TALK 57 Forum

I have a 57 63 A Victoria.  It is a D code car meaning it has a 312 thunderbird special. It has a 2bbl carb on it.  My research on 57.com tells me these should have been 4bbl's.  Were any sold with 2bbl option?

2nd question- Was the 4 bbl manifold and carb  on the 312 interchangeble in 56 and 57 or were they different?

Simon: As far as I know, all D code cars came with a 4 bbl & dual exhausts. However, a dealer could have altered the car to a 2 bbl I suppose, but more likely it was done later to avoid a rebuild on the carb or for economy reasons.. The 56/57 intakes were interchangeble, but were not the same. The 1957 manifolds were new for 57, with the later bolt pattern, usually featuring the later style Holley 4150 carbs. Some may have had the Autolite style carbs & Mercs normally used a Carter model.. Note; 1957s use a later Distributor also, which has full vacuum & centrifical advance. 1954-56 Distributors (called Loadomatics) are a specific design for the earlier Ford & Holley carbs & are not suitable for the later model carbs... Lastly, it's possible after 50 years that your car has had an exchange engine put in it, which may not be a 312...? ( However, it's not the end of the world if it's a 292 !) Unfortunately, it isn't readily checked with the engine in the chassis. Ford's engine casting numbers do not tie in directly with the Vin #... it's a long story so I recommend you go John Mummert's Y-block site for engine I.D. info. At www. ford-y-block.com . Hope this helps- Paul

"D" code engines all came with a 4 bbl carb. You had somebody switch intakes  sometime since the car was born. tbirdman