1971 FORD THUNDERBIRD

1971 FORD THUNDERBIRD

Model Designations:

Ford Thunderbird V-8

Ford Thunderbird, Body Styles:

2 Door Hardtop Coupe, 6 Passenger, Body #65A

Factory Price: $5,295; Shipping Weight: 4,399 Pounds

Production Total: 9,146

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

Factory Price: $5,438; Shipping Weight: 4,370 Pounds

Production Total: 20,358

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

Factory Price: $5,516; Shipping Weight: 4,309 Pounds

Production Total: 6,553

Chassis:

Wheelbase: 115"

Tire Size: HR78 X 15" Radial

Engine Availability:

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

General Engine Specifications:

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: 10.30 to 1

Taxable Horsepower: 60.83

Horsepower: 360 @ 4,600 RPM

Torque: 480 Ft. Lbs @ 2,800 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 35-75 PSI

Carburetor: 4 Barrel

Tune Up Specifications:

8 Cylinder 429 Cubic Inch Engines:

Spark Plug Type: Autolite BRF-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: 4 Degrees BTDC

Engine Idle Speed:

Automatic Transmission: 600 RPM, in Drive

Air to Fuel Ratio: 14.5 to 1

Idle CO: .075%

Valve Specifications:

8 Cylinder Engine, 429 Cu. In. Engines:

Valve Lash:

Intake: .105"-.155"

Exhaust: .105"-.155"

Valve Angles:

Seat: 45 Degrees

Face: 45 Degrees

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

Valve Spring Pressure: 229 Lbs @ 1.33 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, 429 Cubic Inches:

Piston Clearance: .0010"-.0022"

Ring End Gap:

Compression: .010"

Oil: .015"

Wrist Pin Diameter: 1.0400"

Rod Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.4992"-2.5000"

Bearing Clearance: .0008"-.0028"

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 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: 75-85 Ft. Lbs.

Rocker Arm Cover: 5 to 6 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 429 Cubic Inch Engine:

Cooling System:

Without Heater: 18-1/2 Quarts

With Heater: 19-1/2 Quarts

With Air Conditioning: 19-1/2 Quarts

Radiator Cap Pressure:

With Air Conditioning: 12-15 PSI

Without Air Conditioning: 12-15 PSI

Thermostat Opening: 188 Degrees

Fuel Tank: 23 Gallons

Engine Oil Refill: 5 Quarts*

Automatic Transmission: 12-3/4 Quarts

Rear Axle: 5 Pints

* With New Oil Filter

Starting Motor Specifications:

8 Cylinder 429 Cubic Inch Engine:

Part #D0VF-A

Rotation: Clockwise

Brush Spring Tension: 40 Ounces

No Load Test: 70 Amperes, 12 Volts @ 10,000 RPM

Torque Test: 700 Amperes, 5.0 Volts, @ 15.5 Ft. Lbs.

Ford Alternator Specifications:

Model #10300

Alternator #D0SF-A, 55 Ampere

Current Rating @ 15 Volts: 55 Ampres

Field Current: 2.9 Amperes @ 12 Volts

Voltage Regulator #C3SZ-B

Voltage @ 75 Degrees: 13.3 to 15.3 Volts

Field Relay:

Closing Voltage @ 75 Degrees: N/A

Alternator #D1AF-BA, 65 Ampere

Current Rating @ 15 Volts: 65 Ampres

Field Current: 2.9 Amperes @ 12 Volts

Voltage Regulator #C3SZ-B

Voltage @ 75 Degrees: 13.3 to 15.3 Volts

Field Relay:

Closing Voltage @ 75 Degrees: 2.0 to 4.2 Volts

Distributor Specifications:

8 Cylinder, 429 Cu. In. Engines:

Part #C0AF-Z

Centrifugal Advance:

Advance Starts: 0 to 1/2 Degrees @ 350 RPM

Intermediate Advance: 2-1/4 to 4-1/4 Degrees @ 750 RPM

Intermediate Advance: 6-1/2 to 8-1/2 Degrees @ 1,000 RPM

Intermediate Advance: 8 to 10-1/4 Degrees @ 1,500 RPM

Full Advance: 14 Degrees @ 2,950 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts @ 5" Vacuum

Full Advance: 11 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: 19-1/4 Degrees

Inner Wheel: 20 Degrees

Ford Carburetor Adjustments:

Note: See 1971 Ford Motor Company Carburetor Data File

Popular Options:

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

1971 Ford Thunderbird Historical Data:

Introduction date of the 1971 Ford Thunderbird was on September 18, 1970.

Total Ford Production for the1971 Model Year was 1,910,924, including 36,055 Thunderbirds.

1971 Ford Thunderbird Colors &Codes:

A Raven Black

B Maroon

F Bright Aqua

G Dark Green

H Light Green

J-9 Anniversary Gold

K Dark Gray

N Pastel Blue

O Light Yellow

Q Medium Blue

R Dark Brown

S Gray Gold

T Candyapple Red

V Light Pewter

W Yellow

X Dark Blue

Y Deep Blue

2 Tan

5 Bright Blue

7 Maroon

39 Walnut Fire

C-9 Burgundy Fire

D-9 Blue Fire

E-9 Green Fire

Promotional Models Available:

Plastic: Mustang Mach I 2 Door Fastback; Torino Cobra 429 2 Door Hardtop; Maverick 2 Door Sedan; Thunderbird 2 Door Hardtop; Pinto 2 Door Sedan.