New here.

[wolfman]

Hi there,

I’m Paul and I’m from the Netherlands.
Last week i bought my first V8 ever. I’m new to American cars and i have a lot to learn.
I bought a 1978 Thunderbird. It’s a basic model with only a leader inside as a extra option. It has a 351M 5,8 engine and it runs on LPG.
It has a few points that’s needs attention. First the electric wiring. Not all things work like they are supposed to. The inside fan has only one speed and does not do much. And the left turn signal stays on, it’s not blinking.
It’s a good hard car with hardly any rust on it. It does need a paintjob because the previous owner had sprayed it with a can.
For now i don’t care but it’s something i have to do when all other things are done and when i have saved enough money.

But the first thing i have to check is the engine temperature.
After a half hour on the highway its almost in the red zone. I don’t know if that is normal for this car.

So that’s my first question here.
What’s the normal engine temperature for my car driving on the highway?

Regards,
Paul

[Tim Cole]

Paul:
Welcome to the T-Bird forum. Congratulations on your new acquisition. Hope you will enjoy the car for years to come. But, admittedly, you have a challenge on your hands by owning a "foreign" car there in the Netherlands. Here in the US and Canada, people of Netherlands descent say, "If you're not Dutch, you're not much."

Here are some thoughts on your heating issues.
1. The 351M motor is known for running hot; hotter that its cousin, the 351W
2. Here are some ways you can lower the temeparature;
a. Make sure you have the right thermostat installed: Here's the part number for the thermostat that will work correctly for your motor: Motorcraft, RT-139, DOAZ-8575-A, Thermostat, 92 degrees. None of the aftermarket thermostats function the way the Motorcraft part does.
b. Below the thermostat opening, you will see a small hole through which anti-freeze flows back into your motor. Purchase a small freeze plug that fits perfectly into that hole; then, before installing it into the hole, drill a small hole (the size of a screw-driver shank) into the freeze plug itself. Carefully put that freeze plug into the hole. Tap it in to make sure seats correctly and won't come out. Reason for freeze plug: the freeze plug restricts the amount of anti-freeze going back into the motor and forces the coolant to flow into the radiator (instead) where it can be cooled down.
b. Install a 3-core radiator, instead of a 2-core radiator.
c. Make sure the fan shroud is correct and unbroken.
d. Make sure you have the correct fan blade for the car.
e. Make sure you have adequate amount of anti-freeze in the cooling system.
f. Make sure the radiator cap does not leak/ or is rusty/rubber seal is dry and cracked

This should get you started. Hope it helps. One problem at a time. Tim; Florida

[wolfman]

Hi Tim, thanks for your answer.

I will try to figure out if I have the right parts installed on my car.
One thing is for sure, the radiator does not belong in this car. It’s too thin.
I have e-mailed the previous owner about the extra radiator that was in the trunk. That explained a whole lot for me!
That’s the original radiator. But there is a “pipe” (I'm not very good at technical English) for the AC broken and he replaced the radiator with a other one.
I’m going to fix the original radiator and connect the AC again, Its needs a new belt, and then I see if things will work better.

Paul.

[wolfman]

I have two newbie questions.

Does a 1978 Thunderbird have a Exhaust Catalyst?
How to set the idle speed? Its runs a little to fast now when its warmed up.

[wolfman]

Tim Thanks a lot!

I don’t think i will use the original radiator. It’s not a three-core unit and I had a better look at it when it wasn’t dark anymore. It doesn’t look that good.

I see the screw. I will look if it’s on the same position in my car.

Ok so the catalytic converter isn’t really necessary. That’s good it’s very expansive.
In the future I want to place an exhaust that’s makes a little bit more noise. I finally have my V8 but I can’t here it!

Tim thanks again for your anwers.
Im sure i will have a lot more questions in the days to come.

Paul

[AshTray900]

if yours has the cornering lamps i know that there was another relay involved besides the blinker module. my right one would stay on and i cleaned the connector to the relay and it hasnt been a problem since. the relays are under the dash on the drivers side over by the airbox part that blows heat on the floor, mine had two there i just cleaned them both, at first i figured one was bad but problem gone so i must have solved it. they function in turning the cornering lamp on for the side thet the blinker is activated on. for some reason it would "get stuck" and even after kicking the blinker lever off the right lamps would stay on.

as far as the temp mine rides in the red too, and my gas hand is too high and my oil pressure readings are high too. there is a voltage regulator on the dash cluster out on mine so the readings in yours may be off due to that as well. ive seen a couple of electronic homemade replacements for sale on ebay but have yet to order one.

[wolfman]

Thanks AshTray900. That worked for the blinkers. I cleaned the relays and now its blinking again. Only the dashboard light for the left blinker isnt burning. I think the lamp is broken a have to replace it.

I have a other question, some one told me the Ford has self adjusting valves. Is this true?

[wolfman]

I recived some good news today!

I had the Ford checked by a local US car dealer here. He had a good look at the car and also at the bottom and under the car.

He told me, i have seen alot of cars that looked great but where crap. Yours looks like crap but its great! The is hardly eny rust to find bottom and chassis are verry good.

[AshTray900]

not sure about the valves, I lucked out with mine having such low mileage that i havent had to go inside the motor aside from swapping the distributor.

Im still an amateur at engine design. I have an 84 buick estate wagon with an olds 307 that is needing rebuilt, will be my first engine overhaul so wish me luck when i get the kahunas to start it.

thats great that you have no rust, mines pretty solid too, aside from a little rust on the bottom of the driver door, whatever might be underneath my crappy vinyl top and a little around the trunk seal.

[wolfman]

here is a picture of my Ford. It needs a lot of work on the body. But its a hard body. Just sanding and a paintjob and im done.

[Tim Cole]

Paul:

Thanks for posting the picture of your T-Bird. Looks structually sound. That is a definite good. I noticed the black vinyl top and the blue paint. Looks most unusual. Don't think I've ever seen this combination. When does the body work begin? Tim, Florida

[wolfman]

Hi Tim,

The whole car is resprayd by the previous owner. He has done a bad job. The paint isnt holding and it looks terrible.
The vinyl roof jused to be white. He painted it black but ist not holding either. The car use to be beige with a white vinyl roof.

Im not starting soon. Friday the Ford goes to the garage the have all oils replaced and a little checkup.
Then i have to find out why the Ford is running hot on the hiway. And then its time to sort out all the electric. A lot of things dont work like they are suposed to.

And i first i have to finish my other car to. Im going to sell it and i want it to be in a good shape.

Then i have to save some money so it can be a year later before the Ford gets a new paintjob.
And i have to figure out what collor i want it to be.

[wolfman]

I know thats it will help maintain its value in the long run but i just dont like beige .... haha

Your Tbird looks great. I like the wheels!

[Tim Cole]

Originally Posted by wolfman

I know thats it will help maintain its value in the long run but i just dont like beige .... haha

Your Tbird looks great. I like the wheels!

The wheels are aluminum turbine wheels that come standard with the 1978 Thunderbird Diamond Jubilee and 1979 Thunderbird Heritage Edition (top of the line vehicles for those years). I purchased them from a T-Bird friend, painted them the color of my Bird. They enhance the look of our 77-79 Birds. I have an extra set if you are interested.

[wolfman]

Interested yes, but i dont have the money for it.
First things first. Maybe later when the car is repainted and if you still have them.