1978 Ford Thunderbird Pro Street & Drag Race

1978 Ford Thunderbird Description

1978 Ford Thunderbird

The engine is a 545 ci BBF built in 2007 with a forged 4.5 stroke crank, Eagle 6.8 H beam rods and 0.030 overcustom Diamond pistons 12.25: 1 compression. Comp Cams XR304 solid roller cam 266/272 duration @ 0.050 lift .690/.700 lift Comp EndureX roller lifters. The passenger side lifter bores are bushed to improve oiling, other items used are a Canton deep sump oil pan, Melling HV oil pump, Romac billet double roller timing set

Professionally ported and polished TFS Street heads done by Scott Johnston of RHP in Seattle WA with 2.25 / 1.76 stainless valves, Comp Springs, titanium retainers. Comp Hi-Tec stainless rocker arms, 3/8 pushrods and Jomar stud girdles. Ported Victor intake Pro Systems 1350 cfmSV-1 carb

So far the engine has around 400 miles on it and is doing well. It holds 60-70 psi oil pressure at cruising rpms ( 3,000 rpm ) and 20-30 psi at idle ( 950 rpms ) . The spark plugs and valve lash are routinely checked. For regular street driving 93 octane pump gas and a quality octane booster have worked well. I have used 110 octane fuel for racing. I do not have any idea as to how much power it is making but a good guess is around 625-650. I have only had the car to the track once with this motor and it ran 11.01 @ 124.6 mph. The trap speed suggests the car should go mid 10's as is.

C-4 automatic transmission fully rollerized, extra clutches, Kevlar bands reverse manual valve body PA servo, PA input shaft. Edge 4300 10" stall converter with anti balloon plates for nitrous Mark Williams billet yoke TCI deep pan the transmission was freshened in 2004 and has about 500 miles on it. I moved the trans cooler to the rear of the car and added a spin on filter that holds an extra quart of fluid. I used stainless braided teflon lines for that.

The rear end uses 33" adjustable ladder bars and QA1 coilovers for the suspension. I had Currie make the rear end housing. The rest is a Moser "N" center section 4:30 gears, full spool, Moser 33 spline gun drilled axles with 5/8 studs Dayton pinion support and a 1350 forged pinion yoke. Dyno tech 3-1/2 aluminum driveshaft

Other noteworthy items:

MDS 6AL2 ignition, MSD distributor MSD HVCII coil, MSD start/retard box, Taylor 409 wires Crites 2" primary headers Borla stainless oval XR1 Sportsman mufflers Jaz 15 gallon fuel cell Mallory Comp 250 electric pump, Mallory 4 port regulatorand filter. Griffin aluminum radiator Moroso electric water pump Mark VIII electric fan. I had the steering box rebuilt to operate as a manual steering box, the brakes are manual as well.

The brakes front and back were done during the backhalf and most of the lines were replaced.

Interior: 8 point roll bar, Simpson harnesses Jeg's racing bucket seats full assortment of Autometer Pro Comp gauges, Hurst Quarter stick 2 shifter new headliner. The upholstery/ carpetingneeds finished.

The body is not perfect but there is very little rust and filler anywhere. It was painted Viper Silver Pearl metallic back in 1996, it is ready for paint again now that the back half job is finished. During the backhalf work, the vinyl top was removed and painted with tough gard, the guy did a great job and everybody thinks its a new vinyl top.

The chrome and trim is a mix of old and NOS, the window trim and bumpers will need re-plated to be perfect. The grill, hood ornament and tailights are NOS parts purchased within the last seven years. If you look closely the front and rear bumpers have been moved in from the stock location to improve the lines of the car.

The wheels are Weld Aluma stars front and rear, fronts are 15" x 4" the rears are 15" x 14" and drilled for screws. The tires are Mickey Thompson 28" x 7.5 Sportsman fronts and the rears are 32" x 17.50 ET Streets with tubes.

Please feel free to ask me any questions, additional photos can be taken and the car can be seen upon appointment.

This is sold as is, where is, the winning bidder will be required to put down a deposit of 500.00. within 48 hours of the end of the auction. Shipping will also be the buyers responsibility.

If need be I am willing to store the car for two weeks, prior to pickup or shipping free of charge

The car is for sale locally, so I reserve the rightto end the auction at anytime.

Thanks for looking!