Hot Rods SBC into a 56T-Bird ?

Doane Spencer didn’t have any qualms about modifying his 55 when new, or years later with a major upgrade. The original and highly modified car sold (see link) for F bird prices, and the “clone” using the original parts sold just afterwards for slightly more ($102K, if my memory serves). The name “Doane Spencer” certainly had a lot to do with that.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/?p=20055

My favorite photo of the original engine with the dual quads, air cleaner, and headers.



sorry about the duplicate image

 

I had a 54 coupe with a 292… the motor had been sitting outside for a while and the red paint faded to orange, when I brought it home my know it all neighbor said hey! Nice small block chevy in there, I said no its a 292… he said no Look its orange, has centerbolt valve covers, those exhaust ports in the center and the distributor in the back. Thats a chevy . What a moron!
I say get it running with what works best for you,
You could make it look like a Y block, not too many “experts “ out there that would know the difference.

 

Sorry but it's old and very cold by now.

 

I have owned 3 small T-Birds. I drove one for 5 years. and 50K miles Loved the car.s Putting a SBC into one sounds like a crime against nature. It is sort of like putting a Pinto engine in a Model A Ford. Now 3 pieces of advice.

1. Don't do it, but if you do keep reading.

2. Don't expect it to be lightening fast. If I remember correctly (it has been 50 years) it weighed about 3500 pounds while the Corvette was about 2800.

3. Because it was a convertible it had a very heavy frame. There was a tunnel in the center of the X-member that the transmission went into. You had to pull the engine and transmission to work on the transmission. It was a VERY tight fit. Be sure your new transmission will fit into the tunnel. Don't cut out the bottom of the tunnel as it will weaken the frame.

Best of luck on whatever you decide.

Charlie Stephens