Yes, we are talking about two different steady rests here. You'll need to keep the ones on a bird, AND the Front mount also. The confusion from this topic for birds comes from the same name "steady rest" but different part-similar to the front mount on your bird.

       A  L  A  N   F  R  A  K  E  S   ~  Tulsa, OK    

I assumed the steady rests on T-Birds (with front timing cover and rear trans. mounts only, otherwise) were important, as my low mileage original '55 had a serious crack in one of the side-mount plates they attach to.

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

My 57 T-bird has the side steady rest. Is that what everyone is talking about. My t-bird has a single front mount and a single rear mount on the tail shaft of the trans. Both on the centerline of the drivetrain. If that is the same for the cars it would seem that the steady rods would be needed to keep the drive train from rockin when under a heavy torq load. Maybe I'm readin the question wrong just my two cents.

All of this discussion makes me feel better. I ran Y-blocks all during the 60's and then I kind of gave up the hobby in favor of tending to business. I never used the steady rests back in the 60's because I figured I didn't need them. I have 3 56 Fords that are original and I am in the process of installing an engine in one of them and had intentions of using the steady rest. The more I think about it, I think I will just forget about the steady rest like I did 40 years ago. I think the side motor mounts will keep the engine from moving around for as long as I will still be driving.

Kenneth

Fredricksburg, Texas

I don't believe I've ever seen a front steady rest on any y block car that's had the engine out. We've been running ours for 20 years now with no hint of a problem.

Wichita,KS

I‘ll agree with Gary in that you can do away with the front steady rest and never know that it was ever there.  I've been both ways on the '55 and '56 cars and it doesn’t appear to make a difference.  This particular item goes back to the clean slate engineering that took place when the Y was first introduced and was eventually found that it could be done away with.  And It’s definitely easier to install the engine back in its bay when it’s not there.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

the steady rest is useless unless you're in a concours auto show.

-Gary Burnette-

This is exactly my feeling. When putting the 312 in my 54, I used the steady rest. Can't hurt, may help.

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

Hello Jim,I believe these were installed to reduce engine vibration at idle and low speed.Apparently many were removed over the years with no ill effect.I put mine back together after I bought the car as the lower metal channel and rubbers were missing.I would think of it as an extra retainer for motor in the event one of the sidemounts let go.Might save you a radiator at some point.

  

I think that it is not necessarily needed, 57 fords did not have steady rest and the engine mounts are same as 56. At least I am not putting it back.

Tero from Nurmijarvi, Finland

56 Country Sedan, 61 F-100, 61 F-600, 55 F-620, 52 Mercury

http://www.dlc.fi/~teros

http://www.y-block.info

http://www.hollowheads.net

http://www.fordnationals.net