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Old 09-16-2020, 12:46 PM   #1
PKW181
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Default Stock 57 Fairlane 500

Hi All,
In the process of buying a very nice 57 Ford 2dr/HT. The car has a 292 with 2 bbl carb with auto trans and single Exhaust.
I want to convert it to duel exhaust with Smithy muffles and also considering going to a stock 4 bbl carb.
Would a stock 292 have any problems handling 4 bbl and would it be an improvement?
Also what length of mufflers would have the best old school sound?
Just shooting for a old school cruisier for club runs.


Many thanks for any information or thoughts on this.
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Old 09-16-2020, 01:20 PM   #2
Dobie Gillis
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Default Re: Stock 57 Fairlane 500

As long as you don't overcarb it by much it'll work fine. I wouldn't go much over 500 CFM with a stock engine. As for the mufflers how loud do you want it? Glasspacks run from about 12" to 30" or so. You might pick something in between and go from there. I like Brockman Mellow Tones, nice old school sound. Porters are another option. Smittys used to rust out pretty quickly but they may have improved them by now.
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Old 09-16-2020, 02:42 PM   #3
Lanny
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Default Re: Stock 57 Fairlane 500

The original poster has it right. They are Smithys, Not Smittys.




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Old 09-16-2020, 04:11 PM   #4
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Default Re: Stock 57 Fairlane 500

A stock '57 4bbl intake is an ECZ-9425-B
The inlet port size at the upper flange is made for the stock '57 carbs that were approx 400 cfm. Slightly smaller than most(?) later carburetors, their throttle plates may catch on the openings. Staying with a small 4bbl, and a heat isolating spacer, should be fine.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg ecz-b '57 casting number c.jpg (57.8 KB, 7 views)
File Type: jpg carb spacer.jpg (43.9 KB, 7 views)

Last edited by dmsfrr; 09-16-2020 at 05:10 PM.
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Old 09-16-2020, 05:22 PM   #5
Daves55Sedan
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Default Re: Stock 57 Fairlane 500

My understanding of the reason for wanting a 4-bbl over a 2-bbl is that during normal driving, you really only have the front two venturi's operating (like a 2-bbl), but if you stomp on it, the 2nd two venturi's kick-in and allegedly increase acceleration far better than a 2-bbl (but they suck a lot of gas during 4-bbl operation). So the only difference in performance is during hard usage. If you want to go to the races, a 4-bbl is the way to go, or even more extreme, put a blower on it.
I don't like Smithys straight design muffler tone. I have Thrush cherry bombs under my '55 and they make the Y-block sound better than anything else. Just my opinion, but Smithys has a milder tone.
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Old 09-16-2020, 05:32 PM   #6
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Default Re: Stock 57 Fairlane 500

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If you want to keep the engine period correct, Ford did offer a 292 in '57 with 4-bbl & dual exhausts in some passenger cars. I think all the T-Birds had the 312 with 4-bbl & duals and they had a special air cleaner. The cars did not have the T-Bird air-cleaner, but they had a can type like the 2-bbl carbs.
You might want to do some research. I know that the '55/56 full-size cars that had the 4-bbl teapot and dual exhausts had "Thunderbird Special V8" rocker arm cover decals as well as a dual-diaphragm vacuum distributor (but that was for the load-o-matic system which was discontinued at the end of the '56 model year.
If you do make those changes, The engine code on your VIN will no longer match for what you have installed, but that goes without saying.
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Old 09-16-2020, 06:11 PM   #7
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Default Re: Stock 57 Fairlane 500

I run a Edlebrock 500 cfm on my 292 with no issues:





I also run turbo mufflers with an X-pipe. It sounds nice from behind but comfortable enough to run on the highway without that annoying exhaust drone.



There is a lot of '57 info on 57fordsforever.com and I'm sure all of us here would love to see pics of your new ride!
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Old 09-16-2020, 06:22 PM   #8
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Default Re: Stock 57 Fairlane 500

If your engine is the original 1957 292, it has the desirable "ECZG" large-valve heads/w 69cc combustion chambers. A 1957 "B" 4-bbl intake manifold would be a good addition. You can find a Holley "factory refurbished) 1848, 465 cfm carburetor on Holley's website. The carburetor is very similar to the original 1957 4-barrel carburetor/w heat choke. Holley's price is $284.99. Someone on this site, or y-blocksforever, might have a "B" manifold for sale, or check on ebay. The 1848 has 1.500" throttle-bore diameter. If necessary, the "B" manifold's 4-hole plenum can be opened up to clear the 465's throttle butterflys. By the way, the 292 and 312 engines, at least in Thunderbirds, used the same camshaft. A 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust will be an improvement.
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Old 09-16-2020, 07:34 PM   #9
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Default Re: Stock 57 Fairlane 500

"Ford did offer a 292 in '57 with 4-bbl & dual exhausts in some passenger cars. I think all the T-Birds had the 312 with 4-bbl"

All 292's in cars and T-Birds had a two barrel carb in 1957. There was no 292 4 barrel option.

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Old 09-16-2020, 08:03 PM   #10
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Default Re: Stock 57 Fairlane 500

From my memory, at least some of the 4-barrel carbs back in the '50s-'60s had smaller primary bores/jets than the two barrel carbs offered. This would give better mileage in cruise and more power if you floored it. I don't have the specs to confirm this, so maybe someone can confirm or dispute.
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Old 09-16-2020, 09:15 PM   #11
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Default Re: Stock 57 Fairlane 500

I had Cherry Bombs on my '57 Fairlane 500 20 yrs. ago . It was a 312 , & sounded great !
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Old 09-16-2020, 09:42 PM   #12
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Default Re: Stock 57 Fairlane 500

The 4-barrel primary throttle bores are smaller than a comparable cfm 2-barrel. If you keep your foot out of it most of the time, you might actually see better mpg with a 4-barrel.
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Old 09-16-2020, 09:48 PM   #13
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Default Re: Stock 57 Fairlane 500

Although they are not common, the 292 was offered in 1957 Thunderbirds. "C-code" 57 Thunderbirds came with 292s/w 2-barrel carburetors and manual transmissions. Most 57 Thunderbirds were "D-code"/w 312, 4-barrel engines. "E-code"/w 2x4-barrel 312, and "F-code"/supercharged 312.
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Old 09-16-2020, 10:18 PM   #14
Herman Munster
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Default Re: Stock 57 Fairlane 500

I have a 57 B manifold and 57 Autolite carb with PCV spacer on my 56 292. The PCV runs to a T-Bird valley pan. The carb was rebuilt by Sal late last year. I'm thinking about going back to the original carb and A manifold so I could sell it all for the right offer.
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Old 09-17-2020, 09:29 AM   #15
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Default Re: Stock 57 Fairlane 500

1957 was a good year for the small Y-blocks. Ford improved the engine a lot by just replacing the old Load-O-Matic carburetor and ignition set up. There were other improvements as well but the engine really needed a better spark control.
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Old 09-17-2020, 10:00 AM   #16
scicala
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Default Re: Stock 57 Fairlane 500

Quote:
Originally Posted by Herman Munster View Post
I have a 57 B manifold and 57 Autolite carb with PCV spacer on my 56 292. The PCV runs to a T-Bird valley pan. The carb was rebuilt by Sal late last year. I'm thinking about going back to the original carb and A manifold so I could sell it all for the right offer.
Herman Munster,

I have a couple of restored Holley 4000 teapot four barrel carbs if you decide to go back to the A manifold and original type carb. They are Holley # LIST 1161.

Sal
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Old 09-17-2020, 11:03 AM   #17
55blacktie
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Default Re: Stock 57 Fairlane 500

The Holley 350 cfm 2-barrel carburetor has the same size throttle bores (1.5") as the Holley 465 cfm 4-barrel. Go to Holly's website, enter a cfm, select a carburetor, and click on "Specs."
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Old 09-17-2020, 11:18 AM   #18
Herman Munster
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Default Re: Stock 57 Fairlane 500

Sal, I still have my original teapot so I would have you rebuild it.I didn't see any improvement running with Autolite 4100 and B manifold on my 292. I'm also using the later distributor with it.

I just want to put it all back like it was when it left the factory.

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Old 09-17-2020, 05:28 PM   #19
scicala
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Default Re: Stock 57 Fairlane 500

Herman,

If you do have your teapot 4 barrel rebuilt to use again, it can be easily modified to supply the right amount of ported manifold vacuum for the '57 and later distributors with centrifugal advance and vacuum advance. Would probably be better than going back to the original dual diaphragm Loadomatic distributor.

Sal
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Old 09-17-2020, 06:38 PM   #20
PKW181
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Default Re: Stock 57 Fairlane 500

Thank you everyone for all the help.
The car is stored at a friends house, waiting for a ride to AZ. Had him send the info on the body tag.


body-648, color-YE, Trim-T,
Production Code-13B-3025.
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