Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: 1980-81-82 Thunderbird info (Read 2134 times) previous topic - next topic

1980-81-82 Thunderbird info

Hey all, I might have a chance to buy another Thunderbird, '80 to '82.
Been looking for some info on these years, found a little bit, but none of the more technical stuff that I'm mainly looking for.
I DO know that some of these came with 5.0, but only in 1980, I've read. Other than that, that's about all.
I'm curious what transmissions, rear gears ratios, and the body/chassis specs these cars have.
I've seen exactly 2 around here, one was a couple weeks ago, going down a street in town, on the way to work, and the other was in high school, 11 years ago, one of the guys had an 81 Cougar with that 255 V8, or whatever it was...wasn't the 302.
Anyway, I've checked out some stuff on google, kinda vague, not exactly what I'm loking for, but good reading, nonetheless.

I have checked the Thunderbird Registry...not a lot there for 80-82's...
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

1980-81-82 Thunderbird info

Reply #1 –
1980
engine, 4.2(standard) or 5.0, 200 I6 after spring 1980 and a 232 V6 in 1982
Trans, C4 (2.26) with 255/302 or AOD (3.08) with 302, c3 with the sixes??

What kinda body/chassis specs you looking for?

Dimensions and capacities here
1980 birds X 3, 1982 bird, 1984 XR7, 1988 TC

1980-81-82 Thunderbird info

Reply #2 –
your link for dimensions and capacities covered it, thanks!
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

1980-81-82 Thunderbird info

Reply #3 –
Cool, heres a great site for info on these cars

http://www.hamcar.info/Fordpages/foxbird.htm

Theres a few good pages out there, just a PITA to track down.
1980 birds X 3, 1982 bird, 1984 XR7, 1988 TC

1980-81-82 Thunderbird info

Reply #4 –
yeah, that was one of the first sites I found with google...still, some good info there...
That 4.2 V8, is it in anyway similar to the 302, to the point that intake manifold can interchange between the two?
Info says that they share the same stroke, but the 4.2 has a 3" bore, but I've never had any experience with the 4.2 engine.
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

1980-81-82 Thunderbird info

Reply #5 –
the heads will physically bolt on but thats about it. They shaved all excess material off everything in the engine to save weight (60 pounds, half from the manifold) over the 302 and I believe its narrower aswell, the crank is bigger yet hollow, the cylinder walls are thin, bolt boss diameters were downsized. Its a weak little biotch of an engine, but it gets 1.2mpg more than the 302!!! toss in a 302 or 351 and your golden. although the old 255 in my 80 once moving (2.26 rear:yuck: ) used to move pretty good.

Also the oil pan and cam should interchange :p This guy did some pretty good work to his car but hasnt done much lately other than start it up occasionally according to the last time I spoke to him. His was the first boxbird I found on the internet 'back in the day' and really got me interested in modifying mine
1980 birds X 3, 1982 bird, 1984 XR7, 1988 TC

1980-81-82 Thunderbird info

Reply #6 –
well, I was kind of half-assed dreaming, and was thinking about taking the 351w I have, cleaning it up, sticking in that 512 lift cam I have, and maybe dropping it in that Tbird, should I buy it. What would I need in the way of motor mounts, and I'd need to use the 351w/Fox oil pan, wouldn't I?
Sounds like a quick way to make a real sleeper...lol
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

1980-81-82 Thunderbird info

Reply #7 –
oil pan out a panther bodied ford will work, regular 531W mounts should work fine along with a rear from an 87-88 tc cause you know the 7.5 will break before the 351's even bolted in heh  rights you should buy it! i'm biased though, most people will tell you to leave it there.

You cant deny the fact that these cars are becoming collectors, the price has gone up considerably in the last couple years and you get looks everywhere you go, with production numbers of only 45,000 for 1982 you dont see them that often. As beat ass as my 80 is I was still getting positive comments from *most people about it till I parked it and had a few offers to buy it. They just have a certain class and elegance to them.... Whick makes them awesome street sleepers:evilgrin:  theres a lot of weight that can be shed off these things fairly easily.
1980 birds X 3, 1982 bird, 1984 XR7, 1988 TC

1980-81-82 Thunderbird info

Reply #8 –
the 200 should be a c4 also. and man that is one heavy car to be pushing around with 80 hp of whoppoing 200 inline 6 power.

1980-81-82 Thunderbird info

Reply #9 –
From Ford brochures:

1980 t-bird 3270lb
1987 t-bird 3133lb
1987 turbocoupe 3380lbs
1980 birds X 3, 1982 bird, 1984 XR7, 1988 TC

1980-81-82 Thunderbird info

Reply #10 –
well, found out what year, and what engine/trans the car has...
it's an 81, with a 302, and 4 speed auto, it's also a Town Landau version....got some fairly bad rust on the quarter panel, right in front of drivers door, and the boss said he doesn't yet know what he wants for it, but if it is to be sold, it's probably going to be mine...
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

1980-81-82 Thunderbird info

Reply #11 –
Quote from: FordTruckFreeek
got some fairly bad rust on the quarter panel, right in front of drivers door,
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1981-MERCURY-COUGAR-L-S-FENDER-O-EM-NOS_W0QQitemZ8047126144QQcategoryZ33644QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Cant beat that deal, its actually for a thunderbird not a cougar (cougar didnt have the big hole for cornering lights) good guy to deal with. Might be able to get shipping lowered, got mine to washington for $45

Town landau, thats cool. The white interior is fairly rare aswell, blue brown and bordello red seemed to be the colour of choice. I'm guessing it has the big cushy leather seats too?
1980 birds X 3, 1982 bird, 1984 XR7, 1988 TC

1980-81-82 Thunderbird info

Reply #12 –
Well, I dunno if they're the big cushy ones or not, but they do appear to be leather or vinyl/imitation leather.

I can see it now, E7 heads, 650cfm 4 bbl on my factory Ford aluminum 4 bbl intake, a mild cam, .030 overbore with some good forged pistons, T5 with TC rear, ought to make a good lil sleeper :D

Just have to wait till he decided what to take for it...dammit, and I'm not a very patient person!
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

1980-81-82 Thunderbird info

Reply #13 –
Quote from: FordTruckFreeek
I can see it now, E7 heads, 650cfm 4 bbl on my factory Ford aluminum 4 bbl intake, a mild cam, .030 overbore with some good forged pistons, T5 with TC rear, ought to make a good lil sleeper :D

:headbang: Thats pretty much what i'm planning for my 351 except stock top end and a newer aod.

Big And Cushy!:tg:
1980 birds X 3, 1982 bird, 1984 XR7, 1988 TC