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Post by mrmike on Oct 18, 2019 11:29:44 GMT -7
This Thunderbird is another refugee from my dusty and dirty model shelves. When I get done with this T-Bird, it will no longer be a Turbo Coupe! Why? It will have a Boss 429 engine in its engine compartment, that's why. This T-Bird was covered with dust and dust-puppies and I started to clean it off. Then, the model started to fall apart. I remember reading in Hot Rod Magazine some time ago about rodders stuffing Ford V8s into the T-Bird and then Ford followed suit by adding a 5.0 Ltr. V8 to their lineup. I'm going to attempt the same, but with a BIG PUNCH!  The Boss 429 is on the left. The others were considered.  It fits the frame rails, but it might have to be lowered a bit to fit under the hood.  More Thunderbird to come... |
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Post by mmthrax on Oct 18, 2019 12:00:17 GMT -7
This should be cool.
Looking forward to this...
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Post by mrmike on Oct 18, 2019 18:10:22 GMT -7
Thanks Mark! Not that I really need to do it, it's just something I want to try...
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Post by dumpydan on Oct 19, 2019 5:09:26 GMT -7
Awesome, haven't seen one of these in a real long time will be watching.
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Post by mrmike on Oct 19, 2019 6:26:46 GMT -7
Thanks dumpydan! T-Birds are often overlooked as a performance car, but this will be!
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Post by stitchdup on Oct 19, 2019 9:35:35 GMT -7
Cool, this should be fun to watch
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Post by mrmike on Oct 19, 2019 13:47:02 GMT -7
And, fun it is! I got the engine lower in the chassis by modifying the oil pan and creating a dry sump engine. Then I modified the overflow container and made it a little smaller to clear the left side pump on the belt assembly. I'll make a new transmission and engine mounts for the frame.    More Thunderbird to come... |
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Post by mustang1989 on Oct 19, 2019 14:00:49 GMT -7
Man that fits in there as snug as a bug in a rug. Looking great Mike!!!
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Post by leon on Oct 19, 2019 17:54:22 GMT -7
Talk about a tight squeeze! Engine looks great Mike.
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Post by mrmike on Oct 19, 2019 19:35:12 GMT -7
Thanks Joe and leon! It is a tight fit, but it did go in with a little persuasion. My main concern was getting the engine to sit as low as possible in the chassis and I accomplished that by making the engine a dry sump oiling system.
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Post by poet on Oct 20, 2019 8:29:34 GMT -7
Nice project!! I'm in.
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Post by mrmike on Oct 20, 2019 18:06:25 GMT -7
Thanks Dennis! This is something I have thought about off and on over the years. Now I can do something about it!
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Post by mustang1989 on Oct 20, 2019 18:13:34 GMT -7
Thanks Joe and leon! It is a tight fit, but it did go in with a little persuasion. My main concern was getting the engine to sit as low as possible in the chassis and I accomplished that by making the engine a dry sump oiling system. Good idea on changing the oil pan up. Another way of doing it for future reference is like is done with the 460 powered Fox body Mustangs. The cross member is dropped some by spacers between the K-member and frame. You can counter the spacing to retain the front tire to fender clearance desired by raising the spindle location thus dropping the front end enough to look right. A stock hood closes over a 460 with a little room to spare.  |
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Post by mrmike on Oct 21, 2019 6:06:02 GMT -7
Good idea Joe! My goal is to do this with the minimum cutting and whacking as possible. While I do enjoy some scratch building, modifying the crossmember seems to be more than I want to do. Thanks!
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Post by mmthrax on Oct 21, 2019 8:58:52 GMT -7
Nice progress Mike. That is really shoehorned in there. Looks good. Bet you're glad you don't have to work on it when it's done.  |
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Post by mrmike on Oct 21, 2019 14:43:45 GMT -7
Well, it's like this...the plugs will be easy to change!  |
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Post by mrmike on Oct 21, 2019 19:36:52 GMT -7
Tonight, I got the engine installed into the chassis.   Save for a few touchups, the chassis is done! The exhaust system hooked up right where it should. I'll add some exhaust tips and maybe notch the rear bumper for the tips.  More Thunderbird to come... |
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Post by mrmike on Oct 22, 2019 13:58:29 GMT -7
I masked the T-Bird this morning and brush painted the trim around the windows and the body side moldings. I had some bleed under the tape, so now it's cleanup time.  The more I stared at the exhaust system, the more I didn't like it. I cut the mufflers from the Turbo exhaust and the Mustang Boss 429 exhaust and swapped them around.   More Thunderbird to come... |
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Post by stitchdup on Oct 23, 2019 0:11:46 GMT -7
Nice work Mike, the new exhaust looks like it was meant for it
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Post by mrmike on Oct 23, 2019 6:15:31 GMT -7
Thanks Stitchdup! I think that the stock tailpipes look a lot better than the Mustang exhaust pipes and if I want to add aluminium tips, I can use a shorter piece instead.
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Post by mmthrax on Oct 23, 2019 9:00:37 GMT -7
Never underestimate the power of a good stare. emotion-8
Agree with Les.
The exhaust looks bang on.
Nice work sir..
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Post by leon on Oct 23, 2019 13:04:44 GMT -7
Making good progress Mike! Exhaust look really good.
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Post by mrmike on Oct 23, 2019 18:47:24 GMT -7
Thanks Mark and leon!
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Post by Deano on Oct 24, 2019 2:39:12 GMT -7
This is coming together very nicely indeed!
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Post by mrmike on Oct 24, 2019 5:20:22 GMT -7
Thanks Deano! Soetimes there's no replacement for displacement!
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Post by mustang1989 on Oct 24, 2019 12:21:15 GMT -7
Lookin' good Mike. Fox bodies with big blocks....awesome!!
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Post by mrmike on Oct 24, 2019 14:04:28 GMT -7
Thanks Joe! This T-Bird needed some big block motivation! There's no replacement for displacement! I got the T-Bird body trim painted and the body polished. I added the glass and the interior to the body.   I'm using a Parts by Parks aluminium distributor on the engine. I may need plug boots, too.  More Thunderbird to come... |
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Post by leon on Oct 24, 2019 15:59:34 GMT -7
Coming along nicely Mike!
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Post by mrmike on Oct 25, 2019 8:00:03 GMT -7
Thanks leon!
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