Hi Guys.  I'm a new member to the forum, but I've already learned a lot just by reading some of your posts.  I'm looking to change the exhaust manifolds on my 1955 Townsedan from a single exhaust to duels.  My queation is, what letters should I look for in front of the numbers?  A guy at a local swap meet said ones with the letters ECH were right for my application.  Is this true?  Thanks ahead of time!!

Mike

Mike:

Any Y block manifolds will fit.  If you are striving for concours correct, the ECH is correct.  They were later replaced by the '57 and later manifolds by Ford, so technically even they will be "correct", though I don't know how the rules committees view them.  The later ones are slightly bigger, should flow a little more air.  Also, if your car is a standard shift, the '56 clutch equalizer bar from the frame to the bellhousing has a curve in it to ease pipe routing.

John

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Thanks Supreme!  I'm restoring the car for local shows and to drive on weekends.  I thought the duels and maybe a 12 volt conversion would be a couple of nice touches.  I love the sound of these old cars and even though mine is a four-door, people always look and ask questions about it.  Thanks again, Mike

Mike, There are many of these exhaust manifolds on ebay, in fact I think there are a couple of them on auction now. Just key in y-block in the search & you will find them.  I converted my merc to 12 volt with a generator from a galaxie, which I had a few of in the last few years. I still have a 64 xl conv.. It works just fine with just a couple of spacers with your original brackets. Of course you will still need to get the resistors & change all your bulbs, etc.      Nothin' like duals with glass packs on a Y- a sound like no other!           Mike 

P.S. You can bypass the coil restistor thru your solenoid for better starting with 12 volts

     

On the 54 Ford and Mercs (neither which came with dual exhausts) you have to remove the neutral safety switch for room. If yours is an automatic, it may be a problem. Since the power packs had dual exhausts, hopefully you are ok without having to do this.

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

Thanks Marv and Paul.  My car has the three on the tree with the single exhaust and the dumb crossover pipe.  I'm looking foward to putting duels on it.  My father-in-law put a glass pack on it when he had it, and it sounded great.  I've been shopping on e-bay for a set of manifolds, but I keep being outbid.  Maybe next time.  Marv, your Merc looks great.  My dad had one like that only it was yellow with the white top.  I loved that car. I thought it was the coolest car in town.  Thanks for all the info.  I'll be in touch later and most likely with more questions as the restoration moves along.

 Mike 

I pulled the manifolds off my '57 - I'll sell them to you dirt cheap.  They've been sitting since last summer so they are a little rusty, but if you wanna clean them up i don't think there is anything wrong with them.  I'll never use them but mentally you can't throw that stuff away.  Let me know. - John

John: Lake Forest, IL



'57 Fairlane 500 - Looking better every day.