to drive them.

 

Indeed! A classic case of sit in one first, before you spend any money. Good car for jockeys.

 

I'm 6'3 250lbs and fit in one just fine. They make smaller stock appearing steering wheels if its a belly/steering wheel issue. The 292/312 in Tbirds is just a Y block like any other..but the Tbirds have an extension on the water pump housing about 1" or so that pushes the water pump closer to the radiator. I guess they did that for pulley placement? Anyway..they used the same water pump like any Y block, but this extra space behind the water pumps impeller caused cavitation and less efficient water flow. Nowadays they make a water pump to correct this. One I used a few years ago on my '56 had a disc added to the back of the impeller reducing cavitation. Today I think they offer one with a thicker impeller to do the same thing. Casco sells the improved water pumps....and other Tbird parts.

 

Most of the y block problems were from lack of maintenance. Detergent oil and proper changes pretty well solves the oiling problems. Proper assembly is required. Most of us have solved the cooling problems with a bigger water pump pulley and fan.

But all most all 55-57 birds leaked water like a sieve, soft or hard top. Rust in the floor pans and the rear quarters in the trunk are real common. The usual other rust for a 60+ year old car also apply.

I had my first 55 in 1967 when I was 17. The one I have now I got in 1999, so I’ve had it a long time. I was 5’11” tall and weighed 125lbs (sorry can’t do that in meters and kilos), and I’m 5’10” and 160 now. 3 hours is a long time in the small cockpit, and that’s with power steering cars with smaller steering wheels.

I like them obviously, but in France if I couldn’t afford to buy a full restoration by someone like Amos Mintner, it would scare me off.

Edit : BP typed faster than me.

 

They y-block is a very strong dependable engine. Arguably one of the most underrated v8s there is. Yes did have some issues in the day. Lack of good maintenance was a big issue. Today with better oils and filters and some simple minor modifications any issues they once had are resolved. Look up mummert http://www.ford-y-block.com/ that will give you plenty of good info. Anyone who says they are junk and they should be swapped out for a 302 is ignorant. Don't listen to them.

 

Don’t purchase junk! Find a reputable appraiser or inspector in the city you find a car you are interested in to look at it and drive it. Parts in France or to France will be expensive. Very good to excellent ones are $35-50K. Good driver quality that need TLC are $25 to 35k.
The better you get the better off you will be. Engine rebuilds in the last 10 years will have the oiling to the rocker arm corrected. A smaller water pump pulley from a 60’s Mustang cures 90 % of over heating problems.

 

Thank you for this informations!
I’m glad the heating problem can be solved with new parts..
For the cockpit space I am not very big and thin enough so it will be fine! Anyway, I’ll try it..

I have been in the old car for 35 years! I know how to recognize a car tampered and made up!
I found one in very nice apparent condition for $ 40,000 next to home! I’ll go see her..

 

I sold my 57 earlier this year after 27 years of ownership. A well maintained Y block doesn't present any real problems, they run quite well. Yes the little T-Birds do leak in a rain. I spent a lot of time getting my leaks down from torrents to dribbles and only in heavy rain. They do tend to run a little hot in long idle situations such as heavy traffic or parades. I had a smaller water pump pulley and a multi-blade clutch fan which pretty well solved the problem.

When I first got my little Bird, it ran very well. However, in hot weather, the oil light would come on at idle. I verified that the oil pressure was 5 psi or less at idle, but came right up with rpm. After living with this for a few years I decided to drop the oil pan and check the internals. What I found was a totally worn out engine with good rings ( it didn't smoke or use any appreciable oil). A complete overhaul and the oil light never came on at idle again.

I found the car to be comfortable to drive and quite capable of keeping up with traffic. However, it did drive just like cars did in 1957. I added a much heavier front sway bar and a rear sway bar. With gas shocks and radial tires it went around curves much better. I really enjoyed this car while I had it.

They do rust. You would be wise to contact the local T-Bird club and get the members to help you select a car.

 

Drove one for 5 years and 50K miles in the seventies. No heating problems. Never heard that story before, who are you talking with, some Chevy guys?

Charlie Stephens

 

Cool. I can’t imagine that there are many to choose from in France or nearby?

 

Charlie…. The heating problems for some reason are present day. I drove 50’s Y blocks in the 50’s-70’s with no overheating. After buying a frameoff completely restored car in 2012 the first I noticed was “heat creep” at intersections that became hard to overcome. I tried many “bandaid” fixes but did not solve the problem.

Technically the ONLY difference between when the car was new and now was the gasoline formulation we have today. The solution was from many Ford T-Bird and car owners that showed us that there was little to no water moving thru the radiator at idle. The solution was to speed up the pump and it solved my problem and may others also. It was easy and inexpensive to buy a 60’s Mustang 298-302 water pump pulley and a shorter belt and the problem was gone. I’ve even add AC to my car. The pulley is about 5-1/2” compared to the 7” of my stock Ford.

 

If you can go look at that bird, go for it. Theres nothing so unique about a bird that you won’t be able to see it or feel it.

Good luck.

 

Assumimg this trick works on other y-blocks as well? Or, is there something different about the t-birds?

 

The birds have a spacer to move the front pulleys out. To clear the crossmember under the front mount. Makes the pump less efficient. But the pulley works on almost any y block installation for idle overheating.

 

Despite these problems you make me want to act!
I’ll finally be able to touch the American dream!
When I go to see her I’ll take pictures
To be continued..

 

The cooling fix is really not a big deal. They are robust cars...full beefy frames with stout suspension parts. Many mechanical parts interchange with regular Ford models. I really do like that about my Tbird...I was just at an estate sale and bought a NOS Ford u joint that had a B5 (1955) prefix part number. Googled it and it fits 1949 to 57....gotta love a cheap carmaker. It makes fixing them so easy. There are all sorts of US made NOS parts on Ebay for these cars, it's nuts.

 

Surprising there are more than we think! But in France, American cars have again a reputation of cars being tampered ! you have to be careful..

 

Yes!! that’s also why I’m interested! it’s even easier than French car parts!

 

Many 49-up were “mechanics” style u-joints. They are not obsolete as balancing shops have them. If needed it’s nice to have one handy.

 

That Casco water pump and a high flow thermostat is all it took to fix my 56 T-Bird from overheating.

 

My Dad has been driving his 56 Tbird for 20+ years and never had heating problems with his 312. He did rebuild the Yblock when he bought the car and it is very well maintained. I have a 56 F100 with a 292 and it will run 160 degrees all day long. On a really hot day, it may climb to 180 in traffic. Go for the Bird, you will love it.

 

I used to work at a shop that specialized in "little 'Birds" and I don't remember ever having one blow a head gasket. I do remember a few cars having trouble with vapor lock, old T bird guys always had a bag of clothespins on the fuel line, although I don't know how well that worked, and I know a few guys would pop the hood during a parade or long idle to let some engine heat out, you could drive it like that since the hood hinges at the front. Again, not sure how effective that was.

55-56 cars had a very strange 4 barrel carburetor nicknamed the "teapot" that had a tendency to leak if you didn't know how to put it together, but the '57 has a much more standardized carb, unless you ordered dual quads.

I fit in them with stock steering wheels OK but the stick shift ones I had to lift my right leg up past the shifter to go from first to reverse, an offset shifter would be needed for me in a stick shift. They're not roomy inside, but the cars are incredibly beefy, a very heavy frame and a body that's all welded in one piece without removable fenders, like a unibody bolted to a full convertible chassis.

 

Thanks Black panther! I note this precise link!
Thank you all for your feedback!

 

I thought by now someone would have posted this picture...

 

My grandpa bought a white 56 new and had it till he died in 04. From what I understand the long block had never been apart. And he'd even done some hot rod stuff to it. Still ran smooth

 

1956!
That’s also why I fell in admiration of the T-Bird!
(RIP Suzanne Somers.)

 

If you have 20-25k burning a hole in your pocket, 55-57 Thunderbirds are everywhere. You should be able to choose from many, if youa re looking for a 15-17K one, your picking get slimmer but they are out there.

I would just make sure the engine has great oil pressure. Also make sure you ahve some one run it around and vouch for it. Some Y-blocks run on the warmer side.

I've put a couple thousand miles on a '57 wagon with a y block, no big issues, Depending on whole built the engine or if its original. Learn a bunch about Y-Blocks, join the forum.

I would say finding very good fuel pumps is an issue. The water pump mentioned above, Move to a 6 blade fan and shroud. If you see that on car, over eating that engine would be suspect.

If you are spending the dough, try to find one with the most options PS,PB, PW, that good for resale.

 

Thanks abe lugo.. I was always lucky when I bought an old car. (I must be lucky somewhere!)
I thought to import in T-Bird of the USA. but it is complicated and very risky.
I can’t wait to go see her and I will look in detail believe it!
But this car has everything I want! carson top without porthole, manual gearbox, electric window, creme white interior is really my chance to have found it next to home!
Anyway if it’s not this car it will be another.. my choice is definite on this model.

Unfortunately I have to wait for my money in a week. I hope it will still be there!