I have a 1957 Thunderbird distributor for my 55 (converted to 12 volts, otherwise stock).  I know I have to upgrade the carb to have the proper vacuum advance.   Are there any benefits from using a more modern carb or should I just modify my Teapot?  At this point I'm pretty familiar with Teapots

For a stock engine is the Mummert manifold a better choice?   If I use a 57 type manifold do I need a new air cleaner and/or carb linkage?

Here's my two cents: if you're happy with the "Teapot" and know how to repair & tune it, modify it to work with the 57 distributor. If you haven't read Ted's instructions for modifying the Teapot, you can find the article on his website (eatonbalancing.com). 

If your engine is (and will remain) completely stock, and you keep the Teapot, keep your 55 intake as well. If you later decide to replace the Teapot with a modern carburetor, you'll need an adapter or replace the 55 intake with a later ECZ-B intake manifold. In the meantime, be on the lookout for a good deal on an ECZ-B intake; even if you don't end up using it, you could probably sell it for what you paid + shipping. I've seen them listed for $200-$500 (don't pay $500). I paid either $125 or $175 for mine (can't remember) but that was several years ago. 

Some might say that you'll see no gain by replacing your small-base 55 intake with the ECZ-B when retaining the small-valve 55 heads, but Dan Jessup (hotrodreverend.com) will tell you otherwise. 

Watch your hood clearance if you use a carburetor adapter, spacer, or aftermarket air cleaner.

A Mummert intake manifold and a Holley 465 cfm or Summit 500 or Edelbrock AVS 500 will give you better mileage and more horsepower without any drawbacks if you don't need the heat crossover for choke.  The '55 intake is terrible, and the ECZ-B with any of the above carbs will also be superior to the teapot and '55 manifold.  Joe-JDC

JDC

Can I use the 55 air cleaner with the carbs that fit the 57 manifold?

I have a "B" Manifold on mine with 57 Distributor. Carb is Holley 390 which I have done this upgrade twice previously.. I had originally just used a 57 up Distributor with straight Manifold Vacuum. Drove much better than stock Vacuum only Distributor. Changing Carb and Manifold afterwards made a big further difference. If You are not hung up on originality I would say update Carb, Intake, and Carb. Regarding Vacuum source for distributor. It should be hooked up to ported Vacuum Source above the Throttle Plate as opposed to straight Manifold Vacuum.

  

And if updating an older engine say in a BIRD, keep all of the take-off parts as it will increase the resale value of the car if the new owner wants to go full restoration.

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I agree with Blacktie.  I am running a teapot modified for the later distributor (i have the stock 57 distributor and Pertronix II) and stock 56 heads.  The cars runs very good,.


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

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

Running 12 volts already gives you a lot of options.  Selling that valuable ‘57 T-Bird dist. would buy a lot of upgrade parts, especially since I think several tach-drive solid state models are now readily available (?), though points will seldom let you down if you maintain them.  I’ve been successfully running a dual points kit in my Load-o-matic for 50K miles and haven’t touched them, though I’m likely overdue to crank up the SUN machine (and re-read it’s instruction manual 🫤).

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

I had a near perfect 57 tach-drive distributor on my 55 Tbird. I had no idea when I inherited the car, and I don't think my dad (2nd owner) knew either. I didn't discover it until I went to replace the distributor cap with a new 55 distributor cap; the 55 cap is smaller. That's when I learned that the original 55 Teapot carburetor /w divorced choke was not compatible with the 57 distributor. The car seemed to run fine, no problem idling or cruising around town or on the highway, but as soon as I put my foot in it, it would miss, and the Fordomatic wouldn't automatically downshift. That's when I contacted Gil Baumgartner (CTCI Gil's Garage) and asked for his advice. His first question was, "What do you want to do with the car?", to which I replied, "Drive it." He then recommended that I keep the 57 distributor and replace the Teapot with a modern carburetor; I did. Rather than getting an adapter for the 55 intake manifold, I bought an ECZ-B intake manifold.

Not long afterwards, I discovered that the short block in my 55 was a 56 ECZ-A. At that point, I was no longer concerned about keeping the car original. 

When I decided to replace the 57 Tbird distributor with a CRT, I decided to sell it. I thought I could get a handsome amount for it (based on the outrageous prices I had seen on eBay). However, I ended up selling it to a fellow member of the Sacramento Valley Classic Thunderbird Club who owns a 57. Although he said that he wanted it for a spare, he could have resold it for profit. I used the proceeds to buy the CRT distributor. If my car had been a 57 instead of a 55, I would not have parted with the 57 distributor.