55 - 56 Parts Questions

[Guest]

I am currently rebuilding a 374 CID to go into my 56 400. It currently has a 5540 engine in it. Since some of the parts on the 374 are of questionable doubt I am wonders if the following items from the 55 will fit and if so are they the same:

1) Oil Pan - 56 has a hole in it

2) Oil Pump - don't know aout 56 but 55 is good, also pickup is bent on 56

3) Torque Conveter - the one in the 55 is fine, don't know about the 56 unit

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

The parts cataloug lists a different number for the 55 than the 56 oil pans. I have no idea what the difference is but i'm guessing they are interchangealble anyway.

The oil pump should interchange just fine. There are variations in the torque converters internaly.

[WCraigH]

I agree with PackardV8. The torque converter for the 56 400 had a slightly higher stall speed than the 5540, but is externally identical.

[Guest Randy Berger]

The 55 torque convertor has one edge over the 56. It does NOT have that damn wave washer in it. The wave washer will eventually split in two and go careening around inside the TC and tear up the turbine blades. Kanter now makes a kit to eliminate the wave washer for those of you who have a 56 that has not been converted.

YFAM, Randy Berger

[WCraigH]

Any way to ID a 1956 T-U with the "HD" washer wthout taking it apart?

[Guest Randy Berger]

Craig, none that I know of. If you aren't sure, then it probably has it. That was part of a 1956 upgrade that was an improvement except for that feature. It was designed to eliminate a "click" caused by the required end play. My rebuilder (a really good gearhead) recognized the problem and had the 55 parts to replace the 56 ones designed to accomodate the wave washer. We really knew it had to be replaced when we tore the torque convertor open to check the clutch and found the turbines chewed up.

YFAM, Randy berger