The Heart of the Big Bad Bird
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MEL Engine Forum (383, 410, 430, 462)
The ones that got away
The MEL 430, Put in Thunderbirds for only two years 1959 and 1960. Mine was not original to the car but is a numbers "consistent" engine..for what that is worth. This engine has been totally gone through. Bored 30 over, 4 cylinders sleeved, new pistons, etc. We have it apart again to put a new cam in it and stainless valves. I am having the intake and exhause manifolds ceramic coated "chromex" and other stuff power coated black. My plan is to put a wide ratio C-6 behind her. I had Dave Tatum of Tatum Custom Engines, Mount Vernon, WA. put it together for me.
Update 4/26/07~ As you can see below, we have mocked-up the motor and put it in prior to paint. The C-6 bolts up nicely behind it. Next stop is getting a tranny built.
There is no replacement for displacement...baby