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By Florida_Phil - 5 Years Ago
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Is it possible to convert a 4V YBlock Thunderbird to a F Code look alike using modern or reproduction parts? If so, how costly is the conversion? It doesn't have to look concours perfect, just cool.
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By Oldmics - 5 Years Ago
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First you should realise all of the necessary parts to convert the engine for a blower.
This means lower compression heads,specialised intake system ,VR supercharger (not the Paxton) all of the necessary pulleys , oil lines , fuel filter, brackets,etc .
I dont see it happening for any less than 5-7K Providing your seeking period correct parts (not concours items)
Just my opinion.
Oldmics
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By NoShortcuts - 5 Years Ago
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Phil. On the Phase II F code 'Birds, Ford employed a fuel return line from the engine compartment to the fuel tank. This was not used on the passenger car F code vehicles. The reason for the fuel return line was to cool the fuel because of the underhood temperature of the 'Birds compared to the passenger car applications. Vapor lock was the problem without the return line that kept the fuel circulating.
Oldmics and I have a mutual friend who is installing an original F code set-up on his D code 'Bird. It is AMAZING the differences in making the conversion from D code to F code on the 'Bird to include the installation of the fuel return line mentioned above. 
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By Cliff - 5 Years Ago
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Easiest way is to go with a VS 57 setup (McCulloch), you can keep the high compression heads, blowers are about the easiest thing to find, the hard parts are the brackets and pulley, look to spend about $3000.00 for something like this if you do the labor and a lot of looking.
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By miker - 5 Years Ago
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This is the ‘bird, with an SN series Paxton. It uses the extended pulley so it fits the brackets for a VS McCullogh. Single speed, no split pulley. Depending on engine compression, and what you want to spend on fuel, figure around 5lbs at 5000rpm. I ran less.
This is the F code clone motor in my Roadster, passenger car style, brackets from Pegleg Rice
I’ve got a variety of odd supercharger parts, including the whole set up for the bird and a rebuildable rebuildable VR 57. I just sold the Don Antilla reproduction brackets for a bird to a well known restoration guy. None of this is for sale. But with all respect to Cliff, I think he might be a little light on the dollars by the time you add in the fuel regulator, lines, etc, I ran a boost retard module.
PM me if you want more pictures to help in your search. Someone, I think Cliff, had a picture up of an original McCullogh set up on a bird. Driver side mount. Might search for that too.
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By Cliff - 5 Years Ago
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Hi, I currently run a VS 57, I remake pulleys and some brackets, I am putting together now a 1957 Fairlane 500 .060 over 312 (yes with a 312 block), 113 heads, Howards cam (by Donnie Johansen), I do not use a fuel pressure regulator, I boost the back side of the fuel pump, Blowers cost about $500.00-1000.00, I sell the lower pulleys for $285.00, when I have brackets (set) I get $1500.00, bonnets are about $150.00 (hard to find), I use a commercial air compressor belt, normally I will use a 650 Holley DP (4777 stock no mods), I also run a vacuum advance (important), the best blower that I like to use, is a SN 2000 or newer back half with an VS 57 front end (variable pulley) this takes a little work to do, with this setup I get 10 LBS in the intake manifold (not in the hat), also with the variable pulley I get more boost at lower RPM than without.
PS I have been running and building these blowers for about 24 years (I make and sell some parts to pay for my hobby)
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By miker - 5 Years Ago
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Cliff, back in 2003 when I did the SN, I was told there was someone around that could do the SN/VS alteration. I talked to everybody I could find, but I couldn’t find you. Darn, that’s why I settled for the extended pulley. Your pricing is very reasonable.
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By Rono - 5 Years Ago
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Mike;
I sent you a PM a couple of days ago.
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By miker - 5 Years Ago
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Got it this am and replied.
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By PF Arcand - 5 Years Ago
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Pegleg, aka Frank Rice, former operator of Rebop Castings, recently posted that he has some supercharger parts available again currently... (just for info)
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By charliemccraney - 5 Years Ago
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Frank's post.
http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic146716.aspx
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By pegleg - 5 Years Ago
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Clff.
Not former, still am making parts to order. No longer stock much, too expensive to leave on the shelf
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 5 Years Ago
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At one time Don Antilla reproduced the T-Bird blower mounting bracket and the inlet and outlet blower hoses. Don't know the status now. I think it was Frank Grubbs who reproduced the air cleaner housing.
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By Florida_Phil - 5 Years Ago
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I just read an article about 1957 F code cars. The article discussed the first 100 cars and provided a breakdown by model. Was that all the F code cars they made? I thought I read there were about 200 produced in all. Every car show I go to someone says they knew someone who had one. I didn't think they were that common. Didn't they build two 1956 TBirds with that motor for Daytona Beach?
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By pegleg - 5 Years Ago
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The information I've been given said there were close to 1,100 F codes built.
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By Florida_Phil - 5 Years Ago
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Amazing. I had no idea there were that many produced. I have seen two so far. One was a convertible and the second was a Custom.
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By pegleg - 5 Years Ago
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To answer the original question, If you can find a VR57 (or 58 ) supercharger, everything else is available as a reproduction. Not cheap!
The photo of Johns car (Hoosier Hurricane ) and my red car are both reproduction F code. Both are currently raced. Pat Flieschman in Lubbock Tx will rebuild you VR
Blower for you. He has and / or makes all the parts necessary. Don Antilla has T'bird Brackets. I make pulleys and bonnets.
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By Rono - 5 Years Ago
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I don't know if he is still making them, but Gord McMillan (REX Performance) made a complete supercharger kit (you had to provide the blower) for the VS-57. All of his brackets were cast aluminum and of his own design. It also uses narrow tooth pulley's and belt. I had the set-up but sold it all because it wouldn't fit in the engine bay of my 37 Ford coupe project.
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