1959 FORD THUNDERBIRD

1959 FORD THUNDERBIRD

Model Designations:

Ford Thunderbird V-8

Ford Thunderbird, Body Styles:

2 Door Hardtop, 4 Passenger, Body #63A

Factory Price: $3,696; Shipping Weight: 3,813 Pounds

Production Total: 57,195

2 Door Convertible, 4 Passenger, Body #76A

Factory Price: $3,979; Shipping Weight: 3,903 Pounds

Production Total: 10,261

Chassis:

Wheelbase: 113"

Tire Size: 8.00 X 14"

Rear Axle Ratios:

Manual Transmission: 3.56:1

Overdrive: 3.56:1

Cruise-O-Matic Transmission, 292 Engine: 3.10:1

Cruise-O-Matic Transmission, 332 Engine: 2.91:1

Cruise-O-Matic Transmission, 352 Engine: 2.69:1

Ford-O-Matic Transmission, 292 Engine: 3.10:1

Ford-O-Matic Transmission, 332 & 352Engine: 2.91:1

Equa-Lock Rear Axle:

3.70:1 & 3.10:1

General Engine Specifications:

V-8 Engine, 352 Cubic Inches:

Engine Type: Overhead Valve V-8

Bore & Stroke: 4.00" x 3.50"

Engine Displacement: 352 Cu. In.

Compresssion Ratio: 9.60 to 1

Taxable Horsepower: 51.20

Horsepower: 300 @ 4,600 RPM

Torque: 380 Ft. Lbs @ 2,800 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 43-54 PSI

V-8 Engine, 430 Cubic Inches:

Engine Type: Overhead Valve V-8

Bore & Stroke: 4.30" x 3.70"

Engine Displacement: 430 Cu. In.

Compresssion Ratio: 10.00 to 1

Taxable Horsepower: 59.17

Horsepower: 350 @ 4,800 RPM

Torque: 490 Ft. Lbs @ 3,100 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 45-55 PSI

Tune Up Specifications:

8 Cylinder Engine, 352 Cubic Inch:

Voltage: 12 Volts

Ground Polarity: Negative

Spark Plug Type: Champion F-11Y, or Equivalent

Spark Plug: Gap .034"

Point Gap: .015"

Distributor Cam Angle: 26-28 Degrees

Firing Order: 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8

Ignition Timing:

Manual Transmission: 3 Degrees BTDC

Automatic Transmission: 6 Degrees BTDC

Timing Mark Location: On Damper

Engine Idle Speed: 500 RPM

Cylinder Head Torque: 80-90 Ft. Lbs.

Compression Pressure @ Cranking Speed: 180 PSI (Minimum)

8 Cylinder Engine, 430 Cubic Inch:

Voltage: 12 Volts

Ground Polarity: Negative

Spark Plug Type: Champion F-11Y, or Equivalent

Spark Plug: Gap .034"

Point Gap: .015"

Distributor Cam Angle: 26-28 Degrees

Firing Order: 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8

Ignition Timing: 7 Degrees BTDC

Timing Mark Location: On Damper

Engine Idle Speed: 450 RPM

Cylinder Head Torque: 105 Ft. Lbs.

Compression Pressure @ Cranking Speed: 190 PSI (Minimum)

Valve Specifications:

8 Cylinder Engines, 352 Cu. In.:

Operating Clearance, Running Hot or Cold:

Intake: Zero

Exhaust Zero

Valve Seat Angle:

Intake: 30 Degrees

Exhaust: 45 Degrees,

Valve Timing: Intake Opens 22 Degrees Before Top Dead Center

Exhaust Valve Closes 22 Degrees After Top Dead Center

Valve Spring Pressure: 180 Lbs @ 1.42 inches

Cam Lobe Lift:

Hydralic Lifters:

Intake: .232"

Exhaust: .232"

Valve Stem Clearance:

Intake .001"-.0024";

Exhaust .0028"-.0042"

Valve Stem Diameter:

Intake: .3711"-.3718"

Exhaust: .3693"-.3700"

8 Cylinder Engines, 430 Cu. In.:

Operating Clearance, Running Hot or Cold:

Intake: Zero

Exhaust Zero

Valve Seat Angle: 45 Degrees,

Valve Timing:

Intake Opens 27 Degrees Before Top Dead Center

Exhaust Valve Closes 27 Degrees After Top Dead Center

Valve Spring Pressure: 250 Lbs @ 1.38 inches

Cam Lobe Lift:

Hydralic Lifters:

Intake: .2506"

Exhaust: .2506"

Valve Stem Clearance:

Intake .001"-.0024";

Exhaust .0028"-.0042"

Valve Stem Diameter:

Intake: .3711"-.3718"

Exhaust: .3693"-.3700"

Piston, Rings, Pins, Crankshaft & Bearing Data:

8 Cylinder Engine, 352 Cu. In.:

Fitting Pistons:

Shim Thickness: .002"

Pounds Pull on Scale: 5-10 Lbs.

Ring End Gap:

Compression: .013"

Oil: .015"

Wrist Pin Diameter: .9752"

Rod Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.438"-2.439"

Bearing Clearance: .0009"-.0028"

Rod End Play: .006"-.016"

Rod Bolt Torque: 45-50 Ft. Lbs.

Main Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.7484"-2.7492"

Bearing Clearance: .0007"-.0029"

Crankshaft End Play: .002"-.006"

Thrust on #3 Bearing

Rod Bolt Torque: 100 Ft. Lbs.

8 Cylinder Engine, 430 Cu. In.:

Fitting Pistons:

Shim Thickness: .002"

Pounds Pull on Scale: 5-10 Lbs.

Ring End Gap:

Compression: .013"

Oil: .015"

Wrist Pin Diameter: .9752"

Rod Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.599"-2.600"

Bearing Clearance: .0009"-.0028"

Rod End Play: .006"-.016"

Rod Bolt Torque: 45-50 Ft. Lbs.

Main Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.7484"-2.7492"

Bearing Clearance: .0007"-.0029"

Crankshaft End Play: .002"-.006"

Thrust on #3 Bearing

Rod Bolt Torque: 100 Ft. Lbs.

Capacities:

With 352 Cu. In. Engine:

Cooling System:

Without Heater: 19 Quarts

With Heater: 20 Quarts

Radiator Cap Pressure: 12-15 PSI

Fuel Tank: 20 Gallons

Engine Oil Refill: 5 Quarts*

Manual Transmission: 3 Pints

With Overdrive: 4-3/4 Pints

Automatic Transmission: 10 Quarts

Rear Axle: 4-1/2 Pints

* Add 1 Quart For Oil Filter

With 430 Cu. In. Engine:

Cooling System:

Without Heater: 20 Quarts

With Heater: 21 Quarts

Radiator Cap Pressure: 12-15 PSI

Fuel Tank: 20 Gallons

Engine Oil Refill: 5 Quarts*

Automatic Transmission: 10 Quarts

Rear Axle: 5-1/2 Pints

* Add 1 Quart For Oil Filter

Starting Motor Specifications:

8 Cylinder:

Part #FAR-11001A

Rotation: Clockwise

Brush Spring Tension: 48 to 56 Ounces

No Load Test: 85 Amperes, 12 Volts, @ 4,500 RPM

Torque Test: 550 Amperes, 5.0 Volts, @ 15-1/2 Ft. Lbs.

Distributor Specifications:

8 Cylinder, 352 Cu. In. Engine:

Part #FEU-12127N

Rotation: Counter-Clockwise

Breaker Point Gap: .015"

Cam Angle: 26-28 Degrees

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17 to 20 Ounces

Condenser Capacity: .20 to .25 Mfds

Centrifugal Advance:

Advance Starts: 1 Degree @ 500 RPM

Full Advance: 14 Degrees @ 2,000 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts: 2 Degree @ 8" Vacuum

Full Advance: 10 Degrees @ 14" Vacuum

8 Cylinder, 430 Cu. In. Engine:

Part #FEW-12127H

Rotation: Counter-Clockwise

Breaker Point Gap: .015"

Cam Angle: 26-28 Degrees

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17 to 20 Ounces

Condenser Capacity: .20 to .25 Mfds

Centrifugal Advance:

Advance Starts: 1 Degree @ 525 RPM

Full Advance: 15 Degrees @ 2,000 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts: 3.5 Degree @ 6.5" Vacuum

Full Advance: 12.5 Degrees @ 16" Vacuum

Ford Generator Specifications:

Generator #FAS-10000E

Rotation: Clockwise

Ground Polarity: Negative

Generator Output: 30 Amperes

Regulator 2700015

Cutout Relay:

Voltage to Close Points: 12.8 Voltage Regulator Setting: 15.0 Volts

Current Regulator Setting: 30 Amperes

Rear Axle & Brake Specifications:

Ring Gear & Pinion Backlash: .004"-.009"

Drive Pinion Adjustment: Shims

Drive Pinion Bearing Adjustment: Spacer

Axle Shaft End Play: None

Wheel Cylinder Bore:

Front: 1-1/8"

Rear: 7/8"

Master Cylinder Bore: 1" (Power Brakes: 1.125")

Wheel Alignment Specifications:

All Models:

Caster: + 1 Degree

Camber: + 1 Degree

Toe-In: 1/16" to 1/8"

Toe-Out on Turns:

Outer Wheel: 20 Degrees

Inner Wheel: 17 Degrees, 7 Minutes

Kingpin Angle: 7 Degrees, 7 Minutes

Carter AFB Carburetor Adjustments, 8 Cylinder:

Carburetor # N/A

Float Level: 3/16"

Float Drop: 23/32"

Idle Screw Turns to Open: 1/4 to 1-3/4

Pump Stroke: 11/32"

Fast Idle Throttle Valve Clearance: .040"

Unloader Setting: 1/8"

Secondary Throttle Lever: .010"-.030"

Dashpot: 5/32"

Choke Setting: Index

Holley Carburetor Adjustments, 8 Cylinder:

Model #4000

4 Barrels

Idle Screw Turns to Open: 5/8

Float Setting, Closed: 7/32"

Dashpot Setting: .045"-.064"

Automatic Choke Setting: Adjust choke thromostat housing to mid-position mark.

Model #4150

4 Barrels

Idle Screw Turns to Open: 1-1/2

Dual Float Setting:

Primary: 3/4"

Secondary: 1/2"

Primary Fuel Bowl Vent: 1/16"

Dashpot Setting: 1/16"

Dashpot Setting: .060"-.090"

Automatic Choke Setting: Adjust choke thromostat housing to mid-position mark.

Ford Carburetor Adjustments, 8 Cylinder:

4 Barrels

Idle Screw Turns to Open: 1

Dual Float Setting:

Primary: .435"-.465"

Secondary: .435"-.465"

Dashpot Setting: .060"-.090"
Automatic Choke Setting: Adjust choke thromostat housing to mid-position mark.

Popular Options:

Push Butto Radio, Signal Seeking Radio, Heater Defroster, Power Windows, Power Seat, Air Conditioning, Back Up Lights, Tinted Glass, Windshield Washer, Outside Rear View Mirror, Leather Interior, Wheel Covers, Fender Skirts, White Wall Tires, Undercoating, Cruise-O-Matic Transmission, Overdrive, Power Steering, Power Brakes, 350 Horsepower Engine.

1959 Ford Thunderbird Historical Data:

Introduction date of the 1959 Ford Thunderbird was October 27, 1958.

Total Ford Thunderbird Production for the1998 model year was 67,456.

1959 Ford Thunderbird Colors &Codes:

A-01 Raven Black

C Baltic Blue

D Indian Turquoise

E-07 Colonial White

F-60 Hickory Tan

G-15 Glacier Green

H Tahitian Bronze

J-28 Steel Blue

9-92 Sandstone

L-80 Diamond Blue

M-66 Doeskin Beige

N Starlet Blue

9-17 Sea Reef Green

R Brandy Wine

T-83 Flamingo

U Cordovan

V-75 Casino Cream

W Tamarack Green

Z-55 Platinum

Promotional Models Available:

Plastic: Thunderbird Hardtop & Thunderbird Convertible.