"Thunderbird" valve covers?

[BlackBird58]

Does anyone know what years the "Thunderbird" valve covers below where originally used? I'm curious if they were original equipment on my '58 352.

Thanks,
Mel

[img src="http://www.halakahiki.com/tbird/valvecover.jpg"]

[Guest]

RE: "Thunderbird" valve covers?

For a 58 they were plain (no script) and black. I think the type you have are from a later year.......maybe 61-66.

[Alexander]

RE: "Thunderbird" valve covers?

FE engines, such as 390's, had "THUNDERBIRD" stamped in the valve covers from 1961 to 1964. They were used in Thunderbirds and high performance applications in other Ford cars.

For the Squarebirds the 352's all had "FORD" stamped into the valve covers except early 1958 models. The blank valve covers of the early cars are not often seen at shows.

All the 430 engines used in the 1959 and 1960 models had blank valve covers.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[Guest]

RE: "Thunderbird" valve covers?

William Wonder's book "Thunderbird Restoration Guide 1958-1966" shows the Thunderbird stamped valve covers on 1961 to 1964 vehicles. 1958 to 1960 models were stamped with Ford. 1965 and 1966 models appear to be plain in the photos but it is hard to tell.

[BlackBird58]

RE:

Interesting. I don't know anything about the history of this car pre-'63, perhaps it's a 390? I know the 352 and 390 are the same size; is there any way, such as external stampings, to tell them apart, or is the stroke test the only way to tell them apart?

Thanks,
Mel

[Alexander]

RE:

A casting number can help identify the engine. Most of the FE engines regardless of displacement had a stamping of "352" on them, so do not be misled by that.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[Guest]

RE:

My stock covers are plain.....and black...........although my car was built some time in May of 58.

[Alexander]

RE:1958 valve covers

I am sure Fuz knows when the changeover to "FORD" valve covers occurred in 1958, or if there are known exceptions.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[BlackBird58]

RE:1958 valve covers

Here are the codes off the engine:

Intake manifold:
C1AE 9425B
1A5:

Heads
C1AE-6090A-DIF
38 (driver side)
21 (passenger side)

Engine block (on passenger side front)
C1AE-6016C
1A17:C

So, it looks like a '61 engine, but is it a Thunderbird 390? Anyone?

Also, any way to identify the year of the transmission?

Thanks,
Mel

[Alexander]

RE:1958 valve covers

From Steve Christ's book on "how to rebuild your big block Ford."

Intake manifold:
C1AE 9425B Made in 1961
1A5:

Heads
C1AE-6090A-DIF 61-63 352, 390 Combustion chamber size 71.2-74.2
38 (driver side)
21 (passenger side)

Engine block (on passenger side front)
C1AE-6016C 61-62 390cid/4.05 inch bore
1A17:C

There should be casting numbers and a ID plate on the transmission.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[BlackBird58]

RE:1958 valve covers

Thanks!

[tmjsong1aolcom]

RE: "Thunderbird" valve covers?

As Alexander stated Ford used both styles for the 58 bird. I have not figured out yet when the change over occured but based on info supplied here and some of the ones I own would place it somewhere late in production. I have 58's with both types.

The plain valve cover plug wire holder are too big to accept the wire without some sort of grommet/built in geommet as part of the wire. The openings are too big.

58's are one of those unique years for the bird where Ford tried many new ideas, and several of them flopped.

Fuz
58's&64's
Sun Prairie, Wi.