Thunderbird

[Diesel Rookie]

I just inheritied a sweet 65 Thunderbird from my grandfather. The thing has been garaged its whole life and has the original vinyle top, interior, and the paint is still shinny. It is fully loaded and has the FE 390 ci in it.

I was wondering is anyone familiar with the aftermarket world for this car. Stuff is harder to find for it than I thought. I want to keep it as stock as possible but upgrade some minor things to make it realiable. Was thinking an electronic ignition a new aftermarket carb (stock replacement nothing crazy), and possibly a C-6 trany with a gear vendor to replace the cast iron heap in it. It also needs a new gas tank and some fuel lines. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank goodness for my diesel truck or I would never have been able to go pick this 6500lb monster up.

Joe

[88Racing]

Congrats!
Here's some I found doing a quick search.
Search Results?Thunderbird Headquarters Ford Thunderbird PartsGet details about new and used classic and vintage Ford Thunderbird parts. ... We are a complete Thunderbird parts warehouse. From restoration to ...www.tbirdhq.com/ - Cached - Similar?Classic Ford & Thunderbird Parts Supplier - Concours PartsWe carry a large inventory of Ford Restoration Parts from 1948 to 1972 - Including... · 1955 to 1966 Thunderbird · 1949 to 59 Ford "Big Cars" ...Catalog in PDF - Concours Parts - Classic Car ... - Email us - Newswww.concoursparts.com/ - Cached - Similar?MAC's Antique Auto Parts: Classic Ford Thunderbird Car Parts ...MAC's Antique Auto Parts sells classic Ford Thunderbird restoration car parts & accessories for 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 ...www.macsautoparts.com/birds.html - Cached - Similar?1958 to 1988 Obsolete and Restoration Lincoln Parts and Ford ...Lincoln or Ford Thunderbird. Didn't find what you were looking for? You will find these parts and more, from Bumper to Bumper, in our Catalogs. maintb. ...www.classiquecars.com/ - Cached - Similar

Lars

[Caforddude]

Man that sounds like a sweet ride. How about some pics.

[Diesel Rookie]

I will post some as soon as I go to pick it up. It is about 4 hours away and I will go get it in the next couple of weeks.

[cleatus12r]

Three words:

Pertronix Ignition Module. It goes right where the points would go and gives you electronic ignition. Just remember to wire it in to a real hot wire (not the coil resistor wire) and put in a coil that doesn't require the resistor.

The 390s ran really well, especially if they're the 10.5:1 (4V) variety.

If you're in the market for an overhaul down the road, buy 360 pistons. 360s were used in trucks from 67-76 and the pistons are the same as 390 4V ones. They'll give you 10.5:1 compression with the stock 390 rods (don't use 352/360 rods with the 3.78" stroke 390 crank).

I've been around FEs my whole life and built quite a few up until I was enlightened by the 385 series gods a few years back.