This is my first post, but I have been lurking since the acquisition of my '56 bird.



I purchased a Blue Thunder from John M. a while back and am just getting around to installation. I have Moon cast valve covers on the car and it is looking like I need to clearance the manifold to get it to fit properly w/o touching them. I just wanted to touch base with the experts and make sure I wasn't overlooking something obvious. I am using Fel-Pro gaskets just in case that comes up. I would hate to take a die grinder to the mani if I don't have to.



Thanks,



Mike



p.s. a pic of the problem area...

is that a 56 distributor on your engine or are my eyes deceiving me

Yes, the original with a Pertronix

MS:

Early Y block rocker cover gaskets were about 5/16" thick, late ones (with the tabs on them) are only about 1/8".  If you have the late gaskets, maybe the early style would raise the covers enough to clear the manifold without grinding either one.

John

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Mike,

My Blue Thunder has the same interference problem, at the same point as yours, but with Chrome aftermarket covers.  It is very slight but prevents a perfect fit of the cover.  Have not gotton around to making a relief though.  Maybe Johns idea will help.

Mike

Mike, located in the Siskiyou mountains, Southern, OR 292 powered 1946 Ford 1/2 ton, '62 Mercury Meteor, '55 Country Squire (parting out), '64 Falcon, '54 Ford 600 tractor.

Mike -

Carl is right on with the distributor question - there may be some issues with your '56 spark advance system. It was originally configured to work with the vacuum ports of the old teapot carb you took off of there. It won't behave quite the same with the Holley 4160. I know you have made an investment with the Pertronix set-up - but you'll have to figure out how to keep some spark advance when the vacuum goes low. A rebuilt '57 and later model distributor from one of the parts houses is a step in the right direction - maybe someone with a restoration will take the early style Pertronix and you can just pack the Bird distributor away to keep it with the car (assuming it is the tach drive original).

Did you get some of the truck intake manifold gaskets that restrict the exhaust going under the carb base? The exhaust port opening at the center of the truck style gasket is quite a bit smaller than the crossover port in the heads. Try Victor MS15116 from NAPA. Some guys just block one or both ports completely with stainless shim stock - but cold climates may dictate otherwise.

I'll try to get you some photos of the PCV on my 312 set-up tomorrow.  

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Hey Mike;  had the same problem when I put on my Blue Thunder, Mine has the cast T-Bird covers.  I notched the cover just sligthly and you have to look real close to see it.  Check it often while notching it oly takes a little.  hope this helps.   Thank you to all you great helpful guys.   God Bless    Eddie

Eddie

Lake Forest, Ca. 92630

Thanks for the input. The VC gaskets are Fel-Pro as well and are about 3/16" thick. I have an extra set and will try to double up using gaska-cinch .



As far as the dist. goes, the pertronics was one of the first things I purchased to get the car moved from storage to my house (my grandmother had it sitting since '71ish). I read the many posts here about the different dist's available for the Y, and am torn between two choices. A Mallory would be fine, but I give up vacuum advance. The other choice is the MSD but then I give up the tach drive. I've been looking for a '57 tach drive on Ebay, but think one of the other two options might be better (if only the MSD had a tach drive). I am currently researching an electric tach (if anyone has any ideas) to fit in the factory location since removal/storage of the original does not bother me. If I can find one, then the MSD is definitely the choice.



So, the plan at the moment is to feed the loadomatic from the two ports on the front of the carb (it's a Demon 525). There is a ported and a non-ported that I can bend some line to and (unless I am mistaken) the dist should work as it did with the teapot.



Just to give everyone an idea, my plan is to make the car a driver. Not trying to go fast, just put around town with it. My only reason for the manifold swap was to facilitate the use of a Carter/Edelbrock/Holley etc. carb. (plus it looks nice). I was originally planning on going the resto-mod route with late model everything (I am sure some here will applaud the decision not to), but after finding out the value of t-bird green '56's (esp. original owner green '56's) I decided not to cut, drill, weld or in any way change the car other than bolt-ons. So, all of the original parts are in the attic, and I can restore to stock if that bug ever bites. Yours looks like a green, also, am I correct, Steve?



Thanks again

Yep mine's a greenie too - except the previous owner (since 57) had a nice shade of el cheapo Avacado squirted over the real green somewhere along the way. It has all sorts of chips, ancient orange peel etc. - but no body damage as such - the chrome is awful - front bumper guards are gone. This was a daily driver for many, many years. A Covina, Cal Ford dealer stuck a "new" blue engine in it in 75 according to the records - painted the engine compartment "used car black" and according to what is missing from the old photos - stole the complete dress-up kit. My hotrod buddies say it has "patina".....right.

Ford resurrected the willow(?) green for the T-birds they just discontinued - except in pearl - she may get a re-do in the modern color when I get tired of the patina.....but I kind of like the looks that ensue when you pop the hood of the old girl and its obvious that gremlins have been at work...I just re-engineer one piece at a time until it works like I want. Kind of a stress relief project. Someday she'll be in good enough health to roam over to Columbus and visit the boys in the fall.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Just to add a bit of confusion to the issues you are having:  New Mallery tach drive distributors set to 57 specs are available from a number of T-bird suppliers.

CASCO #12127M @ $610   (Prices may vary from other suppliers)

Also a small electric tach can be fitted in the pod or housing of a 55/56 Bird.   I have one and can send pictures.   However the tach is small and it is not real effective if you are serious about using a tach, but is OK if its just for looks.  

As usual, always more than one way to solve a problem.