1968 FORD THUNDERBIRD

Model Designations:

Ford Thunderbird V-8

Ford Thunderbird, Body Styles:

2 Door Hardtop, 6 Passenger, Body #65A

Factory Price: $4,716; Shipping Weight: 4,366 Pounds

Production Total: 9,977

2 Door Landau Hardtop, 4 Passenger, Body #65A

Factory Price: $4,845; Shipping Weight: 4,372 Pounds

Production Total: 33,029

4 Door Landau Hardtop, 4 Passenger, Body #57B

Factory Price: $4,924; Shipping Weight: 4,458 Pounds

Production Total: 21,925

Chassis:

Wheelbase:

4 Door Landau: 117"

Other Models: 115"

Tire Size:

4 Door Landau: 8.45 X 15"

Other Models: 8:15 X 15"

Engine Availability:

V-8 390 Cubic Inch 315 H.P. Standard Engine.

V-8 429 Cubic Inch 360 H.P. Optional Engine

General Engine Specifications:

V-8 Engine, 390 Cubic Inches, 315 H.P.:

Engine Type: Overhead Valve V-8

Bore & Stroke: 4.05" x 3.78"

Engine Displacement: 390 Cu. In.

Compresssion Ratio: 10.50 to 1

Taxable Horsepower: 52.96

Horsepower: 315 @ 4,600 RPM

Torque: 427 Ft. Lbs @ 2,800 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 35-55 PSI

Carburetor: 4 Barrel

V-8 Engine, 429 Cubic Inches, 360 H.P.:

Engine Type: Overhead Valve V-8

Bore & Stroke: 4.36" x 3.59"

Engine Displacement: 429 Cu. In.

Compresssion Ratio: 11.00 to 1

Taxable Horsepower: 60.83

Horsepower: 360 @ 4,600 RPM

Torque: 476 Ft. Lbs @ 2,800 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 35-60 PSI

Carburetor: 4 Barrel

Tune Up Specifications:

8 Cylinder 390 Cubic Inch Engines:

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:

Automatic Transmission: 550 RPM, in Drive, with A/C "Full On"

Compression Pressure @ Cranking Speed: 190 PSI

Fuel Pump Pressure: 4-1/2 to 6-1/2 PSI

8 Cylinder 429 Cubic Inch Engines:

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:

Automatic Transmission: 550 RPM, in Drive, with A/C "Full On"

Compression Pressure @ Cranking Speed: 190 PSI

Fuel Pump Pressure: 4-1/2 to 6-1/2 PSI

Valve Specifications:

8 Cylinder Engine, 390 Cu. In. Engines:

Valve Lash:

Intake: .100"-.200"

Exhaust: .100"-.200"

Valve Angles:

Seat: 45 Degrees

Face: 44 Degrees

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

Valve Spring Pressure: 72 Lbs @ 1.82 inches

Valve Stem Clearance:

Intake .0010"-.0024";

Exhaust .0015"-.0032"

Valve Stem Diameter:

Intake: .3711"-.3718"

Exhaust: .3706"-.3713"

8 Cylinder Engine, 429 Cu. In. Engines:

Valve Lash:

Intake: .075"-.125"

Exhaust: .075"-.125"

Valve Angles:

Seat: 45 Degrees

Face: 44 Degrees

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

Valve Spring Pressure: 80 Lbs @ 1.81 inches

Valve Stem Clearance:

Intake .0010"-.0027";

Exhaust .0010"-.0027"

Valve Stem Diameter:

Intake: .3416"-.3423"

Exhaust: .3416"-.3423"

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: .0008"-.0026"

Main Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.7484"-2.7492"

Bearing Clearance: .0005"-.0025"

Thrust on #3 Bearing

Crankshaft End Play: .004"-.010"

8 Cylinder Engine, 429 Cubic Inches:

Piston Clearance: .0014"-.0022"

Ring End Gap:

Compression: .010"

Oil: .015"

Wrist Pin Diameter: 1.0410"

Rod Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.4992"-2.5000"

Bearing Clearance: .0010"-.0015"

Main Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.9994"-3.0002"

Bearing Clearance: .0005"-.0015"

Thrust on #3 Bearing

Crankshaft End Play: .004"-.008"

Engine Tightening Specifications:

8 Cylinder 390 Cubic Inch Engine:

Spark Plugs: 15-20 Ft. Lbs.

Cylinder Head Bolts: 80-90 Ft. Lbs.

Intake Manifold: 32-35 Ft. Lbs.

Exhaust Manifold: 18-24 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.

8 Cylinder 429 Cubic Inch Engine:

Spark Plugs: 15-20 Ft. Lbs.

Cylinder Head Bolts: 130-140 Ft. Lbs.

Intake Manifold: 25-30 Ft. Lbs.

Exhaust Manifold: 28-33 Ft. Lbs.

Rocker Arm Shaft Bracket: 65-75 Ft. Lbs.

Rocker Arm Cover: 2-1/2 to 4 Ft. Lbs.

Connecting Rod Cap Bolts: 40-45 Ft. Lbs.

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

Flywheel to Crankshaft: 75-85 Ft. Lbs.

Vibration Damper or Pulley: 75-90 Ft. Lbs.

Capacities:

With 390 Cubic Inch Engine:

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: 24 Gallons

Engine Oil Refill: 5 Quarts*

Automatic Transmission: 13 Quarts

Rear Axle: 5 Pints

* With New Oil Filter

With 429 Cubic Inch Engine:

Cooling System:

Without Heater: 18 Quarts

With Heater: 19 Quarts

With Air Conditioning: 19 Quarts

Radiator Cap Pressure:

With Air Conditioning: 12-15 PSI

Without Air Conditioning: 12-15 PSI

Thermostat Opening: 195 Degrees

Fuel Tank: 24 Gallons

Engine Oil Refill: 5 Quarts*

Automatic Transmission: 13 Quarts

Rear Axle: 5 Pints

* With New Oil Filter

Starting Motor Specifications:

8 Cylinder 390 Cubic Inch Engine:

Part #C7AF-E

Rotation: Clockwise

Brush Spring Tension: 40 Ounces

No Load Test: 70 Amperes, 12 Volts @ 11,000 RPM

Torque Test: 700 Amperes, 4.0 Volts, @ 15.5 Ft. Lbs.

8 Cylinder 429 Cubic Inch Engine:

Part #C8VF-A

Rotation: Clockwise

Brush Spring Tension: 40 Ounces

No Load Test: 70 Amperes, 12 Volts @ 11,000 RPM

Torque Test: 600 Amperes, 4.0 Volts, @ 15.3 Ft. Lbs.

Ford Alternator Specifications:

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: 13.5 to 15.3 Volts

Field Relay:

Closing Voltage @ 75 Degrees: 2.0 to 4.2 Volts

Distributor Specifications:

8 Cylinder, 390 Cu. In. Engine:

Part #C7AF-AC

Breaker Point Gap: .017

Cam Angle: 26-31 Degrees

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17 to 21 Ounces

Centrifugal Advance:

Advance Starts: 1/2 Degrees @ 350 RPM

Full Advance: 14 Degrees @ 2,000 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts @ 5" Vacuum

Full Advance: 12-1/2 Degrees @ 25" Vacuum

8 Cylinder, 429 Cu. In. Engines:

Part #C8VF-A

Breaker Point Gap: .017

Cam Angle: 26-31 Degrees

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17 to 21 Ounces

Centrifugal Advance:

Advance Starts: 1/2 Degrees @ 350 RPM

Full Advance: 14 Degrees @ 2,000 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts @ 5" Vacuum

Full Advance: 12 Degrees @ 25" Vacuum

Rear Axle Specifications:

Carrier Type: Removable

Ring Gear & Pinion Backlash: .008"-.012"

Nominal Pinion Locating Shim: .015"

Pinion Bearing Preload:

Adjustment:

New Bearings & New Seal with Collapsible Spacer:: 22 to 32 Inch Lbs.

New Bearings & New Seal with Solid Spacer: 15 to 35 Inch Lbs.

Used Bearings & New Seal with Collapsible Spacer: 8 to14 Inch Lbs.

Used Bearings & New Seal with Solid Spacer: 15 to 35 Inch Lbs.

Differential Bearing Preload:

Adjustment:

New Bearings: .008"-.012"

Used Bearings: .005"-.008"

Pinion Nut Torque:

9" Ring Gear: 175 Ft. Lbs

9-3/8" Ring Gear: 200 Ft. Lbs.

If torque is not possible, install new spacer.

Brake Specifications

Brake Drum Diameter: 11.03"

Wheel Cylinder Bore:

Front Disc: 2-3/4"

Rear: 15/16"

Master Cylinder Bore:

With Disc Brakes: 1"

With Drum Brakes: 1"

With Power Brakes: 1"

Wheel Alignment Specifications:

All Models:

Caster: +1 Degree

Camber:

Left: + 1/2 Degree

Right: + 1/2 Degree

Toe-In: 3/16"

Toe-Out on Turns:

Outer Wheel: 18-1/4 Degrees

Inner Wheel: 20 Degrees

Ford Carburetor Adjustments:

Note: See 1968 Ford Motor Company Carburetor Data File

Popular Options:

AM-FM Radio & Antenna; AM-FM Mulitplex Stereo Radio; AM Radio with 8 Track Stereo Tape Deck; Air Conditioning; Tinted Glass; White Sidewall Tires with Red Band; Power Steering; Power Brakes; Power Windows; 6 Way Power Drivers Seat; Cruise Control; Left & Right Outside Mirrors; Back Up Lamps; Windshield Washers; Vacuum Trunk Release; White Sidewall Tires; Leather Seats; Heavy Duty Battery; Two Tone Paint; DeLuxe Wheel Covers; Undercoating; Equa-Lock Differential; & More.

1968 Ford Thunderbird Historical Data:

Introduction date of the 1968 Ford Thunderbird was on September 22, 1967.

Total Ford Production for the1968 Model Year was 1,674,873, including 64,931 Thunderbirds.

1968 Ford Thunderbird Colors &Codes:

A Raven Black

B Royal Burgundy

E Beige Mist

F Gulfstream Aqua

H Diamond Green

I Lime Gold

J Midnight Aqua

L Silver Pearl

M Wimbledon White

N Diamond Blue

P Pewtr Mist

Q Brittany Blue

R Highland Green

T Candyapple Red

V Alaska Blue

W Meadowlark Yellow

X Presidential Blue

Y Sunlit Gold

Z Oxford Gray

6 Pebble Beige

Promotional Models Available:

Plastic: Galaxie 2 Door Hardtop; Thunderbird 2 Door Hardtop;

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