Twister773

i just changed the cam, intake manifold and carb and some other things on my 390 in my thunderbird. anyways i got it all done finally and tonight i fired it up dry and then once it fired i started filling it with water and shortly after it started running bad and ended up dying...went to crank it again and it wouldnt turn it over....i pulled the spark plugs and most of them were wet with the water but i pulled the dipstick and no water on it....so no water in the oil just in the cylinders....sound like i put the head gaskets on wrong or what...thanks for any help.

tbird100636

From your initial description, you said you changed the cam, intake and carb. At the end of the thread you stated about putting the head gaskets on wrong. Did you have the heads off??? If you had the intake gaskets on wrong, or if you had the wrong set this may happen. If you did have the heads off, the gaskets will have the word "FRONT" on them for the correct installation. If you're still using the factory carb. spacer, this spacer has coolant going through it, and if it's cracked can leak into the intake and eventually into the cylinders. With the coil wire disconnected and the plugs still out, crank the engine over to get the water out. This will get a little messy so make sure someone isn't standing directly over the motor. Next, fill the cooling system while observing the cylinders and the spacer plate. This way you can see what's leaking. If you dont see whats leaking, disconnect the heater hose from the carb spacer and hook them together if you can. Then put the plugs back in, put the coil wire back on and see if the motor fires back up and see what happens. If it now runs OK then you need a new spacer. If it does the same thing then you have to start ripping the motor apart again.

__________________
Master ASE Certified L1 Chrysler Technician- still a Ford fan at heart.
1964 Thunderbird Hardtop- Chantily Beige- 390 FE 4V V8-Uncle's Car
1966 Thunderbird Convertible- Red- 390 FE 4V V8- Uncle's other car- waiting for paint and body work!!!
1967 Mustang Convertible- Blue- 289 V8- helping a friend re-assemble this classic

Twister773

replaced the carb too and dont have the spacer on anymore...found out there was a plug in the front of the intake manifold and a line ran from it into the carb...the plug was in a water jacket so it was just shooting water into the carb...i changed the oil,filter,spit all the water out, ran it...changed the oil and filter again and now it is all better thank god. but...shouldnt it have a transmission kickdown...i have the bracket up top but i cant see anything below it would connect to. thanks again

tbird100636

Look at where the throttle linkage links to at the rear of the intake. There should be a rod that hooks to it that goes down to another linkage by the trans.. There is also a small bracket that mounts by the bellhousing for a return spring. This is often missing.

__________________
Master ASE Certified L1 Chrysler Technician- still a Ford fan at heart.
1964 Thunderbird Hardtop- Chantily Beige- 390 FE 4V V8-Uncle's Car
1966 Thunderbird Convertible- Red- 390 FE 4V V8- Uncle's other car- waiting for paint and body work!!!
1967 Mustang Convertible- Blue- 289 V8- helping a friend re-assemble this classic

Twister773

i see where it connects and i have the bracket but when i took everything apart there was never anything that connected the two...what do i need, is it a bar or a cable or what thanks again....and does anyone make headers for these with the 390. thanks again.

tbird100636

There should be a thick rod that goes from the linkage on the intake to the outer lever on the left side of the trans.

__________________
Master ASE Certified L1 Chrysler Technician- still a Ford fan at heart.
1964 Thunderbird Hardtop- Chantily Beige- 390 FE 4V V8-Uncle's Car
1966 Thunderbird Convertible- Red- 390 FE 4V V8- Uncle's other car- waiting for paint and body work!!!
1967 Mustang Convertible- Blue- 289 V8- helping a friend re-assemble this classic