I am slowly (boy do I mean slowly) bring a 55 Tbird back to life. I read posts and it prompts questions in my mind.  I am accumulating various posts in a notebook to provide information to the machine shop when it comes time to start the engine work.  I know FEs and 289 real well but not Yblocks.  Two new questions come to mind.

Valves: I see reference to changing the valve guides from time to time and don't understand what is meant by that can someone in lighten me?

Carburetor:  My car's engine at one time had the 57 manifold and carb added.  I have been wavering between originality and performance (for example got my hands on some G heads real cheap to use during the build).  I am toying with the blue thunder manifold for the Tpot carb so I can retain an original look to the car.  Question is Is the Tpot a piece of junk compared to the 57 carb?

Build Question:  Has anyone put together a list of the best build changes to make when putting a Yblock back together? 

First let me say congratulations on being a do it yourselfer and going slow.   Slow is good when doing your own work to avoid mistakes.   I've had Little Birds for 30 years and  I think in general "most" people will lead you to the 57 and newer type dizzy and carb/manifold configurations.   They perform better but the older 55 carb and dizzy are fine if it is properly rebuilt and functioning.  Pony Carbs has a good reputation for rebuilding them as do others, but my only experience with the Haystack Holleys was with a 2 X 4 set-up.    The 57 style dizzy is better functioning and the "B" iron manifold is good, but I'm sure the Blue Thunder is better.    In my opinion the first choices that you should be made are in the areas of originality vrs. driveability.   Its your car and you must be happy with it.   Has it been changed to 12V?   Radial tires, disk brakes, AC, Stereo, Sway bars, non-stock paint, and so on??   If so, you will have to change it all back to subscribe to the original way of thinking.   (Personally those changes make the car much more enjoyable and driveable) The people I have known over the years are usually divided on the modified vrs original subject but respect the other point of view.  If you want to drive it a lot, modify it for safety if nothing else, (radials, disk brakes, sway bars) but if you want a "trailer queen" you should build it!!   Either way, it is your car and you should enjoy it>   Good Luck        J

As for valve guides they are talking about driving the old valve guides out and driving new ones in because the old ones have 2 much clearance inside between the guide and the valve.

timmy4;



No guides to "drive out" of original Y-block heads (integral casting). They are usually reamed oversize for bronze inserts when worn.



rexbd;



Teapot Holley 4000 CAN be reliable and function well (new T-birds with OD were clocked at 125mph back in '55), but it's limited CFM/bolt pattern would likely make "Blue Thunder" a waste of $.

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

appreciate the advice, I lean towards drivability but not at the expense of changes that can't easily be reversed.  I do intend to do the 12v conversion, sway bars, brighter lights and pep up the engine.  I want a car we can drive and enjoy and be safe in.  Besides that, I have 66 and 67 mustangs that are entierly too fast for their own good if I need to act like a kid again.

Some of the Y's guys that race are running the Holley 4000's with great performance. Some are even supercharger. The 4000 flows plenty for a Y-block with street mods. The Blue Thunder manifold flows better than a super prepped stock one so they are worth the money. No more expensive than a good port and polish on a stocker. The newer "supecharged" version of the Blue thunder has a dual bolt pattern that will fit the new Carbs but is also clearenced and drilled for the 4000. By the way if you want an origional look you can paint the Blue Thunder to match your stock engine colors. It's a fairly close reproduction, on the outside, of the stock manifold.

Speaking from experience we have a tendancy to "over Carb" our engines. I went to a Holley 650, then a 600 double pumper. Too much fuel! I'm working on a Lincoln Holley 4000 for next year. 450-500 CFM is plenty. (as told to me by the Guru's of fast Y-Blocks). My biggest carb problem was trying to prep the carbs for a McCullouch supercharger. Never did get them right.

Thats my 2bits, Chuck in NH

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Sorry for the mistake