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New member, Tommy with 59 t-bird
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59 t-bird
Hi All, the more I read about the 391 the less I feel I have one. The 391 is a bit of an oddball. I have the original intake on the engine and also the timing cover is my original the dizzy doesn't have a governor on it and my heads don't have cross over in them. I think it's a fe 390 out of a truck, a light truck engine, who knows what they put into it when they rebuilt it. I spoke with Dave the other night and he said when they rebuild they pretty much toss the pistons, so i'll take compression and just to see what it reads, as for the engine it runs very nice so i'm just going to enjoy it and work on other things that need some attention. Thanks for the help and I will post compression #'s when I get them in several wks. Tommy"Comment
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Even though the FT (330,361,391) and FE (352,360,390) blocks are pretty much identical and the components will interchange you are correct about the 390 being much more common. There were obviously more light trucks built than heavy duty trucks.
JohnJohn Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator
Thunderbird Registry #36223
jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695
https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htmComment
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59 t-bird
John i don't know why i'm so obsessed about it. I just like to know what I have but I do know it's a 390 an runs good so unless I find out more I am going to try and enjoy it through the summer. Thanks Tommy"Comment
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With the original intake and valve covers only an expert will know it's not the original motor.
JohnJohn Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator
Thunderbird Registry #36223
jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695
https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htmComment
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59 t-bird
Tommy, when you get a chance get a better measurement on that center case section of the tranny. A Large case measures 10 7/8" for a 1958-1960 Tranny. A 1961-1965 Large case tranny measures 11.6". Hopefully, someone will be able to tell you which tranny you have from the numbers. If it is a 430 tranny, the tag on the drivers side should have said 430 on the left side of the tag and the number on the right side.Comment
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IF you can find the correct trans filter, you might try changing it and going back with a bottle of Sea Foam brand transmission conditioner (with new fluid).
It's a free try for a few miles....sigpic
The 1960 Ford Thunderbird. The WORLD'S most wanted car....
VTCI Member#6287.Comment
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tranny slip
Hi 430,i had heard about the sea foam but wasn't familiar with it. Should I leave old fluid drop pan change filter and add foam. I was thinking of putting 50-100 miles on it and what do you think about having it flushed and new fluid. Also do you think I should mess with the bands or just leave them for a tranny man. Thanks Tommy"Comment
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The trans filter is metal so you just have to clean it. Most likely you have a lot of sludge after sitting that long. When I first took my trans apart after years of sitting the pan, filter and everything else was filled solid with sludge.
JohnJohn Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator
Thunderbird Registry #36223
jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695
https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htmComment
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Yes, drop the pan, clean the filter (then), leave old fluid in torque convertor, then reinstall everything. Add one can of Sea Foam conditioner, then top off with Type "F" fluid if this trans is beleived to have never been overhauled.
Try putting a few miles on her, then report back to us.
Good luck.sigpic
The 1960 Ford Thunderbird. The WORLD'S most wanted car....
VTCI Member#6287.Comment
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10 7/8" is the "HX" code cruise-o-matic for a 1959-60 430cid T-bird.
A very good transmission, but at times, hard to find parts for.....
-Jon in TX.sigpic
The 1960 Ford Thunderbird. The WORLD'S most wanted car....
VTCI Member#6287.Comment
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