I recently bought this 55 Thunderbird at the start of winter so it went right to storage.
Now that it’s out and cleaned up and I have been though all the documents from prior owners I see they used an oil which much is unknown. Some say it’s OK for flat tappet cams yet there is no data on the zinc content..
Anyway the 55 Thunderbird sports a 312 with a mild performance cam and triple Daemon 98 Holley carbs! just got the oil changed with the 10W-30 ZROD. And an AMSOIL oil filter! Then I went ahead and did the power steering fluid. Topped off the radiator fluid with our AMSOIL coolant for iron blocks (ANTHG-Heavy Duty Antifreeze).
I’ll do some mileage tests soon but I just ordered a distributor for the electronic ign it has but the one on the car has no vacuum advance. I want that for better city use of course. And we’ll get that 75W-140 out of the rear. AMSOIL’s Severe Gear 75W-90 will out protect allowing better performance than whatever 140 the last owner put in there. It coasts like the brake is on. That diff fluid makes a BIG difference especially if it’s not in a truck pulling a trailer. The differential in the car is a custom 3.00 9″ Ford from Quick Performance in AMES IOWA.
Ok a lot more to come! Got to get ready for Cars and Coffee tomorrow here in Sioux Falls! The first one of the year so I’ll follow up with photos.
