65 tbird 390fe engine woes!!

[sluggo]

Hi all of you tbird lovers,Iam a newbie to this site but been lurking around reading for the last 2months.Seems to be a lot of experience on this site which is excellent by the way,PLEASE help me out !I have a 65 and I took it to a shop to get the exhaust manifold gasket replaced but the mech said that he heard what sounds like a the rod bearings going up in the bottom end and said that the motor was going up and weak and that I need a rebuild for 3000.00-4000 and that it was useless to fix the right side manifold leak.My stomach just dropped what a blow I thought it was from the manifold leak a faint knock when motor is reved is that about right I only driven it for about 100 miles to just see how it feels great to drive has a 133000 on it,390 6.4 4bl.Just cant really trust people now anybody know a trusting mech in md.Thanks in advance

[sluggo]

BTW got my baby in sept of 09 paid 2800 for it

[66chicken]

sluggo, i had a 428 in a 66 and i had a definite lowerend nock, i drove the car for 2 years before i finally had to have the motor done because it lost compression. it is not hard to pull the motor in these cars, & you should be able to have a long block rebuilt for a grand, there is a lot of other "stuff" you will probably want to replace during the rebuild. you can save your self a bunch of money if you do it yourself, plus having the satisfaction that YOU did it. i am sure alot of people will disagree with me but if i was you i would drive it! keep a look out on your local craigslist for a rebuildable core & buy the small parts as you can afford them. manifold gaskets are a pain in the ass to do because the bolts are prone to brake, not to mention the heads & manifolds can warp. after all its not who you are it what you drive!

[sluggo]

Thanks 66 for your answer but Iam not that far advanced to do motors wish I was.I can do alternators brakes and small stuff like that, so woulld I have to buy one of those rebuild kits and get some one to do it just hard to find a engine shop in my area.One more quick question anybody my emerg 4 way flasher switch make lights come on but dont flash nor does flasher indicator light and I changed the lamp,whats up with that thanks in advance.

[Harley Eaton]

The warning lights are controlled by two relays in the trunk on the shelf - IF you have a 1966 with the overhead console! Do you?

[sluggo]

Hi Harley thanks for your reply,no I have 1965 console is in the dash,Iam thinking its flasher module but dont know where its located I know the turn signal relays are in the trunk on the shelf.

[SoCalBirds]

66... I agree with what you said. Re build little by little. i just bought a 65 for $600. It is in great condition to start the restoration. I am looking forward in pulling the engine and start the re build. I built a 65 mustang with no knowledge and learned from there. There are so many resources now a days to help with any kind of project....

[Harley Eaton]

Sluggo: I don't get the meaning of "1965 console is on the dash".. The turn signal relay
(one only) is in the wrapped package which contains flasher/sequencer, brake light relay and turn signal relay. The turn signal flasher is the sequencer which activates one light, then two lights, then three lights, then turns them all off. You don't have the traditional
flasher can like cars without sequential signals.

[sluggo]

Harley what I mean is that the 4way emergency flasher switch is in the clock consol along with the door ajar and maplight switch,I thought there would be a flasher can somewhere that make the lights flash for emergency stops.When I flip the switch with the f on it the tail lights and 2 front fender light come on but dont flash I have the manual but it dont say anything about it,so you saying its located on the trunk shelf I looked by fuse box top right its 2 relays there,thanks for your replys.Also Socal for me to try to rebuild a motor wish I did have the skills especially replacing rod bearing those mesurements have to be pricise dont have the tools and everything else like engine hoist and all that other good stuff.

[Harley Eaton]

I made a mistake when I indicated the warning light relays were in the trunk. I thought you had a 1966 Thunderbird. I believe there is a flasher can for the warning lights on a 1965. I think the can may be located above the fuse box. And it sounds like that may be your problem.

[sluggo]

Thanks Harley I will look in the morning,this is a great site you guys are on the ball!!

[Liveaxle]

Hey Sluggo you can do this engine, man. Read up on it. I strongly suggest you pick upThe 1965 Ford Thunderbird Shop Manual. Don't know who the reprinter is, BUT it's easy to find one from a restoration place THEN go find it cheaper on ebay r something like that. Great step by step stuff to read. If you need more visual aspects then get 1961-1966 Big Bird Illustrations & Reference Manual. Get both they are a great help.

[FORDT64]

Look for a book by Steve Christ called "How to Rebuild Your Big-Block Ford." It will tell you basically everything you need to know about rebuilding your 390. I am in the middle of rebuilding the 390 that came out of my 64 t-bird, and this book has been a valuable resource. The Thunderbird Shop Manual for your particular model year is helpful too.

Good Luck.


Brian

[sluggo]

Thanks Steve for your reply will look for it.

Sluggo