I have a 62 t-bird. If I purchase a later fe390 how would I no that my 62 starter would fit lets say a 1970 fe390. LarryIs there a list someone could email on cross references on a starter.
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Starter Interchange.
It won't. Starter and flex plate changed '65. You're chasing after things that in the end will cost you more than they will save.
Save your pennies, find a correct '61-'62 or '63-'64 390 within a reasonable distance from your area that will allow you to bolt on all of the accessories on your engine. Connect with a reputable engine builder in your neck of the woods and redo the replacement engine over time since your engine is currently in running condition. Then when the replacement engine is ready, swap it out for the one in your car. You'll then be able to reuse the parts you already have, maintain the value of your car (it IS a '62 Roadster, after all!) and preserve your sanity.Last edited by Alan H. Tast, AIA; July 24, 2009, 11:23 PM.Alan H. Tast AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Technical Director/Past President, Vintage Thunderbird Club Int'l.
Author, "Thunderbird 1955-1966" & "Thunderbird 50 Years" -
Larry,
You have been given excellent advice from your many questions. The above is among the best. Please consider the responces you have gotten and enjoy your car as you make long term plans for it's ultimate repair. Meanwhile connect with LOCAL contacts and folks in your area that you can trust by building a relationship of common interests.Comment
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Almost all FE starters will interchange as long as you have the correct flywheel. That is to say you can use a 58 352 flywheel and starter on a 76 390 (if you cut a hole in the bellhousing for the starter drive to stick through!) and you can use a 76 360 starter and flywheel on your 58 332. The only exceptions are late 50's 2 speed Fordomatics that use a special flywheel and 410/428 that have externally balanced flywheels. As far as later engines go, you can use any later engine in an earlier car but you can't always use an earlier engine in a later one. The 62 and older FE engines usually do not have the hole for an alternator mount as used on most 63 and newer and on all 65 and newer FE's. Also 66 and newer FE engines have 4 motor mount bolt holes on each side, they have the two that all earlier engine have plus they have two additional ones that most later applications require. Also, later blocks all have the generator mount bolt hole on the side of the block below the head surface so that is not an issue (saw a post that said it might be so I mention it). As FE engines evolved, Ford made them backwards compatible. One thing to note, the 65 and later starter and flywheel will work just fine on an early car with a COM trans and is more dependable and easier to service if it does fail. Finally, starting in 63 Ford started using a block plate on the back of the engine between the block and flywheel. If you have a 63 and later bellhousing you need the plate but if you have a 62 and older bellhousing do not use the plate. There are also two basic designs for the plate 67 and older and 68 and newer (they fit stick or auto trans). The 68 and newer ones have holes in them to clear the screw in oil galley plugs. If you use an older plate on an engine with screw in plugs it is a problem but not the other way around. HawkrodComment
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Hawkrod,
Thanks for another informative technical tip to identify and choose the correct FE engine for a particular application.
In the past you've acknowledged having copyrighted automotive information. Could you list your work in our Advertisement or For Sale area, as I for one consider your work credible, well researched and worthwhile to have on hand.Ken
1959 J Convertible
1960 J HardtopComment
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