Hot Rods SBC into a 56T-Bird ?

I’ve got a 55 bird I’ve had over 20 years, it’s on its 3 version on a Yblock. I looked at at a 56 bird with a sbc not too long ago.

The birds used a rear sump pan with a very shallow front. They use a front motor mount like a truck 292, 2 steady rest rods mid block to the frame, and the rear trans mount.

That front mount is very similar to the front mount on my buddy’s 56 Nomad, which we removed when we put the 350 crate with a 700R4 in. I’d start with one of those. I never held them side by side, but the deep block on the y block required the shallow front on the pan to clear the front crossmember. Clear it and the steering linkage will probably be ok too. I’m guessing most rear sump sbc pans will work.

Cobbling up a center mount shouldn’t be a problem. Using the stock Chevy side mounts won’t leave much room against the steering box (if any) and will complicate the exhaust.

Bird have a large X member which is kind of narrow. But if we can get a Fordo in you can probably get a 350 in. C4’s and AOD’s fit.

I’d go look for a factory floor shift out of an older Vette for the 350. It’s close enough to the Fordo shifter to look close, and will further piss off the purist on both sides.

Order a set of Aerospace springs for the front to bring things back to level on the cheap. The old springs are the properly toast, and cutting them won’t help. With headers and an aluminum intake you’re removing quite a bit of weight.

Really nice ‘birds aren’t worth all that much except the E and F codes mentioned above. As long as the distributor is at the back, half the “experts” won’t notice the change anyway.

 

Mikers quote above hits the nail on the head. A 55-57 and up to a 62 Corvette can have ANY style small block a the price goes thru the roof. Unless AmosMinter touches Baby Bird driver quality prices stay about the same over the last 20 years.
All transmissions are tight even for the Fords. There are some cast iron headers for the SBC that fit 90’s pickups that mimic the YBlock ones. Have at it and make it fun and look like it came in the car..

 

I’ve seen one baby bird running around here that has a rowdy 351W in it. It has been on the Power Tour 3-4 times. It looks almost factory sitting in there.

 

At this point it's all about gettin em running and having fun...Put whatever you have available in it without hacking it up and enjoy it.

 

The first gen t-birds are such a great looking car and if bought cheap enough could be a blank canvas for something very creative. A sbc sitting under the bench you can dump in there is about as uncreative as you can get. We can all agree on that right?

 

Be sure to put Corvette valve covers on it if you do

 

No. Spend your $$$ not his.
Let’s see, maybe will buy a Bird with a trashed YBlock.
Has a SBC and TH350 on hand.
Hmmmn, you think he should run something different.

Well, donate it to him, or cover the rebuild of the YBlock.
Seems simple enough.

 

sorry guys but there are a few cars i can't see rodded, and a baby bird or a 53 or 54 vette are two of them
as to finding a good y block core, i'm sure the group in here know's where a few lay,

 

well, all can rest easy so far. i've messaged him 3 times and no response. probably saw my post about SBC and decided not to sell to me

 

Well poo.
I like seeing the so-called “untouchable” cars customized.

 

The way I look at things about so called sacred elite don't change cars is just do your way. They all look good at 60 MPH on the road. When a project becomes an Investment it's no longer fun. If it's not fun, why have it? Resale Value only matters if you want to brag about how much you spent or made on it.

 

I'd drop a Chevy in it and wouldn't lose a minute of sleep.

 

Y block, Paxton, tremec, 9”, polished salt flats, knock offs, gloss black, red leather, red line tires, red running gear, chrome and powder coat, short windshield, snap down lakes tonneau, chrome hoop behind the driver, lose the 57 bumpers and go with 55s.

Other than that I have no idea.

 

In 1970 I wanted to up grade the power in my 56 T Bird to get even with the 427 Corvett owners So a Ford shot gun motor was out of my price range But I found a 426 Hemi with a spun bearing that wasn't The engine fit with no cutting by using a single 4 barrel> needless doubling the hp made quite a difference.

 

in my 57 bird i have a 428 with 3 2s on top utube video jims thunderbird 428 if any body knows how to post it on this site that would be nice thank you...

 

I know how to do it, but the huge wheels on the car make it off limits to this site, unfortunately.

 

Maybe it was an "Omen".............

 

Let’s hope not. There’s thousands of beautifully restored T-Birds out there but it sounds like you might have found one that could/should be hot rodded instead of restored. Get it, throw your best in stock engine in it, some cool wheels and get it back on the road. It’s a car, it can always be changed if you run across something that you like better.
It’s got a hood, no one’s going to know what’s in there unless you tell them. Your secret is safe with us.

 

Here’s a beater bird

 

I think you better get this one dipped!

 

where is this junk 56? is it in ohio by chance?

 

Yblocks are cool but, dang, you could really spice up an SBC for the price of a mildly rebuilt yblock.

 

There was a guy in the St Louis area that put a 425 HP 409 in one. I believe his grandson has the car now.

 

Man I’d make it go and stop and hammer as is.

once a floor and structure was handled.

 

Thats what I'm talkin about

 

Your car. Whack it, make it yours

 

Lots of cheap T birds for sale lately, build it. A Bastard that drives is better than a purebred that doesn't.