Thunderbird's First Flight

realtripp

New Member

Mar 1, 2003

202

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Ft. Madison, IA

Sep 16, 2006

#1

• Sep 16, 2006

• #1

I took my new(to me) $100 Thunderbird out for a quick spin tonight.

First impression is WHEEEEE! The low end torque of the 5.0 really feels nice. I can't wait to modify it and make even more power with it. It takes almost nothing to do a torque stand and make the tires sqeal.

This is a fairly worn out engine with 194,000 miles on it. It has bad blowby through the oil filler neck. But it still pulls pretty healthily for a 3800 pound car. This thing is easily 1/2 ton heavier than my Stang.

It has a knock sound over bumps, so I think I need to check out the front suspension soon and figure out why and what.

Viva La Windsor!

 

stang8urimport

Autozone Junkie

Founding Member

Jun 21, 2002

1,499

12

59

Daytona Beach, FL

Sep 16, 2006

#2

• Sep 16, 2006

• #2

Knock sound I am almost 100% the upper ball joints. Those are very common to go out and clunk. Bad part is they are not serviceable and you have to replace the whole upper control arm. Good buy though! Have fun!

 

realtripp

New Member

Mar 1, 2003

202

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Ft. Madison, IA

Sep 16, 2006

#3

• Sep 16, 2006

• #3

I work at a parts store so cost is a significantly lessened object. Time is the more pricey one to me.

Thanks for the pointer though.

 

K

kevin2m4

New Member

Mar 16, 2004

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Barrie Ontario Canada

Sep 16, 2006

#4

• Sep 16, 2006

• #4

i have a 300$ cougar xr7 very similar.

i share the joy. also had to do that upper control arm and both lower ball joints. and rear brakes. the calipers are expensive.

 

K

kevin2m4

New Member

Mar 16, 2004

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Barrie Ontario Canada

Sep 16, 2006

#5

• Sep 16, 2006

• #5

 

K

kevin2m4

New Member

Mar 16, 2004

50

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Barrie Ontario Canada

Sep 16, 2006

#6

• Sep 16, 2006

• #6

show pics of your mn12

 

K

kevin2m4

New Member

Mar 16, 2004

50

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0

Barrie Ontario Canada

Sep 16, 2006

#7

• Sep 16, 2006

• #7

mines a 1991 as well

 

bryce93lx

Member

Jan 20, 2006

88

1

19

Luke AFB AZ

Sep 16, 2006

#8

• Sep 16, 2006

• #8

isn't the modern 5.0 a member of the "boss" engine Family

 

K

kevin2m4

New Member

Mar 16, 2004

50

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Barrie Ontario Canada

Sep 16, 2006

#9

• Sep 16, 2006

• #9

whos the boss?

 

realtripp

New Member

Mar 1, 2003

202

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Ft. Madison, IA

Sep 16, 2006

#10

• Sep 16, 2006

• #10

kevin2m4 said:

show pics of your mn12

Click to expand...

I will try to get pics up soon. I know how to use the camera but my brother knows how to put them on teh intraweb.

Yours is nice, the leather interior looks healthy as well.

mine has a dirty grey cloth interior. I will fix the dirty part soon.

Mine has rear drums, which sucks, but I am getting better at drum brakes ever time I do them.

 

realtripp

New Member

Mar 1, 2003

202

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Ft. Madison, IA

Sep 16, 2006

#11

• Sep 16, 2006

• #11

bryce93lx said:

isn't the modern 5.0 a member of the "boss" engine Family

Click to expand...

If I remember what I read before, the BOSS engine is kind of a "Clevor" with the Windsor bottom end and Cleveland 4v heads, large bore short stroke design.

I could be entirely wrong and screwed up though.

It's rare that that happens, but not unheard of.

 

90_Red_LX

Member

Sep 29, 2003

668

5

19

Asheboro, NC

Sep 16, 2006

#12

• Sep 16, 2006

• #12

realtripp said:

If I remember what I read before, the BOSS engine is kind of a "Clevor" with the Windsor bottom end and Cleveland 4v heads, large bore short stroke design.

I could be entirely wrong and screwed up though.

It's rare that that happens, but not unheard of.

Click to expand...

Right. The boss 302 ran cleveland heads. Thats why they didn't have a lot down low, but could rev to 7k factory. Very nice heads, and a very nice setup.