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Topic: This is a new one on me (Read 2403 times) previous topic - next topic

This is a new one on me

I was looking for pics of how to trim down a dual Ramcharger fan to fit our radiators when I came across this thread. http://superchargerhelp.com/showthread.php?t=3084

In that thread (post #6) someone who has a built T-Bird makes the comment that our cars have shorter engine bays (length-wise) than Mustangs.  Is that true, or bunk?  Obviously, you can't trust everything you read in forums.
William

This is a new one on me

Reply #1 –
i don't think it's true, unless it's by a small amount.. i usually go and start my blue TC and capri every saturday.. not sure if i'm going to make it today since i got a call at 5am that 1 of my best friends died sometime yesterday.. but i will measure front to back (fire wall to rad support) and RF corner to LR corner (and vice versa) and compare the numbers..

i have the same k-member in both cars with the same motor, same radiator and same motor mounts and i have about an 1-1/2" between my rad fan and balancer pulley on both cars
ShadowMSC.com < < Still Under Construction

R.I.P. 'Zump' 8/29/86 - 11/11/11
3- 87 TC's / 1 really mean 83 Capri RS / 94 Sonoma SAS Project on 37x12.50 TSL Radials / 88 S10 that's LITERALLY cut to pieces / 84 F150 SAS, 351M, 39.5 TSL's / 85 Toyota regular cab, 22R 5spd, 3/4" drop, my little junkyard save/daily driver

This is a new one on me

Reply #2 –
I read later in the thread where he claimed Mustang engine bays were 1" longer.  Go figure.  It will be interesting to see what your measurements turn up.
William

This is a new one on me

Reply #3 –
Just looking at the two cars makes this hard to believe, not that that means anything! lol
...and there was light!

This is a new one on me

Reply #4 –
Well, that is a new one on me, but the guy making the claim knows his stuff. 

I guess if someone has both chassis in front of them to measure, we'll know for certain.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon

This is a new one on me

Reply #5 –
It is kinda hard to believe. Myself and I'm sure a few others on here have Mustang strut tower braces on thier Birds.

This is a new one on me

Reply #6 –
Quote from: 1Bad88tbird;372815
It is kinda hard to believe. Myself and I'm sure a few others on here have Mustang strut tower braces on thier Birds.

I think the difference is claimed to be between the strut towers and the core support, not the strut towers and the firewall.  That distance (strut to f/w) is the same.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon

This is a new one on me

Reply #7 –
Where is he measuring from? Firewall to rad support-strut tower to firewall? What does he  mean?

This is a new one on me

Reply #8 –
It's from the shock tower to the radiator support. I was told the same thing about my Mark VII a few years ago.
Matt
1984 Thunderbird - 89 302 HO, GT40 heads w/ Trick Flow springs, E303 cam, Edelbrock Performer 289 intake and 600 cfm 4bbl, Mustang headers, Jegs o/r H pipe, Dynomax lers, Mustang AOD and shifter, Mustang 8.8 w/ 3.73s, 3G alternator, Mustang front and rear sway bars, KYB SN-95 front struts and shocks, and 11" front brakes.

1988 Mustang GT - GT40 heads, Explorer intake, 70mm throttle body, 70mm MAF, Crane 1.7 rrs, E303 cam, Kirban Kwik shifter w/ Pro 5.0 deluxe handle, aluminum clutch quadrant and firewall adjuster, o/r h pipe, Dynomax lers, 3G alternator, aluminum radiator, and 3.27 gears.
 
1986 Cougar 5.0, 1989 Mark VII LSC 5 speed, 1980 Mercury Zephyr 4 door (sold)

This is a new one on me

Reply #9 –
Will a Mustang strut tower support fit under a T-Bird hood? I know that the "onion-head" upper strut bearings are too tall.

This is a new one on me

Reply #11 –
I doubt that there is much of a differance. I have worked quite a bit on both cars, and even if it is only an inch, who cares? Got about a foot more room to change out headlight bulbs. I physically couldn't even get my hands in there to swap the bulbs on a mustang.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

This is a new one on me

Reply #12 –
pretty sure they are the same. i have owned and measured both

This is a new one on me

Reply #13 –
i have owned and measured both cars for a chassis project i plan to do in the future, they are the same given manufacturing tolerances...

they use the same core support and same inner fender apr0ns i KNOW and they both go back to the strut tower so i do not see how there could be a real difference in that area
Currently Birdless but never Foxless

86 Mustang GT
 

This is a new one on me

Reply #14 –
I had a wrecked 88 bird that needed a PS front apr0n.  I had multiple Mustangs at the time and pulled the apr0n front off of one and when I went to install the fender on the bird, it would not line up. Ordered the T-bird specific apr0n front and it was indeed a bit longer.  I don't know about the earlier birds, but the 87-88 did have extra space in front of the strut towers.