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By Coyotes bird - 8 Years Ago
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I will get to this project this winter.
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By NoShortcuts - 8 Years Ago
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Having successfully done a '56 'Bird previously, you know better what's ahead than most likely do.
My understanding is that while '55 and '56 'Birds appear very similar, there are many differences in the 'bones' of the two. The change in the thickness of the steel used in the frame sections from the first year to the second would be an example.
Several acquaintances here in the Northeast have emphasized the wisdom in obtaining as complete, correct, and 'solid' a car as possible. Their point has been that while more expensive to obtain, you'll expend far less time, money, and effort in accomplishing the restoration.
There are a number of 'Bird owners who are Forum members. Perhaps they'll be able to be of particular help as you work through your undertaking. Actually, anything that's y-block or y-block vehicle related, there are an amazing number of knowledgeable and helpful owners that are quick to share their hands-on experiences.
Best Wishes with your project, Coyote. 
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By slumlord444 - 8 Years Ago
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I'm close to getting my '57 Bird running again after starting a nice driver restoration several years go. One piece of advice I have is to restore your old parts rather than replace with reproduction parts wherever possible. Repo stuff is just not usually near the quality of the original parts.
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By Coyotes bird - 8 Years Ago
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Thank you guys for all the info. After restoring the 56 Bird. I'm going in another direction on this car.This car is going to be a complete driver. Not that 56 isn't. This car is our of Southern California.No rust, no bondo, 100% stock. I have collected NOS parts for over fifteen years. This will not be a body off restoration. But ever part on the car will be done as desired. This will not be a race. but something that will be a little different. I have all the parts to put a McCollough Supercharger on the cacr. car.     .
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By Cliff - 8 Years Ago
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Hi, wrong air cleaner, if you need the lower pulley I make them. (285.00, you will have to fab the cross bar), air cleaner for that car is a straight tube that bolts to the back of the engine (cross ways) the filter is inside (easy part to make) 
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By Coyotes bird - 8 Years Ago
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Hi Cliff. Yes I know the air cleaner is not for this car. I was looking to use it. But is too big. I have the cross tube air cleaner. I have a the pulley set on the engine. But one pulley is for a 3/4 belt. Not sure this will work. I'm going to lock the variable speed pulley on the Supercharger. I don't need the boost. I need to get a carb bonnet and I will have all the parts. I do have two real nice McCollough Superchargers to work with. Some parts that won't fit my Bird. Send me pic's of your pulleys
   Loren
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By Ted - 8 Years Ago
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If using the Teapot 4V carburetor you have pictured, it will need somemodifications in order to boost reference the secondary diaprhram so it will open when subjected to ‘boost’ from the supercharger.
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By Coyotes bird - 8 Years Ago
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Thank you Ted. I will need some help in getting things to run right. I'm not going into boost. I will lock out the variable speed pulley..This is for more show than go. This car is not a hotrod. I just want something a little different. I would love to have you as a source of information if you are willing. I have other cars that are hot rods.   
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By Coyotes bird - 8 Years Ago
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Sorry Ted if I lost you. I was just trying to show you that I can walk and chew gum at the same time. I just love cars. BUT. I would appreciate your input!!
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By Coyotes bird - 8 Years Ago
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By Coyotes bird - 8 Years Ago
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Thank you Roger. I have done over 20 cars in my last 55 years. I love all cars. One of my friends said one day .(you are like a whore, you do them all) I even restored a 1957 BMW Isetta. Just loved that little car. I had more people look at that car than just about all the cars I did. They loved it. The 55 Bird will be a driver. Not a show car. I'm kind of turned off with that stuff. My 40 Willys is for nostalgia drag racing. Not a show car.
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By Coyotes bird - 8 Years Ago
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Ted. How do I go about modifying the carburetor? Is it something I can do? Or do I have to send it out. I'm not planning on going into full boost. Do I still need the modification?
Loren Porsch
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By Ted - 8 Years Ago
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Coyotes bird (9/10/2016)
Ted. How do I go about modifying the carburetor? Is it something I can do? Or do I have to send it out. I'm not planning on going into full boost. Do I still need the modification? Loren Porsch
If the supercharger is not going to be functional, then boost referencing the secondary diaphragm pot on the carb will not be necessary. If you do decide to make the supercharger have some boost, then I do have any easy mod to the carb that will allow the secondaries to work while under boost and not require the extensive modifications that are performed to the original carbs. Just give a shout back if you decide to go the boost route at which point I'll work up some kind of pictured tutorial.
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By Coyotes bird - 8 Years Ago
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Thank you Ted for getting back to me. I will get back to you when I am ready for the carburetor modification.
Thank you again. Loren Porsch
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