1961 FORD THUNDERBIRD

1961 FORD THUNDERBIRD

Model Designations:

Ford Thunderbird V-8

Ford Thunderbird, Body Styles:

2 Door Hardtop, 4 Passenger, Body #71

Factory Price: $4,170; Shipping Weight: 3,958 Pounds

Production Total: 62,535

2 Door Convertible, 4 Passenger, Body #73

Factory Price: $4,637; Shipping Weight: 4,130 Pounds

Production Total: 10,516

Chassis:

Wheelbase: 113"

Tire Size: 8.00 X 14"

Engine Availability:

V-8 390 Cubic Inch 300 H.P. Standard Engine. No Optional Engine.

General Engine Specifications:

V-8 Engine, 390 Cubic Inches, 300 H.P.:

Engine Type: Overhead Valve V-8

Bore & Stroke: 4.0468" x 3.781"

Engine Displacement: 390 Cu. In.

Compresssion Ratio: 10.10 to 1

Taxable Horsepower: 52.96

Horsepower: 300 @ 4,600 RPM

Torque: 427 Ft. Lbs @ 2,800 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 35-55 PSI

Carburetor: 4 Barrel

Tune Up Specifications:

8 Cylinder Engine, 390 Cubic Inch:

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

Spark Plug: Gap .034"

Point Gap: .017"

Distributor Cam Angle: 26-31 Degrees

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

Ignition Timing: 8 Degrees BTDC

Engine Idle Speed: 515 RPM, in Neutral

Compression Pressure @ Cranking Speed: 180 PSI (Minimum)

Fuel Pump Pressure: 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 PSI

Valve Specifications:

8 Cylinder Engine, 390 Cu. In.:

Valve Lash:

Intake: .078"-.218"

Exhaust: .078"-.218"

Valve Angles:

Seat: 45 Degrees

Face: 44 Degrees

Valve Spring Height, Installed: 1-13/16"

Valve Spring Pressure: 80 Lbs @ 1.82 inches

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, 390 Cubic Inches:

Piston Clearance: .0017"-.0035"

Ring End Gap:

Compression: .015"

Oil: .015"

Wrist Pin Diameter: .9752"

Rod Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.4380"-2.4388"

Bearing Clearance: .0006"-.0026"

Main Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.7484"-2.7492"

Bearing Clearance: .0006"-.0031"

Thrust on #3 Bearing

Crankshaft End Play: .004"-.008"

Engine Tightening Specifications:

8 Cylinder Engine:

Spark Plugs: 15-20 Ft. Lbs.

Cylinder Head Bolts: 80-90 Ft. Lbs.

Intake Manifold: 32-35 Ft. Lbs.

Exhaust Manifold: 12-18 Ft. Lbs.

Rocker Arm Shaft Bracket: 40-45 Ft. Lbs.

Rocker Arm Cover: 4-7 Ft. Lbs.

Connecting Rod Cap Bolts: 45-50 Ft. Lbs.

Main Bearing Cap Bolts: 95-105 Ft. Lbs.

Flywheel to Crankshaft: 75-85 Ft. Lbs.

Vibration Damper or Pulley: 70-90 Ft. Lbs.

Capacities:

All:

Cooling System:

Without Heater: 19-1/2 Quarts

With Heater: 20-1/2 Quarts

With Air Conditioning: 20-1/2 Quarts

Radiator Cap Pressure:

With Air Conditioning: 12-15 PSI

Without Air Conditioning: 12-15 PSI

Thermostat Opening: 180 Degrees

Fuel Tank: 20 Gallons

Engine Oil Refill: 5 Quarts*

Automatic Transmission: 10 Quarts

Rear Axle: 5 Pints

* Add 1 Quart For Oil Filter

Starting Motor Specifications:

8 Cylinder:

Part #C2AZ-11002A

Rotation: Clockwise

Brush Spring Tension: 48 to 56 Ounces

No Load Test: 80-110 Amperes, 12 Volts

Torque Test: 580 Amperes, 5.0 Volts, @ 14.8 Ft. Lbs.

Ford Generator Specifications:

Generator: 30 Ampere

Field Current Draw @ 12 Volts: 1.5-1.6 Ampres

Field Ground Location: Internal

Brush Spring Tension: 32-40 Ounces

Maximum Charging Rate: 30 Amperes @ 2,670 Generator RPM

Regulator:

Cut-In Voltage 12.0-12.8 Volts

Voltage Regulation @ 75 Degrees: 14.6-15.4 Volts

Current Regulation: 28-32 Amperes

Generator: 40 Ampere

Field Current Draw @ 12 Volts: 1.5-1.6 Ampres

Field Ground Location: Internal

Brush Spring Tension: 32-40 Ounces

Maximum Charging Rate: 40 Amperes @ 2,650 Generator RPM

Regulator:

Cut-In Voltage 12.3-13.5 Volts

Voltage Regulation @ 75 Degrees: 14.6-15.4 Volts

Current Regulation: 40-44 Amperes

Distributor Specifications:

8 Cylinder, 390 Cu. In. Engine:

Part #CISF-12127A

Rotation: Counter-Clockwise

Breaker Point Gap: .017

Cam Angle: 26-31 Degrees

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17 to 20 Ounces

Centrifugal Advance:

Advance Starts: 1 Degree @ 400 RPM

Full Advance: 12 Degrees @ 2,000 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts @ 9" Vacuum

Full Advance: 9 Degrees @ 17" Vacuum

Rear Axle & Brake Specifications:

Carrier Type: Integral

Differential Bearing Preload:

Method: Nuts

Adjustment: 2-1/2 to 3 notches tight.

Ring Gear & Pinion Backlash:

Method: Nuts

Adjustment: .008"-.012"

Pinion Bearing Preload:

Method: Spacer

Adjustment:

New Bearings: 17-24 Inch Lbs.

Used Bearings: 8-12 Inch Lbs.

Brake Drum Diameter: 11.03"

Wheel Cylinder Bore:

Front: 1-3/32"

Rear: 29/32"

Master Cylinder Bore: 1"

Wheel Alignment Specifications:

All Models:

Caster: + 1/2 Degree

Camber:

Left: + 1/2 Degree

Right: + 1/2 Degree

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

Toe-Out on Turns:

Outer Wheel: 20 Degrees

Inner Wheel: 21-1/2 Degrees

Ford Carburetor Adjustments, 8 Cylinder Engine:

4 Barrels

Idle Screw Turns to Open: 1-1/2

Dry Float Setting: 21/32"

Wet Float Setting: 29/32"

Dashpot Setting: .075"

Fast Idle Speed: 1,700 RPM

Pump Setting:

Summer: #2 Hole

Winter: #4 Hole
Automatic Choke Setting: 2 Lean

Popular Options:

Radio & Antenna; Fresh Air Heater; Air Conditioning; Tinted Glass; White Sidewall Tires; Power Steering; Power Brakes; Power Windows; 4 Way Power Drivers Seat; Left & Right Outside Mirrors; Back Up Lamps; Windshield Washers; Rear Fender Shelds; Front Seat Belts; Leather Interior; Heavy Duty Battery; Two Tone Paint; Undercoating; Slifing Roof for Hardtops; Equa-Lock Differential; Movable Steering Control; & More.

1961 Ford Thunderbird Historical Data:

Introduction date of the 1961 Ford Thunderbird was November 12, 1960.

Total Ford Production for the1961 model year was 1,090,610 including 73,000 Thunderbirds.

1961 Ford Colors &Codes:

A Raven Black

C Aquamarine

D Starlight Blue

E Laurel Green

F Desert Gold

H Chesapeake Blue

J Monte Carlo Red

N Diamond Blue

P Nautilus Gray

Q Silver Gray

R Cambridge Blue

S Mint Green

T Honey Beige

V Palm Springs Rose

W Garden Turquoise

X Heritage Burgundy

Y Mahogany

Z Fieldstone Tan

Promotional Models Available:

Plastic: Fairlane 4 Door Sedan; Starliner 2 Door Hardtop; Galaxie 2 Door Hardtop; Sunliner Convertible; 4 Door Station Wagon; F-100 Pickup; Falcon 2 Door Sedan; Falcon Ranchero Pickup; Thunderbird 2 Door Hardtop; Thunderbird Convertible.