56 bird minus continental kit

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ranchbird
Posts: 213
Joined: Sun May 11, 2014 10:53 pm

56 bird minus continental kit

Post by ranchbird »

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I can post pictures now with the new system, so here are some pictures of my 56 in the works. Purchased from original owners family, Parked in garage since 1968 original paint and upholstery replaced carpet and seat cover very nice original chrome. 312 3spd od both tops. Rebuilt front suspension with dropped spindles disc brakes and heavy duty sway bar. Rebuilt rear suspension with narrowed explorer 8.8 rear end 3.73 limited slip, lowering blocks and disc brakes.
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Joe Johnston
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Location: Sunny FLORIDA

Re: 56 bird minus continental kit

Post by Joe Johnston »

Looks very nice! In keeping with the smoother lines of the rear, did you remove the front bumper guards too??

I also like your wheel choice - larger, but like the popular mag wheels of the day.

Hope you have a license plate light - if not very small LED ones are available that are also bolts to use for mounting the license plate to the holder. Very inconspicuous, legal, and easy to install.

Good looking Bird!
PLEASE invest a few bucks and buy all the shop manuals for your car. Definitely will save you much time and be an education.

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55Greg&Amy
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Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2008 8:43 am

Re: 56 bird minus continental kit

Post by 55Greg&Amy »

Joe Johnston wrote: Sun Aug 20, 2017 9:12 am Hope you have a license plate light - if not very small LED ones are available that are also bolts to use for mounting the license plate to the holder. Very inconspicuous, legal, and easy to install.
If you don't have a license plate light, you could get the 55 light as it attaches to the trunk lid.
Greg Minnich
Kendallville, IN
ranchbird
Posts: 213
Joined: Sun May 11, 2014 10:53 pm

Re: 56 bird minus continental kit

Post by ranchbird »

I have installed a 55 license plate light works great. The wheels are 16x7 front and 17x8 rear they should work rather nicely according to my calculations. The 8.8 rear end width is 56-1/2" compared to stock one at 57-1/4". And I did remove the front guards to match the back.
mojerry
Posts: 21
Joined: Thu Dec 25, 2014 5:39 pm

Re: 56 bird minus continental kit

Post by mojerry »

Looks like a really nice car. I'm doing a 56 also. No continental kit, no guards, shaved emblems. It has an FE motor, 390, with a T10 four speed., four wheel discs and a 57 Bird 9 inch diff. I was hoping to get going this summer, but no such luck. Too many projects.
ranchbird
Posts: 213
Joined: Sun May 11, 2014 10:53 pm

Re: 56 bird minus continental kit

Post by ranchbird »

Sounds like it will be a nice car, how about some pictures.
mojerry
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Joined: Thu Dec 25, 2014 5:39 pm

Re: 56 bird minus continental kit

Post by mojerry »

Pics not possible, at the moment. My car is currently buried, in the back of the shop,, that is doing the work on it. I've been promised, it will be the center of his attention soon. When I can get to it, I will try post detailed pictures. The car has many good points. I'm especially happy with the headers.
One tube had to be re-routed,to clear the steering box, and it fit like it was made for the car. They were made for a 60-64 big body Ford. It was suggested, to use a mini starter, which I did.
I would like to hear from more modified "Little Bird" owners.
ranchbird
Posts: 213
Joined: Sun May 11, 2014 10:53 pm

Re: 56 bird minus continental kit

Post by ranchbird »

I agree about more modified 55-57 Birds, you see a lot of late fifty to mid sixty resto- mod corvettes on the TV auctions. I think the small birds lend them self to the same treatment.
mojerry
Posts: 21
Joined: Thu Dec 25, 2014 5:39 pm

Re: 56 bird minus continental kit

Post by mojerry »

A 55, won the Riddler award, at the 2012 Detroit Autorama.
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