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Topic: The 1981 Thunderbird (Read 3884 times) previous topic - next topic

The 1981 Thunderbird

Reply #15 –
Quote from: FordTruckFreeek
Well, we all know now that on occasion Ford really dropped the ball

*coughprobecough* :D

I'll have to borrow a digital video camera this summer when I attempt to kill the 255 in my '80 I have a few things i'd like to try with it :evilgrin: honestly they are a reliable, daily driven, point A to point B engine but for the ammount of gas they suck you may aswell have a 302 and an extra 30 horses. I personally blame the 80-82's poor sales on the engines, if thay had offered a 351W option or a H.O. 302 I think they would have faired pretty well.
1980 birds X 3, 1982 bird, 1984 XR7, 1988 TC

The 1981 Thunderbird

Reply #16 –
Quote from: FordTruckFreeek

Were they trying to phase out the good ole 5.0?
Or was it simply because of the gas crunch, and OPEC making North America their little bitch?

Didnt you know Chuck took control of Ford for a few years?
It's Gumby's fault.

The 1981 Thunderbird

Reply #17 –
Quote from: Tbird232ci
Didnt you know Chuck took control of Ford for a few years?


:rollin:
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

The 1981 Thunderbird

Reply #18 –
Sooooo didja get it?
1980 birds X 3, 1982 bird, 1984 XR7, 1988 TC

The 1981 Thunderbird

Reply #19 –
LOL, it's actually a long story, after asking him way back then about how much he would take for it, and I got an answer, I havn't talked to him about it again...
He must think that: A. I think he's asking too much, or B. I don't want the thing.

Truth is, I do wanna buy it, I probably need to just ask him if he'll take 50 dollars a week outta my pay, and it sits till he's paid off, or some deal like that...what with gas being a shade under 3 bucks for a us gallon, not like I can afford a whole paycheck on a car that may or may not run...I need to get out there on a saturday, on my own time, and get it up to the shop, put a good battery in it, see what it'll do. (rumor has it the fuel pump may be bad)

Performance wise, what'll one of these feel like in regards to my 88 V6 car? Will it have more acceleration?

I do need to get another car, even if it is a V8, this truck is eating me alive for gas money...
And besides, how long have I been here on this forum, bothering y'all with questions about a V8 Thunderbird...and the other thing, it's white too, lmao

Anyway, in the next day or so, I'll see what comes up about it..

Far as performance goes for it, I have a factory Ford 4bbl aluminum intake for a 302...just need to pick up a smallish carb, I'd guess a 600-650 cfm would be plenty..?
Thanks for reminding me, lol :D
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

The 1981 Thunderbird

Reply #20 –
Man for that engine you would need one of those 390cfm carbs ..
One 88

The 1981 Thunderbird

Reply #21 –
There's a guy in my Thunderbird club who has a  mint '80 with a 302. I'll have to take a pic at our next show.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

The 1981 Thunderbird

Reply #22 –
I'm pretty sure a 302 intake will not swap over to the 255, you could try one of those holley 2 barrel carbs though, wouldnt hurt.
1980 birds X 3, 1982 bird, 1984 XR7, 1988 TC

The 1981 Thunderbird

Reply #23 –
those 255's are good for one thing, the bell housing can be used with a 200 i6 if I remember correctly..mmm t5 swap.

( i could be wrong, but i think it was the 255 that was the same..hmmm)

The 1981 Thunderbird

Reply #24 –
It depends on the 200....and the 302 bell pattern isn't that far off....4 out of the 6 holes are the same as the later 200 block (low starter)
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon

The 1981 Thunderbird

Reply #25 –
255 and 302 bell housing bolt pattern are the same
1980 birds X 3, 1982 bird, 1984 XR7, 1988 TC

The 1981 Thunderbird

Reply #26 –
Quote from: tbirdscott
I'm pretty sure a 302 intake will not swap over to the 255, you could try one of those holley 2 barrel carbs though, wouldnt hurt.

Guess I shoulda clarified that it's a 302, not that 255..thing that the geniuses :flame: at Ford came up with.

Since the car has a 302 2 bbl, I figured I'd put my 4bbl intake and a carb on it. Also have a set of stock stang GT headers that'd go good on it, , might even have to come up with a set of E6s, too. Piss on it, is enough ever enough? ;)
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

The 1981 Thunderbird

Reply #27 –
What about E7s?  :D :evilgrin:
 

The 1981 Thunderbird

Reply #28 –
What kinda pistons do the 80 standard 302 blocks have in 'em? Do they have valve cut out like the HO? If so intake, head, and cam time
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.