314:  My understanding is that 292 equipped '55, and 312 equipped '56, and '57 Mercs with either standard three speed or three speed with overdrive transmissions (Borg Warner T-85s) OR MercoMatics used a 16 spline output shaft.  These were large diameter output shafts!  My surprise is that the standard trans and the automatic used the same driveshaft yoke for these three years of Mercury y-block applications.

All of the '55, '56, and '57 Birds with FordoMatic that I've worked with have had the same small diameter output shafts that I've also seen in Ford passenger cars and station wagons of that same vintage...

Hope this helps.  


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

I understand.  According to the Patent Plate on the car, it originally came with a 292 and a 3 speed transmission.  The guy I bought the car from claimed it was a 292 and said that was what he was told when he bought it.  I find that hard to believe since he owned it for 23 years.  He knew it wasn't the original engine.  Since a PO installed the 239, I have no idea where the Fordomatic came from.  I will try to identify what it is.  I have a lead on a 1956 Thunderbird 292 just an hour away that is currently installed in a '37 Ford street rod.  It has 3 deuces and a worked up cam but he has the 1956 Thunderbird intake manifold for it.  It is a strong running engine according to owner.  He will take me for a ride in the rod to see how the engine runs before I buy it.  W20hat do you think would be a fair price for a complete running T-bird engine?  I know I can buy a completely remanufactured 292 long block for $2,000.

Zuburg:  Ideally, the owner of the street rod is a motor head and understands and appreciates your position as a guy looking for a good used engine.  If he does, he won't be offended by your need to determine the condition of what he's offering to sell you.

Going for a ride in the '37 is a good starter.  Pay particular attention to the oil pressure gauge readings when the engine starts up cold and what it reads at normal operating temperature.  Note the oil pressure gauge readings at idle and when going down the road at different engine operating speeds up to 50 mph.  Listen to the sound of the engine exhaust pipe(s) at idle;  listen for an errant change in sound at idle.  IF the engine seems to run okay from your test drive, I'd work with the owner to arrange to have a mechanic do further diagnostic testing on the engine for you. 

In your circumstance, I'd  turn to an auto repair shop you're familiar with or one recommended to you for engine diagnostic work.  You need an experienced tech. that has the equipment and knowledge to do a vacuum, compression, and cylinder leak down test on the engine you're considering buying.  This testing will tell the condition of the piston rings and valves.  The oil pressure readings you gathered from your ride will depict the condition of the engine crankshaft and connecting rod bearings. 

Since the owner of the '37 is an hour away from you, and since the car is unique, you may need to have the tech you employ travel to the owner's residence to do the testing on site.

All of what I'm suggesting you have done is to determine the condition of the engine which relates to what it's worth.  Last November I had a knowledgeable car guy offer to sell me a used '56 Merc engine he's been sitting on for $1,000.  His selling point to me was that it needed nothing (guaranteed!) and the rebuild I was contemplating on another engine was going to exceed 2K in my machining costs, replacement parts, and gaskets.  IF I were in your circumstance, the offer of a complete, needs nothing, never rebuilt 312 engine, from someone I know personally, would appeal.

IF the previous owner converted your '56 'Bird from standard trans. to Fordomatic, it's likely that you've got a passenger car Fordomatic.  When I did this years ago on a '57 'Bird, I fabricated a bracket to weld to the passenger car valve body control lever to permit connecting the 'Bird shift rod.  The trans I used was out of a '57 292 equipped station wagon.  The transmission kickdown lever required no modification to work properly with the correct 'Bird throttle linkage bellcrank.

There are some very knowledgeable participants on this Forum and numerous '55 - '57 'Bird owners.  Others may chime in with their thoughts.     


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

Zuburg:  You indicated that the engine in the '37 is of T-Bird origin.  IF it is, it may have a number of 'Bird-only parts on it that have re-sale value.  Although the basic engine is the same, most people do not realize the extent of specialized components that go into converting a passenger car y-block for use in a baby 'Bird.  - As an example, there are two N.O.S. 'Bird crankshaft vibration dampers (front pulleys) presently on eBay.  One is advertised for $699, the other for $750!  A good used one should bring a part of that amount.

I've attached a link to a Forum thread a month ago that includes Charlie Brown's list of component differences between a '57 'Bird engine and a '56 Mercury passenger car y-block.  [Ha!  I failed to include the change in '57 to the spin-on type oil filter from the  '56 Ford/Merc canister type oil filter unit]
http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic117400.aspx

Hope this helps.  


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York