Guys, my damper let go today so I need to get a rebuilt one or have mine rebuilt. I found a rebuilt double sheave one online. The description says it fits 292's from '58 through '64. Mine is a '55 Merc. Before I pull the trigger, is there any difference between my '55 crank and later ones that would prevent me from using it?

No difference for the crank.  Belt width might be different.



Lawrenceville, GA

Yours should be rebuildable.

John Mummert's site lists replacement dampers & I believe our Moderator Ted also has a source for new ones.


Paul

You can send yours to the Damper Doctor in Redding California.  He does a VERY good job of rebuilding , and he is very reasonable in price.

Damper Doctor it is. Thanks fellas!

Power Bond makes a replacement damper for the Ford Y engine that is a bolt on for the ’57-’64 car and pickup engines.  The PowerBond number is PB1199N and accommodates the 3/8” wide belts.  It’s made in Australia and has a billet center rather than being cast.  It’s still an exact replacement for the original though when it comes to belt pulley size and location as well as adding additional pulleys.  It is available from a variety of sources here in the U.S.; John Mummert offers these while I get mine from EPW (Engine Parts Warehouse).  I also see them for sale on EBay so they are out there.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

New to the forum, so I hope I am not violating any of the rules!

I am trying to get some traction on a 55 basket case Tbird I bought a couple of years ago.  I recently got the block, crank and heads back from the machine shop and I am getting started on the rebuild.  Most of my time lately has been identifying parts and making sure I have everything.  I have realized that I don't have the crank damper and they seem to be made of unobtainium.  I confirmed that the block was a 292, but realized that it is a 1959 block, not a 1955 block.  Apparently my block is a replacement block.  Which leads me to my question.....what is the difference between the 55-57 Tbird dampers and the regular Y Block dampers?  Can I use the stock damper for a non 55-57 Tbird Y Block?

Thanks for any help!

Frank

If you are using all the Tbird engine parts, including the water pump spacer, you cannot use the sedan front damper as things (generator, water pump) will not line up.

To get a Tbird damper, try CASCO or Hill's as they sell used parts. 

Here are a couple of other sources (I have used all three with no problems):
Tony's Classics  515-263-3606
Adrian - 570-709-0823 or lilbrids567@wmconnect.com
Bob Schermerhorn  518-392-2472


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

FGT1958.  Welcome to the site, Frank.  There are numerous 'Bird owners who are regular Forum participants here.

There were changes in the castings of Ford y-block engines over the production years of 1954-1964.  None of these will prevent you substituting a later year block for your car's original block.  IF you were doing some high end restoration on Marilyn Monroe's '55 'Bird, to maintain optimum future value and sale-ability, we would help you find an original '55 engine block.

In Ford production year 1959, FoMoCo made a mid-year change in their casting of y-blocks.  292 engine blocks from 1955 'til April of 1959 all used the same length crankshaft main cap bolts.  Commencing in April of 1959 'til the end of y-block production in the '60s, Ford engineers changed to longer main cap bolts that would utilize deeper threaded holes into the main bearing webbing area.  Some speculate that Ford and / or their authorized Ford engine re-manufacturers were finding more cracks in the y-block main bearing webbing of engines to be re-conditioned than they viewed as being acceptable.  Subsequently, Ford engineers decided to increase the depth of the main cap bolt thread into the cast block to reduce the frequency of main bearing web area cracking.  Early '59 blocks have the casting I.D.of EDB 6015-E.  Beginning in April of 1959, the y-blocks using deeper threaded main bearing cap bolts carry the casting I.D. of B9AE 6015-F.  In 1959 and 1960 these engine blocks were either 292s or 312s.

Source for the above info. is John Mummert, web site www,Y-Block.com, engine block web page click the link below . . .
http://www.ford-y-block.com/Block%20identification.htm

Regarding your question about 'Bird crankshaft vibration dampers.  Yes, they're a 'Bird only item.  N.O.S. dampers are still around and some T-'Bird parts suppliers are now having reproductions made, I'm told.  Why a different damper for the '55-'57 'Birds?  It has to do with the location of the engine in the vehicle frame compared to the passenger cars AND fitting in the generator and the power steering accessory pump.  Notice, too, that the 'Bird has a one inch cast iron spacer between the water pump and the timing chain cover to get all the drive pulleys to line-up correctly.

Used 'Bird vibration dampers are periodically available on eBay.  Caution paying too much in obtaining a used 'Bird vibration dampers.  The 'donut' mounted on the 'Bird vibration damper between the damper pulleys and the timing chain cover is a press fit with a vulcanized rubber sleeve securing it in place.  The rubber mount deteriorates due to engine compartment heat and old age.  When the mounting rubber degrades, the donut will shift in position eventually rubbing against the front motor mount that is secured to the timing chain cover.  The vibration damper can be rebuilt, but the last time a friend had one re-done, the cost was $300 plus shipping for the 'Bird item.

Hope this helps!    


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York