1956 T-Bird Overdrive Automatic Conversion?

[Diversified]

I have a 1956 T-Bird that is coming into the shop for a restoration, and I normally shy away from Ford projects, but who can resist taking on this body style car?

We are planning on keeping the car mostly stock, but we are wanting to make it highway and regular use friendly, so I am looking at doing an automatic overdrive conversion from the original automatic.. Has anyone done this on here that would have details and a parts list.? I am also looking for a decent and factory looking electronic ignition conversion suggestion also.

This is a very decent car overall and was running when it was put away in this airport hanger, so the customer wants to go completely through the car and start all over, and I cannot complain with such a rust free car.

 

[paul2748]

I have some friends that did this conversion, but in a 57. Don't know if there is that much difference in the frames.

Use an early, non-computer controlled trans.

There will have to be some small frame mods for the trans to clear as reported by my friend.

That is all I know.

This guy sells a conversion kit

Bristol Services (Gary Croan)
949-722-1122

 

[SaintM]

A friend of mine had Bendtsen's install an Ford AOD in his 57, and he was thrilled with it. At the time his 312 motor was shot, and Bendtsen's had a rebuilt engine also. So both went in. The conversion kit costs $850. I drove my '57 to their shop and they would do everything including major mods to the frame, but the price was $5,000! This company is probably the best in the country when it comes to trannys. But at that price I stayed with my FordOMatic. Their website is transmissionadaptors.com.