1955 FORD THUNDERBIRD

1955 FORD THUNDERBIRD

Model Designations:

Ford Thunderbird V-8, Series P5

Ford Thunderbird, Body Styles:

2 Door Convertible, 2 Passenger, Body #40

Factory Price: $2,944; Shipping Weight: 2,980 Pounds

Production Total: 16,155

Chassis:

Wheelbase: 102"

Tire Size: 6.70 X 15"

Rear Axle Ratios:

Manual Transmission: 3.90:1

Overdrive: 4.10:1

Automatic Transmission: 3.31:1

General Engine Specifications:

V-8 Engine, 292 Cubic Inches, With Manual Transmission:

Engine Type: Overhead Valve V-8

Bore & Stroke: 3.75" x 3.30"

Engine Displacement: 272 Cu. In.

Compresssion Ratio: 8.10 to 1

Taxable Horsepower: 45.00

Horsepower: 193 @ 4,400 RPM

Torque: 280 Ft. Lbs @ 2,600 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 50 PSI

V-8 Engine, 292 Cubic Inches, With Automatic Transmission:

Engine Type: Overhead Valve V-8

Bore & Stroke: 3.75" x 3.30"

Engine Displacement: 272 Cu. In.

Compresssion Ratio: 8.50 to 1

Taxable Horsepower: 45.00

Horsepower: 198 @ 4,400 RPM

Torque: 285 Ft. Lbs @ 2,500 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 50 PSI

Tune Up Specifications:

8 Cylinder Engine, 292 Cubic Inch:

Voltage: 6 Volts

Ground Polarity: Positive

Spark Plug Type: Champion F-14Y, or Equivalent

Spark Plug: Gap .034"

Point Gap: .015"

Distributor Cam Angle: 26-28 Degrees

Firing Order: 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2

Ignition Timing:

Manual Transmission: 3 Degrees BTDC

Automatic Transmission: 6 Degrees BTDC

Timing Mark Location: On Damper

Engine Idle Speed: 450 RPM

Cylinder Head Torque: 75 Ft. Lbs.

Compression Pressure @ Cranking Speed: 135 PSI (Minimum)

Valve Specifications:

8 Cylinder Engines:

Operating Clearance, Running Hot or Cold:

Intake: .019"

Exhaust .019"

Valve Seat Angle: 45 Degrees,

Valve Timing: Intake Opens 12 Degrees Before Top Dead Center

Exhaust Valve Closes 8 Degrees After Top Dead Center

Valve Spring Pressure: 132 Lbs @ 1.50 inches

Cam Lobe Lift:

Intake: .264"

Exhaust: .262"

Valve Stem Clearance:

Intake .001"-.0024";

Exhaust .0023"-.0037"

Valve Stem Diameter:

Intake: .3415"-.3425"

Exhaust: .3405"-.3415"

Piston, Rings, Pins, Crankshaft & Bearing Data:

8 Cylinder Engine:

Fitting Pistons:

Shim Thickness: .002"

Pounds Pull on Scale: 5-10 Lbs.

Ring End Gap:

Compression: .010"

Oil: .010"

Wrist Pin Diameter: .9121"

Rod Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.188"-2.189"

Bearing Clearance: .0005"-.002"

Rod End Play: .006"-.016"

Rod Bolt Torque: 45-50 Ft. Lbs.

Main Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.498"-2.499"

Bearing Clearance: .0005"-.003"

Crankshaft End Play: .002"-.006"

Thrust on #3 Bearing

Rod Bolt Torque: 100 Ft. Lbs.

Capacities:

Cooling System:

Without Heater: 20 Quarts

With Heater: 21 Quarts

Radiator Cap Pressure: 7 PSI

Fuel Tank: 17 Gallons

Engine Oil Refill: 5 Quarts*

Manual Transmission: 3 Pints

With Overdrive: 4-1/2 Pints

Automatic Transmission: 9-3/4 Quarts

Rear Axle: 3-1/2 Pints

* Add 1 Quart For Oil Filter

Starting Motor Specifications:

8 Cylinder:

Part #FAC-11002G

Rotation: Clockwise

Brush Spring Tension: 48 to 56 Ounces

No Load Test: 70 Amperes, 6 Volts, @ 3,000 RPM

Torque Test: 700 Amperes, 3.5 Volts, @ 16 Ft. Lbs.

Distributor Specifications:

8 Cylinder, 292 Cu. In.:

Part #B5S-12127D

Rotation: Counter-Clockwise

Breaker Point Gap: .015"

Cam Angle: 26-28 Degrees

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17 to 20 Ounces

Condenser Capacity: .21 to .25 Mfds

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts: 1 Degree @ .19" Vacuum

Full Advance: 14-1/4 Degrees @ 1.95" Vacuum

Ford Generator Specifications:

Generator #FBC-10002A

Rotation: Clockwise

Ground Polarity: Positive

Generator Output: 35 Amperes @ 1,500 RPM

Brushes Spring Tension: 26-34 Ounces

Field Current Amperes: 1.5 to 2.5 Amperes

Regulator FAC-10505A

Cutout Relay:

Voltage to Close Points: 6.3

Voltage Regulator Setting: 7.6 Volts

Current Regulator Setting: 35 Amperes

Generator #B5S-10002A

Rotation: Clockwise

Ground Polarity: Positive

Generator Output: 35 Amperes @ 1,500 RPM

Brushes Spring Tension: 26-34 Ounces

Field Current Amperes: 1.5 to 2.5 Amperes

Regulator B5A-10505C

Cutout Relay:

Voltage to Close Points: 6.3

Voltage Regulator Setting: 7.6 Volts

Current Regulator Setting: 40 Amperes

Rear Axle & Brake Specifications:

Ring Gear & Pinion Backlash: .003"-.008"

Drive Pinion Adjustment: Shims

Drive Pinion Bearing Adjustment: Spacer

Axle Shaft End Play: None

Wheel Cylinder Bore:

Front: 1-1/8"

Rear: 7/8"

Master Cylinder Bore: 1"

Wheel Alignment Specifications:

All Models:

Caster: + 1 Degree

Camber: + 3/4 Degree

Toe-In: 1/16" to 1/8"

Toe-Out on Turns:

Outer Wheel: 24-1/2 Degrees

Inner Wheel: 20 Degrees

Kingpin Angle: 7 Degrees, 7 Minutes

Holley Carburetor Adjustments, 8 Cylinder:

Model #4000

4 Barrels

Idle Screw Turns to Open: 1-1/4

Float Setting, Closed: 1/4"

Dashpot Setting: .045"-.064"

Automatic Choke Setting: Line up mark on choke cover with long mark on choke housing.

Popular Options:

Radio, Heater & Defroster, Power Windows, Power Steering, Power Brakes, Softtop, Overdrive, Automatic Transmission, Whitewall Tires.

1955 Ford Thunderbird Historical Data:

Introduction of the 1955 Ford Thunderbird line was on October 22, 1954.

Total Ford Thunderbird Production for the1955 model year was 16,155.

1955 Ford Colors &Codes:

A Raven Black

B Banner Blue

C Aquatone Blue

D Waterfall Blue

E Showshoe White

F Pinetree Green

G Sea Sprite Green

H Neptune Green (Blue)

K Buckskin Brown

M Regency Purple

R Torch Red

T Thunderbire Blue

V Goldenrod Yellow

W Tropical Rose

X Regatta Blue

Y Mountain Green

Z Coral Mist

Promotional Models Available:

Plastic: Thunderbird Convertible.