# 1957 Ford Thunderbird misses on acceleration **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** thunderbird, ford\ **Created:** [June 30, 2018, 1:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1957-ford-thunderbird-misses-on-acceleration/120125 "2018-06-30T13:19:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![williamBhopkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/85e7bf/32.png) [@williamBhopkins](https://community.cartalk.com/u/williamBhopkins)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2018, 1:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1957-ford-thunderbird-misses-on-acceleration/120125/1 "2018-06-30T13:19:17Z")
Have 1957 Ford T bird with 312 engine. Runs great cold warms up and starts missing when accelerating. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2018, 4:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1957-ford-thunderbird-misses-on-acceleration/120125/2 "2018-06-30T16:52:11Z")
Ignition points, coil, spark plugs, ignition wires, bad fuel, carburetor needs rebuilding… All could cause a miss. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 12:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1957-ford-thunderbird-misses-on-acceleration/120125/3 "2018-07-01T00:48:32Z")
In 1957, cars needed spark plugs, points and condensor, Inspect cap and wires, chech dwell and reset timing and usually a carb adjustment every 10,000 miles. Also, make sure the choke is all the way open when hot and make sure the exhaust heat riser is not frozen shut. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 1:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1957-ford-thunderbird-misses-on-acceleration/120125/4 "2018-07-01T13:50:17Z")
And the fuel system was not designed for ethanol fuels. Depending if you want to keep it pure stock or not. I would replace the ignition system with a modern pointless system and either go with a new carburetor designed for ethanol or a throttle body FI system. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 2:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1957-ford-thunderbird-misses-on-acceleration/120125/5 "2018-07-01T14:03:08Z")
Those had some choke problems too, or at least ours did, so check to make sure the choke is fully opened when warmed up. A good ear usually tells you if a miss is spark or fuel. ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 3:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1957-ford-thunderbird-misses-on-acceleration/120125/6 "2018-07-01T15:10:26Z")
If the choke isn’t causing the problem check the exhaust heat riser valve and the entire exhaust. A restriction in the exhaust on either side will force exhaust gas under the intake and overheat it. Often the heat can get severe enough to make the intake crossover glow. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 4:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1957-ford-thunderbird-misses-on-acceleration/120125/7 "2018-07-01T16:00:02Z")
Vacuum advance hose shot or diaphragm broken? Suck on the hose and see what’s happening under the dist cap. ---
**Author:** ![edb1961](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/edb1961/32/122_2.png) [@edb1961](https://community.cartalk.com/u/edb1961)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 5:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1957-ford-thunderbird-misses-on-acceleration/120125/8 "2018-07-01T17:34:10Z")
I would check the vacuum advance too. I had a leak in the diaphragm on a 69 Skylark, idled fine, would bog down as soon as you gave it gas. ---
**Author:** ![williamBhopkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/85e7bf/32.png) [@williamBhopkins](https://community.cartalk.com/u/williamBhopkins)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 5:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1957-ford-thunderbird-misses-on-acceleration/120125/9 "2018-07-01T17:57:10Z")
The bird only does this once it fully warmed up…runs great cold. ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 6:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1957-ford-thunderbird-misses-on-acceleration/120125/10 "2018-07-01T18:30:50Z")
How long does it take to fully warm up? Some 312 engines had 3 thermostats, 2 in the block behind the water pump and 1 at the intake. One of the block mounted thermostats can cause the cylinders on one side to overheat and miss without affecting the other. ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 9:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1957-ford-thunderbird-misses-on-acceleration/120125/11 "2018-07-01T21:36:29Z")
You may need to go to a nursing home to find a mechanic with the right experience to troubleshoot, or get in touch with Jay Leno. ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 9:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1957-ford-thunderbird-misses-on-acceleration/120125/12 "2018-07-01T21:58:55Z")
NURSING HOME… I resemble that remark. I have worked on mid 50s Fords including T-Birds with Mercury 312 engines and hope to be busting my knuckles 'till I run out of gas… But realistically getting that car properly taken care of could require a ‘seasoned’ mechanic who enjoys getting under the hood of one of the great cars from the past. And I enjoy a challenge occasionally as do my ‘seasoned’ friends. Asking around for recommendations in the area might be worthwhile. BTW, does the car have a 3 speed manual? ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 2:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1957-ford-thunderbird-misses-on-acceleration/120125/13 "2018-07-02T02:52:18Z")
Funny you should think you need to go to a nursing home. In Automobile magazine this month they had an article on McPherson College in Kansas. They have a four year degree program for automotive restoration. They only take 40 kids a year but they learn all about the old cars, car history, body work, painting, engines, interiors, etc. Plus they have to take the normal course work for a liberal arts degree. Sounded like the grads do quite well and are sought after by car museums. Jay Leno is a supporter. So I dunno, maybe drive down to McPherson, Kansas and have the kids take a look see after class. Even though I was dying for some practical articles like body work and painting, this is the closest I’ve seen and I’m still not renewing this subscription either.