I'm looking at a 79 tbird donor fo my 54 ford 3/4 ton it has a good 490 and working trans. my motor is OK but I need the trans. is the front clip somthing I can use on the truck or on my 50 shoebox... It has a/c that I need in the desert, and power steering. Could I use the steering bok for the truck also ????
490? you mean 390 or 460 I think and the front clip I hope you mean subframe, that car probably (?) has a full frame but I know that granadas of that era have a nice disk brake setup that is popular so maybe it is close on a t-bird? And if you do use that subframe you should be able to use the steering box with some alignment
The most common subframe graft for 1950s Ford trucks seems to be Camaro/Nova. Not to say that you can't use other subframes, but I think you'd be on your own as far as sorting out the technical issues. Unless you've got a lot of time/patience and you're really adept at fabricating, it's usually best to stick with the fairly proven combinations. But hey, there's a lot to be said for the satisfaction of being a pioneer. Just be prepared for sweat and swearwords along the way. I'm not aware of any common Ford-based subframe swaps, so I don't think you'll have much luck finding one Blue Oval model in particular that can serve as a "one-stop-shop" parts car. That said, 460cid big blocks are standard faire in T-Birds. And there's probably lots of other goodies that you could use. Dave
Nope I'm a dumb*** when it comes to fabing and grafting,(my posts on wiring speaks on how much I know) But I do need a trans, I was wondering if it was worth the h***el...Oh yea sorry it is a 460 (stupid granade inspector )
79 T-bird with a 460? Not from the factory! (Could be a 351/400-M, which was an available choice...or someone could have swapped in a 429/460, since the 400 engine uses the same motor mounts and bellhousing pattern.) Anyhoo...I think you'll find the track width a bit wide for your proposed swap...but being a TRUCK and all...it may fit the bill, depending on what you're after as far as ride height and such. Skip the front clip idea...79 T-birds use a full perimeter style frame...drop the truck body onto the whole T-bird frame! Gives you a great riding suspension with coils at all four corners, discs up front, power steering, a nine inch rear, and a torquey mill with an auto ******!
[ QUOTE ] 79 T-bird with a 460? Not from the factory! (Could be a 351/400-M, which was an available choice...or someone could have swapped in a 429/460, since the 400 engine uses the same motor mounts and bellhousing pattern.) Anyhoo...I think you'll find the track width a bit wide for your proposed swap...but being a TRUCK and all...it may fit the bill, depending on what you're after as far as ride height and such. Skip the front clip idea...79 T-birds use a full perimeter style frame...drop the truck body onto the whole T-bird frame! Gives you a great riding suspension with coils at all four corners, discs up front, power steering, a nine inch rear, and a torquey mill with an auto ******! [/ QUOTE ] I agree !!!
Go to www.ford-trucks.com. The people over there have compiled a pro/con list on a bunch of front clip donors.
[ QUOTE ] 79 T-bird with a 460? Not from the factory! (Could be a 351/400-M, which was an available choice...or someone could have swapped in a 429/460, since the 400 engine uses the same motor mounts and bellhousing pattern.) Anyhoo...I think you'll find the track width a bit wide for your proposed swap...but being a TRUCK and all...it may fit the bill, depending on what you're after as far as ride height and such. [/ QUOTE ] I agree too. As having owned and become very deeply involved in all things '77-79 Thunderbird/Cougar, all I can say is I WISH they cam from the factory with a 460. If that's what you have; cool, someone did the hard part for you. Go here, and scroll down, there's a whole section on using these frames: http://www.ford-trucks.com./forums/showthread.php?t=193210
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