1966 Thunderbird 390 4V
 

Would this engine be a good replacement for the 352 in my 1958 Sedan Delivery?

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

Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V
 

It would be a great replacement and performance increase.

Sal

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. ;)




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Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V
 

I don't know the mileage yet. It is still in the Thunderbird. The Thunderbird body is rusted badly.

Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V
 

Thanks for the quick replies everyone.

Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V
 

Newer block will have the advantage of alternator mount and shorter water pump and pulley setup.

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.

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.

Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V
 

So it is still an easy swap to do without modifications?

Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V
 

Yes.

Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V
 

Thanks

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.

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.

Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V
 

This is a CAN METEOR?

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

Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V
 

http://emsautomotive.com/index.php?r...h=18_68&page=1 has most of your sheet metal needs

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.

Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V
 

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!

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

Re: 1966 Thunderbird 390 4V
 

The grille is very interesting to me anyways.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...6&d=1626658249

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 ... ;)