390 or 352?

[SeanCollins]

Ok, so I am not an expert. As far as I know the 390 and the 352 have the same block. The 390 in my 62 thunderbird is on its way out. Economicaly I can't afford to rebuild it. A freind is willing to sell me a 352 for 300 bucks. It's rebuilt and all done. I think that the motor mounts and bolts to the cruse-o-matic are the same. Is there any reason I can't put the 352 in the 62 thunderbird? Help me out please. Thanks

[rhinoman]

No reason not to do this in my book - if your car already has a generator then it will be easy. If you have an alternator then check the mounting bosses.

You should not notice any real lack of performance with the 352 either.

Graeme

[SeanCollins]

Wonderful. Then the motor mounts are the same? Nothing to do but bolt it in? The 352 is a 1960 block. My bird is 62. And yes I have a generator.

Thanks for your help!

[rhinoman]

Hi Sean,

yes, they will bolt up. My original motor mounts fitted ok on the 67 block in my 62. I think there are less bolts on the pre 64 blocks but should be fine.

Graeme

[SeanCollins]

This helps sooooooo much. Next question is... The 352 I'm getting is married with a c6. I have a cruise o matic. When I separate the c6 ( I don't intend to put the c6 in the car) will there be any problem hooking up the cruise o matic I curently have?

[rhinoman]

Hi Sean,

a couple of things to double check:
1. check the ring gear on old vs. new. If tooth count is different you should use the starter motor that went with the original ring gear/engine. May need to swap gear.
2. if you are using a long snout starter motor ensure the transmission has a long area to accommodate it
3. you may need to ensure the steel sandwich plate fits ok
4. you may need the rubber starter motor seal, this helps the starter line up.
5. transmission lines may be coming out of left side C6, MX is right side. Even if they are the same check that the lines go to to the same general area.
6. C6 has a different kick down I think, make sure you swap that and throttle parts over too

That's about it from me, any others please chime in or amend my thoughts.

Graeme

[SeanCollins]

You have been such help I can't believe it. Other forums I have gotten rotten answers that were more confusing than helpful. This is the exact opposite. Thank you.

I pick up the engine next Monday. Then that weekend.... It goes in. I'll let you know how it goes and hope that you will be able to give me any advice in the future.

Sean

Also, with the window motors on the 62 being 4 wire, are there any less expensive ways of replacing it? 145 for a new motor seems a bit much. Is there a way to rebuild the motor, or some other car window motor that works just as well.... Not to mention, I'm 6'4" and my hands don't fit to well in the door. Plus it seems odd that the right front and back are not working but the left are. Seems the left would get more use. I know that the motor is getting juice. Volt meter says so and he does not lie. I hear the motor click very softly when i hit the switch. From srudying the wiring diagram it looks that each motor has it's own breaker. New ones will trip and then self reset. I can't find anything saying that the old ones are the same. Do they just burn out and that is it? Finding the bug is most of the battle.

Thanks again.

[rhinoman]

No problems Sean,

if no-one else posts retractions on my comments, all good but happy to be corrected!

Never had to worry (YET!) about window motors, have a look here or search this site:
Vintage Thunderbird Club International :: View topic - Power Window Motors

Graeme

Graeme

[Jimz Bird]

More info here:

stuck windows

HTH

Jim