What has to be change to put motor and trans from a 56 Fairlane into a 56 Bird?

Thank You

There may be more items than I spec out here. Never did this swap. For sure the Front pullies and brackets are different. The exhaust manifolds are specific to the 'Birds. I'm guessing here but i believe the motor mounts and Transmission mounts must be changed along with the oil pan and oil pickup. Be best to have the original T'Bird engine available for comparision.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Additionally you will need the front engine cover and front engine mount, side 'steady rests', T-Bird oil dip stick and tube, water pump spacer, generator brackets, thermostat housing, throttle and shift linkages...

"The Master Cylinder"

Enjoying life at the beach in SOCAL

To add to what Frank has identified, you'll also need ...



- a 'Bird specific thermostat housing to orient the radiator hose appropriately...

- a 'Bird specific water pump spacer to align the water pump with the crankshaft damper...

- an oil dipstick tube for locating the tube on the passenger side of the block instead of front right...

- I think a 'Bird specific generator pulley to align with the water pump pulley and front damper...

- I think the water pump pulley is also 'Bird specific due to diameter and offset to align with other pulleys...

- a 'Bird air cleaner to clear the hood...

- the passenger car trans. shift linkage (not kickdown) will need 'modification' to work with 'Bird floor shifter...



As Frank said:

- 'Bird specific crankshaft damper... these are expensive and often need to have the donut behind the pulleys re-vulcanized... Damper Doctor full rebuild - $300 last I knew...

- 'Bird specific engine block metal motor mount brackets...

- 'Bird or pick-up truck front timing chain cover to permit front engine mount...

- 'Bird specific (?) front motor mount bracket... I think this is somehow different from the pick-up truck mount...

- driver's side exhaust manifold is 'Bird specific... often on eBay... reproduction available for North of $250

- 'Bird specific oil pan... looks similar to pick-up truck unit, but front section will not clear crossmember...



Passenger car side-of-block crankcase breather can be used, but outlet tube length may need to be shortened... not sure...



IF you desire to hook-up the 'Bird mechanical tach. you'll need a 'Bird specific tach drive distributor... like with the passenger cars, the '57 unit is the one to look for... or go aftermarket...



Hope this helps... a bit rusty on some things because I did this in an earlier life!

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

To add:

Crankcase ventilation is draft tube off the valley cover

Valley Cover

Generator is different - front pulley is different and location of the 1/4 " stud in the back is oriented differently, although the car one will work (and you can buy a kit to change the stud to the TBird location). Quite sure the main part of the generator is the same.


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

which reminds me. I have a couple aluminum Water pump spacers left. They'll be the last ones.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Hi.I need a water pump spacer for 1956 .312.If you have one will you sell it and how much?Thanx Bob from Maine 207 985 8532.

bigarow