|
|||||||
| Leaner and Meaner Birds [1977-1979] Ford enacts a radical transformation, making the t-bird leaner and meaner, talk about your lean mean bird here. |
This is a discussion on my big plan within the Leaner and Meaner Birds [1977-1979] forums, part of the Thunderbird Model Years category; As you may have noticed by the plethora of questions that I've been posting, I've got big plans for my ...
 |
|
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools |
10-02-2003, 06:32 PM
|
|||
|
|||
my big plan
As you may have noticed by the plethora of questions that I've been posting, I've got big plans for my bird. I'd figure I'd list them all here so you guys can see the big picture.
I am the second owner of a 1978 thunderbird, brown with brown top and brown leather interior. The interior is perfect except for the carpet and driver's seat (Tears). I got the car with 267,000 miles from the original owner for $200. It got hailed on a month before hand, denting only the hood and trunk. The paint was in need of a good buff job, I got two sets of polycast wheels (but no caps) and I drove it home with the original 351M purring away. After putting some used tires and a good wax job on the car, I drove it for another 20,000 miles while I built another 400M. I swapped it in with 285,000 miles on the car and never looked back. I also put on new brakes, went through the rear end, did some tranny tweaking, and drove it a lot more, including the hot Rod PowerTour 2002. Lastly, I swapped in a factory tach dash and put some crager SS wheels on it, 245/60r15s in the front and 275/60r15s on the back. I decided that my car needed something more to stick out from the other street machines and drag racers that are in the area. so here's my new plan: Pro Touring T-bird. I want the car to be functional so that i can drive endlessly at 20mpg with the cruise and air on , run 13s at the track, and be reliable enough for daily driving in warm weather. (No snow) I plan on beginning with a different frame (I'll still drive the bird while I'm in this stage) from one of my parts birds.(I have 8, if you guys need stuff, ask) I'll go through the front and rear suspension, all polyurethane parts, some meaty swaybars, a quick ratio steering box, new springs, boxed rear trailing arms, and a 9" limited slip with 3.50 gears. Put on some new factory front brakes and Explorer rear disc brakes, and I'll be set. I'm then building a 460 or 514 (Can't decide) that is about 350 or 400 horse, running a '96 Ford F-250 fuel injection unit with matching heads. Nothing too nasty, It's going on the street. Back it up with a overdriven manual transmission (Undecided, but maybe a Viper unit, any suggestions?) and set them both on the frame. Then, using my fathers two post lift, I will swiftly lift my brown body off the original frame and slide the new frame underneath. I will need to get everything functional, so my car may be down for a month. I need to get a painless wiring kit and the rare 74 Ranchero clutch assembly to make this roll smoothly. I'll also replace the front seats and carpet at this time. I'm keeping the split bench, so don't mention buckets. I will swing on my 17x8 torq thrust II's with 255/50r17 michilin pioits on, put on a mellow 2 1/2 exhaust system on, and begin driving again. As the final step, I'll scuff down the paint, put on the trunklid I found and new hood (I'd like a fiberglass cowl induction, any suggestions?) and I will repaint the car in the original brown, but with metallic mixed in, and have new vynyl put on. Oh yeah, shave the door locks just cuz and put a keyless entry system on, and if I have the guts, I'd cut T-tops into my car (Is this possible?) So that's the big picture. The 460 is on the stand and the frame donor will go under the knife before halloween (Maybe this weekend)Am I crazy? maybe. Will I do it? yes. Do I need your guys' help? definitely. So PLEASE, if you can help, I'd be most grateful. Lee Overman [email protected] 
|
|
10-02-2003, 08:23 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
lee,
it sounds like you've got it all planned out. its alot of work but its WELL worth it! by the way the steering article should be in youre mailbox shortly. please read the steering section BEFORE you attempt this!! paul oh and Lee, in case you didnt know this. I build 9" rearends. thats my business. i dont know what part of the country youre actually in but i can put together whatever you need!! [ 10-02-2003: Message edited by: Gearworks ]
|
|
10-03-2003, 05:04 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Paul,
I appriciate the offer for the 9". I live in delhi, IA, which is 45 miles east of Dubuque, IA on highway 20. I'll look you up for the rear end, although I think I'm just goting to stick with a 28 spline posi, unless you think that it won't hold. Lee
|
|
10-07-2003, 09:17 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
hell, it hold my 514!
youre not far away at all! im in rockford illinois. about 2 1/2 hours away. were going to the hawyeye downs swap meet in cedar rapids on the 18th and 19th. maybe ill see ya there... paul
|
|
10-08-2003, 12:40 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Paul,
I'll be there on the 19th. I'd be more than happy to meet you. Maybe by then I can locate a dash for you. Lee
|
|
10-08-2003, 02:34 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Sounds good to me, but in place of the 4-speed, you may want to consider having a C6 re-geared with a 3.00 first, 1.5 second and a .8 third. I had one built for a 1970 Cyclone Spoiler I owned, and loved the feeling of it, but never justified it on a dragstrip with time-slips. Reason I did it was that the kind of clutch I needed gets mighty heavy in traffic. I understand now there is a new kind of clutch technology that gives lots of grab without cramping your leg. I will gladly defer to Gearworks on this subject as I value his opinion. Just something to ponder.
As far as parts go, I could use 2 decent used bumpers for my '79 Bird. I can not get used to the fact that it costs 300.00 to have a bumper chromed these days and wish very much to avoid that expense. They can't have any dents or rust and must be the deluxe bumper with holes in it for the rub strips. If you have any, let me know what you need for dollars. Good luck on your worthy project! Charles
|
|
10-08-2003, 02:58 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Charles,
I'm on a manhunt for bumpers, so i can't help you there. They're just hard to come by. As for the auto, I just gotta have a stick, it's the grin factor of powershifting :D :D :D . I'm not going with a four speed though, it's gotta have 5 or six gears. Lee
|
|
10-12-2003, 10:49 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Charles, and Lee,
I see you are in need of a front bumper. Well, I do have one that I am willing to part with. It does need help, but I am willing to sell it. No dents atleast. I am located in Iowa, parts are in Humboldt. I hope to attend the swap meet at Hawkeye Downs this weekend, but I have engagement pictures on Sat, so I am not getting my hopes up since I have to drive. If you have never been to this swap meet, well, be prepared to walk a bit. Its spread out, but you can find anything there. Heck, you can basically build a 73-87 Chevy truck with parts from there. Chris Diedrick http://chrismotley1979bltbird.homest...UNDERBIRD.html
__________________
my 1979 T-Bird http://chrismotley1979bltbird.homestead.com/CHRIS1979FORDTHUNDERBIRD.html Knock em dead kid
|
|
10-12-2003, 11:26 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
(one bow to charles :p )
heheheh anyway, yes charles that is a very good idea, one that i wish i would have done when jammed my c6 in behind my 514. but i'll wait until i blow it up for the 4th time before i go nuts. its already all E4OD guts. I do understand the bangshifting lee, theres nothing quite like the look on peoples faces when they hear a grunting big block being BANG SHIFTED in a car that is known for being a whooshmush automatic car!! i guess its up to you the way you go, you know what youre up against either way. good luck and we'll catch up with you on sunday an hawkeye downs. paul
|
|
| Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|
1997 Limited Edition
