Author Topic: 1961 Thunderbird 390...  (Read 15952 times)

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blykins

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1961 Thunderbird 390...
« on: July 23, 2020, 05:50:40 PM »
In a world of 445's and 482's, something different is welcomed....

Got this one en route to me. 



This is a 390 out of a 1961 T-Bird.  Numbers matching, original engine/trans. 

The owner is wanting to keep everything period correct on the outside, using the factory intake, cylinder heads, and even the exhaust manifolds and wants to keep the factory crankshaft and rods.  On the inside, we have a little creative license, in the way of modern machine work, modern pistons/rings, and a hydraulic roller camshaft. 

I'm going to dyno this one as soon as I get it, just to get a baseline.  It's interesting to me to see how the differences in modern parts affects the horsepower and torque.  I have strict orders to keep everything very streetable and mild, but I think there's lots of room for improvement. 

I'm still waiting for the winner of the last game to speak up so he can collect his prize.  But in the time being, what's the guess on what this 390 will make on the dyno?   There will be a little luck involved on this one.  The owner said the engine was rebuilt back in 2002.   Not sure on whether it's had a cam upgrade or anything else, but I know it's sporting a Quick Fuel Slayer 600.   Closest guess without going over will win some goodies (if the winner decides to speak up....)



« Last Edit: December 31, 2020, 07:21:14 AM by blykins »
Brent Lykins
Lykins Motorsports
Custom FE Street, Drag Race, Road Race, and Pulling Truck Engines
Custom Roller & Flat Tappet Camshafts
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RustyCrankshaft

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Re: 1961 Thunderbird 390...(and another GTH game...)
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2020, 05:57:00 PM »
It's too bad it's already been apart, but still will be very interesting to see the difference modern parts will make in a similar package. A lot of little gains adds up when put together.

Stangman

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Re: 1961 Thunderbird 390...(and another GTH game...)
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2020, 07:12:38 PM »
Yeah this one should be fun.
295 just the way it sits.
369 when your done.

WerbyFord

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Re: 1961 Thunderbird 390...(and another GTH game...)
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2020, 07:15:30 PM »
Some easy checks:
Can you check what casting numbers are on the intake and heads? Should be c1ae-a heads.

Will the dyno be with the flat log manifolds or the 2" dyno headers? BOTH would be interesting but since he plans to keep the iron logs....

Is it (and will it be) a 4.05 bore or a 4.08 bore etc?

Harder check: I would degree the cam that's in there first, not much cost compared to dyno time, just pull 1 side's rockers & a degree wheel.

The 61-63 390/300 had 9.6 CR factory with a slight dish & valve cuts. About 9.3 CR with todays thicker gaskets. About 285hp on the Gonkulator.
The 64-65 390/300 had 10.0 CR with factory shims, no dish, just valve cuts.

I ran a quick Gonkulator on this one:

Stone stock 1961 390/300 Bird, log iron exhaust, big 186-186 .400 .400 cam:
Torq 391 at 2600
Powr 285 at 4300

This engine, with log iron, 9.3 CR, 600 Holley, and log iron:
Torq 377 at 2700
Powr 282 at 4300
And with the big 2" dyno headers (too big):
Torq 371 at 2700
Powr 288 at 4700

On the plus side, all the dogs and cats we've had tend to like THIS kind of engine. Mild, quiet, smooth.
They do NOT like solid cams, open or loud pipes, or high RPM's.
« Last Edit: July 23, 2020, 08:05:37 PM by WerbyFord »

runthatjunk

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Re: 1961 Thunderbird 390...(and another GTH game...)
« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2020, 09:13:54 PM »
Mostly just want to say looking forward to this.

323 hp
1965 390 Galaxie 4 Speed
1966 428 Thunderbird

blykins

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Re: 1961 Thunderbird 390...(and another GTH game...)
« Reply #5 on: July 24, 2020, 05:21:57 AM »
Werb, I will dyno with headers, but everything else will be left up to fate/chance. 

Just to remind everyone, this GTH game is for the engine *as it sits right now*.  Not sure what state it is in, but we'll see.
Brent Lykins
Lykins Motorsports
Custom FE Street, Drag Race, Road Race, and Pulling Truck Engines
Custom Roller & Flat Tappet Camshafts
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70tp

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Re: 1961 Thunderbird 390...(and another GTH game...)
« Reply #6 on: July 24, 2020, 05:47:30 AM »
275

wowens

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Re: 1961 Thunderbird 390...(and another GTH game...)
« Reply #7 on: July 24, 2020, 06:18:53 AM »
257
Woody

CV355

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Re: 1961 Thunderbird 390...(and another GTH game...)
« Reply #8 on: July 24, 2020, 06:58:40 AM »
310

chilly460

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Re: 1961 Thunderbird 390...(and another GTH game...)
« Reply #9 on: July 24, 2020, 07:14:47 AM »
275hp

Are you going to have the heads ported as part of the update?

shady

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Re: 1961 Thunderbird 390...(and another GTH game...)
« Reply #10 on: July 24, 2020, 07:41:04 AM »
299     BTW I have a '64 t-bird 390 and it has dished pistons with no valve relief.
What goes fast doesn't go fast long'
What goes fast takes your money with it.
So I'm slow & broke, what went wrong?
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Twinibeam66

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Re: 1961 Thunderbird 390...(and another GTH game...)
« Reply #11 on: July 24, 2020, 07:56:36 AM »
308 HP

Falcon67

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Re: 1961 Thunderbird 390...(and another GTH game...)
« Reply #12 on: July 24, 2020, 08:29:43 AM »
312 - number right out of my...back pocket.  WTH, fun to guess.  Unknown what was done during the touch up so be interesting for sure.

blykins

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Re: 1961 Thunderbird 390...(and another GTH game...)
« Reply #13 on: July 24, 2020, 08:35:09 AM »
275hp

Are you going to have the heads ported as part of the update?

No sir, just a rebuild with modern pieces inside.   He's not focused on horsepower, but just wants a solid driver.
Brent Lykins
Lykins Motorsports
Custom FE Street, Drag Race, Road Race, and Pulling Truck Engines
Custom Roller & Flat Tappet Camshafts
www.lykinsmotorsports.com
brent@lykinsmotorsports.com
www.customfordcams.com
502-759-1431
Instagram:  brentlykinsmotorsports
YouTube:  Lykins Motorsports

WerbyFord

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Re: 1961 Thunderbird 390...(and another GTH game...)
« Reply #14 on: July 24, 2020, 09:10:42 AM »
299     BTW I have a '64 t-bird 390 and it has dished pistons with no valve relief.

Shady,
Just curious - when was your Bird built?

Our early 64 Gal (October 1963 build) came with a 1963 engine - c1ae-a heads, c3 intake, c3af-bv carb, dished pistons. All the later 64's we've torn down had flat tops with valve cuts.