1965 FORD THUNDERBIRD

1965 FORD THUNDERBIRD

Model Designations:

Ford Thunderbird V-8

Ford Thunderbird, Body Styles:

2 Door Hardtop, 4 Passenger, Body #63A

Factory Price: $4,394; Shipping Weight: 4,470 Pounds

Production Total: 42,652

2 Door Landau Hardtop, 4 Passenger, Body #63B

Factory Price: $4,478; Shipping Weight: 4,478 Pounds

Production Total: 25,474

2 Door Convertible, 4 Passenger, Body #76A

Factory Price: $4,851; Shipping Weight: 4,588 Pounds

Production Total: 6,846

Chassis:

Wheelbase: 113.2"

Tire Size: 8.15 X 15"

Engine Availability:

V-8 390 Cubic Inch 300 H.P. Standard 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, with Conventional Ignition:

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: 190 PSI

Fuel Pump Pressure: 4 to 6 PSI

8 Cylinder Engine, 390 Cubic Inch, with Transistorized Ignition:

Spark Plug Type: Autolite BF-42

Spark Plug: Gap .034"

Point Gap: .020"

Distributor Cam Angle: 22-24 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: 190 PSI

Fuel Pump Pressure: 4 to 6 PSI

Valve Specifications:

8 Cylinder Engine, 390 Cu. In. Engines:

Valve Lash:

Intake: .050"-.150"

Exhaust: .050"-.150"

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 .001"-.0024"

Valve Stem Diameter:

Intake: .3711"-.3718"

Exhaust: .3711"-.3718"

Piston, Rings, Pins, Crankshaft & Bearing Data:

8 Cylinder Engine, 390 Cubic Inches:

Piston Clearance: .0015"-.0023"

Ring End Gap:

Compression: .010"

Oil: .015"

Wrist Pin Diameter: .9752"

Rod Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.4380"-2.4388"

Bearing Clearance: .0007"-.0028"

Main Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.7484"-2.7492"

Bearing Clearance:

#1 & 3: .0007"-.0031"

Others: .0005"-.0028"

Thrust on #3 Bearing

Crankshaft End Play: .004"-.010"

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: 195 Degrees

Fuel Tank: 22 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: 40 Ounces

No Load Test: 70 Amperes, 12 Volts

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

Ford Alternator Specifications:

Alternator: 42 Ampere

Make: Autolite

Current Rating @ 15 Volts: 42 Ampres

Field Current: 2.8 to 3.3 Amperes @ 12 Volts

Voltage Regulator:

Make: Autolite

Voltage @ 75 Degrees: 14.1 to 14.9 Volts

Contact Gap: .017"-.022"

Armature Air Gap: .049"-.056"

Field Relay:

Armature Air Gap: .015"-.022"

Closing Voltage @ 75 Degrees: 2.5 to 4.0 Volts

Alternator: 45 Ampere

Make: Autolite

Current Rating @ 15 Volts: 45 Ampres

Field Current: 2.8 to 3.3 Amperes @ 12 Volts

Voltage Regulator:

Make: Autolite

Voltage @ 75 Degrees: 14.1 to 14.9 Volts

Contact Gap: .017"-.022"

Armature Air Gap: .049"-.056"

Field Relay:

Armature Air Gap: .015"-.022"

Closing Voltage @ 75 Degrees: 2.5 to 4.0 Volts

Alternator: 55 Ampere

Make: Autolite

Current Rating @ 15 Volts: 55 Ampres

Field Current: 2.8 to 3.3 Amperes @ 12 Volts

Voltage Regulator:

Make: Autolite

Voltage @ 75 Degrees: 14.1 to 14.9 Volts

Contact Gap: .017"-.022"

Armature Air Gap: .049"-.056"

Field Relay:

Armature Air Gap: .015"-.022"

Closing Voltage @ 75 Degrees: 2.5 to 4.0 Volts

Distributor Specifications:

8 Cylinder, 390 Cu. In. Engine with Conventional Ignition:

Part #C5AF-12127C

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 @ 450 RPM

Full Advance: 12 Degrees @ 2,000 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts @ 8" Vacuum

Full Advance: 8 Degrees @ 14" Vacuum

8 Cylinder, 390 Cu. In. Engine with Transistorized Ignition:

Part #C5SF-12127B

Rotation: Counter-Clockwise

Breaker Point Gap: .020

Cam Angle: 22-24 Degrees

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 19 to 21 Ounces

Centrifugal Advance:

Advance Starts: 2 Degrees @ 450 RPM

Full Advance: 12 Degrees @ 2,000 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts @ 8" Vacuum

Full Advance: 8 Degrees @ 14" 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: 15/16"

Rear: 15/16"

Master Cylinder Bore: 15/16"

Wheel Alignment Specifications:

All Models:

Caster: - 1-1/2 Degree

Camber:

Left: + 1/2 Degree

Right: + 1/2 Degree

Toe-In: 1/32" to 9/32"

Toe-Out on Turns:

Outer Wheel: 19-1/2 Degrees

Inner Wheel: 20 Degrees

Ford Carburetor Adjustments, 8 Cylinder Engine:

4 Barrels

Idle Screw Turns to Open: 1-1/2

Dry Float Setting: 15/32"

Wet Float Setting: 7/8"

Dashpot Setting: 3/64"

Fast Idle Speed: 1,500 RPM

Pump Setting:

Summer: #2 Hole

Winter: #4 Hole
Automatic Choke Setting: Index

Popular Options:

AM-FM Radio & Antenna; Air Conditioning; Tinted Glass; White Sidewall Tires; Power Steering; Power Brakes; Power Windows; Power Drivers Seat; Left & Right Outside Mirrors; Back Up Lamps; Windshield Washers; Vacuum Trunk Release; White Sidewall Tires; Leather Seats; Heavy Duty Battery; Two Tone Paint; Undercoating; Sliding Roof for Hardtops; Equa-Lock Differential; & More.

1965 Ford Thunderbird Historical Data:

Introduction date of the 1965 Ford Thunderbird was on October 1, 1964.

Total Ford Production for the1965 Model Year was 2,050,497, including 74,972 Thunderbirds.

1965 Ford Thunderbird Colors &Codes:

A Raven Black

B Midnight Turquoise

C Honey Gold

D Dynasty Green

E Silver Mink

F Arcadian Blue

G Pastel Yellow

H Caspian Blue

J Rangoon Red

M Wimbledon White

N Diamond Blue

P Prairie Bronze

Q Brittany Blue

R Ivy Green

S Charcoal Gray

T Navajo Beige

U Patrician Green

V Emberglo

W Rose Beige

X Vintage Burgundy

Z Chantilly Beige

4 Frost Turquoise

Promotional Models Available:

Plastic: Galaxie 2 Door Hardtop; Galaxie Convertible; Thunderbird 2 Door Hardtop; Thunderbird Convertible; Falcon Futura Sprint Convertible; Falcon Futura Sprint 2 Door Hardtop; Fairlane 500 2 Door Hardtop; Mustang 2 Door Hardtop; Mustang 2 Door Fastback; Mustang Convertible.