1963 FORD THUNDERBIRD

1963 FORD THUNDERBIRD

Model Designations:

Ford Thunderbird V-8

Ford Thunderbird, Body Styles:

2 Door Hardtop Coupe, 4 Passenger, Body #83

Factory Price: $4,445; Shipping Weight: 4,195 Pounds

Production Total: 42,806

2 Door Landau Hardtop, 4 Passenger, Body #87

Factory Price: $4,548; Shipping Weight: 4,320 Pounds

Production Total: 14,139

2 Door Convertible, 4 Passenger, Body #85

Factory Price: $4,912; Shipping Weight: 4,205 Pounds

Production Total: 5,913

2 Door Sports Roadster, 4 Passenger, Body #89

Factory Price: $5,563; Shipping Weight: 4,395 Pounds

Production Total: 455

Chassis:

Wheelbase: 113"

Tire Size: 8.00 X 14"

Engine Availability:

V-8 390 Cubic Inch 300 H.P. Standard Engine.

V-8 390 Cubic Inch 340 H.P. 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

V-8 Engine, 390 Cubic Inches, 340 H.P.:

Engine Type: Overhead Valve V-8

Bore & Stroke: 4.0468" x 3.781"

Engine Displacement: 390 Cu. In.

Compresssion Ratio: 10.50 to 1

Taxable Horsepower: 52.96

Horsepower: 340 @ 5,000 RPM

Torque: Not Available

Normal Oil Pressure: 35-55 PSI

Carburetor: Three 2 Barrel Carburetors

Tune Up Specifications:

8 Cylinder Engine, 390 Cubic Inch, with 1 Carburetor:

Spark Plug Type: Autolite BF-42

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: 6 Degrees BTDC

Engine Idle Speed: 485 RPM, in Neutral

Compression Pressure @ Cranking Speed: 180 PSI (Minimum)

Fuel Pump Pressure: 5 to 6 PSI

8 Cylinder Engine, 390 Cubic Inch, with 3 Carburetors:

Spark Plug Type: Autolite BF-32

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: 6 Degrees BTDC

Engine Idle Speed: 485 RPM, in Neutral

Compression Pressure @ Cranking Speed: 180 PSI (Minimum)

Fuel Pump Pressure: 5 to 6 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 Quarts

With Heater: 20 Quarts

With Air Conditioning: 20 Quarts

Radiator Cap Pressure:

With Air Conditioning: 12-15 PSI

Without Air Conditioning: 12-15 PSI

Thermostat Opening: 185 Degrees

Fuel Tank: 20 Gallons

Engine Oil Refill: 6 Quarts*

Automatic Transmission: 10 Quarts

Rear Axle: 5 Pints

* With New Oil Filter

Starting Motor Specifications:

8 Cylinder:

Rotation: Clockwise

Brush Spring Tension: 48 Ounces

No Load Test: 70 Amperes, 12 Volts

Torque Test: 670 Amperes, 5.0 Volts, @ 15.5 Ft. Lbs.

Ford Alternator Specifications:

Alternator: 30 Ampere

Current Rating @ 15 Volts: 30 Ampres

Field Current: 2.3 to 2.5 Amperes @ 12 Volts

Voltage Regulator:

Make: Ford

Voltage @ 75 Degrees: 14.1 to 14.7 Volts

Contact Gap: .010"-.015"

Armature Air Gap: .045"-.052"

Field Relay:

Armature Air Gap: .022"-.030"

Closing Voltage @ 75 Degrees: 4 to 5 Volts

Distributor Specifications:

8 Cylinder, 390 Cu. In. Engine with 1 Carburetor:

Part #C2SF-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: 2 Degrees @ 425 RPM

Full Advance: 14 Degrees @ 2,000 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts @ 6" Vacuum

Full Advance: 8 Degrees @ 15" Vacuum

8 Cylinder, 390 Cu. In. Engine with 3 Carburetors:

Part #C2SF-12127B

Rotation: Counter-Clockwise

Breaker Point Gap: .017

Cam Angle: 26-31 Degrees

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17 to 20 Ounces

Centrifugal Advance:

Advance Starts: 2 Degrees @ 425 RPM

Full Advance: 12 Degrees @ 2,000 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts @ 6" Vacuum

Full Advance: 8 Degrees @ 15" 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: .004"-.009"

Pinion Bearing Preload:

Method: Spacer

Adjustment:

New Bearings: 22-32 Inch Lbs.

Used Bearings: 10-14 Inch Lbs.

Brake Drum Diameter: 11.03"

Wheel Cylinder Bore:

Front: 1-3/32"

Rear: 15/16"

Master Cylinder Bore: 7/8"

Wheel Alignment Specifications:

All Models:

Caster: - 1-1/2 Degree

Camber:

Left: + 3/8 Degree

Right: + 3/8 Degree

Toe-In: 1/8" to 1/4"

Toe-Out on Turns:

Outer Wheel: 18-7/8 Degrees

Inner Wheel: 20 Degrees

Holley Carburetor Adjustments, 8 Cylinder Engine:

2 Barrels

Carburetor Type: 2300

Application: 3 Carburetor Engines

Float Setting: Fuel level should be even with threads at the bottom of the sight plug hole. Loosen screw and turn adjusting nut as required to raise or lower the fuel level.

Mixture Screw: 1-1/4 Turns Open

Fast Idle Speed: With engine at normal operating temperature, turn fast idle screw in until is touches the losest step on the fast idle cam, then back off 1/4 turn.

Automatic Choke Setting: Index

Ford Carburetor Adjustments, 8 Cylinder Engine:

4 Barrels

Idle Screw Turns to Open: 1-1/2

Dry Float Setting: 47/64"

Wet Float Setting: 63/64"

Dashpot Setting: .075"

Fast Idle Speed: 1,500 RPM

Pump Setting:

Summer: #2 Hole

Winter: #4 Hole
Automatic Choke Setting: 2 Lean

Popular Options:

Radio & Antenna; Fresh Air Heater; Air Conditioning; White Sidewall Tires; Power Steering; Power Brakes; Power Windows; 4 Way Power Drivers Seat; Left & Right Outside Mirrors; Back Up Lamps; Windshield Washers; White Sidewall Tires; Tinted Glass; Seat Bolsters & Inserts; Rear Fender Shelds; Front Seat Belts; Leather Interior; Heavy Duty Battery; Two Tone Paint; Undercoating; Sliding Roof for Hardtops; Equa-Lock Differential; Movable Steering Control; 3 Carburetor Engine & More.

1963 Ford Thunderbird Historical Data:

Introduction date of the 1963 Ford Thunderbird is not available.

Total Ford Production for the1963 Model Year was 1,525,404, including 63,313 Thunderbirds.

1963 Ford Thunderbird Colors &Codes:

A Raven Black

D Patrician Green

E Acapulco Blue

F Skymist Blue

G Silver Mink

H Caspian Blue

I Champagne

J Rangoon Red

K Chalfonte Blue

L Sahara Rose

M Crorinthian White

N Diamond Blue

O Green Mist

R Tucson Yellow

S Cascade Green

T Sandshell Beige

U Deep Sea Blue

V Chestnut

W Rose Beige

Z Fieldstone Tan

Promotional Models Available:

Plastic: Galaxie 2 Door Hardtop; Galaxie Convertible; Thunderbird 2 Door Hardtop; Thunerbird Convertible; Falcon Convertible; Fairlane 2 Door Hardtop.