1956 FORD THUNDERBIRD

1956 FORD THUNDERBIRD

Model Designations:

Ford Thunderbird V-8, Series M6 or P6

Series M6 had the 292 Cubic Inch V-8 Engine

Series P6 had the 312 Cubic Inch V-8 Engine

Ford Thunderbird, Body Styles:

2 Door Convertible, 2 Passenger, Body #40

Factory Price: $3,151; Shipping Weight: 3,088 Pounds

Production Total: 15.631

Chassis:

Wheelbase: 102"

Tire Size: 6.70 X 15"

Rear Axle Ratios:

Manual Transmission: 3.78:1

Overdrive: 3.89:1

Automatic Transmission: 3.22:1

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: 8.00 to 1

Taxable Horsepower: 45.00

Horsepower: 200 @ 4,600 RPM

Torque: 285 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: 8.40 to 1

Taxable Horsepower: 45.00

Horsepower: 202 @ 4,600 RPM

Torque: 289 Ft. Lbs @ 2,600 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 50 PSI

V-8 Engine, 312 Cubic Inches, With Manual Transmission:

Engine Type: Overhead Valve V-8

Bore & Stroke: 3.80" x 3.44"

Engine Displacement: 312 Cu. In.

Compresssion Ratio: 8.40 to 1

Taxable Horsepower: 46.21

Horsepower: 215 @ 4,600 RPM

Torque: 317 Ft. Lbs @ 2,600 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 50 PSI

V-8 Engine, 312 Cubic Inches, With Automatic Transmission:

Engine Type: Overhead Valve V-8

Bore & Stroke: 3.80" x 3.44"

Engine Displacement: 312 Cu. In.

Compresssion Ratio: 9.00 to 1

Taxable Horsepower: 46.21

Horsepower: 225 @ 4,600 RPM

Torque: 324 Ft. Lbs @ 2,600 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 50 PSI

Tune Up Specifications:

8 Cylinder Engine, 292 Cubic Inch:

Voltage: 12 Volts

Ground Polarity: Negative

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: 155 PSI (Minimum)

8 Cylinder Engine, 312 Cubic Inch:

Voltage: 12 Volts

Ground Polarity: Negative

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: 155 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: 161 Lbs @ 1.39 inches

Cam Lobe Lift:

Intake: .259"

Exhaust: .257"

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, 292 Cu. In.:

Fitting Pistons:

Shim Thickness: .002"

Pounds Pull on Scale: 5-10 Lbs.

Ring End Gap:

Compression: .010"

Oil: .015"

Wrist Pin Diameter: .9121"

Rod Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.188"-2.189"

Bearing Clearance: .0005"-.003"

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.

8 Cylinder Engine, 312 Cu. In.:

Fitting Pistons:

Shim Thickness: .002"

Pounds Pull on Scale: 5-10 Lbs.

Ring End Gap:

Compression: .010"

Oil: .015"

Wrist Pin Diameter: .9121"

Rod Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.188"-2.189"

Bearing Clearance: .0005"-.003"

Rod End Play: .006"-.016"

Rod Bolt Torque: 45-50 Ft. Lbs.

Main Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.623"-2.624"

Bearing Clearance: .0005"-.003"

Crankshaft End Play: .002"-.006"

Thrust on #3 Bearing

Rod Bolt Torque: 125 Ft. Lbs.

Capacities:

Cooling System:

Without Heater: 20 Quarts

With Heater: 21 Quarts

Radiator Cap Pressure: 12-15 PSI

Fuel Tank: 17 Gallons

Engine Oil Refill: 5 Quarts*

Manual Transmission: 3-1/2 Pints

With Overdrive: 4-1/2 Pints

Automatic Transmission: 10-1/2 Quarts

Rear Axle: 3 Pints

* Add 1 Quart For Oil Filter

Starting Motor Specifications:

8 Cylinder:

Part #B6A-11002A

Rotation: Clockwise

Brush Spring Tension: 48 to 56 Ounces

No Load Test: 120 Amperes, 12 Volts, @ 4,800 RPM

Torque Test: 550 Amperes, 5.0 Volts, @ 15-1/2 Ft. Lbs.

Distributor Specifications:

8 Cylinder:

Part #B6A-12127A

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: 3/4 Degree @ .28" Vacuum

Full Advance: 16-1/2 Degrees @ 4.6" Vacuum

Part #B6A-12127B

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: 1/2 Degree @ .29" Vacuum

Full Advance: 13-1/2 Degrees @ 2.19" Vacuum

Ford Generator Specifications:

Generator #B6A-10002A

Rotation: Clockwise

Ground Polarity: Negative

Generator Output: 30 Amperes @ 1,500 RPM

Brushes Spring Tension: 26-34 Ounces

Field Current Amperes: 1.4 to 1.6 Amperes

Regulator B6A-10505A

Cutout Relay:

Voltage to Close Points: 12.4

Voltage Regulator Setting: 15.0 Volts

Current Regulator Setting: 30 Amperes

Generator #B6S-10002A

Rotation: Clockwise

Ground Polarity: Negative

Generator Output: 30 Amperes @ 1,500 RPM

Brushes Spring Tension: 26-34 Ounces

Field Current Amperes: 1.4 to 1.6 Amperes

Regulator B6A-10505A

Cutout Relay:

Voltage to Close Points: 12.4

Voltage Regulator Setting: 15.0 Volts

Current Regulator Setting: 30 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:

Overdrive, Automatic Transmission, Power Brakes, Power Steering, Power Windows, Windshield Washers, Wire Wheel Covers, Chrome Engine Dress-Up Kit,

1956 Ford Thunderbird Historical Data:

Introduction date of the 1956 Ford Thunderbird is not available.

Total Ford Thunderbird Production for the1956 model year was 15,631.

1956 Ford Thunderbird Colors &Codes:

A Raven Black

E Colonial White

J Buckskin Tan

K Fiesta Red

L Peacock Blue

T Gray

Z Sage Green

Navajo Gray

Promotional Models Available:

Plastic: Thunderbird Convertible.