correct air cleaner

[59thunder]

My 1959 352 tbird came to australia missing the air cleaner centre lid and the carb .
I am replacing the carb and intake manifold using a edelbrock 2105 intake and a 670 avenger holley but i want to still have the appearance of a stock engine (air cleaner), could someone post a picture for me please of the correct air cleaner centre lid . and then maybe some suggestions where to find one.... ah the 1st of many questions!

I have a long way to go... can anyone tell me what it is like to drive one of these beauts?

:+

[Alexander]

RE: correct air cleaner

http://www.squarebirds.org/my59tbirdengine.jpg

Try one of the vendors on our links page on the main site to get a center for the air cleaner. The center interchanges with a lot of Ford products of this era.

Handling on these car is above average for a a 1950's era vehicle. Brakes are below average.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[JBird]

RE: correct air cleaner

I'm in love with your car. Mine is the same color and I hope mine turns out as well Alexander.

[JBird]

RE: correct air cleaner

do you know where I can get those hose clips for the a/c and heater hoses? Mine are missing. old rusty are ok. I also do chrome electroplating and zincating and copy-cad on small parts as a hobby.

[Alexander]

RE: correct air cleaner

Are you talking about the large clip on each side? I am not sure if they are reproduced. You certainly can get them used. Ask one of the vendors on our links page.

I just painted mine with silver cad paint. I would love to have them in the original finish.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[JBird]

RE: correct air cleaner

Yes the large clips and if anyone has some used I'll buy or trade parts for them. They are not made anywhere I could find. I'll try the vendors for repro or used.

[KULTULZ]

BEAUTIFUL!

Absolutely beautiful engine compartment detailing... ;-)

Where did you get the air cleaner and rockers covers chromed?

[KULTULZ]

One On E-BAY Now...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1958-1959-1960-FORD-THUNDERBIRD-AIR-CLEANER-59-60_W0QQitemZ110007424051QQihZ001QQcategoryZ34206QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Have someone here more familiar with the appearance verify it for you...

[59thunder]

RE: One On E-BAY Now...

Help is this lid correct? 180007350400

thanks:+

[KULTULZ]

RE: One On E-BAY Now...

It appears to be the same as on the assembly being offered;

http://i21.ebayimg.com/02/i/07/a9/1c/15_1.JPG

http://i15.ebayimg.com/03/i/07/b2/e3/dd_1.JPG

I would say yes but you had better wait for a reply from someone more familiar with the BIRD.

[Alexander]

RE: One On E-BAY Now...

The valve covers are original Ford chromed. They have never been re-chromed. I have recently learned that these are of early 1960's vintage. There was no chrome package out of the factory. When I bought my 1959 in 1981, since it already had the chrome valve covers, I decided to complete the chrome package as described in the VTCI rules at the time. I bought the chromed air cleaner from Bob's Bird House. The voltage regulator I had re-chromed by Chromemasters in Tallahassee, Florida. I don't think they exist anymore.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[KULTULZ]

RE: One On E-BAY Now...

>The valve covers are original Ford chromed. They have never
>been re-chromed. I have recently learned that these are of
>early 1960's vintage.

>Alexander

Yes, there was an engine dress-up kit available from FORD in 63/64 I believe using these closed older style covers. I thought the dress-up kit included only the THUNDERBIRD covers, but as usual you learn something everyday...

http://hotrodders.com/gallery/data/500/highperformancekits.jpg

[byersmtrco]

RE: One On E-BAY Now...

Ford did offer the chrome kit (according to W.Wonder's Rest Guide)
Years ago my dad found a set of orig FORD Vlv/covers. On Alexander's recommendation, I bought a chrome air cleaner from Bob's Bird house. I got the 62 style though. I know it's not quite correct, but I like the fwd facing snorkle. I also have a 62 type surge tank (better design).
The air cleaner in those pictures you posted is correct. i kept my orig one. I'm keeping all the parts I remove (Important parts that show.

Alexander, your eng does look great !!!!!!!

John

[byersmtrco]

RE: One On E-BAY Now...

Correction FORD (chrome) valve covers

[Alexander]

RE: One On E-BAY Now...

The notion that there was a factory chrome dress-up kit for the engine and and an exterior chrome dress-up kit has been called into dispute in recent years. They not listed in any literature from the period - not in the dealer's books, accessories catalogs, brochures, parts books -nothing.

Apparently what there was were some chrome replacement headlight bezels and windshield wiper bezels, apparently so they would match a car of any color if it need replacement from theft or damage. The engine dress-up kits were offered, but as shown by that advertisement they came a few years after Squarebird production ceased.

The VTCI concours rules are being revised. The chrome dress-up kits apparently will not be considered correct, but since there has been a thirty plus year tradition of considering them correct, my understanding is that there will be no point deduction for them.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top