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By 46yblock - 13 Years Ago
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Aided by internet searches, it looks like the '55 Thunderbird 292 engine came in a P and M code versions, the M having lower CR and HP. I found that the station wagons of that year came with optional T bird engines. My '55 wagon's serial number starts M5RX. The way it looks it has an M code T bird engine, and was built at the San Jose, CA plant. If this is all correct, does someone know the specs for the '55 M code T bird cams? Internet searches didnt yield anything. The heads are ECG-C, 8.5:1, but I still havent been able to see the block ID. I think John M's site lists the ECG-C as being for a 272 with 4V. However according to Holley they never made a 4V for '55 272s.
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By MarkMontereyBay - 13 Years Ago
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Mike,
Take a look at this link I found last night. It shows C heads for 56 only and it comes back once for 1960 292's. Doesn't differentiate by by carb, only HP. Maybe that will point you towards something.
http://books.google.com/books?id=0gaA5cQXYPkC&pg=PA103&lpg=PA103&dq=ford+ecg+t+cylinder+head&source=bl&ots=suhyLBRydm&sig=KJsshHaH-dI-Egsuu04qnA3sR60&hl=en&ei=OTQRTrXNFY6usAP1lpTDDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CFQQ6AEwAjgK#v=onepage&q&f=false
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By 46yblock - 13 Years Ago
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Nice Link Mark, thanks. I didnt see any reference to ECG-C heads though. Maybe with a flashlight and mirror the block ID will show up from beneath the car. Does the wagon's serial number beginning with M really indicate it came with a T-bird engine?
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By MarkMontereyBay - 13 Years Ago
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Mike,
Yep, I mis-read it. Only T's and R's are listed. No C's.
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By Ted - 13 Years Ago
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Mike. The standard engine in the 1955 Thunderbirds was the P code 292. The M code engines for 1955 were the 182HP Specials which are four barrel equipped 272’s and would not have been factory installed in a Thunderbird. The engine codes for the 1956 models assigned different engines to the codes which is likely where some of the internet research gets mixed up. Here are the catalogue specs for the ’55 camshaft. IO – 12° IC – 54° EO – 58° EC – 8° 246° duration 0.360” lift
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By DANIEL TINDER - 13 Years Ago
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I am under the impression that 292s only came in T-Birds & police cars in '55. But, since Dearborn and Ford dealers were known to be much more flexible back in the 50s (before the japs invented forced packaging), just like knowing the local police chief could get you 292 Interceptor, I'll bet being related to a dealer might get you a wagon with 292/4V towing power? As for heads, when the guides wore out (as they often did quite quickly with 50s quality oil & careless service), it was sometimes at lot simpler/faster to just take a set off the shelf and swap them, so (like tires), few originals likely survive on well worn cars?
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By 46yblock - 13 Years Ago
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Daniel, I feel secure in saying that T-bird 292s were offered as an option on some models of wagon in '55. But on mine I found confirmation today that it is a 272, ECG block.
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By yalincoln - 13 Years Ago
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can you check the numbers on the carb base? holley shows they used list 957-1, 1074, both were supperceded by 1074-1. ( 55 auto. power pack kit fairlane, and station wagon, 8 cyl. eng. ). i'd like to know what the ford stamped letters are, should be ECK OR ECJ with a dash and one more letter, thanks. is your wagon automatic? also, my notes show vin code for 55 ford & t-bird are, M5-272-2bbl, U5- 272-4bbl, P5-292-4bbl. what are the casting numbers on the intake?
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By 46yblock - 13 Years Ago
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yaLincoln, I'll post the numbers tomorrow.
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By 46yblock - 13 Years Ago
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The '55 272 model 4000 is ECK 9510 T List 1074-1 . The chart of holley list numbers and applications which I have shows this as being for '55 292 Ford/Merc. Nothing shows up for '55 272. Just saw the question about intake casting number. Will have to check. The trans is an auto. The car VIN starts M5RX. Intake manifold is ECB 9425 B.
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By Ted - 13 Years Ago
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I’ll add this to the info already posted regarding the ’55 Holley 4V carbs. The Teapot carb number for an early production (Dec 1954) 182HP Special 272 would be Ford part number ECK-9510-D and Holley List 957-1. The Holley manual does list this carb for a 292 with no mention of a 272. Going to the Ford parts catalogue for the era shows both the 1955 4V 272’s and 292’s sharing the same list number 4V Holley carbs. In looking through the Ford parts book, I found no fewer than three different carbs available for the 182HP Special during 1955. The earliest carb (List #957-1) covered 4V equipped 272 engines installed before Dec 27, 1954, while the second carb covered engines installed between Dec 27, ‘54 and April 12, ‘55. The third carb covered 182HP Specials installed after Apr 12, 1955.
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By 46yblock - 13 Years Ago
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Thanks a lot Ted for the info. I took the carb over to a friends yesterday to help with the rebuild. It was a terrible mess having sat without the aircleaner for decades, but with hood in place. Mud wasps had completely filled the space between throttle shafts and choke blades. Ants had built their own house in the float bowl. After clearing all the junk out, all the shafts were nice and free.
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By 46yblock - 13 Years Ago
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The old 4V came out well: 
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