New Project: 89 Thunderbird

[audiodude332001]

Hey, I just picked up an 89 thunderbird about 4 hours ago. Its got the 3.8, auto, interior is mint, exterior is good except for one big dent on drivers side. Runs great, but I am going to pull the motor out and stuff a 302 in place of the 3.8. Car has alot of power actually; Iv been doing massive brakestands all day with it. The awesome part is that I payed $25 for it from my ex-girlfriend. haha

 

[Ford_Racing_Guy]

haha, hey for 25 bucks you can't go wrong

 

[audiodude332001]

haha, hey for 25 bucks you can't go wrong

I know....Its awesome dude

 

[95offroadx]

ill buy it from you for $50, and you would double your money lol, good luck with this, and get some pictures(burnout) haha

 

[F14CRAZY]

Could you put in like that 4.6 Intec?

 

[audiodude332001]

Could you put in like that 4.6 Intec?

Yeah, but I am either going to pull the 5.0 out of my explorer and drop it in the thunderbird, or I will rebuild the police interceptor 5.0 that I have in my garage

 

[justin146]

why not supercharge the 3.8? I see the factory parts on ebay all the time. I have been on the lookout for a early 90's V8 Tbird.

 

[audiodude332001]

why not supercharge the 3.8? I see the factory parts on ebay all the time. I have been on the lookout for a early 90's V8 Tbird.

I hadnt thought of supercharging the 3.8. But I would just rather have a V8. Also, I could put in the 5.0, and get about the same amount of power as the supercharged 3.8, then I could eventually supercharge the 5.0

 

[EricCoolCats]

The non-SC 3.8 block from 1988-93 wasn't beefed up enough to handle the blower anyway. The SC had its own strengthened block and internals. From 1994-up, all 3.8 cars had the SC block.

Sounds like a good deal man. A 5.0 swap should be fairly simple.

 

[chriswells78]

I have always liked those old T-Birds. One of my "someday projects" has always been to take a late 80's t-bird, drop in a carbed 351 and rework the body to look like a late 80's NASCAR with the raised white letter goodyears on black "d window" wheels, swept side exhaust and a Stock car Spoiler. I think that would be an awsome project.

 

[audiodude332001]

the motor is going in this weekend. I have everything for the swap now, except for motor mounts.

 

[audiodude332001]

Alright, I got everything figured out and ready for the swap. I will be running a carb'd 302 out of an 85 Bronco. I will be using an MSD-6A ignition, and running 87 mustang long tube headers. It will be dual exhaust exiting straight out the back. It will be cooled with the factory radiator and two 10" electric fans operated from a switch on the dash. I will be using a newly rebuilt AOD; but eventually I will be swaping in a T5. I might relocate the battery to the trunk, but im not 100% sure yet. Me and a buddy will be starting the swap on friday, and plan on having it nearly complete by sunday. I will keep everyone updated on the swap.

 

[audiodude332001]

Pulled the motor and tranny out yesterday. Just started wiring everything up. Still looking for motor mounts, and having no luck at all.

 

[ryf]

I have always liked those old T-Birds. One of my "someday projects" has always been to take a late 80's t-bird, drop in a carbed 351 and rework the body to look like a late 80's NASCAR with the raised white letter goodyears on black "d window" wheels, swept side exhaust and a Stock car Spoiler. I think that would be an awsome project.

muhahahaaaa, Sorry all I could think of was the movie "Stroker Ace" so heres a few posters from the movie... I just wish I could find one of the plucked chicken motif they had!! Happy New Years!!

 

[audiodude332001]

Progress is really slow. Havent even gotten motor mounts yet. I was gonna make some but Iv been busy all day with my buddies 95 dodge 1/2 ton. We were going down the highway last night doing about 70, and we heard the rear end start wining, then the nut that holds the pinion gear on, somehow fell off, and the pinion gear went right through the bottom of the 3rd member. Rear end then locked up. We put the truck in 4x4 and drove about 3 miles to the chippewa falls exit, and we stopped in a parking lot and waited for someone to bring us some tools to tear the rear driveshaft off. We drove it home in front wheel drive, and thats how we have been driving it today.

 

[dmasini]

My first car was an 89 Bird. I loved that thing!! Absolutly no rear traction what-so-ever though but very fun to drive.

 

[audiodude332001]

PROGRESS: 3.8 is out and the 5.0 is in as of 8:00PM today. The motor mounts that i made for my explorer 5.0 swap actually worked perfect in the thunerbird. I will start hooking up all the crap tommorow night, and if I am lucky, the car will be driving by sunday. This car is gonna be sick. Iv got a buddy that just did the same swap into a 90 T-bird, and he can be going down the highway at 65, and when he mashes it, he can get the tires to smoke.

 

[F14CRAZY]

What tranny are you using?

 

[audiodude332001]

What tranny are you using?

for the time being, im using the AOD that was behind the 3.8

iv been working on the t-bird all day, and it will be running shortly

 

[audiodude332001]

not running yet. Just wired up my MSD ignition, tranny coolers, and tied up alot of little things. All that is left is to put my headers on, hook up the starter, put radiatior hoses on, hook up all the tranny linkage, and fill it up with fluids............. Didnt get a whole lot done yesterday, cause I ended up fixing my ranger, because the exhaust decided to fall off............then today, the rangers brakes went out on me while I was doing 65.. but just finished fixing all that crap. T-bird will be done soon