Vintage Thunderbird Club International

It has been a long time since I updated this thread but I have been working on the Tbird. I have decided to go a different route with this project. I swapped to 65 disc brakes and had everything with that completed when I blew the motor up. So since the motor finally gave up I have decided to motor swap it with a 4.6 3v from a Mustang. I already have the motor and control pack. I need to source a transmission. But first I am going to start cleaning up the engine bay and repainting it.

Well I found a few problems At least she’s out.

Is that the bit of lifter in the top of the chain?

stubbie wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 9:11 pm Is that the bit of lifter in the top of the chain?

No that’s the washer that broke. Then the bolt pulled through the cam gear.

That lifter is definitely a problem. I'm having some problems with my lifters as well. Waiting on a set of Morels to show up.

Before you paint the engine bay make sure you don't have to modify the shock towers to fit that mod motor in there.

Unless you are going to do forced induction on the 3-valve, you may be disappointed with the performance. You should definitely put gears in the back so you can spin it a bit faster.

jtschug wrote: ↑Wed Sep 09, 2020 2:18 pm That lifter is definitely a problem. I'm having some problems with my lifters as well. Waiting on a set of Morels to show up.

Before you paint the engine bay make sure you don't have to modify the shock towers to fit that mod motor in there.

Unless you are going to do forced induction on the 3-valve, you may be disappointed with the performance. You should definitely put gears in the back so you can spin it a bit faster.

From all the measuring I’ve done from both motors and the engine it shouldn’t need modified shock towers. But I’ll cross that bridge soon. As far as the power I really don’t think it will be a problem. The 390 never ran right anyway. Shitty #@* carb. So I’m sure it will pull it’s self well. It won’t be that far from the weight of the mustang after motor and transmission swap.

Well I have finally started messing with the bird again. Pulled the old engine and trans out. I’m gonna start trying to put new engine in and mock up motor mounts.

Great to see you back on the project. I'm about to start back on mine also, so good motivation reading yours!

Well I got out and worked on the Bird some today. I'm finally getting things where they should be. I need to pull the trans crossmember and make a new one so I can set the motor back 2 inches and then I will be able to finish the motor mounts. I am going to put a rack and pinion in the car bc the manifolds would not fit with gearbox. but that shouldn't be that bad. If anyone needs and good gearbox and brake booster let me know. I don't need them anymore.

Motor Mounts and Tranny mounts are made. I have now started the wiring of the control pack. Ill be relocating the battery to the truck this week when my parts get here. Then it will be a while till I can do anything else till I get some more parts. Ill get some more pics this weekend.

Looking forward to see how the rack and pinion steering goes.

Well it has been a really long time since I touched the ole bird but at least I have started back. I decide to pull the dash because I bought a black dash and I want to replace all the other junk under the dash. So here we go again. Daughter wants to drive it. Probably the best motivation I have.

Got the ac system out. I’m going to go something more modern. I really like RestomodAir design.

So I stripped the insulation off the firewall today and have been working on throttle pedal bracket. I’m trying to decide the best place to mount this new ac box. It looks pretty compact.