1957Birdman

Hi Tom, There is no video that I am aware of. The way to remove the radio is to pull the volume and station selection control knobs off. Next remove the wires from the back of the radio, including the wire for the antenna. Next is to remove the two nuts that screw on the front. There may also be a bracket on the back side of the radio under the dash. If so that needs to be removed. I forget if there is since I haven't removed the radio in 15 years. Most of the hard work is being on back looking up under the dash. This you can do from the passenger side, so there is a little more space. It is not particularly difficult, just cramped. Best regards, Lew Bachman 1957 T-Bird Colonial White

The other part of geography concerns the location of the show field. When it was changed to the old golf course it meant that people like me that only come on Saturday had a lot more walking to do to go to the various sales fields. Now I typically only go around and see the cars in the corral and that is about it. This is not a complaint about the current show field. Just pointing out decisions have consequences. Regards, Lew Bachman 1957 T-Bird Colonial White, DPC

Hi Ty, A little more information would be helpful. Is the car original or restored? Are the hoses original? Has anything been rebuilt (power steering pump, control valve, etc.)? My thought is that the control valve needs to be rebuilt. Of course, if the suspension is tired as TerryB notes above that can also be a factor. Best regards, Lew Bachman 1957 T-Bird Colonial White

It might be worth asking your body man how much it would cost for a color change. As I said In my previous posting, conforming to the data plate is not a big deal on a C or D code car. That is not the case with E and F Birds and for those I would stick with original color combinations. The only time I have seen a color change be a hit is if a non-standard or unusual color is used for the repaint. I will admit to being a little prejudiced about this since my least favorite T-Bird color is black. Driving a black car in the desert must make for a really "hot time". Regards, Lew Bachman 1957 T-Bird Colonial White

Hi Greg, Why are you worried about repainting the car black? On a "D" code car keeping it the original color or changing it does not affect the value much, if at all. If you like the pastel colors I would go this way. Repaint the body Coral Sand with a Colonial White Hardtop and go with the all white interior. I think that would be a super nice color combination and correct for the car. You could also go with a Dusk Rose body and a Raven Black hardtop and a black and white interior. Basically you have a blank canvas to go in a number of directions. My main recommendation is to keep the color combination to what would have come from the factory. Incidentally, AACA does not check the data plate for color code, so there would be no deduction there if you choose to sell the car. Just something to think about. Regards, Lew Bachman 1957 T-Bird Colonial White

Hi Greg, Try getting the kind of deal you got from the guy with the initials AM down in Plano Texas or the other T-Bird restoration shops. It isn't going to happen. I agree that you are getting a lot of car for the money. The fact that you are out in California makes a difference. The supply of cars is much greater where you are than on the east coast and without the rust problems, at least for the most part. I just don't see this 56 as a $3K car here on the east coast if it has both tops. Just like real estate, the three most important factors are location, location, and location. Lew Bachman 1957 T-Bird Colonial White

I should have said my guesstimate was based on whether it came with both tops. If it has both tops and since it has the engine that brings up its value to the $7 to $9K range in my opinion. As for the body, I will be willing to bet there is plenty of Bondo in it and that the inner rockers are most likely rusted out. It will also be a lot more expensive than $30K to restore it. All in all, I hope it goes to someone who knows what they are getting. Regards, Lew Bachman 1957 T-Bird Colonial White

Hi Dhoov'56, Welcome to the forum! Basically you have a parts car here. The fact that floor pans are missing (Fred Flintstone car) indicates there is probably significant rust to deal with. Does it have either (or both) a hardtop/soft top. That affects the value if either or both are missing. It looks like it was delivered with the following options: Ford-o-matic drive, Swift Sure Power Brakes, Engine Dress-up Kit, and Tonneau Cover. It looks like it is a black car with a red interior. You may want to copy down the information from the data plate on the firewall to confirm the colors and what district it was delivered to originally. As for value, that is affected by that fact that it is not a running car, which tops it has, and how significant are the rust problems. Without seeing the car in person, I would think you are looking at a $7K to $9K car tops. The sad fact is that it will cost much more to restore this car then the restorer would ever realize at sale time. Considering that the car is not rare is another factor. Best of luck with the sale, Lew Bachman 1957 T-Bird Colonial White

I have an original number of EDB 9430-A and replacement manifolds with numbers B9AE 9430-A and C1AE 9430-B. Hope this helps, Lew Bachman 1957 T-Bird

Have you replaced the hoses? They do deteriorate and that could be part of your problem. I will say that the steering of a 57 T-Bird has more play than a modern car with rack and pinion steering. If you haven't done it already check the Power Steering section (5-12) of the shop manual. It will help with your trouble shooting. Have you also rebuilt the front end? That can also affect the steering. Good luck with it, Lew Bachman 1957 Colonial White

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Ford had deviations on the data plate that aren't recorded in the 1949-1959 Ford Parts Book. For example some late 57 T-Birds have a number 6 or 7 between the color code and the trim code (the T-Bird uses the same data plate as your dad's car). It has been discovered after many years that the numbers refer to whether the hardtop has portholes or not. The 2 indicating reversal of colors certainly makes sense. When they were new I never remember seeing one that has the colors the way your car does. The ones that I saw all had the colors that a standard 2 tone Fairlane 500 would have with the darker colors on the lower body and the top. The quality of the paint job is much more important to getting top dollar for the car. I am sorry it has worked out this way. I hope you find a good buyer for the car. It definitely looks like a keeper. Lew Bachman 1957 T-Bird, Colonial White

I assume you mean the 239 CID Y-Block. Check out the following link. It is the manual for the Holley 4000 series carburetor and should give you the information that you need. http://www.squarebirds.org/carburetor/Holly4000/Holley4000_Teapot.pdf Best of luck, Lew Bachman 1957 T-Bird

Hi Greg, I would go with a Holley 4160. That is what I have had on my car since I bought it 23 years ago. They work fine. The carb is pretty much the same as the 4150 except that except that they don't have an adjustment block for the secondaries. No big deal as far as I can see. They are available new and rebuilt from places such as Hills, Prestige, etc. It definitely fits the stock air cleaner. Best regards, Lew Bachman 1957 T-Bird Colonial White

To quote Forrest Gump, "Stupid is as stupid does".

That is one movie I will definitely be going to see. Looks like a winner!!! Lew Bachman, 1957 T-Bird Colonial White

You want a thin or super thin 1/4 inch open end wrench. They are available online in various places such as eBay, Amazon, etc. Regards, Lew Bachman 1957 Thunderbird Colonial White

Picture of my car taken at the CTCI International Convention in Knoxville, TN. Lew Bachman 1957 T-Bird Colonial White

Hi Matt, Great car and in an unusual color. In fact, I don't ever remember seeing one in that color when they were new and I have seen plenty over the years and owned two. Now-a-days when it seems like people want cars that are painted the same color as their refrigerator it sure fits right in. Will make a very nice tourer if the new owner wants to go in that direction. Regards, Lew

According to the Ford 1949-1959 parts book an "M" (engine code) 1955 Ford was a 272 CID engine with a four barrel carburetor rated at 182 horsepower. Interestingly enough, that engine was only available with the Ford-o-Matic transmission. There was no four barrel option available with a stick shift car. The 272 CID engine with stick shift was rated at 162 HP. The 292 CID engines were only available in 1955 T-Birds and also for police applications. Regards, Lew Bachman 1957 T-Bird Colonial White

No, it wasn't. That option was standard on the 1955-57 T-Birds. It was discontinued after that. If you are looking at a car with a removable hardtop it is most certainly an aftermarket one. It is also probably on a hardtop car that had the hardtop cut off to make a convertible. I would steer clear of such a car unless all the work done on it is top quality. Regards, Lew Bachman 1957 T-Bird Colonial White

Hi Jim, Welcome to the forum. The short answer to your question is no, there is no such valve in the T-Bird brake system. Most likely the wheel cylinders are old and stuck. They will either need to be rebuilt or replaced. The T-Bird parts suppliers such as Prestige Thunderbird, CASCO, Hills, and National Parts Depot will have what you need. You should also go through the whole system to see the condition of the brake lines. If any one of them fails you have no brakes. Something to think about. Stay safe! Lew Bachman 1957 T-Bird Colonial White

Hi Matt, This is a great car for the price. Put bias ply tires on it and go win an AACA award. The interesting thing is that if it was a 1967 Camaro more often then not the six would be pulled and a V8 dropped in without any other mods. The Mustang is a different animal with a lot more mods required to convert to a V8 from the I-6. I owned a 1966 six cylinder convertible with an automatic and it was plenty peppy. Drive one and you will understand why Ford sold so many of them. Lew Bachman, 1957 T-Bird Colonial White

Hi John, The 1953-56 Fords and the 1955-56 T-Birds used the same power valve (p/n B5AZ-3A540-A). If you don't have one you can buy them from the T-Bird part suppliers which will be expensive because you will have to eat the core charge cost. Ebay is another option. It will cost over $200 to get one rebuilt. Hope this helps, Lew Bachman 1957 T-Bird Colonial White

Hi John, Rockauto provides this service. You send in your current one and they rebuild it. Most of the T-Bird parts suppliers also have them on an exchange basis. The will probably be more expensive than Rockauto, but either will solve your problem. Regards, Lew Bachman 1957 T-Bird Colonial White

Roger, It has been an inspiration to see you work on and complete your Mark II model. I took great interest in it as the Continental is one of my favorites and one of the best styled cars of the 1950's. Your persistence and perseverance in overcoming problems you encountered along the way was awe inspiring. The final result speaks for itself. It is stunning. Congratulations on a job well done. You are a craftsman's craftsman! Sincerely, Lew Bachman 1957 T-Bird