I have been driving my 56 Customline without the front steady rest for more that 15 years with no issues. Our 56 Ranch wagon still has the front steady rest , but I really don't see the purpose in it. I does come very close the transmission cooler lines and rubs in some places. I vote for removing the steady rest unless there is some good reason to keep it. Any thoughts? 

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

Joe-DC;
I guess terminology matters here and maybe Tbirds are different than passenger cars if your reference is to the birds. The front steady rest I am referring to bolts to the bottom of the timing cover and just rests on the front crossmember. It really isn't a "motor mount" per se in my opinion.

I removed my steady rest years on my 56 Customline which has a built 292 with dual quads and a T-5 and I have banged a few gears over the past 15 years without any issue. My wife drive's the Ranch Wagon pretty easy plus the transmission cooler lines come too close for comfort to that steady rest so I'm shelving it.

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

Steady rest vs engine mounts. 

On sedans (54-56) the steady rest was in the front, timing cover to frame.  They had engine mounts on the sides.  Rono is correct in that they are not considered to be engine mounts.

On 55-57 Birds, the steady rests (yes plural) were on the sides on the engine, where the engine mounts were on a sedan.  Engine mounts were at the front of the engine and at the trans.

Just to add to what Rono said.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ