Guys, I am befuddled as to what size engine my '61 parts car has in it?
The 390 was supposed to be the ONLY engine for 1961. My first clue that this motor is not a 390 was when I tried to salvage the oil dip stick, and it was WAY SHORT. Also, notice that the coil is mounted on the LEFT (behind the expansion tank).
What other engines (small block) could it be, that would work in a '61? (and how can I tell what this one is?)
What Size Engine?
Moderator: ABQTBird
-
- Posts: 753
- Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2016 1:33 pm
What Size Engine?
Steve G.
'62 TBird HT
'61 TBird HT (parts car)
'88 Ranger XLT
'02 Sportrac 4x4
2012 Dodge RAM 4x4
'49 Ford 8N
'62 TBird HT
'61 TBird HT (parts car)
'88 Ranger XLT
'02 Sportrac 4x4
2012 Dodge RAM 4x4
'49 Ford 8N
-
- Posts: 753
- Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2016 1:33 pm
Re: What Size Engine?
another view
Steve G.
'62 TBird HT
'61 TBird HT (parts car)
'88 Ranger XLT
'02 Sportrac 4x4
2012 Dodge RAM 4x4
'49 Ford 8N
'62 TBird HT
'61 TBird HT (parts car)
'88 Ranger XLT
'02 Sportrac 4x4
2012 Dodge RAM 4x4
'49 Ford 8N
-
- Posts: 753
- Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2016 1:33 pm
Re: What Size Engine?
Guys on FE Big Block group on Facebook are all saying it IS a 390
Steve G.
'62 TBird HT
'61 TBird HT (parts car)
'88 Ranger XLT
'02 Sportrac 4x4
2012 Dodge RAM 4x4
'49 Ford 8N
'62 TBird HT
'61 TBird HT (parts car)
'88 Ranger XLT
'02 Sportrac 4x4
2012 Dodge RAM 4x4
'49 Ford 8N
Re: What Size Engine?
Definitely an FE
1963 HT, Corinthian White / Pearl Beige
1966 Convertible, Sauterne Gold / Parchment leather/Ivy Gold (428 A/C)
1967 Tudor Landau, Raven Black / Black (428)
1970 Five Window Landau Brougham, Ginger Met. Poly / Ginger Hopsack
1966 Convertible, Sauterne Gold / Parchment leather/Ivy Gold (428 A/C)
1967 Tudor Landau, Raven Black / Black (428)
1970 Five Window Landau Brougham, Ginger Met. Poly / Ginger Hopsack
- redstangbob
- Posts: 3604
- Joined: Fri May 02, 2008 4:06 pm
- Location: 40 miles east of Wixom
Re: What Size Engine?
That is an FE engine, it has pre-65 valve covers but are painted blue. It's very possible that it's a transplant out of anything from a Galaxie to a Pick-up. The distributor is old style steel line and has an Autolite 4100 carb, both will have date codes. The block and heads will also have date codes, but you need to measure engine stroke to be sure of engine size. Don't judge by the dipstick, there's better ways to tell. good luck, Bob C
It's gonna be cool when it's done
And now it's really cool !!
59 convertible
58 convertible
65 hardtop
And now it's really cool !!
59 convertible
58 convertible
65 hardtop
- redstangbob
- Posts: 3604
- Joined: Fri May 02, 2008 4:06 pm
- Location: 40 miles east of Wixom
Re: What Size Engine?
It's gonna be cool when it's done
And now it's really cool !!
59 convertible
58 convertible
65 hardtop
And now it's really cool !!
59 convertible
58 convertible
65 hardtop
- Alan H. Tast
- Posts: 4226
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2003 10:52 pm
- Location: Omaha, NE
Re: What Size Engine?
One of the locations for the coil bracket for '61 and earlier FEs was on the passenger side below the expansion tank. Chances are someone did a "spray can overhaul" and painted the covers blue. The brake booster has been replaced with a non-OEM one.
If you could, please post the VIN/serial number. Determining if you have an early-, mid- or late-production car would be beneficial as there were numerous running changes during the model year.
How long is the dipstick/oil level indicator? I am attempting to compile a list of dipstick lengths in order to help ID applications - measurements I'm needing are from the bottom of the shield at the handle end to the full mark, add mark and end of indicator.
https://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/ ... gth#p86185
has more information on oil level indicators for '58-'66s.
If you could, please post the VIN/serial number. Determining if you have an early-, mid- or late-production car would be beneficial as there were numerous running changes during the model year.
How long is the dipstick/oil level indicator? I am attempting to compile a list of dipstick lengths in order to help ID applications - measurements I'm needing are from the bottom of the shield at the handle end to the full mark, add mark and end of indicator.
https://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/ ... gth#p86185
has more information on oil level indicators for '58-'66s.
Alan H. Tast, AIA
Technical Director/Past President,
Vintage Thunderbird Club Int'l.
Author, "Thunderbird 1955-1966" & "Thunderbird 50 Years"
1963 Hardtop & 1963 Sports Roadster
Technical Director/Past President,
Vintage Thunderbird Club Int'l.
Author, "Thunderbird 1955-1966" & "Thunderbird 50 Years"
1963 Hardtop & 1963 Sports Roadster
-
- Posts: 753
- Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2016 1:33 pm
Re: What Size Engine?
Alan, the VIN for my '61 (parts car) is 1Y712148117.Alan H. Tast wrote: ↑Sat Apr 14, 2018 5:53 pm One of the locations for the coil bracket for '61 and earlier FEs was on the passenger side below the expansion tank. Chances are someone did a "spray can overhaul" and painted the covers blue. The brake booster has been replaced with a non-OEM one.
If you could, please post the VIN/serial number. Determining if you have an early-, mid- or late-production car would be beneficial as there were numerous running changes during the model year.
How long is the dipstick/oil level indicator? I am attempting to compile a list of dipstick lengths in order to help ID applications - measurements I'm needing are from the bottom of the shield at the handle end to the full mark, add mark and end of indicator.
https://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/ ... gth#p86185
has more information on oil level indicators for '58-'66s.
I remember that dip stick size discussion we had, as I was trying to find a replacement for one on my '62, but the one I got from Mac's was too wide.
Here's that longer discussion:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=14271&p=85293&hilit=dip+stick
I will go out and get the additional dip stick lengths you are asking for, later.
Thanks
Steve G.
'62 TBird HT
'61 TBird HT (parts car)
'88 Ranger XLT
'02 Sportrac 4x4
2012 Dodge RAM 4x4
'49 Ford 8N
'62 TBird HT
'61 TBird HT (parts car)
'88 Ranger XLT
'02 Sportrac 4x4
2012 Dodge RAM 4x4
'49 Ford 8N
Re: What Size Engine?
Steve looks like a 390 to me, there are several different dipstick and tube combinations for the 390. This same engine block can be a 332, 352, 360, 390 and 428 just by changing bore and or stroke and some different components.
Jim Mills
VTCI # 8071
VTCI 1964-66 Technical Editor
2002 Thunderbird
1965 Convertible
1962 Convertible (in progress)
1959 Ford Retractable HT
Many parts cars
VTCI # 8071
VTCI 1964-66 Technical Editor
2002 Thunderbird
1965 Convertible
1962 Convertible (in progress)
1959 Ford Retractable HT
Many parts cars