My first pic posting

[Grumpy Rick]

Well, with my daughters help, this old guy finally got pics to work down in the test site, so here goes...

The Black '55 T-Bird is the car I have asked many questions about. With your help it is now running well, but still needs the new striker plates put on before anyone drives it again. That is my youngest grand daughter driving it. She and two others love it, and think it is cool. She is starting her second college year in the fall.

The Bird has a rebuilt 292 with minor modern touches like 12V, Pertronix, Edelbrock carb, and mild cam. Still fighting leaks in the PS and Trans, but they are better each time I drive it. The interior is redone in black and white, stock patterns but done in leather. The suspension needs a complete redo with HD sway bars etc.

The '56 Vickie was a frame off in 1990, using an '86 Merc 302 with EFI an AOD trans, and a 4:10 nine inch from an Edsel wagon. It is still pretty nice, but starting to show it's age a bit. It runs great on the freeway, but floats even after I put in new front springs, Koni's in the front and air shocks in the rear. I got it like you see 15 years ago, and put in the mentioned suspension stuff plus adding disc brakes in front.

It's the one that sprung a leak in the PS hose just as I was about to take it to a big show.

Just thought someone might like to see them, after all the postings I have made.

Thanks for looking.

[Alaska Jim]

Nice cars, like them both.

[scicala]

Both of you cars are beautiful Rick.


Sal

[dmsfrr]

Rick, very nice cars!

[miker98038]

Very nice, thanks for sharing.

[paul2748]

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Yup - nice looking cars

[mercman from oz]

Love your 55 and 56 Fords. Thanks for sharing.

[zoegrant]

Wish either my grand son or grand daughter had interest in my cars so I would then stop selling them ....
I especially love your Victoria...

[Ole Don]

WOW! Really nice pair you have. Good luck on striker plates, the system was filled with bad ones several years ago. Turn over the new ones, there should be no void cast in the back side. If there is one, send it back.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Ole Don

WOW! Really nice pair you have.

...uh ...


You might want to re-word that ...

[Grumpy Rick]

Ole Don,

I am beginning to wonder about the original strikers. I got a couple used originals from Dave, and they had the void. Maybe they made them both ways when new.

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by Ole Don

Good luck on striker plates, the system was filled with bad ones several years ago.
Turn over the new ones, there should be no void cast in the back side. If there is one, send it back.

Originally Posted by Grumpy Rick

Ole Don,
I am beginning to wonder about the original strikers. I got a couple used originals from Dave, and they had the void. Maybe they made them both ways when new.

I'm not trying confuse things even more, but...
Several weeks back after Rick's initial post about his broken '55 striker plate I saw a "NOS" set on epay for a decent price and ended up with them, to hold on to as spares. They came in what appears to be original packaging (unsealed) and there is a void on the back side between the 2 lower screw holes.

If there should be a FoMoCo mark on them somewhere there isn't. One has markings inside the void area, the other doesn't. Obviously they aren't an actual pair, they may not even be OEM ???
Maybe those bad re-pops are still around.

[poolplayer1]

Nice looking cars,both of them. I have a 52 customline and my 55 ranchwagon that I am still working on.As soon as I get some time,I will take pictures and post them here.
Mando

[56sedandelivery]

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

I'm not trying confuse things even more, but...
Several weeks back after Rick's initial post about his broken '55 striker plate I saw a "NOS" set on epay for a decent price and ended up with them, to hold on to as spares. They came in what appears to be original packaging (unsealed) and there is a void on the back side between the 2 lower screw holes.

If there should be a FoMoCo mark on them somewhere there isn't. One has markings inside the void area, the other doesn't. Obviously they aren't an actual pair, they may not even be OEM ???
Maybe those bad re-pops are still around.

Dang that looks like it is asking to break.

[Grumpy Rick]

About that 'void or no void' striker plate issue...I just found an illustration of an original one in my '55 Ford shop manual.

On page 197, it shows very clearly a striker plate WITH void. As I speculated earlier, perhaps different suppliers made them differently. If so, originals could be either way, but we now know at least some were with the void.

The old originals I got from Dave have numbers in the void, and a waffle pattern on the back side, like the manual shows.

I will repeat this on my striker plate thread for future use.

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Rick

. . . On page 197, it shows very clearly a striker plate WITH void. As I speculated earlier, perhaps different suppliers made them differently. If so, originals could be either way, but we now know at least some were with the void. . . .

I've got the same manual with the same illustration.
Now I'm happier about the open package two I got.
The one without any markings came in the red/white box with "Service Parts" printed on it, guessing it's a bit newer than the one in the paper envelope. It's slightly less discolored too.

Thanks Rick.