FORGOTTEN 1962 Ford Thunderbird 428! Will it Run After 24+ Years? Part 1 

Can't wait 😀

Hey Michael.... I sent you a message on IG. Holler back when you're able please

Why aren`t you Americans build cars like that any more ( exept trucks. That you do the best in the world. Even today) those cars are beautiful. I love the lights on the steering wheel. Way ahead of it`s time..⛽❤

Get that thing running!

Awesome car. I would love to have a sweet ride made in 62. I was born in that year. I once had a 1963 Mecury Monterey with a high output 390 engine. The motor came out of a Thunderbird. It would run like a scalded dog. I trusted a person to hold the title for me . I owed him 350 dollars which I was going to pay back the next week. He sold the car before I got th ed money to him. I found out he had sold it when I took the 350 dollars back to him as I said I would. I was very upset. It was the fastest car that I have ever owned. I lost all trust in my neighbor that week. I do not like being lied too. I haven't been abole to replace the car because of lack of funds. After 11 .5 years of college I was injured work . I was left disabled because of my injuries. Too much time in school and not enough time in the working world resulted in a low income disibility situation. You never know what life will through at you. Have fun with the car. Finding one in that good of shape is very unusual. The fact that your dad rebuilt the engine and your uncle owned the car makes it even more special. Great job getting it running! Thanks for sharing your dreams and love for old cars with us.

The 1961-1963 models are my favorite T-Birds too.

Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth..Are THEE BEST!!

​@tonyfriend7413 No brand is better than another. As long as they work, and stay working, that's all that matters.

That was the idea, starting with the '61 Starliner !!

Even IF it is A FERD!

Sweet!!! We sure will! 😊😊

That engine is NOT original to the car. 1962 Thunderbirds were ALL factory equipped with 390 CI engines. Ford did not introduce the 428 CI engine until 1966. Other than the 430 CI Lincoln engine (also used in 1959-60 Thunderbirds---the "squarebirds") the largest engine Ford used in 1962 was a 406 CI unit (the 390 bored .080) introduced mid year.

@@donreinke5863 the 406 was NEVER available in the Thunderbird as this motor was only in the Galaxies .....

@@donreinke5863 Thank you....

@@markreisen7038..... but strangely, it WAS called the 406 Thunderbird Special !!

@@ervinthompson6598 Actually, there were 2 Thunderbird 406s. One was listed as a Thunderbird 406, and put out 385 hp with one four barrel. The second version was cakked the Thunderbird Special 406 and put out 405 hp with 3 2barrel carbs. Both were available only in the Galaxies. Weird? nope. Ford. One of their "better ideas" if anyone remembers that commercial from the 60s. showed a light bulb with the slogan A better idea from Ford.

The 429, 385 series engines were remarkable if you ask me. A logic progression from the FE block. I wish the horsepower wars would have gone on for 10 more years. We never saw the true potential of these engines.

@@pulsarpilot7501 I just remembered it was a 390....Sucks to get old...Of all the things I miss, I miss my mind the most....cheers

@Luther Payne The 428 Police Interceptor was a legendary engine. When Carol Shelby ran out of 427 side oilers they used a rebranded 428 Interceptor. How is it I can recall that, but have no clue what I had for lunch? :)

I played with 390's for years. I always dreamed of a 428. Let a couple slip through my fingers. Of course, I regret it now. Maybe some I'll have one. Your information was very interesting. A 410 crank and 390 pistons and rod's Poof you got a 428. Thank you!

@@pulsarpilot7501 Or a 445 stroker kit in a .030" over 390 and forget about the 428 unless you already have one. I built one of those 445's then a 390 afterwards for another car and the 390 runs excellent for how stock it is but the 445 is night and day hands down twice as fast at any given time. My brother has one of those ridiculously fast tesla cars, which I have driven. I took him and my nephew along with my dad for a ride and I'm pretty sure that old FE made them shit their pants because they didn't say much when they got out! I didn't even tell him that was only half throttle.

@1986FordF-250 A 445, I hadn't come across that combination. 3+That's amazing. Regarding Tesla, I've never driven one and in the back of my mind, I've been wondering if the end of the 5 combustion engine was near. Thank you so much for restoring my faith in good ole cubic inches.

@@pulsarpilot7501 there are several 445 FE stroker kits on the market, most commonly sourced from survival motorsports. The combos are commonly found with 4.070"- 4.110" bore size and the stroke is 4.250". They also sell the kits with 4.125" and 3.98" stroke as well.

@@pulsarpilot7501 their days are numbered. We may never see majority EVs on the road (obviously depending on your age) but 20 to 30 years from now will be mostly EVs on the road.

There was no back seat in 1955. 2 passenger car.

Haha Yeap! I hope you enjoy!

66 was the first year for the 428 in a Tbird