I hope to start gathering some parts to get my t-bird started. I want a clean mild mild mild custom look. I want a bit of power under the hood and a low stance. I plan on using a ford 8.8 rear with disc brakes all the way around once done. Any suggestions on what to do to get it running and reliable quick and simple? I know rebuilding it is an option, I was wanting to see what kind of swaps would be cost effective and still support some power mods. It still has the original everything, the engine is seized from sitting for 15 years. What about suspension options on my bird? This car was given to me by my mom and she got it from her mom so I plan on having this car for a long time.
I have a 5.0 HO from an '88 Mustang in my '59 and have been very happy with it. Bolt in swap, lot's of these are out there as donors, and tons of aftermarket. It is a big heavy car, and the 5.0 isn't as happy as it was in the Mustang I pulled it from, but it's easy, cheap and reliable. Brian
Flynbrian, did you use the comp and fuel inj from the 88? or carb it? I want some get up and go with whatever I put in it. I wouldnt mind rebuilding the 390 and beefing it up, im open to suggestions. I guess I should have also said that Im more of a Chevy guy, don't know much at all bout the ovals....
I'd rebuild the 390 'cause most of the other parts, you already have. You'll be saving $$$$ and shoe leather in the long run.
what kind of power can they make? I know factory was 300hp for my bird, but its a big heavy car. What about the trans? What kind of power can it handle?
Try and locate the optional tri-power intake that some 390 birds came with... And also the cam. The trans should be stout enough to handle the torque and horsepower. Read up on the 401 horsepower 390's on the net for more info.
the factory triple duece setup was 330hp, i've found a little bit here and there mostly stroker setups, which I am in no way against on this!
A 390/C6 from a slightly later car would be my choice. This motor/trans combo was used in cars from '66 to '70 or so, and up to about '76 in trucks. The truck motors make good cores, but will need some help to give legitimate performance. Your cast-iron Cruise-O-Matic was well thought of by most trans guys, but has limited aftermarket support. Those are neat cars, I remember my Dad's fondly. Keep us updated as you progress.
My stock '61 Bird would stroll pretty good once you got it rolling ... pretty damn impressive from regular highway speeds on up to 100 or so. (I'm not an "off the line" kinda guy). As mentioned, it's a big heavy car. I have all the respect in the world for the small block Fords, but I'd be lookin' for some torque to move that barge! I'd go with the 390. Then your only problem will be the gas gauge moving faster than the speedometer!
You ever see the funky Holley carb that comes on some of these birds??? The one I have from a bird is wierd lookin'..
I used the 5.0 as is from the donor Mustang GT, along with the complete wiring harness, radiator, exhaust system (all stainless), every nut, bolt, clamp, event the battery. I bought the Mustang for 800 bucks, well worth it. As I said, the 5.0 isn't very torquey, and the big 'Bird is heavier than the 'Stang by about half a ton, but it's still a nice driving, relatively quick car. The 302 is so much lighter than the original engine/trans, that the front springs didn't compress AT ALL, the suspension was on the upper bump stops. My car was purchased as a gutted hulk with MANY missing parts, no trans, no radiator, wiring harness stripped, so I didn't have much to start with. If I'd had the trans, torque converter and other missing pieces, I'd have used it's (good) 352. I didn't, so I used what I thought was the next best thing. Oh, it gets better than 20 mpg too.
I will keep updated, but it will be a while before I even get started unfortunately, My grandmother has to get a copy of the title from California, I need to finish my truck as well.
Speaking from experience (I've owned my '66 Tbird for over 13 years), FE's have plenty of power to move Thunderbirds around well. Since your car is complete, there's no need to swap out to something else that will require adapters or fabrication. How many miles were on the motor before it was parked? Perhaps it'll only require an overhaul, not a full rebuild. Maybe you will only need to hone the cylinders, re-ring & bearing it, fresh gaskets, etc. If you've got the budget for it, SCAT makes stroker crank kits that would be the single easiest power upgrade for you. Torque is what you'll want to move that heavy car around. Lastly, since you said it was passed down from your Grandmother, to your Mother, to you, I'd think you'd want to take care of it and not butcher it? 62 Tbirds look great, stick with your plan of a "mild mild mild custom" and you'll have a great car.
I dont want to butcher it at all, but I want to keep with what my grandmother would like, She was a hotrodder in her younger days, rode a motorcyle too. I dont think the SCAT kit is out of the question at all. I do want to put air ride on it (she likes the idea too!). I plan on removing the front "bumper push bar looking thing" and removing some of the extra trim peices here and there. I want to put the interior back to stock for the most part. I'd love to paint it that pearl white you see on some of the newer cars. I dont know how many miles are on it, I do know that some of the stuff was removed from the car by my uncle for his 61 (My grandmother brought a 61 for him and a 62 for my mom, the years they were born, back from california). I know the air cleaner is gone and various animals have made residence under the hood so I'm sure its got alot of "junk" in it.
Leave the 9 inch rear axle in place and add disc to it. It is twice as strong as an 8.8 and the gear options are endless. This is the rear end run by the big hp guys. You can find locker carriers in junk yards, just check the axle spines. Yours is 28 unless the axle has been changed. Read up on the 390 fe engine. Lotsa potential there. good luck,
Keep a 390 in it. The Rearend is a 9",why put an 8.8 in there??? Suspension options? Airbags are PRICEY for the 'birds. I cut 1 1/4 coils off the front and I plan on 2" blocks in the rear.That's it.(pics in my albums) I have the original 390 and COM trans in my '61 and I'm happy with it. No it's not going to win any drag races,that's NOT what the cars were built to do. Here's a couple of Transmission links for you; http://www.broaderperformance.com/ http://www.ford-aod.com/ For any resto questions/parts,go over to the VTCI forums and you'll find the most knowledgeable Tbird guys. http://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.org/questions.htm Check out Jim Wulf's site also... www.tbirdgarage.com
I also have a 1962 Thunderbird and these are a nice car to own. I lowered my car by cutting the front coils. I removed 1 3/4 coils and 2 1/2 inch lowering blocks in the rear. I had to make my own lowering blocks to fit the rear. I still run the original 390 which I re-ringed it last year. These engines do get good gas milage. I am getting over 20 miles to the gallon out of mine. I still have the stock transmisson and rear end. I also am running 15 inch rims instead of the stock 14 inch rims. Here is a picture of the car.
Awesome info guys, much appreciated. 61tbird, what makes bags for the bird pricey? wouldn't it be the same as bagging most anything else? ArtGeco, I'm already there
http://www.ridetech.com/shop/index....&category_id=1898&subcats=Y&features_hash=V63 $900 for the Front $500 for the Rear (even though they list the rear as Coil Spring/Shock) Then add in the Tank/Compressor/Lines and fittings and you're at $2k minimun. This one starts at $1500 for the "complete" set-up, http://www.thehoffmangroup.com/autoloc/aircommandconfigure.lasso?step=system $1500-$2500 will put a big dent in what the 'bird needs. For any new parts,there's 3 places to choose from and they're all about the same for price. Thunderbird Headquarters- http://www.tbirdhq.com/ Concours Parts- http://concoursparts.com/ Larry's Tbird- http://www.larrystbird.com/index.html Used parts-Thunderbird Ranch- http://www.tbirdranch.com/
I apparently need to get this car here before June 15th, my grandmothers house (rented) is falling apart and she's moving on the 15th. Any suggestions for towing a car (110 miles) thats sat for 10years?
Do you know anyone with a Car Trailer? If not, A Car Carrier rented from U-Haul or another Rental service in the area. A Full-Size Truck(Do not show up at U Haul with an Expedition/Yukon/Tahoe) If it's U-Haul,you're towing a small car... A winch to get it on the trailer and a Buddy to go along for the ride an to help out.
i think the t-bird ends up too wide for a u-haul trailer, been a long time since I measured it though.....
I went down to the car Sunday and we got air in the tires. Put two "newer" tires on it that would hold air. Got it pulled into a better spot to load it, should have it here in a week or two. Time is starting to take its toll on her, from the outside she looks good but when we got the hood popped (45 minutes) the support on the underside of the hood is in many many rusty peices falling everywhere, The rear of the trunk lid is the same way. A year or so ago I sanded off some surface rust and used a spray bomb on it to cover the bare metal, and to keep so many people from asking my Grandmother if it was for sale.
thats mostly dirt on the rocker panel, crappy cell phone pics. My grandmother tells me its a 62, the grille is 62, the side trim is 61 though, and the VIN says 61, so I'm guessing the car was sold in 62 and titled then. Its rough and going to need ALOT of work.....
I as well as many others think the tripower as the quintesential (sp) ford 1961-63 setup. However--- big but however--- They can be really expensive, I've got 3 of the Galaxie setup's and to get a really good running set is approx $1000. The T-Bird tripower "flat" manifold setup would be a few hundred $ more. My suggestion would be to get a good reliable single quad manifold with a 650CFM carb fine tune your ride and go for the glamour & fine tuning later. Movin/on
Movin, you hit the nail on the head, I'd love to have a tri power, but unless I run across one that is way underpriced it aint happening any time soon.
You can build 390 ponies from your 390 with all stock parts. In the Thunder Hawk you aren't going to win the winter naionals with that HP but you'll be about as happy as a duck in mud with it and it will be as reliable as a hammer.
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