56 Bird aircleaner/carb question

[Phillmike]

I have recently acquired a very nice 56 bird, 312 with automatic. A change has been made in either the carb or the air cleaner that I can't figure out. The car came using the bottom portion of the factory air cleaner, two small paper elements and a pie plate to hold the elements on. The chrome dome/top was in the trunk. Attempting to reassemble the factory air cleaner I find that the top and the bottom pieces don't fit together. The top hits the portion of the bottom component that is dimpled to clear the automatic choke. Additionally, the heat-riser tube leading to the carb from the manifold is gone. Makes me think that the air cleaner is for a diffeent year/carb and/or the carb is for a different car. How do I figure all this out??? Thanks

[gbhrps]

Without pictures of what you have, it is difficult to give you an answer, other than to say that something is obviously not stock.

You need to get together with someone who has a stock 56 and do some comparisons. You might also search the internet for pictures of the engine compartment of the same year small bird. You might get lucky and find your answer. Another source would be to find a restoration shop that specializes in small birds. I happen to have just such a shop just 15 miles from me, and its where I bought my 55, but we're in Canada about an hour out of Detroit.

Maybe if pictures of what you have were emailed to Amos Minter (The largest small TBird resto shop in North America, in Dallas/Fort Worth) with an explanation, they may take the time to give you the answers you need, as well as be the source of the parts you need. Good Luck!

[Phillmike]

Thanks for the response. Yes, something is definitely not correct. There is no TBird specialist near me that I know of. I think I know where there is another '56 that I might be able to look at. I'll try sending pictures to someone next.

I also just noticed that the heat-riser tubes have been removed and it appears that the holes in the manifold for them have been plugged. Any idea why someone would do that??

[gbhrps]

I assume that you're referring to the tube that goes to the automatic choke assembly. The tube may have been removed because the previous owner felt that it was adversely affecting the carb's performance somehow, or your carburetor has been changed from the original Holley 4000 (I believe that's the right one, it is on my 55), and the choke tube wouldn't fit the new carb, which would explain why your air cleaner no longer fits the replaced carburetor as well.

Whichever way it is, you're going to need to see what was originally on your 56 and decide if its worth it to you to return the car to stock. That may be the only way that you'll get the original air cleaner to fit.

A word of advice: There are a lot of so-called experts out there. Ask me how I know. Do your homework before you commit to making any changes and spending a lot of money. You want to get it right the first time, in order to protect your pocket book and your investment in your small bird. Good Luck!