Distributor Installation
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman Over the last few months I observed several Thunderbird distributors installed with a gasket or "O" ring between the base and the engine block. All "Y" block distributors are designed to be installed without a...
Distributor
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman When doing a major tune up the importance of the of the distributor function is sometime neglected. This neglect is the reason that some Thunderbirds do not perform as efficiently as they should and is a primary...
1957 Vacuum Advance Mechanism
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman The 1957 vacuum advance mechanism contains a spring, a stop, and washers. Washers can be removed to advance the timing or added to decrease the timing.The stop P/N 12202 is .25" i.d.-.36" o.d.-.95" long.The stop...
1957 Distributor
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman The function of the 1957 distributor differs from the '55 and '56 models in that the 57 model has centrifugal and vacuum advance. The construction of the '57 model is also different. The housing is taller to...
1957 Reproduction Air Cleaner Assembly, Potential Problem
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman Photo # 1(click on picture for larger image) Photo # 2(click on picture for larger image) Photo # 1 shows an original 1957 air cleaner base. The purpose of the three raised areas in the lower dome is to prevent...
Balancer (Squeaking Noise Lower Front Engine)
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman I will quote a statement that I have heard from several 1955/56/57 Thunderbird owners. "I have a squealing noise coming from the front of my engine. I have checked the belts and they are ok." In most cases it...
1957 Thermostat
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman Because of its large opening the NAPA # 6 has been a very popular thermostat for our Thunderbirds. (click on picture for larger image) An alert tech article reader, Ted Woods, Palm City, FL, has brought to my...
Distributor Vacuum Advance Line Connections 1955/56/57 Thunderbirds
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman The following procedure is used to insure the vacuum line from the carburetor to the distributor advance mechanism is properly seated and sealed. This same procedure is used to install the vacuum line to 1955/56...
Distributor Rotor Retainer
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman The 1955 & 1956 distributors have a retainer clip attached to the upper center shaft. The clip part number 12213 is available from most major Thunderbird parts dealers. This clip prevents rotor to shaft...
312 Truck Y Block Engines
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman The Y block engines used in Ford Trucks from 1954 - 1957 had the following cubic inch displacement, 239 CI, 256 CI and 272 CI. The 292 engine, although available in 1955 for passenger cars, was not used in Trucks...
Cracked or Broken Ear on Exhaust Manifolds
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman Most cracked or broken ears on exhaust manifolds are caused by the use of gaskets between the manifold and Engine. Exhaust manifold gaskets were never installed at the factory and were never offered as a service...
Facts and Myths regarding Engine Oil
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman As you know when you go into an auto parts store to purchase oil you have many choices. The subject of engine oil has been a hot topic for the past few years primarily due to changes in requirements for newer...
Valve Gapper
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman More than likely the best tool ever for adjusting the valves on the 292/312 engine was the P&G valve gapper. It is a dial indicator type tool designed to adjust the valve lash on several types of engines with...
Ford Y Block Head Bolts 239, 256, 272, 292 & 312 CI Engines
Gil's GarageGil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity ChairmanOne of the most common errors made while installing cylinder heads on a Ford Y block engine is installing the head bolts in the wrong position. The lower row of bolts near the spark plugs are all the same size...
Cracked Exhaust Manifold
Gil's GarageGil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity ChairmanWhat created the condition that cracked this 1956 Thunderbird exhaust manifold?Exhaust manifold over torque.Lock washers installed in lieu of special flat washers.An inoperative vacuum advance mechanism.Exhaust pipe...
1956 Ford Dual Four Carburetors (8-V Option)
Gil's GarageGil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity ChairmanThe first high performance kit for 1956 Ford models was released September 22, 1955 service letter M-118a. Its title was "235 HORSE POWER 312 CUBIC INCH HIGH 0UTPUT ENGINE (1956 Cars)". This kit used a single...
Overdrive and Power Window relays bench check
Gil's Garage Gil Baumgartner CTCI Authenticity Chairman Bench Checking Overdrive & Power Seat Relays The overdrive relay can be bench checked using a external voltage source. The large clips in this photo are from a portable...
Bench Check Window & Seat Motors
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman Window and seat motors can be checked on the bench with a power supplied from a battery pack, battery charger or jumper wires from a 6V or 12V battery which ever is applicable. Both motors have the same color...
Bench Check Ignition Coils
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman No doubt the ignition coil is one part that has been changed when it still has many years of service remaining. It is very simple to verify the condition of the primary and secondary circuits of the coil by...
Checking Pertronix with a Sun Distributor Machine
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman Above are three pictures using a 9V battery to check Pertronix. Attach a 9V battery with a clamp to the machine. Purchase a battery connector from Radio Shack that snaps on the 9V battery it has a red lead...
Battery Cables
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman The importance of good battery cables, clean connections and good grounds are sometimes over looked and cannot be over emphasized. Battery cables provide voltage and amperage for starting, ignition and all other...
Batteries
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman A frequently ask question is what type and where can I buy a battery for my Thunderbird. It is usually very simple to buy a correct battery in most any town that has a Interstate Battery Dealer. The original type...
Battery for 6v to 12v Conversion
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman When making a 6 V to 12 V conversion on a 1955 Thunderbird it is difficult to find a battery that fits the 1955 tray and hold down without modifications I have found that a Grp 56 12V battery fits the tray and...
Checking Operation of Fuel & Temp Gauges
Gil's GarageGil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity ChairmanIt is very simple to check the temperature and fuel gauges that have been removed from the instrument cluster. The procedure is the same for 1955, 1956 & 1957 gauges. Use a good 6 Volt lantern battery and hold...