Pictures/info. on my new fox sleeper
 

I bought a 1980 ford thunderbird on sunday, which i'm going to be putting either the 400 (351M originally) into, or the GT40p headed long block from my grey mustang (GT). More likely the 302, but i figure it's the perfect sleeper.
i bought it for $475 and the body is completely straight (needs some trim....that'll be hard to find) and the interior is about 99% perfect save for a little bit of fading on some panels and a couple of scratches. I'm seriously debating on if i'm going to keep it looking so stock that i use ported exhaust manifolds or if i'll use stuff like my MSD distributor/ignition and headers.....hmmm.....so my ideas that i like.
It has the 120 horsepower computer carbureted 255 windsor right now which is hilarious because i've never had a windsor that is so underpowered.....it actually has decent torque, but man does it die after about 2500 rpm.
what do you guys think i should do? I want to be able to open the hood and have anyone who looks at it think it's stock. How loud should the exhaust be? I could make it sound wicked or keep it subdued and stealthy....
i attached some pictures.

Re: Pictures/info. on my new fox sleeper
 

thats kick ass dude, throw a 460 in it :D

Re: Pictures/info. on my new fox sleeper
 

Ok, if I read that right you said it already had a Windsor in it and that you want to keep it looking stock. Assuming that statement it correct....

I would not swap in anything. A 351w is still a 351w whether it makes 255 horsepower or 455. The question is why it only makes 255 horsepower. I would swap out the cam and heads....Paint the new heads the original color or at least port the crap outta the old ones on it. Open the exhaust up a bit, and try to swap carb leaving as much of the stock stuff "appearing" to still be hooked up. If you are worried about the ignition, a petronix kit is probably an option.

Figure out what rear end you have, and swap in some good 3.73's or so. A shift kit if the ole tranny seems up to the task....and go hunting.

If the thing has the big ole ford air breathers, you might even be able to hide a NOS cheater kit in there some where......

I got my but handed to me once by an ole cutlass, but I wasn’t smart enough then to realize I was looking at nitrous lines.
Ryan

Re: Pictures/info. on my new fox sleeper
 

I was mentioning that the engine in the thunderbird is a 4.2L (255ci) that only made 120 horsepower (if that).....in my grey mustang i have a long block gross rated at 360 horsepower from central coast mustang - which i'd like to put in the thunderbird. The 4.2L has a unique 2 barrel intake manifold that can't be replaced, a smaller bore than a 302 and log type exhaust manifolds.....so basically the 4.2 is outta there.
I have a 400 modified and a C6 trans sitting around, but both need a little work to operate, or i could just throw in the 5.0L i have and add a higher stall converter and shift kit....plus use the 8.8" rear/limited slip with 3.73 gears from my grey mustang.

I have a nitrous works kit just sitting around, and i already have the carburetor plate for it....but i want to deal with the engine first.

those are pretty good ideas, i love sleepers.
and i have been tempted to buy a 460 and see if i could shoehorn that in but i already have the other stuff.

Re: Pictures/info. on my new fox sleeper
 

ok...my bad The 302 wins hands down.
Ryan

Re: Pictures/info. on my new fox sleeper
 

Stick a couple of -8 lines from the nitrous bottle into the carb bores, and see what that lil' 255 can do. Once. lol

Re: Pictures/info. on my new fox sleeper
 

hahaha, i like your thinking! .....i'm guessing it would temporarily accelerate almost as fast as my cobra, until i had pieces of 255 decorating the ground :D
My dad may use the 255 for his jeep, he needs an engine that can use a beefier trans than the 258 I-6 jeep with peugeot manual trans.....jeep AX-10 trannies (the "upgrade") are expensive and he scattered the peugeot trans with only 115 or so horsepower.

Re: Pictures/info. on my new fox sleeper
 

nice ride post pics when its done