The Ford Barn

JimNNN · 04-03-2019, 03:12 PM

The '65 Thunderbird (mild) project car that I bought several months ago runs well, but the FE engine in it has a 2bbl carb rather than a 4bbl, and (as I understand it) all '64 and '65 came with a 390 4bbl engine, no exceptions. I figured a previous owner changed the carb out at some point, but then considered the possibility that it might be a non-original engine.

I consider myself fortunate to have an engine that runs this good and doesn't smoke for the price I paid, so I'm NOT going to change it out if it isn't an original T-bird engine, but would like to know what I'm dealing with for adjustments, timing and tune ups. I've read online (so it must be true) you can't really use engine numbers to identify 60's FE engines to specific vehicles.

When I google image "65 T-bird engine compartment" I get two different color schemes (pics don't say if engines are original.) One has the gold colored air cleaner housing and valve covers like this:

https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2013/0...d-thunderbird/

Others have a dark blue air cleaner housing with blue valve covers like this (Not my car, but mine is like this car...):

Which color was original on '65 Thunderbirds? I've also seen one with gold air filter and blue valve covers. I UNDERSTAND that people can repaint engine parts, but I'm wondering if blue was a standard color for cleaner and covers on other fords of the era, and if that could help explain why I have a 2bbl on my FE.

04-03-2019, 03:12 PM	#1
JimNNN Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 522	1965 Thunderbird engine colors (etc.) The '65 Thunderbird (mild) project car that I bought several months ago runs well, but the FE engine in it has a 2bbl carb rather than a 4bbl, and (as I understand it) all '64 and '65 came with a 390 4bbl engine, no exceptions. I figured a previous owner changed the carb out at some point, but then considered the possibility that it might be a non-original engine. I consider myself fortunate to have an engine that runs this good and doesn't smoke for the price I paid, so I'm NOT going to change it out if it isn't an original T-bird engine, but would like to know what I'm dealing with for adjustments, timing and tune ups. I've read online (so it must be true) you can't really use engine numbers to identify 60's FE engines to specific vehicles. When I google image "65 T-bird engine compartment" I get two different color schemes (pics don't say if engines are original.) One has the gold colored air cleaner housing and valve covers like this: https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2013/0...d-thunderbird/ Others have a dark blue air cleaner housing with blue valve covers like this (Not my car, but mine is like this car...): Which color was original on '65 Thunderbirds? I've also seen one with gold air filter and blue valve covers. I UNDERSTAND that people can repaint engine parts, but I'm wondering if blue was a standard color for cleaner and covers on other fords of the era, and if that could help explain why I have a 2bbl on my FE.