Comment

Comment by steve on September 10, 2023 at 2:22pm

99,000 is a bunch of miles on an old school motor, will probably hone cyls and put new rings on as well ,valve job valve seals with those kinda miles might as well do it right as I am too lazy to do it over.

I was a flat rate mechanic for years and you got paid to do a job once,come backs are the mechanics problem until warrennty expires ao I always live by the motto "if you don't have time to do it right when do you have time to do it over" a smarter man than me who taught me a lot gave me this wise adage to live by.

Steve

Comment by steve on September 10, 2023 at 1:56pm

My thoughts exactly ,first thing I thought was a sticking  valve but the engine has 99,000 miles and I might as well just pull it out reseal the whole thing and be done with it. All it will cost me is time as my brother has the fundage. The car is too nice not to go through the whole motor just to freshen it up a bit. It already ready has more power than needed  so I will find the problem new gaskets and seals and it will be here running when I 'm long gone .

The 1966 Ford Thunderbird 390 engine has the following specifications¹²:

• 8-cylinder, 90-V, overhead valve
• Bore and Stroke (inches): 4.05 x 3.78
• Displacement (cubic inches): 390
• Compression Ratio: 10.5 to 1
• Brake Horsepower: 315 at 4600rpm, 335 at 4800 rpm
• Maximum Torque (lbs. -ft.): 427 at 2800 rpm, 427 at 3200 rpm
• Steve

Comment by Less Prone on September 10, 2023 at 1:45pm

It may be as simple as a leaking valve.

Comment by steve on September 10, 2023 at 1:28pm

I won't see car until next week or so Guy I got it from said #5 cylinder has no compression, it has a 390ci motor and since it has been sleeping since 1989 I will freshen up whole motor as all the seals and such are most likely dried out . I am a dodge guy and the last 2 cars are for my brother who still lives in the liberal state of Md. making plenty of money while I chose the simple life of a country boy but this damn work just keeps finding me.

Steve

Comment by Less Prone on September 10, 2023 at 1:21pm

Nice car.  Seems to be in good condition. What about the engine?