Valve cover Ford vs Thunderbird embossing

[The Arkansas Traveler]

So as I see videos and photographs of the squarebirds, I see variations on the valve cover embossings. What came stock to the engine from the dealers? I see Ford, I see Thunderbird, I see chrome, I see paint. Could the new owner pick and choose as they made the order? I see the same w/the air cleaner as well as far as chrome vs paint. Was this a 352 vs the 430 engines? Trying to understand what I am looking at and know what mine should have came w/from the factory. Thank you all for the help.

[jopizz]

58-60 352 valve covers had FORD on them. 430's were blank. The air cleaners were always white. There was a chrome dress kit available for the 352's where the air cleaner, valve covers and other items were chrome. The valve covers with THUNDERBIRD on them weren't available until 1961.

John

[YellowRose]

Valve cover Ford vs Thunderbird embossing

The Thunderbird Ranch probably has the quickest way to check the Concours Specs on the '58-'69 Tbirds. Click on this link below and slide down the left side until you see the Concours Specs section. Under that you will the specs for the 58-'60 Tbirds, and the years after that. You will see that the color for the valve covers changed depending on the year of the Squarebird and whether it was a 352 or a 430. The air cleaner is white, but some owners (like me) had their air cleaner chromed, and also the valve covers. My valve covers say "Thunderbird" on them, which is not OEM or Concours correct, and neither is the air cleaner. My valve covers came off a Bulletbird as I recall and I like them. The engine and the external chrome packages are acceptable for VTCI judging. I like the way my engine bay looks with the chrome air cleaner, oil cap, voltage regulator, and the valve covers. My aftermarket dual MC and dual 8" power booster are also chromed, and they only cost me about $20 over the non-chromed version. Here is that link and that should answer a lot of your questions..

http://www.tbirdranch.com/

[Restifier52]

The valve covers on my 60 were painted yellow. I believe they were original. 352 with cruise o matic.

[YellowRose]

Valve cover Ford vs Thunderbird embossing

First of all, congratulations Rick, on your '60 Tbird being chosen as the Tbird Of The Month for October in the 2015 Squarebirds Calendar! I am looking at the VTCI OFS CD and according to that for Squarebirds, black was the OEM color for '58 valve covers. Blue for the '59 for the 352 engine. Yellow for 1960 352's, and black if your '59 or '60 had a 430 engine in it.

[The Arkansas Traveler]

Not my 60' bird on the calender. Oh how I wish, but mine has a ways to go. The more I look her over, the more I see what is in really good condition. I count my blessings. Thank you all for the info. and the link to the concours. I hope to make it to a large bird gathering soon, so that I may be able to see all of the subtulties and nuances between the vintages. Being that I am in Arkansas, I figure Oklahoma or Texas will be my closest connection. I think my engine came w/ th flakey-paint and rust package.

[YellowRose]

Valve cover Ford vs Thunderbird embossing

Hi Russell, those congratulations were directed to Rick ~ Restifier52, who had commented on the valve covers. I will send you a PM with some information on the 2-3 large Tbird clubs that are closest to you. The Vintage Thunderbird Club, International, does not have a VTCI Club in Arkansas, but they certainly would like to have one. If you have any interest in starting one, please let me know.

[tmjsong1aolcom]

58 Valve covers

Early 58 valve covers were plain with neither FORD not THUNDERBIRD embossed in the cover. The plug wires actually contained a molded rubber grommet that attached to the valve cover. The slots for the wires were much larger on the early versions.
VTCI OFS should have this noted in the rules.

I do not know when the change occurred to the Ford embossed ones with smaller wire holders.

Fuz
58's&64's
Sun Prairie, Wi
tmjsong1@aol.com