1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD

Model Designations:

Ford Thunderbird V-8

Ford Thunderbird, Body Styles:

2 Door Convertible, 2 Passenger, Body #40

Factory Price: $3,408; Shipping Weight: 3,134 Pounds

Production Total: 21,380

Chassis:

Wheelbase: 102"

Tire Size: 7.50 X 14"

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: 9.10 to 1

Taxable Horsepower: 45.00

Horsepower: 206 @ 4,500 RPM

Torque: 297 Ft. Lbs @ 2,700 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 50 PSI

V-8 Engine, 312 Cubic Inches, With 4 Barrel Carburetor:

Engine Type: Overhead Valve V-8

Bore & Stroke: 3.80" x 3.44"

Engine Displacement: 312 Cu. In.

Compresssion Ratio: 9.70 to 1

Taxable Horsepower: 46.21

Horsepower: 245 @ 4,500 RPM

Torque: 332 Ft. Lbs @ 3,200 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 50 PSI

V-8 Engine, 312 Cubic Inches, With Two 4 Barrel Carburetors:

Engine Type: Overhead Valve V-8

Bore & Stroke: 3.80" x 3.44"

Engine Displacement: 312 Cu. In.

Compresssion Ratio: 9.70 to 1

Taxable Horsepower: 46.21

Horsepower: 265 @ 4,800 RPM

Torque: 336 Ft. Lbs @ 3,400 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

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 18 Degrees Before Top Dead Center

Exhaust Valve Closes 10 Degrees After Top Dead Center

Valve Spring Pressure: 161 Lbs @ 1.39 inches

Cam Lobe Lift:

Intake: .272"

Exhaust: .285"

Valve Stem Clearance:

Intake .001"-.0024";

Exhaust .0023"-.0037"

Valve Stem Diameter:

Intake: .3416"-.3423"

Exhaust: .3403"-.3410"

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: 20 Gallons

Engine Oil Refill: 5 Quarts*

Manual Transmission: 3 Pints

With Overdrive: 4-1/2 Pints

Automatic Transmission: 10-1/4 Quarts

Rear Axle: 4-1/2 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 #B7A-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

Centrifugal Advance:

Advance Starts: 1-1/4 Degrees @ 425 RPM

Full Advance: 17-1/2 Degrees @ 2,000 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts: 1/2 Degree @ 5" Vacuum

Full Advance: 11 Degrees @ 20" Vacuum

Part #B7A-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

Centrifugal Advance:

Advance Starts: 1 Degree @ 450 RPM

Full Advance: 12-3/4 Degrees @ 2,000 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts: 1/2 Degree @ 5" Vacuum

Full Advance: 12 Degrees @ 20" Vacuum

Ford Generator Specifications:

Generator #FAS-10000B

Rotation: Clockwise

Ground Polarity: Negative

Generator Output: 30 Amperes @ 1,116 RPM

Brushes Spring Tension: 26-34 Ounces

Field Current Amperes: 1.5 to 1.6 Amperes

Regulator FAP-10505B

Cutout Relay:

Voltage to Close Points: 12.4

Voltage Regulator Setting: 15.0 Volts

Current Regulator Setting: 30 Amperes

Generator #FAR-100020B

Rotation: Clockwise

Ground Polarity: Negative

Generator Output: 30 Amperes @ 1,250 RPM

Brushes Spring Tension: 26-34 Ounces

Field Current Amperes: 1.5 to 1.6 Amperes

Regulator FBA-10505B

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: .004"-.009"

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" (Power Brakes: 1.125")

Wheel Alignment Specifications:

All Models:

Caster: + 1 Degree

Camber: + 1 Degree

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

Toe-Out on Turns:

Outer Wheel: 24-1/4 Degrees

Inner Wheel: 20 Degrees

Kingpin Angle: 7 Degrees, 1 Minutes

Carter Carburetor Adjustments, 8 Cylinder:

Carburetor #2441S

Float Level: 5/32"

Float Drop: 23/32"

Idle Screw Turns to Open: 1/2 to 1-1/2

Pump Stroke: 15/32"

Fast Idle Throttle Valve Clearance: .020"

Unloader Setting: .067"

Promary Throttle Shaft Dog:

Step 1: .015"

Step 2: .067"

Dashpot: 7/16"

Choke Setting: 1 Rich

Carburetor #2441SA

Float Level: 5/32"

Float Drop: 23/32"

Idle Screw Turns to Open: 1/2 to 1-1/2

Pump Stroke: 15/32"

Fast Idle Throttle Valve Clearance: .020"

Unloader Setting: .067"

Promary Throttle Shaft Dog:

Step 1: .015"

Step 2: .067"

Dashpot: 7/16"

Choke Setting: 1 Rich

Holley Carburetor Adjustments, 8 Cylinder:

Model #4000

4 Barrels

Idle Screw Turns to Open: 5/8

Float Setting, Closed: 7/32"

Dashpot Setting: .045"-.064"

Automatic Choke Setting: Adjust choke thromostat housing to mid-position mark.

Model #4150

4 Barrels

Idle Screw Turns to Open: 1-1/2

Dual Float Setting:

Primary: 11/16"

Secondary: 3/4"

Dashpot Setting: 1/16"

Dashpot Setting: .045"-.064"

Automatic Choke Setting: Adjust choke thromostat housing to mid-position mark.

Ford Carburetor Adjustments, 8 Cylinder:

4 Barrels

Idle Screw Turns to Open: 1

Dual Float Setting:

Primary: .540"-.570"

Secondary: .540"-.570"

Dashpot Setting: .045"-.064"
Automatic Choke Setting: Adjust choke thromostat housing to mid-position mark.

Popular Options:

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

1957 Ford Thunderbird Historical Data:

Introduction date of the 1957 Ford Thunderbird is not available.

Total Ford Thunderbird Production for the1957 model year was 21,380.

1957 Ford Thunderbird Colors &Codes:

A Raven Black

C Dresden Blue

D Silver Mocha

E Colonial White

F Starmist Blue

G Cumberland Green

H Gunmetal Gray

J Willow Green

K Silver Mocha

L Doeskin Tan

N Gunmetal Gray

Q Thunderbird Bronze

T Woodsmoke Gray

V Flame Red

V Berkshire Green

W Springmist Green

X Thunderbird Dusk Rose

Y Sunset Coral

Y Incal Gold

Z Coral Sand

Promotional Models Available:

Plastic: Thunderbird Convertible.

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