Phil, there is a 3-2 setup for sale on Fordbarn, Edelbrock manifold, carbs, fuel block, air cleners

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Thanks.  I asked for pics.   Do you think these can be made to clear a 55 Thunderbird hood?

Near as I can tell from previous pictures, there was no hood modifications to clear the custom air cleaner on the Spencer car.

Here’s a start on reasearching that car, but it really would deserve a thread of its own.

https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2013/08/09/a-bird-in-the-hand-both-doane-spencer-thunderbirds-head-to-auction/

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Looks a little rough, but I've seen worse.  The Stromberg carbs are a lot taller than Holley 4Vs.

That's a 354 so you may not want that.

355 with no carbs here, http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic141247.aspx
The 357 in that listing is now mine but it sounds like it was in a T-bird.


Lawrenceville, GA

I think an Edelbrock 257 Intake with two 500 cfm AFB style 4V carbs mounted inline would provide the best compromise between 1960s looks and street performance on my TBird.  Mounting two Holley 4100s with the assorted linkage required would be too troublesome. WCFBs look to be too tall to clear the hood.  I don't think 3/2s will clear my hood either.  They look great on some cars.  In my opinion, not so great on a 55 TBird.

I assume you can buy a 257 intake for $500 or so?  The carbs would run about $350 each.  If you could find two AFBs worth rebuilding, you may get off cheaper.   Throw in another $100 for linkage and you may spend $1,200 without the air cleaners and adapters. We could machine our own adapters to make them as thin as possible. Hood clearance could be issue, but dual teapots look taller. 

Throttle response should be OK. I doubt the secondaries will ever open.  Any opinions?

You thinking about a couple 1403 or so Edelbrocks?

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Dual teapots clear the hood on my '56 Bird, but they have the Bird linkage with reversed carbs.  Reversed carbs would put the bowl of the rear carb more to the rear, and it still clears the scoop at its shallowest point.  I should add that I have 1/2" spacers under the carbs.  I don't have an AFB to compare, but in my mind they are shorter than the 4000s.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

A friend I see quite often had a 55 Bird in high school with an Offy manifold and 3 97's. I don't know about air cleaners but it all fit under the the hood. That was back in 57. 

Ted is right about wanting multiple carbs, you just want them. I"ve got a brand new Blue Thunder in the box along with a New Summit carb and won't give up my dual quads. Even tho I have the big red Purolater air filter from 1956 (probably worth more than the car) I can't tell you the inside satisfaction I get when someone looks at the 2 wing nuts on the top and then bends over to look under the air cleaner to see 2 four barrels... It's the same feeling I get with an E code 57 Ford, a Golden Commando 57 Plymouth or 57 Merc... there is nothing like  multiple carbs. The only difference for me is there are damn few 56 Fords.

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

Can't comment on hood clearance  issues, but if going with Tri- Power & wanting any sort of performance improvement, "pass" on the Offenhauser intake. Ted's testing of 7 Tri Power setups rated that intake dead last!.. They sold well in their day, based on the storied reputation of Fred Offenhauser (Sr.) but the Y-block intakes were not built by his company, but by a relative's company with the same name..      


Paul