1964 Thunderbird engine swap

[s1nemesis1s]

Hey guys,

Been doing a great deal of thinking - I know, dangerous right? I may have even asked this before but would share my thoughts I am in now.

My tbird's motor is not in great shape, the transmission is suspect too - I am wondering, I have a 95 Roadmaster with a busted body but GREAT LT1 motor an transmission. Would it be possible, to swap my tbird to an LT1? I know it sounds crazy, but I think that it could be very cool and provide the restomod I am looking for? Has anyone done anything like this? Thoughts?

[RedBird64]

Anything like that is possible with enough money and fabrication - which would be a lot.

Scott

[s1nemesis1s]

I think it would be very neat, but I would hate to chop one of these beautiful cars up to make it work. I think I will just park the roadmaster make sure it is stored correctly, and wait and see. I need to do some measuring and see how much I would have to chop up.

[jtschug]

Yes, with enough time and effort, I'm sure it could be done.

However, I don't think there is anything cool about putting a small block Chevy into a car that didn't come with one from the factory. Mouse motors are the McDonald's cheeseburger of V8 engines. They are cheap and plentiful, I see them all the time at car shows. They are in T-buckets, deuce coupes, hi-boys, pickup trucks, classic Broncos, old Jeeps, etc. etc.

The Buick LT1 has 260HP, less than the original 390 FE engine which I think was rated at 290HP in 1964.

If you want something fuel injected, I suggest getting a 5.0L Ford from the late 80's and adding nicer heads and intake and putting a little more cam in it. You can easily get 380+ HP out of that engine, and then you will have something cool.

[s1nemesis1s]

I agree - I think what I am going to do is rebuild the stock 390 with new heads and intake as well - maybe swap over to a C6 for parts availability and simplicity - again, may keep the stock trans. Not crazy about fuel injection, like the simplicity of NOT having a computer - but I was considering all angles.

[RedBird64]

That's sound like a good plan.
About the trans; the COM is a fine transmission and is even better after a rebuild. Parts are absolutely readily available.

Don't discount EFI too quickly!
These days everything is contained in the throttle body; all sensors, pressure regulator, ECM, etc. Only the 02 sensor is seperate and the kit makes that easy to add.
You can't imagine how sweet the 390 runs with fuel injection!
This is the Holley Sniper:


Another mod I suggest is a 1 wire alt. Gives you all the power you ever need even at idle and it doesn't strain the stock wiring.

Scott

[stubbie]

Looking at Facebook yesterday and saw a tbird with a 429.

[sseebart]

Looking at Facebook yesterday and saw a tbird with a 429.

Got a link? I would love to see it.

[stubbie]

I'll look

[stubbie]

https://s43.photobucket.com/user/steven ... sms&page=1
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2498080 ... 375157877/

[jtschug]

A 429/460 will certainly fit, but it isn't much more modern than the FE and it weighs several hundred pounds more.

[RedBird64]

A 429/460 will certainly fit, but it isn't much more modern than the FE and it weighs several hundred pounds more.

Actually they weigh about the same, just over 700# but I agree with you that it isn't much more modern.
You could make it more modern with EFI and Elect. Ign and knock nearly 200# off with aluminum parts! Of course, you can do all that to the 390 (like I did).

[jtschug]

Here it is, you asked and Ford has delivered. A modern Ford pushrod engine that will fit under the hood without mods, has over 400 HP, and almost 450 cubic inches. It is called "Godzilla"

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a2857 ... -8-trucks/

[sseebart]

Here it is, you asked and Ford has delivered. A modern Ford pushrod engine that will fit under the hood without mods, has over 400 HP, and almost 450 cubic inches. It is called "Godzilla"

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a2857 ... -8-trucks/

And it comes with a 10 speed transmission! Sweet.