A 1955 with a 312 Engine??

[skaggs]

I am looking into a 1955 Thunderbird for sale. The seller tells me that it is a rare '55 with a 312 engine. It is a manual 3 speed. I do not have the VIN number (yet). Is it possible that any 1955 Thunderbirds were equipped with a 312 engine? All I have been able to find is that the 1955 models only had 292 engines. Can anyone please enlighten me? Thank you!

Tom

[David Tulowitzky]

The 1955's only came with the 292 engine. The VIN prefix should be P5FH. The "P" is for 292 engine.
The 312 was not available until 1956.

[Joe Johnston]

Welcome to the 55-57 sections of the VTCI forum.

I always love to hear these owner stories of "rare" cars. You are correct, 55's had 292's. Ask him how he knows this is a "rare 312"? Ask for verification documentation. Anyone who is selling any sort of a genuinely "rare" vehicle from any manufacturer will have supporting documentation to support higher selling prices. Never trust a seller's story, insist on proof in documentation (which I doubt he can provide!).

If you decide to buy PLEASE post some pictures including one of the VIN plate on the firewall. Some one here will decode it and tell you the info. I hate to see anyone being taken advantage of.

[CSavaglio]

As mentioned, no '55 was ever documented with a 312. The 312cui motor didn't exist until the 1956 model year for Ford/Mercury.

That doesn't mean someone didn't put a 312 in it at some point. It's extremely difficult/impossible to tell a 312 from a 292 in the car tho. The casting numbers used for the 312 are all also used with the 292 and with the transmission in, it's hard to see the tell-tale marking on the 312 crank flange.

Some good info on identifying the motor....

http://yblockguy.com/identify_y-block.htm

It has been my experience that many, many sellers of y-block cars (t-birds, other fords, etc) claim there's a 312 in the car even tho 312 production was relatively low compared to the 272 and 292 except in the 56/57 t-birds where it was common. Most pass cars and pickups sold had the smaller displacement motors with a 2bbl carb. And a 4bbl carb was optional on the 292 as well, so that's not a good way of telling. And anyone can bolt a 4bbl intake on...the seller may think it's original, but it could've been done 50 years ago and it's weathered.

[ICON 1956]

The 1955's only came with the 292 engine. The VIN prefix should be P5FH. The "P" is for 292 engine.
The 312 was not available until 1956.
I agree with the forum, buyer beware ! take a picture of the Data Plate this will tell us what's really under the hood.