While the standard part numbered Innovators West damper for the Y is on the short side for a Thunderbird, a unit with a longer hub can be ordered which makes it a reasonably easy fit for the early ‘Birds.  The difference in pulley locations for the T-Bird fan belt and the normal I.W. damper offering is exactly 1.000”.   The combination of a longer hub and/or a spacer behind the belt pulley that totals 1.000” will make the I.W. damper a perfect fit on the Thunderbirds.

 

Here’s a couple of pictures of a Thunderbird engine using a spacer behind the belt pulley on an Innovators West damper in which to get the belt alignment correct.

  

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Frank, not sure if John is still selling those dampers. Like the rest of us, he is getting on up in years and I think was having some health issues. I know that he sold off some of his parts and was trying to sell his cars.

Glen Henderson



Freedom is not Free

Letohatchee, AL

John Wilson from alabama used to sell a damper specifically for the bird on Ebay. (Snowbird312)

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Here is a picture of one on my 55 Bird. It has a spacer behind the pulley, Ted installed this so I am not sure if there was anything different at the crankshaft. Maybe Ted can clear this up. The altenator pulley is in the stock generator location and has the stock Bird front mount. 

 

  Vic Correnti

If I put air conditioning and the paxton , I already have power steering . It is starting give me a lovely headache, ha ha, heres shout out to Glan, glad you are still hanging in there !!!

Po ol Davie

Sparta , Tn.

They are SFI rated for racing.

Glen Henderson



Freedom is not Free

Letohatchee, AL

Besides a weight reduction, 360 calibration, and looking trick where is the benefit of this balancer and further what gain is achieved in weight and performance, if anyone has an evaluation.  As stated these are pricey and other adjustments for fit have to be made.  

Ted, Redding, CA

Keep in mind that the 'Bird damper is different from the car damper due to the water pump spacer and generator placement.

"The Master Cylinder"

Enjoying life at the beach in SOCAL

Hey Dave, here is how it looks on my engine, may give you an idea of the fit.

Thats one of Ted's custom elec waterpumps, but you can see it sticks out quite a bit more than the damper.

Glen Henderson



Freedom is not Free

Letohatchee, AL

Mongo;

I'm probably comparing apples to oranges here, but on my 56 Customline I'm running a 3 groove crank pulley and the back of the mechanical fan blades hit the outer pulley. I had to shim out the fan. If youre running an electric fan, no worries. May not have any issues with the bird.

Rono

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID