Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Late V8 (1954+)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-15-2021, 05:38 PM   #1
Bill Playfoot
Member
 
Bill Playfoot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 53
Default 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V

Would this engine be a good replacement for the 352 in my 1958 Sedan Delivery?
Bill Playfoot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2021, 06:19 PM   #2
1930artdeco
Senior Member
 
1930artdeco's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lynden, Wa
Posts: 3,548
Default Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V

Direct bolt in and lots of power. Matter of fact it is the same engine just different bore and stroke.

Mike
__________________
1930 TownSedan (Briggs)
1957 Country Sedan
1930artdeco is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 07-15-2021, 07:05 PM   #3
scicala
Senior Member
 
scicala's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Detroit suburb, MI
Posts: 3,697
Default Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V

It would be a great replacement and performance increase.

Sal
scicala is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2021, 08:36 PM   #4
Lanny
Senior Member
 
Lanny's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mn
Posts: 2,404
Default Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V

Bill, is the 390 a low mile engine ?, Or better yet, is it a rebuilt 390 engine ?
Recently Rebuilt would be nice, so it would have good seals, etc, etc.




.
__________________
My Wife Says That I Never Listen to Her,
I Think That's What She Said


If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.
But if daddy ain't happy...RUN
Lanny is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2021, 08:42 PM   #5
Bill Playfoot
Member
 
Bill Playfoot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 53
Default Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lanny View Post
Bill, is the 390 a low mile engine ?, Or better yet, is it a rebuilt 390 engine ?
Recently Rebuilt would be nice, so it would have good seals, etc, etc.




.
I don't know the mileage yet. It is still in the Thunderbird. The Thunderbird body is rusted badly.
Bill Playfoot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2021, 08:42 PM   #6
Bill Playfoot
Member
 
Bill Playfoot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 53
Default Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Thanks for the quick replies everyone.
Bill Playfoot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2021, 09:54 AM   #7
5851a
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: NE Iowa
Posts: 1,662
Default Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V

Newer block will have the advantage of alternator mount and shorter water pump and pulley setup.
5851a is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2021, 12:24 PM   #8
rotorwrench
Senior Member
 
rotorwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,372
Default Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V

I'm not sure when the change came but Ford changed the casting a bit to allow a slightly different location for the motor mounts. They can still be used with the older mounts but may need to drill a hole & tap it for one or more bolts. It may have been in the late 60s when they did that but I can't remember. That is the bolt location and delete of the early bolt threaded bore location on certain bolt holes. Earlier blocks like the 1964 may have all the bolt holes but I don't remember. It's been many years since I overhauled the motor in a 1964 Thunderbird I used to have.

Last edited by rotorwrench; 07-17-2021 at 07:41 AM.
rotorwrench is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2021, 03:35 PM   #9
KULTULZ
Senior Member
 
KULTULZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY
Posts: 6,418
Post Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V

The change came between the 64 and 65 model years. You can put a late FE in a early chassis but to put an early FE into a 65/ chassis, the mounts will need modifications.

10-4 on the ALT MTG change.
__________________
*****

- DISCLAIMER -

The above posted information is in my opinion only (IMO) and may contain copy and paste material(s).

In addition, any above tech information is supplied in good faith. No responsibility implied or otherwise can be accepted for the way others use or interpret provided data.

Your experience(s), opinion(s) and mileage may vary.

DIAGNOSED CDO - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order)
KULTULZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2021, 04:01 PM   #10
Bill Playfoot
Member
 
Bill Playfoot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 53
Default Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V

Quote:
Originally Posted by KULTULZ View Post
The change came between the 64 and 65 model years. You can put a late FE in a early chassis but to put an early FE into a 65/ chassis, the mounts will need modifications.

10-4 on the ALT MTG change.
So it is still an easy swap to do without modifications?
Bill Playfoot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2021, 04:21 PM   #11
KULTULZ
Senior Member
 
KULTULZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY
Posts: 6,418
Thumbs up Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Playfoot View Post

So it is still an easy swap to do without modifications?
Yes.
__________________
*****

- DISCLAIMER -

The above posted information is in my opinion only (IMO) and may contain copy and paste material(s).

In addition, any above tech information is supplied in good faith. No responsibility implied or otherwise can be accepted for the way others use or interpret provided data.

Your experience(s), opinion(s) and mileage may vary.

DIAGNOSED CDO - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order)
KULTULZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2021, 07:22 PM   #12
Bill Playfoot
Member
 
Bill Playfoot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 53
Default Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V

Thanks
Bill Playfoot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2021, 07:30 PM   #13
JimNNN
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 522
Default Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V

Very cool looking sedan delivery from what I can see. I don't believe I've seen one of '58 vintage before.

Last edited by JimNNN; 07-18-2021 at 12:19 PM.
JimNNN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2021, 08:09 PM   #14
Bill Playfoot
Member
 
Bill Playfoot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 53
Default Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V

It looks worse than it really is.
The front floor body mounts must have rusted away. The previous owner had the idea you could replace the body mounts by cutting the floor away first. Needs the rocker panels,rear lower fender panels and top of the fenders replaced. I might buy the fender top repair panels but the rest I can fabricate.
I have collected most everything that is missing already.
Still have to locate the Meteor script that goes on the header panel and the Sedan Delivery script for the quarter panels.
Wish I had a source that could tell me how many were produced in '58. I have read sales ads that say a total of 331 to a total of under 770 were produced.
Bill Playfoot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2021, 06:09 AM   #15
KULTULZ
Senior Member
 
KULTULZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY
Posts: 6,418
Question Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V

This is a CAN METEOR?

Like to see a shot of the grille and front end.
__________________
*****

- DISCLAIMER -

The above posted information is in my opinion only (IMO) and may contain copy and paste material(s).

In addition, any above tech information is supplied in good faith. No responsibility implied or otherwise can be accepted for the way others use or interpret provided data.

Your experience(s), opinion(s) and mileage may vary.

DIAGNOSED CDO - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order)
KULTULZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2021, 08:52 AM   #16
5851a
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: NE Iowa
Posts: 1,662
Default Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V

http://emsautomotive.com/index.php?r...h=18_68&page=1 has most of your sheet metal needs
5851a is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2021, 12:06 PM   #17
rotorwrench
Senior Member
 
rotorwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,372
Default Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V

The Meteor script trim will likely be easier to find than the Sedan Delivery model trim. Not much of the Canadian stuff makes it too far south. There is bound to be a Mercury fanatice up north that has stuff like that in their stash. Finding them and getting them to part with it is another matter.
rotorwrench is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2021, 12:36 PM   #18
JimNNN
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 522
Default Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Playfoot View Post
Still have to locate the Meteor script that goes on the header panel and the Sedan Delivery script for the quarter panels.
Wish I had a source that could tell me how many were produced in '58. I have read sales ads that say a total of 331 to a total of under 770 were produced.



That would explain why I haven't seen many of them. I, as well, would like to see pics of this car, if you ever get a chance. I have a "54 Ranch Wagon and I'm very interested in stuff like this.



Earlier this year, I came close to checking out a late 60's Meteor LeMoyne (not a wagon or delivery) in Arizona when I was taking my son to school. I wasn't able stop and see it because I ran into car problems. It had to have been one of the few Canadian made Meteors to have spent most of its 50+ year life in a very dry part of Arizona!
JimNNN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2021, 08:37 PM   #19
Bill Playfoot
Member
 
Bill Playfoot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 53
Default Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V

I have the complete bumper and grille assembly

I did find on ebay the Meteor header panel script but did not have the money to buy it once
I think if I have to I could take a pattern off the car of the script. Then have the script water cut out of aluminum.
I can buff the aluminum at work easily
The picture of the blue header is one from pinterest.ca
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_3002.jpg (80.2 KB, 26 views)
File Type: jpg 14947939427_66464d661a_b.jpg (76.9 KB, 63 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_3004.jpg (66.8 KB, 22 views)
Bill Playfoot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2021, 04:51 AM   #20
KULTULZ
Senior Member
 
KULTULZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY
Posts: 6,418
Thumbs up Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V

The grille is very interesting to me anyways.



If the center grille ornament is removed, the look is similar to a 58 BIRD.

The HDL DOORS, were they black from assembly or bright finish?

As for the name plates, maybe have them air-brushed on?

THANX! for the photos ...
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 1958 FORD METERIOR (CAN) Grille _1.jpg (80.2 KB, 8 views)
__________________
*****

- DISCLAIMER -

The above posted information is in my opinion only (IMO) and may contain copy and paste material(s).

In addition, any above tech information is supplied in good faith. No responsibility implied or otherwise can be accepted for the way others use or interpret provided data.

Your experience(s), opinion(s) and mileage may vary.

DIAGNOSED CDO - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order)
KULTULZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:08 PM.