So on the swap to 390

[Guest]

When I am looking for the parts to match it up with my cruis-o-matic how would I identify the parts to the part store? Speaking of flywheel and pressure plate?

[jopizz]

Automatic transmissions don't have a flywheel and pressure plate; just a flexplate. You want one with 184 teeth if you are going to use the newer type starter. Most Fords from 1966 and up used the newer flexplate/starter combo. One from a 1966 Thunderbird will work.

John

[Guest]

Ok

so pressure plate. Is this the only thing that would need to be found for the trans to match up? As you can see, I am a newbie with anything much beyond basic maintenance, and so sourcing parts from different years I am not sure what I need to be telling these folks. "I need a 390 pressure plate that will work with cruise o matic"....will just get me eyeballed at most stores since they are sourcing parts via a part number or year make and model vehicle specific. Run into this a bunch trying to get parts for my dodge RV motor from the 70's. Closest parts store for me is forty miles each way, so I am trying to save running back and forth like a crazy person if I can...

So basically I am telling them I need an alternator and starter for a early seventies F series truck as well as a pressure plate for a 390 to a Cruise o matic? Or would the starter need to be an earlier Thunderbird specific model which came equipped with a 390?

[jopizz]

You need a flexplate, not a pressure plate. Just go into your local auto parts store and tell them you need a flexplate for a 1966 Thunderbird with a 390. Here's the one you want from NAPA.

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Flex-Plate/_/R-BK_6005047_0441391321

John

[Guest]

Thanks

The listed trans for that year is a C6 is that ok? Would the starter also be a 66? The block looks to have a built on mount for the alternator guessing I would go with the 70"s truck alternator to make sure it fits? ....I know I am asking a bunch of questions, but I have never swapped or built an engine, and I am really wanting to get more familiar without completely screwing the job up. I have to do things to learn them, so without a qualified person to guide me I would need to just rely on the shop manual which, while great, does leave a bunch to be desired in the details department.

[jopizz]

Yes, get the starter for a 1966 Thunderbird also. I assume you have the bolts and the mounting ring to mount the flexplate to the crankshaft.

John

[Guest]

Hmmm

Yes, get the starter for a 1966 Thunderbird also. I assume you have the bolts and the mounting ring to mount the flexplate to the crankshaft.

John

Not unless they will swap from the 352...

[jopizz]

Yes, the mounting ring and the bolts are the same as the 352. I just wanted to make sure that you had them.

John

[Guest]

Yes, next learning opportunity is

Yes, the mounting ring and the bolts are the same as the 352. I just wanted to make sure that you had them.

John

Rebuilding the 352.