1960 Bird Question

[cobaltsssc760]

I Have A 1960 Bird That Melted The Wiring Harness The Last Time It Was Started Right Across The Lower Radiator Support. I Was Think Ing Of Cutting Out The Harness And Rebuiding One From Scratch. (this Wont Be My First). I Was Just Wondering Because Birds Nest Sells A Harness For 1960' With A 352 With A/c For 100$.
The Only Problem Is The Air Cleaner That Is On The Car Sais Its A 390 Which Didnt Release Untill The Next Year 1961. I Doubt The Motor Is A 390 But I Wanted To Pull The Casting #'s And Verify The Motor So Hopefully I Can Buy The Harness Rather Than Spending The Time To Rebuild It. Does Anyone Know Where The Casting #'s Are On The 352 And Also On The 390. And A Place Where I Can Verify The Numbers. Any Help Would Be Greatly Appreciated.

[YellowRose]

1960 Bird Question

This might help.

http://www.fordification.com/tech/ca...rs-FEblock.htm

This might also, but it also could be confusing!

http://squarebirds.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=7506

This also.

http://www.ehow.com/how_7448400_iden...390-block.html

[jopizz]

If you have a generator then it really doesn't matter whether the engine is a 352 or 390. The harness will be the same. Most 390 blocks have 352 on them so that won't tell you much. The heads and intake will probably tell you more. If you have a draft tube rather than a pcv valve than it's most likely a 352, an early 390 or they reused the intake manifold. Either way the wiring harness for a squarebird should be fine.

John

[simplyconnected]

Why not just measure the stroke?
Put the timing marks on TDC,
Pull #1 and #4 spark plugs (when #1 is up, #4 is down),
Use a welding rod and measure both hole depths.
If you get 3-1/2" difference in your measurements, it's a 352.
If you get 3-3/4" difference in your marks, it's a 390.

I believe your burned wire harness runs from your regulator to your battery terminal of the starter solenoid. I'm puz zled as to why it smoked because that is not usual. Certainly you can replace the wires, but are you planning to install an alternator? If so, your harness will change drastically. - Dave

[cobaltsssc760]

I Beleive The Harness Was Smoked When My Brother In Law Tried To Jump The Car I Know He Either Jumped It With A Diesel Truck Which Is A No No Or He Hooked It Up Backwards.

[cobaltsssc760]

The Car Already Has An Alternator? Im Talking About Just Cutting Out The Entire Harness And Re Wiring It From Scratch. But If It Was Possible I Would Buy A Harness.

[simplyconnected]

Wait a minute, I'm confused... If your car already has an alternator, then an original wire harness will not fit. In fact, the wire sizes are far too small. Maybe that is why it burned up.

Even if you reversed jumper cables, it shouldn't harm your wire harnesses. I suggest you find out what capacity the new alternator is, and wire it accordingly.

BTW, did you measure your stroke? - Dave

[lawyercalif]

I Have A 1960 Bird That Melted The Wiring Harness The Last Time It Was Started Right Across The Lower Radiator Support. .

If my memory is correct, the wires across the lower radiator support are for you headlights and turn signals. My car has an alternator and the wire from the alternator goes to the battery through the starter solinoid. It seems strange the headlight wires burned up.

[jopizz]

The wires from the generator to the voltage regulator also run along the radiator. I've seen some people reuse them when changing to an alternator but they are way too small. It's possible that's what happened. There should be at least a 6 gauge wire from the battery side of the solenoid direct to the alternator.

John