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By RossL - 3 Months Ago
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I have a 55 Tbird with auto trans. I have a 57 intake manifold. I will use an Edelbrock carb. Can I retain the stock linkage and fabricate the arm from the bell crank to the carb?
Does anyone have any pictures of what they used for linkage?
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By paul2748 - 3 Months Ago
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I don't see why you cannot use the stock linkage although not familiar with the 55 linkage. It would seem that the only thing you may have to change is the rod going to the carb. I remember from another person who made a similar change that the height of the spot where the linkage bolts to the intake is different than a 55/56. If it is shorter, you may have to add a spacer.
If there is a problem with the 55 linkage, you may have to go with a 56/57 setup
The only other problem that you may encounter ( I don't know) is a different bolt pattern on the 57 manifold for the linkage to bolt to. In that case, aftermarket or 56/57 linkage or an adapter made will be needed
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By RossL - 3 Months Ago
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I have a 57 B manifold. I thought the bolt pattern for the bell crank looked (just eye balled it) a little different than the 55. Hopefully I can modify the holes to match the manifold. I am having the manifold blasted and opening up the intake flange, so I don't have it here to check
If I can retain the existing linkage I may be able to use the stock rod (see picture). OR just replace the rod that connects to the carb, with a threaded rod. What is the purpose of the spring loaded rod that connects to the carb? The spring expands when it gets to the end end of travel.
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By KULTULZ - 3 Months Ago
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The most important detail is going to be proper FM TV LINKAGE geometry.
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By paul2748 - 3 Months Ago
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I never could see the reason for the spring loaded piece. Some one here might know. It was dropped for 56 and 57.
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By FORD DEARBORN - 3 Months Ago
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This is just a guess but I think it allows further travel of the kick-down linkage beyond wide open throttle for the passing gear down shift or the overdrive kick down switch which ever may be appliable.
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By DANIEL TINDER - 3 Months Ago
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Maybe also to absorb the shock wear of aggressive drivers frequently mashing the carb/linkage mechanism so forcefully to its furthest extent (?)
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By RossL - 3 Months Ago
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FORD DEARBORN (8/4/2026)
This is just a guess but I think it allows further travel of the kick-down linkage beyond wide open throttle for the passing gear down shift or the overdrive kick down switch which ever may be appliable.
When I floor the car I can feel the extra movement required to move the kick-down is coming from this device
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By RossL - 3 Months Ago
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FORD DEARBORN (8/4/2026)
This is just a guess but I think it allows further travel of the kick-down linkage beyond wide open throttle for the passing gear down shift or the overdrive kick down switch which ever may be appliable.
When I floor the car I can feel the extra movement required to move the kick-down is coming from this device
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By KULTULZ - 3 Months Ago
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Have someone operate the throttle linkage (engine off) and see what the rod (spring) does.
The MPC calls for this rod for both ST and AT.
 I have a 1955 FORD-BIRD WSM tucked away somewhere in my COBWEB CORNER.
Let me hobble down and look through it.
I had a 55 BIRD, but that was in 1970
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By KULTULZ - 3 Months Ago
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You might want to read this -
While the Edelbrock carb is overall a great carb, the problem with our early birds is that the stock ( oh sobeautiful) air cleaner will not fit with the Edelbrock carb. It’s too high. there is a company that is manufacturing a replacement intake $$$$$$ manifold that allows clearance but IMO just stick with a replacement Holley and have it professionally tuned once on the engine. That’s the route I went and have no regrets. Starts and runs like new and 14+ MPG.
EDIT - 22 AUG
EDEL 1404 FUEL INLET POSITION
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By RossL - 2 Months Ago
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Installed manifold and new carb this week.
I used 3/16" spacers under the 55 bell crank. These were needed to clear the "B" manifold
I fabricated a link (copied from Joe Johnson) to eliminate the spring linkage, I now can confirm the spring linkage is needed to engage the kick down.
Because the Edelbrck is a wider carb I had to build out the rear fastener to use the Spring
For now I am using a Ford look alive 2" drop base air cleaner with a 1/4" spacer. I have about an inch of extra clearance, I might use a 1/2" spacer OR maybe I will source a 57 air cleaner..................
Right now I am in the process of dialing in the carb. Ni I am not driving around with Play Dough under the hood LOL
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By FORD DEARBORN - 2 Months Ago
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Very nice work looks great. IMO, that aircleaner assembly looks natural....
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By KULTULZ - 2 Months Ago
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- BEAUTIFUL WORKMANSHIP !!! -
" I fabricated a link (copied from Joe Johnson) to eliminate the spring linkage, I now can confirm the spring linkage is needed to engage the kick down." The 57 BIRD also uses a solid throttle linkage rod.
Wondering, were you able to get the TV adjustment correct with the 57 intake and 56 bell-crank?
That would be my worry.
I fell down on my promise to find the reason for that throttle linkage. I will still look and post the reason here at some point.
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By RossL - 2 Months Ago
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KULTULZ (9/11/2026)
- BEAUTIFUL WORKMANSHIP !!! -
" I fabricated a link (copied from Joe Johnson) to eliminate the spring linkage, I now can confirm the spring linkage is needed to engage the kick down." The 57 BIRD also uses a solid throttle linkage rod.
Wondering, were you able to get the TV adjustment correct with the 57 intake and 56 bell-crank?
That would be my worry.
I fell down on my promise to find the reason for that throttle linkage. I will still look and post the reason here at some point.
Talking with someone that knows the 55,56, 57 Tbirds...................the 57 uses a solid link, because the "spring action" is built into the bell crank. So it (57 bell crank) uses the same"concept" but it's not really obvious. When I used the solid link with the 55 bell crank there was not enough movement/leverage to engage the trans kick down. That additional spring action keeps pushing the linkage when the carb is fully opened. I can only guess they designed it this way to allow for wide open throttle without the downshift, giving you the option to stop applying pressure unless you need the acceleration/down shift.
After learning this I had to remove and "retire" the solid link that took me hours to fabricate............... When I installed the spring/link with the 55 bell crank my trans is now down shifting as expected
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By RossL - 2 Months Ago
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FORD DEARBORN (9/11/2026)
Very nice work looks great. IMO, that aircleaner assembly looks natural....
Air cleaner was $70 on ebay with a washable filter element. I didn't want to cut up a $500 repro 57 air cleaner that might not fit under the hood even if modded
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By KULTULZ - 2 Months Ago
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"After learning this I had to remove and "retire" the solid link that took me hours to fabricate...............
When I installed the spring/link with the 55 bell crank my trans is now down shifting as expected."
I really appreciate your coming back to explain that. I had no idea.
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By RossL - Yesterday
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I felt the dropbase air cleaner was trapping and holding too much heat since it shrouds the top 1/3 of the carb. I tried a 1/2" spacer and a "borrowed" 57 air cleaner but I think it's too close to the hood for comfort. I found this air cleaner on Amazon. The air cleaner (sits about 1.5" taller than the drop base) 12" oval sits inside the hood scoop and I still have at least 1/4" clearance. It sort of matches the theme of the valve covers. My car is NOT concours spec but I wanted something that "fit visually". I will have to wait for a hot day to see if it helps keep the carb cooler 
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By KULTULZ - Yesterday
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I think it looks great as to where you don't desire originality. Does the smaller ACL hide within the hood scoop (extra clearance)? And you are correct in a broad base/ and/or drop base ACL retaining engine heat not just around the carb body and also affects intake air temp. The BIRD has a high under-hood air temp to begin with. Below photo shows how to measure ACL to HOOD clearance with modeling clay -  |
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By KULTULZ - Yesterday
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I FORGOT -
NICE DETAIL WORK!
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