1959 Ford Thunderbird Specifications

Standard 300-Horsepower
Thunderbird 352 Special V-8

Optional 350-Horsepower
Thunderbird 430 Special V-8

ENGINE CODE/DESCRIPTION

H Thunderbird 352 Special V-8
Bore & stroke: 4.00" x 3.50"
Comp. ratio: 9.6:1
Horsepower: 300 at 4600 RPM
Carburetor: Holley 4-barrel
Dual exhaust system
More 352 details

ENGINE CODE/DESCRIPTION

J Thunderbird 430 Special V-8
Bore & stroke: 4.30" x 3.70"
Comp. ratio: 10.0:1
Horsepower: 350 at 4400 RPM
Carburetor: Holley 4-barrel
Dual exhaust system with resonators
LIMITED AVAILABILITY DURING 1959 PRODUCTION
More 430 details

TRANSMISSION CODES

CODE/DESCRIPTION

1 Standard (3-Speed Manual)
2 Standard with Overdrive
4 Cruise-O-Matic (3-Speed Automatic)*
I.D. Tag PBL-U (352); PBB-M (430)
*Required with 430 Engine

REAR AXLE CODES

CODE/DESCRIPTION

1 3.10:1 (Cruise-O-Matic)
3 3.70:1 (Standard and Overdrive)
5 2.91:1 (430 Engine)
0 2.91:1 (430 Engine)
A 3.10:1 Equa Lock (Cruise-O-Matic)
C 3.70:1 Equa Lock (Standard and Overdrive)
F 2.91:1 Equa Lock (430 Engine)

Wedge-Shape Combustion Chambers are efficient, extract more power from fuel. Smooth, more complete combustion results with a uniformly controlled high-compression ratio.

Precision Fuel Induction brings more instantaneous and responsive power. The fuel-air mixture moves quickly through 8 passages from carburetor to combustion chambers.

Hydraulic Valve Lifters are self-adjusting for zero lash. This provides smoother, quieter engines and longer valve life. Valve lifters adjust automatically, eliminating the need to set tappet clearances.

In-Block Combustion Chamber uses aluminized oversize valves with zero-lash hydraulic lifters; gives longer valve life, better intake and exhaust action, and smooth even combustion.

3-Stage Cooling circulates coolant in three stages: (1) to intake manifold and cylinder heads; (2) to block; and (3) to radiator. Provides fast starting warm-up and progressive temperature control utilizing three thermostats.

Fuel System Advances feature exclusive preheated carburetor air system and water-jacketed intake manifold to keep the fuel-air mixture at proper temperature for maximum combustion efficiency.



Specifications 1959

Standard 300-Horsepower Thunderbird 352 Special V-8		Optional 350-Horsepower Thunderbird 430 Special V-8

ENGINE CODES
ENGINE CODE/DESCRIPTION H Thunderbird 352 Special V-8 Bore & stroke: 4.00" x 3.50" Comp. ratio: 9.6:1 Horsepower: 300 at 4600 RPM Carburetor: Holley 4-barrel Dual exhaust system More 352 details		ENGINE CODE/DESCRIPTION J Thunderbird 430 Special V-8 Bore & stroke: 4.30" x 3.70" Comp. ratio: 10.0:1 Horsepower: 350 at 4400 RPM Carburetor: Holley 4-barrel Dual exhaust system with resonators LIMITED AVAILABILITY DURING 1959 PRODUCTION More 430 details
	ENGINE CODE/DESCRIPTION G 332 Cubic Inch Thunderbird Special V-8 Bore & stroke: 4.00" x 3.30" Comp. ratio: 8.9:1 Horsepower: 265 at 4400 RPM Dual exhaust system LOW OCTANE FOR EXPORT ONLY
TRANSMISSION CODES CODE/DESCRIPTION 1 Standard (3-Speed Manual) 2 Standard with Overdrive 4 Cruise-O-Matic (3-Speed Automatic)* I.D. Tag PBL-U (352); PBB-M (430) *Required with 430 Engine		REAR AXLE CODES CODE/DESCRIPTION 1 3.10:1 (Cruise-O-Matic) 3 3.70:1 (Standard and Overdrive) 5 2.91:1 (430 Engine) 0 2.91:1 (430 Engine) A 3.10:1 Equa Lock (Cruise-O-Matic) C 3.70:1 Equa Lock (Standard and Overdrive) F 2.91:1 Equa Lock (430 Engine)
	WHEELBASE: 113" OVERALL LENGTH: 205.4" WIDTH: 77" HEIGHT: 52.5" (Hardtop) 53.1" (Convertible) WEIGHT: 3,903 lbs. (Hardtop) 3,813 lbs. (Convertible)

Thunderbird 352 Special V-8 Engine Features:
Wedge-Shape Combustion Chambers are efficient, extract more power from fuel. Smooth, more complete combustion results with a uniformly controlled high-compression ratio.	Precision Fuel Induction brings more instantaneous and responsive power. The fuel-air mixture moves quickly through 8 passages from carburetor to combustion chambers.	Hydraulic Valve Lifters are self-adjusting for zero lash. This provides smoother, quieter engines and longer valve life. Valve lifters adjust automatically, eliminating the need to set tappet clearances.

Thunderbird 430 Special V-8 Engine Features:
In-Block Combustion Chamber uses aluminized oversize valves with zero-lash hydraulic lifters; gives longer valve life, better intake and exhaust action, and smooth even combustion.	3-Stage Cooling circulates coolant in three stages: (1) to intake manifold and cylinder heads; (2) to block; and (3) to radiator. Provides fast starting warm-up and progressive temperature control utilizing three thermostats.	Fuel System Advances feature exclusive preheated carburetor air system and water-jacketed intake manifold to keep the fuel-air mixture at proper temperature for maximum combustion efficiency.