1976 FORD THUNDERBIRD

1976 FORD THUNDERBIRD

Model Designations:

Ford Thunderbird V-8

Ford Thunderbird, Body Styles:

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

Factory Price: $7,790; Shipping Weight: 4,808 Pounds

Production Total: 52,935

Chassis:

Wheelbase: 121.0"

Tire Sizes: JR78 X 15"; LR78 X 15"

Rear Axle Ratio: 2.75:1

Engine Availability:

V-8 460 Cubic Inch 202 H.P. Standard Engine

General Engine Specifications:

V-8 Engine, 460 Cubic Inches, 216 H.P.:

Engine Type: Overhead Valve V-8

Bore & Stroke: 4.36" x 3.85"

Engine Displacement: 460 Cu. In.

Compresssion Ratio: 8.00 to 1

Taxable Horsepower: 60.83

Horsepower: 202 @ 3,800 RPM

Torque: 352 Ft. Lbs @ 3,800 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 40-65 PSI

Carburetor: 4 Barrel

Tune Up Specifications:

8 Cylinder 460 Cubic Inch Engines (Except California Cars):

Spark Plug Type: Autolite ARF-52

Spark Plug: .044"

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

Ignition Timing: 8 Degrees BTDC

Engine Idle Speed:

Automatic Transmission: 650 RPM, in Drive

Fast Idle Speed: 1,350 RPM, on kickdown step of cam

Fuel Pump Pressure: 6.7 t0 8.7 PSI

8 Cylinder 460 Cubic Inch Engines (California Cars):

Spark Plug Type: Autolite ARF-52

Spark Plug: .044"

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

Ignition Timing: 14 Degrees BTDC

Engine Idle Speed:

Automatic Transmission: 650 RPM, in Drive

Fast Idle Speed: 1,350 RPM, on kickdown step of cam

Fuel Pump Pressure: 6.7 t0 8.7 PSI

Valve Specifications:

8 Cylinder Engine, 460 Cu. In. Engines:

Valve Lash:

Intake: .100"-.150"

Exhaust: .100"-.150"

Valve Angles:

Seat: 45 Degrees

Face: 44 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, 460 Cubic Inches:

Piston Clearance: .0014"-.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: .0008"-.0015"

Thrust on #3 Bearing

Crankshaft End Play: .004"-.008"

Engine Tightening Specifications:

8 Cylinder 460 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 Stud to Cylinder Head: 18-25 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: 70-90 Ft. Lbs.

Capacities:

With 460 Cu. In. Engines:

Cooling System:

With Heater: 19-1/2 Quarts

With Air Conditioning: 19.3 Quarts

Radiator Cap Pressure: 16 PSI

Thermostat Opening: 191 Degrees

Fuel Tank: 26-1/2 Gallons

Engine Oil Refill: 5 Quarts*

Automatic Transmission: 12-1/2 Quarts

Rear Axle: 5 Pints

* With New Oil Filter

Starting Motor Specifications:

8 Cylinder 460 Cubic Inch Engine:

Part #D5AF-AB

Rotation: Clockwise

Brush Spring Tension: 40 Ounces

No Load Test: 70 Amperes, 12 Volts

Ford Alternator Specifications:

Model #10300

Alternator: All Green, 61 Ampere

Current Rating @ 15 Volts: 61 Ampres

Field Current: 2.9 Amperes @ 12 Volts

Voltage Regulator #D4AF-AA:

Voltage @ 75 Degrees: 13.5-15.3 Volts

Field Relay:

Closting Voltage @ 75 Degrees: 2.5-4.0 Volts

Alternator: All , 70 Ampere

Current Rating @ 15 Volts: 70 Ampres

Field Current: 2.9 Amperes @ 12 Volts

Voltage Regulator #D4TF-AA:

Voltage @ 75 Degrees: 13.5-15.3 Volts

Field Relay:

Closting Voltage @ 75 Degrees: 2.5-4.0 Volts

Alternator: All , 90 Ampere

Current Rating @ 15 Volts: 90 Ampres

Field Current: 2.9 Amperes @ 12 Volts

Voltage Regulator :

Voltage @ 75 Degrees: 13.5-15.3 Volts

Field Relay:

Closting Voltage @ 75 Degrees: 2.5-4.0 Volts

Distributor Specifications:

Part #D4VE-CA

Centrifugal Advance:

Advance Starts: -3/4 to 1/2 Degrees @ 500 RPM

Intermediate Advance: -1-1/2 to 1/2 Degrees @ 700 RPM

Full Advance: 5 Degrees @ 1,000 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts @ 5" Vacuum

Full Advance: 11-1/4 Degrees @ 15" Vacuum

Part #D5VE-CA

Centrifugal Advance:

Advance Starts: -1 to 1/2 Degrees @ 500 RPM

Intermediate Advance: 1/2 to 2-1/2 Degrees @ 700 RPM

Full Advance: 6-1/2 Degrees @ 1,000 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts @ 5" Vacuum

Full Advance: 13-1/4 Degrees @ 15" Vacuum

Part #D6VE-AA

Centrifugal Advance:

Advance Starts: 0 to 2-1/2 Degrees @ 500 RPM

Intermediate Advance: 4-1/2 to 6-1/2 Degrees @ 700 RPM

Full Advance: 9 Degrees @ 1,000 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts @ 5" Vacuum

Full Advance: 13-1/2 Degrees @ 15" Vacuum

Part #D6VE-BA

Centrifugal Advance:

Advance Starts: -1 to 2-3/4 Degrees @ 500 RPM

Intermediate Advance: 6 to 9-1/2 Degrees @ 700 RPM

Full Advance: 11-3/4 Degrees @ 1,000 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts @ 5" Vacuum

Full Advance: 13-1/4 Degrees @ 15" Vacuum

Part #D6VE-CA

Centrifugal Advance:

Advance Starts: -1/2 to 3 Degrees @ 500 RPM

Intermediate Advance: 6 to 9-1/2 Degrees @ 700 RPM

Full Advance: 10-1/4 Degrees @ 1,000 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts @ 5" Vacuum

Full Advance: 13-1/4 Degrees @ 15" 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:: 17 to 27 Inch Lbs.

New Bearings & New Seal with Solid Spacer: 13 to 33 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:

With Collapsible Spacer: 170 Ft. Lbs.

With Solid Spacer: 200 Ft. Lbs.

If torque is not possible, install new spacer.

Brake Specifications

Brake Drum Diameter: 11.03"

Wheel Cylinder Bore:

Front Disc: 3.100"

Rear Drum: 1"

Rear Disc: 2.6"

Master Cylinder Bore:

With Front Disc Brakes Only: 1"

With 4 Wheel Disc Brakes: 1-1/8"

Power Brakes With Front Disc Brakes Only: 1"

Power Brakes With 4 Wheel Disc Brakes: 1-1/8"

Wheel Alignment Specifications:

All Models:

Caster: +4 Degrees

Camber:

Left: + 1/2 Degree

Right: + 1/4 Degree

Toe-In: 3/16"

Toe-Out on Turns:

Outer Wheel: 18.09 Degrees

Inner Wheel: 20 Degrees

Ford Carburetor Adjustments:

Note: See 1976 Ford Motor Company Carburetor Data File

Popular Options:

AM-FM Stereo Radio; AM-FM Stereo Search Radio; AM-FM Quadrasonic Radio with Stereo 8 Track; Power Antenna; Air Conditioning; Climate Control Air Conditioning; Tinted Glass; Power Steering; Power Brakes; Power Windows; 6 Way Power Seats; Power Mini Vent Windows; Cruise Control; Left & Right Outside Mirrors; Back Up Lamps; Electric Rear Window Defogger; Trip Odometer; Manual Passenger Seat Recliner; Windshield Washers; Vacuum Trunk Release; White Sidewall Tires; Leather Seats; Power Moon Roof; Sun Roof; Tilt Steering Wheel; Heavy Duty Battery; Two Tone Paint; DeLuxe Wheel Covers; Simulated Wire Wheel Covers; Deep Dish Aluminum Wheels; Space Saver Spare Tire; Undercoating; Equa-Lock Differential; & More.

1976 Ford Thunderbird Historical Data:

Introduction date of the 1976 Ford Thunderbird was on October 3, 1975.

Total Ford Production for the1976 Model Year was 1,861,537, including 52,935 Thunderbirds.

1976 Ford Thunderbird Colors &Codes:

1-C Black

1-G Silver

1-H Medium Slate Blue

1-N Dove Gray

2-A Coral

2-B Bright Red

2-M Dark Red

2-R Bright Red

3-E Medium Bright Blue

3-G Bright Dark Blule

3-S Light Blue

4-T Medium Ivy Bronze

5-M Medium Chestnut

5-Q Dark Brown

5-T Saddle Bronze

5-U Tan Glow

6-E Bright Yellow

6-L Medium Gold

6-P Cream

6-U Tan

6-V Medium Gold Glamour

6-W Light Gold

7-Q Light Aqua

7-R Chartreuse

9-D White

46 Dark Jade

47 Light Green

Promotional Models Available:

None