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lex446, I believe that most of the guys here will verify that your diaphragm has a hole or tear in it, and the fuel pump requires a rebuild or replacement.

khc49, I've had the same issue on my 55, which is original. Changing to a 12 volt system won't change the problem. You will have to take each loose bulb socket and bend each of its grip fingers a bit wider, to make a tighter fit in the hole the bulb socket fits in to. This will take time and...

kyle, Many Ford products used the same trannies for all years, and I suspect that your gear drive for the speedometer has the incorrect number of teeth. There are 4 different speedometer gears for 55-57 small birds, each having 19, or 20, or 21, or 22 teeth. I suspect that you require a...

duffer, I've worked in a collision/antique auto restoration shop, and still do once and awhile. It can be straightened, but the shop will need the car as well to be able to match contours as they do the metal reshape. This job could take hours just to get it right, and then you still face the...

Freoway, I don't know, but is it possible that the kick down switch could be on the engine side of the firewall, on the linkage to the carb kick down? I only suggest this as I can't picture any place on the inside of the car where a kick down switch would go. Good Luck getting it all squared...

duffer, I haven't done so myself, but I've considered it over the years. Hill's Thunderbird Center shows floor pan heat shield (order part # TAC-17) on page 121 in their 2011 catalogue (hard copy) for $38.90. They have their 2008 catalogue online for download so you can see what I'm referring...

duffer, Congratulations and welcome to the family! I don't know if you've been on many car forums or not, but this one has very little traffic compared to many of the others I follow. That said, ask away, and if anyone feels confident of answering your questions, you will usually get a...

vintagestg, Several things come to mind far before looking at the axle assembly. Are you running stock wheels and hub caps/wheel covers or have installed aftermarket wire wheels and spinners? We had a 56 that wire wheels were installed on, and found it necessary to modify the wheel spinners...

agm1955, Are you sure that the Y isn't a "V", as the "V" would be the Body Style for a small bird? Raven Black with white trim is correct. As for the rest, the code pages I have are from a parts supplier and nothing else lines up as to answering your questions. A search online for Ford Data...

CaptBatty, Try Hill's Thunderbird Center as their catalogue lists that they have parts cars, as well as used parts in stock. Online they are at thunderbirdcenter.com, or call 800-562-1955.

SaintM, The trim is added after the rubber and glass have been installed. Typically it can be pushed back into the seal by hand pressure and careful prodding with a rubber mallet. You might try lubing the rubber seam, where the trim inserts, with a mild soapy water solution to defeat the...

UncleAl, Thanks for the heads up. I've been considering doing the conversion on my 55 for some time and will certainly keep this in mind.

Freoway, Most of the parts suppliers for TBirds have online catalogues, but printed ones as well. Hill's, the supplier I referred to on my last post, certainly do, and an email to them may get them to send one your way. The catalogues include factory exploded diagrams of the different...

Lloyd, My 55 is in storage at present, the building surrounded by 4 foot high snow drifts. Needless to say, I really can't give you an answer without taking the steering wheel off the car, and with this cold that's not going to happen any time soon. What I can give you is an email address for...

Gentlemen, I'm considering adding a 6 volt pusher fan to the front of the radiator on my 55. Anyone gone this route? Which make, fan size, thermostat control, over ride switch, relay, and what kind of results did you see? Many thanks!

Terry, All they should need to do is match up the bit size and drill the proper depth in the hinge pieces, so the price shouldn't require a lot of labour time. Fingers crossed!

Terry, A check of the parts suppliers' catalogues that I have state that "some machining may be required" to install the new pins. With that requirement I would assume that any competent machine shop should be able to do the job for you with no problems. In other words, it must be a simple job...

mercoupe50, I worked in a shop that specialized in small birds for a number of years, and we often found that the switches were either out of adjustment, or that the internal contacts were dirty. A clean up with spray contact cleaner and small brushes worked wonders after the switch was opened...

edmlynek, You certainly can sell the parts, but I would suggest that you hang on to them for the next owner of the car, if he wishes to put it back to stock. Some buyers would find them a real plus if included in the sale. I know I would. I bought a new Corvette in 1977 and replaced the cheap...

tomelleriaj, My past dealings with Hill's Thunderbird Center, Racine, Ohio, (1-800-562-1955), leads me to believe they have a source of used parts on site, and may well have the linkage you are seeking. Recently I gave another forum member here this source for a part not listed in their...