Questions from a new member.

[sancho351]

Hi there, new member and proud new owner of a 1960 Thunderbird Hardtop. Just a few questions.

1. What width tyres did these originally have, mine has 205mm wide but they look a bit too wide for the wheels.
2. Where on the engine block should I find the date stamp?

Many thanks.
Thom

[simplyconnected]

Thom, I think Squarebirds came with 7:50x14" tires.

We normally use the castings codes to determine the year of the engine. Some engines are not marked at all. Find the casting code on the intake manifold and the two exhaust manifolds. Ford doesn't have 'matching numbers' either. - Dave

[yellow98cobra]

. Where on the engine block should I find the date stamp?
On the passenger side of the block next to the generator, I cleaned the block off and the put a piece of paper on it and did a pencil rubbing

[JohnG]

Hi Thom! and Welcome to Squarebirds!

If you go to this link:

http://www.squarebirds.org/users/johng/OCC.htm

and go about 3/4 of the way down, you will find a number of pictures I took of my motor while it was out of the car and clean. You can see the casting numbers.

If you get yours, then go to this link:

http://www.mustangtek.com/FordDecode.html

you find how to decode them.

As Dave said, you do not get matching numbers but rather a collection of dates for different components that either do or don't complement each other. Mine were all in the middle of May 1958 so I took them as consistent, and not indicating anything had been replaced.

best
John

[jopizz]

The squarebirds originally came with 800x14 tires but 850x14 was an option. The modern alternative would be a P215/75/14 radial.

John

[tbird430]

I feel that the closest modern tire to the larger (optional on non-AC or 430cid Birds) 8.50 x 14 is the P225/75R14 radial.

-Jon in TX.