Awhell!. I thought this was about sandwiches. I must be hungry. I just bought a can of popcorn for $20 from a Boy Scout.
Bob

 

That saying should go for any car! 💪💪💪

 

I recognize the first model . What kind of car is that one ?

 

Awright, I had to decide whether to build up the 312 in my wife's '56 TBird, or buy a crate turnkey 302.
With the crate I can probably have it done by December. The rebuild of the 312 probably won't start until December and for more money. Hmm? Lemme think...

 

The 302 is a great engine . The 4.6 is also a trouble free choice although you may be going for the "stock " look . Good Luck .

 

Bob, If it's going to be a 'display' piece, then rebuild the original 312, but if your wife and you will be driving it regularly, then I'd do the modern engine...

 

I saw a '57 TBird with a FI Coyote Engine and it blew me away.

 

BYOB - Build Your Own Belair?

 

And HOW does the coastal ghost determine whether a new car is 'well built' .. or not???

 

"Well-built" from the factory is one thing...

But I appreciate cars whose owners put thought, care, and effort into their goal, whether it be a fast drifter, off-roader, classic muscle, or anything else.
It does what they intend it to do.
It looks good while doing it.
It's NOT a "ricer" or "all show and no go", a cop-teaser, or pretending to be something it's not.
It's not been thrown together carelessly, instead it's got attention to detail.
It's something that you know the owner enjoys the heck out of.
It may not be for everyone, but neither the car or the owner cares if anyone has something negative to say.

That's my definition!

 

A 302 and a 312 are not compatible, rebuild the 312 unless you want to change everything.

 

Awright, I had to decide whether to build up the 312 in my wife's '56 TBird, or buy a crate turnkey 302.
With the crate I can probably have it done by December. The rebuild of the 312 probably won't start until December and for more money. Hmm? Lemme think...

Not intending to hijack this thread into a Bob's T-Bird Thread, but since you started it... 🤣 It's your car, of course, but from what you posted on the amazing condition of your T-Bird, I'd do everything I could to keep it as factory as possible. Near as you can tell the 312 is the original engine, correct? I'd keep this one original and find something else to stuff a Coyote in. But whatever you do, I'm excited to follow the progress.

 

Thanks Sirius, and even though I love the idea, this will be a car my wife can use as a daily driver if she wants to. She has a 2020 Lexus, a 2001 Jag S Type, and sometimes borrows my BMW. If she doesn't have the reliability of those cars, I doubt the TBird will get driven very much, and I'll be stuck with a car not meant for me.

 

Awhell!. I thought this was about sandwiches. I must be hungry. I just bought a can of popcorn for $20 from a Boy Scout.
Bob

but don't you have people build you cars for you??

 

Yes. So what’s your point?

 

Yes. So what’s your point?

I thought you were a little out of bounds posting on a built your own thread, since others do it for you. jmo

 

Semantics!

 

If you have been wrenching around cars and can do some of the work, you gravitate to do the work yourself, its like its in your DNA and you also get the sense of accomplishment

 

Awright, I had to decide whether to build up the 312 in my wife's '56 TBird, or buy a crate turnkey 302.
With the crate I can probably have it done by December. The rebuild of the 312 probably won't start until December and for more money. Hmm? Lemme think...

Just my own personal nostalgia--I personally prefer the 312 simply because of my childhood memories of family '57 Fairlane 500 with 245 hp 312. Would it be quick/fast by today's standards? No, but it held its own with the '56-57 Chevys at the time. A real b***h to change the points on, and heaven help ya if you ever broke the cable for the forward-hinged hood release. Pure nostalgia on my part, same as my thoughts about 283/301/327 engines. JMHO

 

I hear the "flamethrower" carburetor is also very dangerous. The reason I'm going with the 302 is that I'd like to have the TBird done by the end of the year. The complete overhaul of the 312 will cost me about $6K-$8K and they would not be able to start on it until December/January. I can get a crate 350hp 302 almost right away for $6.5K. I found a working AOD tranny for $400. Needs tune up for $350.

 

Speed only counts at the track....slow is smooth, smooth is fast otherwise .

I'll take cool over fast any day.. if I happen to get both...bonus.

 

around here speed counts when your on a 2 lane black-top trying to pass a semi 🙂 🙂 🙂