Over the years, there has been considerable conversation about just when did Ford decide to start manufacturing Squarebirds with the under the hood Bendix system instead of the under the dash KH system. From what research John~Jopizz, Dave~simplyconnected and I have done the following seems to be true. But we are not sure.
According to my limited research, the 1958 Squarebird had the KH under the dash bellows system on it, regardless if it had AC or not. Below I will post a copy from the '49-'59 Ford Parts Catalog and the Text Catalog. That same Text indicates that in 1959 Ford switched to the under the hood Bendix system. However, it is our understanding that this did not occur until late in the '59 production run. There is no date listed there when this took place. Up til then, there are '59's coming off the production line with KH bellows under the dash units. We have not been able to find a date when this change took place. If anyone has this information, we would appreciate knowing it.
In another page from the '49-'59 Ford Parts Catalog you see a page that shows the Bendix system for the '59 Squarebird. I did not find one showing the KH bellows system, but I might have overlooked it. Then I looked through the VTCI Squarebirds OFS CD for any information regarding when this change might have been made. But I did not find anything. Alan Tast, on this Forum, who had much to do with writing the Squarebirds OFS, just told me that he does not have the complete set of Technical Service Bulletins for 1959/1960. He said that in the TSB's, starting in January 1959 and running through the end of that year for the Squarebird, there might be one that tells us the date when they make the switch from the KH Bellows under the dash to the Bendix under the hood system. I know that Alan would love to have that date to complete his research on this, and us also.
In the Squarebirds OFS in Section 7.3.4.11, Brake Booster & Vacuum Check Valves, 1958-1960, you will see that the 1958 had only the KH Bellows under the dash type system, whether or not it had AC. Then things changed in 1959. In the 1959 352, in early production, the car with NO AC had the KH Bellows in place, Part #B8S 2005-A, FD 7752-59, Page 6. The same applies to ALL engines WITH AC. During the late production of the 1959, Ford switched to the under the hood Bendix system B9SS 2A025-A, FD 7752-60, Page 11. In 1960, according to the OFS, on the 352 with NO AC they switched to the Bendix B9SS 2A025-A, same FD #. On the 430, they used B9SZ 2005-A. In early production on ALL units WITH AC they used the KH Bellows B8 2005-A. During the latter production run of the 1960, they used the Bendix B9SS 2A025-A r/b Adapter Kit Used and B9Sz 2005-A. Finally, during the late production run of the 430 equipped Squarebirds, they used the Bendix B9SS 2A025-A, Adapter Kit Used. This is that adapter kit that is like unobtanium, seldom every found. You will see a picture on the left with a Squarebird with AC with just the MC under the hood, and connections leading to the KH Bellows unit under the dash. On the right a 1960 with the Bendix system and the Adapter Kit in place, on an AC equipped Squarebird.
Any additional input you can provide, is appreciated. Especially if you have a full set of TSB's for 1959. Also, if you can provide us with the VIN number and Build Date of your 1959 Squarebird, with just a single MC, and a KH Bellows under the dash, WITH AC, and the single MC/Bendix under the hood, on an AC equipped Squarebird, we might be able to better determine at exactly which date or date range this change went into effect... For example: My '59 YellowRose has a VIN# of 132112 indicating she was the 32,112th Squarebird built with a Build Date - 21C = 21 March 1959. This puts her midway through the 1959 Production run. She left the factory with 352ci engine, AC and the KH Billows under the dash. Production started Oct. 3, 1958 and ended Aug 22, 1959. Total 63A Hardtops produced = 57,195. Let us know if your Squarebird is an OEM Original Squarebird, if you know. Feel free to post just the serial # and the Build Date as I did and I will compile the data from there. Here are those pix.
According to my limited research, the 1958 Squarebird had the KH under the dash bellows system on it, regardless if it had AC or not. Below I will post a copy from the '49-'59 Ford Parts Catalog and the Text Catalog. That same Text indicates that in 1959 Ford switched to the under the hood Bendix system. However, it is our understanding that this did not occur until late in the '59 production run. There is no date listed there when this took place. Up til then, there are '59's coming off the production line with KH bellows under the dash units. We have not been able to find a date when this change took place. If anyone has this information, we would appreciate knowing it.
In another page from the '49-'59 Ford Parts Catalog you see a page that shows the Bendix system for the '59 Squarebird. I did not find one showing the KH bellows system, but I might have overlooked it. Then I looked through the VTCI Squarebirds OFS CD for any information regarding when this change might have been made. But I did not find anything. Alan Tast, on this Forum, who had much to do with writing the Squarebirds OFS, just told me that he does not have the complete set of Technical Service Bulletins for 1959/1960. He said that in the TSB's, starting in January 1959 and running through the end of that year for the Squarebird, there might be one that tells us the date when they make the switch from the KH Bellows under the dash to the Bendix under the hood system. I know that Alan would love to have that date to complete his research on this, and us also.
In the Squarebirds OFS in Section 7.3.4.11, Brake Booster & Vacuum Check Valves, 1958-1960, you will see that the 1958 had only the KH Bellows under the dash type system, whether or not it had AC. Then things changed in 1959. In the 1959 352, in early production, the car with NO AC had the KH Bellows in place, Part #B8S 2005-A, FD 7752-59, Page 6. The same applies to ALL engines WITH AC. During the late production of the 1959, Ford switched to the under the hood Bendix system B9SS 2A025-A, FD 7752-60, Page 11. In 1960, according to the OFS, on the 352 with NO AC they switched to the Bendix B9SS 2A025-A, same FD #. On the 430, they used B9SZ 2005-A. In early production on ALL units WITH AC they used the KH Bellows B8 2005-A. During the latter production run of the 1960, they used the Bendix B9SS 2A025-A r/b Adapter Kit Used and B9Sz 2005-A. Finally, during the late production run of the 430 equipped Squarebirds, they used the Bendix B9SS 2A025-A, Adapter Kit Used. This is that adapter kit that is like unobtanium, seldom every found. You will see a picture on the left with a Squarebird with AC with just the MC under the hood, and connections leading to the KH Bellows unit under the dash. On the right a 1960 with the Bendix system and the Adapter Kit in place, on an AC equipped Squarebird.
Any additional input you can provide, is appreciated. Especially if you have a full set of TSB's for 1959. Also, if you can provide us with the VIN number and Build Date of your 1959 Squarebird, with just a single MC, and a KH Bellows under the dash, WITH AC, and the single MC/Bendix under the hood, on an AC equipped Squarebird, we might be able to better determine at exactly which date or date range this change went into effect... For example: My '59 YellowRose has a VIN# of 132112 indicating she was the 32,112th Squarebird built with a Build Date - 21C = 21 March 1959. This puts her midway through the 1959 Production run. She left the factory with 352ci engine, AC and the KH Billows under the dash. Production started Oct. 3, 1958 and ended Aug 22, 1959. Total 63A Hardtops produced = 57,195. Let us know if your Squarebird is an OEM Original Squarebird, if you know. Feel free to post just the serial # and the Build Date as I did and I will compile the data from there. Here are those pix.
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