1957 Ford Fairlane 500 exhaust

[1934clint]

I got a 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 with a Thunderbird 312 engine. My question is did they come from the factory with dual exhaust?

[dmsfrr]

All '55 to '57 Thunderbirds came from the factory with dual exhaust.

The left / drivers side exhaust manifold is a different shape than the one that was optional in 'full-sized' passenger cars.

[40 Deluxe]

Originally Posted by 1934clint

I got a 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 with a Thunderbird 312 engine. My question is did they come from the factory with dual exhaust?

I believe all '57 312 engines were called "Thunderbird" engines and all came with dual exhaust.

[dmsfrr]

.
The marketing dept used 'Thunderbird' as the name of a performance option package for passenger cars, to increase sales.

An original engine installed into or removed from a '55/'57 Thunderbird... the optional "Thunderbird" performance parts package... or just having 'Thunderbird' valve covers are not the same thing.

.

[KULTULZ]

i believe all '57 312 engines were called "thunderbird" engines and all came with dual exhaust.

'THUNDERBIRD SPECIAL' - 312ci

'THUNDERBIRD' - 292ci

[Gene F]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have often wondered what was differnent. Thanks

[Gene F]

My car is a Skyliner. It is a 292, and has a Thunderbird engine. Black valve cover and a Thurnderbird sticker on the valve covers. The 312s were known as Thunderbird Specials.

Another thing, just because the cylinders are bored out to give 312 CID that does not make it a true 312. The Thunderbird Specials had unique features. Be careful when buying a car.

[1934clint]

Can you tell me what the unique features are on a The Thunderbird Special?

[Gene F]

Oh gosh... I'm no expert but I'll go from memory. The valve train is different, the camshaft is different, the casting on the block is different (has a diff number on the block over the oil pan edge), the crankshaft is diff, and the bearing caps are diff. On some of the 312s the dip stick goes into the oil pan. I think all the 312s were four-barrel carb only.

My point is that just because someone tells you "it has the optional 312 engine" it may be a 312, but it may not be what you think it is. Do some research with someone that knows the ins and out of the 312s before laying out your cash.

I think there was a thread on here that had a hyperlink to a sheet that showed the differences, even down to the plant of mfg.

[1934clint]

Thanks for the information.

[paul2748]

312's in the sedans were almost the same as the Tbirds. One difference were carbs. Some sedans had Ford carbs (4100's) and Carters (only Holley's on the TBirds). The HP on both were the same (regular "D" engine 245 HP). I believe internally everything was the same. DMSFRR was correct - a marketing ploy.

[paul2748]

At least on the 54-57 Y's, no dipstick went into the oil pan (not familiar with later years but I doubt it). 1957 312's - HP was the same, valve train and cam were the same as far as I know. Blocks are all the same externally, later 292 Y's had HD blocks. All 312's had the same bearing caps. 312's came in one 4 bbl, 2 4 bbl's. and one 4bbl with supercharger. Casting #'s (engineering #'s) were the same except for date and foundry marking..


Did I make any mistakes ??

Originally Posted by Gene F

Oh gosh... I'm no expert but I'll go from memory. The valve train is different, the camshaft is different, the casting on the block is different (has a diff number on the block over the oil pan edge), the crankshaft is diff, and the bearing caps are diff. On some of the 312s the dip stick goes into the oil pan. I think all the 312s were four-barrel carb only.

My point is that just because someone tells you "it has the optional 312 engine" it may be a 312, but it may not be what you think it is. Do some research with someone that knows the ins and out of the 312s before laying out your cash.

I think there was a thread on here that had a hyperlink to a sheet that showed the differences, even down to the plant of mfg.

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by Gene F

. . .
My point is that just because someone tells you "it has the optional 312 engine" it may be a 312, but it may not be what you think it is. Do some research with someone that knows the ins and out of the 312s before laying out your cash.

I think there was a thread on here that had a hyperlink to a sheet that showed the differences, even down to the plant of mfg.

Some folks think all Y-blocks are 312's from Thunderbirds, especially if they're selling one.

Engine swaps between different versions of Y-block engines are very common after 60+ years.
Check the casting number on the block to help confirm it is what it 'should' be.

Here is a link to a page full of Y-block technical info... including how to ID a 312 engine.

http://ford-y-block.com/technical.htm

Be aware that some/most 312's built in Canada don't have the 'dot' on the rear crank flange that is used to ID 312's made in the US. But they do have ECZ cast into the main bearing caps.
.

[highbeams]

? If the dipstick doesn't go into the pan . . .? What . . . where . . . Thank you -

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by highbeams

? If the dipstick doesn't go into the pan . . .? What . . . where . . . Thank you -

The dipstick tube is mounted to the lower edge of the block. It goes thru the lower edge then into the pan.
At the front for 'full-sized' cars and about halfway back on the right side for '55/'57 T-Birds and many/most trucks. Some of the Y-Block engines in large HD trucks may(?) have had the dipstick mounted to a fitting on the side of the pan, but I don't have a photo or recall having seen one, but I don't usually crawl under big trucks either.

[Gene F]

I am glad to see I am not the only one that knows that the 312's can be not what most people think. To me know the difference, and selling the car without making it clear is equal to rolling back the miles. Just deceptive.

[KULTULZ]

What I want to know is how a very simple question about factory duals on a 57 FORD 312 turns into a thread that never seems to answer the OP's question.

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

What I want to know is how a very simple question about factory duals on a 57 FORD 312 turns into a thread that never seems to answer the OP's question.

Ok, I'll give it a try....

If you can zoom in enough at this link to a brochure for the '57 Fairlane... on the 'Facts for the Mechanically Minded' page at the top of the center column, it says the optional 245-hp Thunderbird 312 Special V-8 came with a 4-venturi carburetor, automatic choke, dual exhausts, Time-O-Matic distributor.

http://oldcarbrochures.org/United%20...Rev/index.html

This second link may be easier to read...
http://oldcarbrochures.org/United%20..._Rev-22-23.jpg

.

[Gene F]

My car has a tri-power and 292

[Gene F]

My car is 292 Tri-power