Just picked up a 1977 thunderbird, new to the community.

[TheTbird]

Hello everyone,

I just got my hands on a 77’ thunderbird. Overall it’s pretty clear, some minor work I think needs to be done. So the question comes down to it, as a 77’ would it be better to rebuild the engine or just do a swap?? Here are a few picture of it.

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[Gbird67]

Hello everyone,

I just got my hands on a 77’ thunderbird. Overall it’s pretty clear, some minor work I think needs to be done. So the question comes down to it, as a 77’ would it be better to rebuild the engine or just do a swap?? Here are a few picture of it.

Hello TheTbird,
Congrats on the acquisition and joining the forum. Do you know anything about the condition of the engine? I think you should do an assessment of the engine to see what the condition if it is, before jumping right into a rebuild. Let us know.
Regards,
Gbird67

 

[TheTbird]

The engine is the original 302 in it with 98k mi. To my knowledge it has original transmission as well.

 

[OneAmongOthers]

A 302 in that pig? darn! Man it must strain that small engine to push that big car around. For the engine... Well it seems the A/C compressor is new. Also for its health? Any smoke? Use any oil? Leaks? Do a vacuum test. Do a compression test and an oil pressure test. You'll learn a lot simply by doing them. Don't go tearing into the engine because you don't know what kind of Pandora's box you may open. Also remember this car is probably choked all to hell with emmissions so if you can't and are not held back by emissions rip all that shoot off. You'll do your engine a lot of good getting rid of it.

 

[ponypastor]

Hello everyone,

I just got my hands on a 77’ thunderbird. Overall it’s pretty clear, some minor work I think needs to be done. So the question comes down to it, as a 77’ would it be better to rebuild the engine or just do a swap?? Here are a few picture of it.

Congratulations on acquiring a 1977 Bird. I have been using a 1979 Bird as my daily driver for 20 years. It too has a 302 in it--with close to 400,000 miles. Burns a bit of oil and smokes. And, yes, the Bird is under-powered with only a 302 under the hood. It's great on the highway, and a bit slow for pickup in the city. But the 302 is bulletproof and should last for many more miles. Replaced the tranny a few years ago. Mileage not too bad, either. Have fun restroing it to factory beauty.

 

[OneAmongOthers]

Congratulations on acquiring a 1977 Bird. I have been using a 1979 Bird as my daily driver for 20 years. It too has a 302 in it--with close to 400,000 miles. Burns a bit of oil and smokes. And, yes, the Bird is under-powered with only a 302 under the hood. It's great on the highway, and a bit slow for pickup in the city. But the 302 is bulletproof and should last for many more miles. Replaced the tranny a few years ago. Mileage not too bad, either. Have fun restroing it to factory beauty.

A daily driver? darn... It must cost you a fortune in fuel to do that. My 69 Tbird I get like 7-10 if I am lucky.

 

[ponypastor]

A daily driver? darn... It must cost you a fortune in fuel to do that. My 69 Tbird I get like 7-10 if I am lucky.

Actually, my fuel costs are reasonable. 15-17 mpg on highway. Took off all of the smog hoses and pump. Installed a double-snorkeled air cleaner for fresh air intake. Use pricey plugs and wires; added dual exhausts with Flowmasters. Keep the tires inflated properly. Use K&N air filter. Use corn-free gasoline only.

 

[OneAmongOthers]

Actually, my fuel costs are reasonable. 15-17 mpg on highway. Took off all of the smog hoses and pump. Installed a double-snorkeled air cleaner for fresh air intake. Use pricey plugs and wires; added dual exhausts with Flowmasters. Keep the tires inflated properly. Use K&N air filter. Use corn-free gasoline only.

Ah. Seemes decent... But that won't work for me sadly. That big block is just so thirsty.

 

[Mikey97D]

My '79 302 Bird used nylon coated timing chain to reduce noise. The nylon clogged the oil pick up and caused further problems. I would suggest changing the timing chain if '77 uses the same setup.

 

[ponypastor]

My '79 302 Bird used nylon coated timing chain to reduce noise. The nylon clogged the oil pick up and caused further problems. I would suggest changing the timing chain if '77 uses the same setup.

I concur. I've changed my timing chain 3-4 times. The factory unit was nylon and so stretched and became sloppy. Replaced with steel units. So far--at 400,000 miles--so good.