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

[@BudgetBuildz]

Hey Everyone! I hope you all enjoy Part 1 of this Rescue as we get the Thunderbird fired up for the first time! It got very lengthy and I decided to split it in two. The continuation of the Will it Run and Drive will be up first of the week, followed by an update on the Rabbit Pickup Build! Thanks!

[@williamroberts4049]

Can't wait 😀

[@jangles1839]

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

[@willemp6432]

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..⛽❤

[@b58hustler71]

Get that thing running!

[@timothycampbell4152]

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.

[@d.r.ledbetter2286]

Just seeing Dad jump around in excitement and then smiling like a fool was worth it

[@islandboy50]

I owned a 62 Thunderbird that looked exactly as your car here to the "T". Except for the windows, they were powered windows. I purchased it back in 1968 while I was stationed in the Air Force in southern California. It drove and it had a wonderful ride

[@arktrucker]

'62 Bird. My favorite car. The design, ride and that unmistakable Ford sound. That video brought back lots of memories.

[@mdw71]

I had a 1962 Thunderbird, black with red interior. Was totally a cool old car! I miss it, I lives in Florida now! New owner restored it!

[@darinclark1853]

Could be the most beautiful car Ford ever made... Thanks for bringing it back!

[@johnmclaughlin8084]

I had a 1962 T-Bird in the early 1980's while in the Air Force. Mine had the 390 CID motor. My favorite car ever!

[@jamescampbell3558]

Nice T-Bird!!

[@nadenolam8368]

Enjoy seeing these forgotten projects resurrected.

[@feuerkind71]

she's a beauty and sounds great. this one hits kinda close to home, I'm restoring a '66 T-bird so it makes me feel all warm inside to see this one getting some love. She's in a lot better shape than my poor girl.

[@aloft5348]

Cleaning a carb on a rubber mat in the grass......that's the reason I love this channel!!!!

[@Brock_Landers]

Bud this might be one of my all-time favorite domestic cars of the 60s, and for it to have an original 428 in it that was freshly rebuilt is absolutely amazing! You sir are a lucky man!

[@donreinke5863]

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.

[@markreisen7038]

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

[@67marlins]

@@donreinke5863 Thank you....

[@ervinthompson6598]

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

[@garyjubar5733]

@@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.

[@perryedmunds2455]

My favorite series of T-Birds. Beautiful cars.

[@bramlintrent1145]

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

[@MichaelMcFearin]

Haha the way you said that, your dad installed the engine and hasn’t run sense. Love it thanks for another great video.

[@williamroberts4049]

I drove a 1962 Tbird convertible red on red 390 auto to high school in the early 1970s have fun with that Bird 😍

[@BudgetBuildz]

Sweet!!! We sure will! 😊😊

[@lunarpking]

This generation of thunderbirds are the best. Just simply beautiful, unique looking and drive well. I got the chance to drive a 63 Monaco edition (really rare, 1 of 2000) and it was just something else. At some point I’ll own one.

[@tonyfriend7413]

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

[@subxero_x]

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

[@tcofield1967]

I have two 62 Thunderbirds at home. Great cars. Both have their original 390 engines. One of them is a 14k original car.

[@danswartwood4580]

Thank you for sharing and your APPRECIATION to your subscribers

[@tinalopez1522]

There's a bucket list priority, driving a tbird same year as I was born, woohoo! So envious u guys have this one!!! Cruising down a country road u have, Thelma & Louise, no Thelma but I'll borrow a pup as a sidekick! SWEET!

[@garycoppard3596]

Good job guys , can't wait for part 2. Love seeing old Cars brought back to life

[@tonyfriend7413]

Even IF it is A FERD!

[@Mike-xt2ot]

I am envious of yall. I owned a 1963 T-Bird in 1984. Still my all time favorite car. That car is amazing and your dad took good care of it for it to Still exist !

[@mikeslattery8715]

All Goodguy's!

[@Project_Low_Expectations]

Love this! The 428 was an awesome engine, a lot of people don’t realize this, but hot rod magazine is the reason that engine exists. They were playing around with swapping FE parts and came up with this combo and it was a great motor. They went to ford with it and ford told them to go away. So hot rod wrote a story, put a post card on the mag that you could rip out and send to Dearborn saying build it. Ford saw the value and it Became an option starting in I think April of 68.

[@pulsarpilot7501]

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!

[@MattsRageFitGarage]

@@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.

[@pulsarpilot7501]

@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.

[@MattsRageFitGarage]

@@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.

[@Project_Low_Expectations]

@@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.

[@mmddmm553]

I Was a Chevy guy growing up BUT this is my favorite ford of the 1060s just a great looking car . Awesome video .

[@tampa9boi]

I love my 1962 Thunderbird. Great cars

[@miker252]

Wow! This brings back memories. I was 13 years old when my family owned a '61 T-bird with a 390.

[@jcstrothers833]

Looks like a torque monster...Cant wait to see it driving!

[@dennishogenmiller4456]

Love the 1961 to 1963 Thunderbirds. Wish I could afford one. My brother-in-law back in 1961 won a 1961 Thunderbird. Beautiful car. He kept it for about 6 months. He enjoyed while he had it. It wasn't considered a family car.

[@OnkelPHMagee]

My ideas for a trip to SC are gradually coming together. If the the T-bird doesn't have seat belts, you have a little over a month get install them. 😍😍

[@MrMattDat]

Wow! You opened the door and POP! What a gorgeous interior color! Beautiful color! Can't wait to see what you do with it.

[@mikekozi-lester3887]

Hi Mike and his Pop's nice video 📹 and workmanship Tuff

[@btinsley1]

My deceased brother had that exact car in college. It was 3 years old when he bought it. RIP WHE. 1945-2015

[@michaelphillips7049]

Thats my favorite year for Tbirds, my mom had a blue one back about 1963 or so, of course I was too young to even think about driving, but thats one car Id give my right arm to have. Enjoyed the video!!

[@jrcprops]

Love the sound of old car engines..

[@markkeller1778]

That is one SICK T-Bird! Time capsule right there, I am in awe. Thank you.

[@charlesking1244]

Good Seeing You & Your Father Back At It, What A Pretty Car, Your Family Has Possession Of, It Sounds Great, Looking Forward To Seeing What’s Next With It…

[@gsnfan]

My dad had a 63 convertible. Much like what you have. I envy anyone who owns a gem like this. Good luck getter her running, she's a beauty.

[@KameraShy]

Truly remarkable condition.

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Dear Budget Buildz guys. 👍👌👏 Hi from Germany. I just finished watching this great video (it's now exactly 23.40 = 20 minutes before midnight here). Best regards luck and health to all of you.

[@cereus57]

Memories of me and my dad working on the 390 in my 65 Mercury Marauder to keep it moving down the road. Guess that was around 1977...wow! Love seeing you with your dad working together especially since the 428 was something he built!

[@lutherpayne9957]

My brother had a 63 Galaxie 500 that was a Police interceptor in Georgia before we bought it in 75. Transmission was crap and wouldn't shift out of second. Thank God it didn't cuz neither of us should or could handle the power that beast put out. I believe it was a 390 police interceptor w/ holly double pumper. I seem to remember the carb had a coolant line that hooked up to the block. Glad to see the old ones saved and not crunched.

[@pulsarpilot7501]

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.

[@lutherpayne9957]

@@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

[@pulsarpilot7501]

@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? :)

[@andrewrichey7374]

Thank you we enjoyed for sure, beautiful car the old Thunderbirds, will watch for the next one until then peace and chicken grease 😁👍👍😎

[@fgb3126]

You can see the Ford styling dept.'s idea from the 1961 Ford Galaxie idea to this 1962 Thunderbird. I remember when this new T-bird model came out after not liking its predecessor series. It was a wonder. The "Space Age" was just getting underway. It's a pity this T-bird was so heavy...and esp. so BIG. Ah for the days of the first Thunderbird which was almost a sport car. From then on you might as well have a Buick Rivera.

[@okc557]

It actually sounds good for sitting so long, can't wait to see you drive it,love them t-birds

[@williamlott7612]

Love that TBird! You have a gem! I have an ultrasonic cleaner and love how it cleans carbs. Darlington, South Carolina

[@marcusloobey3925]

This gives me motivation on mine I also have a 62 that I found stashed in the back of a shop and brought home

[@terryraymond7984]

Wow I had never seen a push button for a door handle, awesome

[@galerae947]

Used to own a 65 T-bird, but the bullet birds were always my favorite.

[@nickmassey9104]

Well done Michael ,top job .your collecting a big carb collection

[@jameskloss3866]

Love the old T-Birds

[@YasinVanDoorsen]

Cars from this time are honestly very unique and good looking. They remind me of a rocket especially with those taillights

[@ervinthompson6598]

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

[@wagonmaster1974]

428 is a transplant in that '62, anyhow. Originally had a 390. Good luck with the car. I sold my '63 convertible in the spring of 2023.

[@Anne6621]

WOW very very cool !!!! the Bullet Birds are the coolest , i had a 1962 white with red interior that i bought in 1978 it had 9,000 mile in showroom mint condition for 450 dollars and i drove it for 2 weeks and it was stolen never to be seen again and to this day i get sick thinking about it

[@deeXswanson]

One of my favorite vehicle made she is a beauty

[@brianandglendaharkin9457]

Love the rear end on those Fords start it on 2 stroke Fuel ⛽️ to help lube it on start up. Maybe but a heater under the sump to warm the oil before you hit the key 🔑👍🏻🇦🇺Brian in Tasmania.

[@billyhaddock5540]

Fun for the whole family to enjoy, just watching u'all jump with joy is the kicker. drive-it with proudly.

[@nbprotocol5406]

Now that t-bird is a beautiful car!

[@danielventura8073]

A friend of mine had one of those with the 390. Drove it for 3 years. 1980 to 83. Interesting story about the day we got it going. I drove it 3 miles back to his house with zero brakes...

[@davidbarnsley8486]

That is going to be one sweet ride when you get it out of the shed 👍👍👍

[@airtechmech6681]

Brings back a lot of memories of my '66 Galaxie/390 that I had for a long time. It was quite possibly the best running car I ever had but I did work on it a lot. Mainly because I wanted to but not always. Also had a highly modified '67 F100 with a 390. Those Holley carbs didn't like backfiring. They were more temperamental than the original FoMoCo carbs which actually were very good carbs. That is what would have been installed on the Bird and any other FE powered ford of the early to mid '60's.

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Man great job getting her started and she sounds and purr’s like a kitten! I always loved that style of Thunderbird’s! The 50s and early to mid 60s. Just beautiful cars. Looking forward to seeing what’s next for that beauty!👌😎👍

[@67Stang]

She is sounding good. Looking forward to seeing the next episode.

[@williammccormack6295]

Awesome who doesn't love a Thunderbird

[@donnienicholson6062]

I don't if you're taking a survey.

[@daveblevins]

Always nice to do my mechanic work in the leaves under a shade tree 😊🇺🇸🇺🇸😊

[@gsdfan8455]

Looking forward to seeing that cruise down the road

[@paulym5814]

I absolutely love the T-Birds.

[@jackempson3044]

That's what i use all the time. A kitty litter pan. They're flat and big enough to hold the oil.

[@jackempson3044]

It's fun to make old things new lokking again. Just takes a lot of work and money usually

[@frankroper3274]

I like the 55 Tbird that the roof came off and had a small window for the back seat.

[@wagonmaster1974]

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

[@landiahillfarm6590]

This would be my dream - a bullet bird barn find!

[@petermillward282]

My old man used to build these. Not the 62' but later up to 68' as I remember. Then they retooled to Mustang, Mach one/two. 428's from Dearborn engine plant. SCJ was 1967. Didn't come out of Mahwah. 428's were an option in the Galaxie 500. Buddy had one. Maroon factory paint. Flipped it on a back road. He walked away.

[@peterselten500]

Great to see it being brought back to life

[@saifonlawrence2044]

Thats one far out ride dadio...i dig it man !

[@richardstump4582]

Alright!!Congrats

[@beandrive]

Nice T-Bird, I remember seeing these at the Used Car Dealers back in the day.

[@jerrydineen2827]

Your videos just keep getting better with each one. I love the old T-Birds!!

[@jeremywimer8842]

Very cool T-Bird, and the story behind it!

[@andrewrichey7374]

Yeah that’s what I’m talking about awesome. Are used to Fiddle with carburetors my mom had a 67 Thunderbird

[@moodiblues2]

I’ve always loved the 60s Thunderbirds. I’ve owned four T-birds, a 1988 bought new, a 91, purchased new and two 2002s bought well used. The only thing that keeps me from buying one from the mid sixties is the fear that parts are unavailable.

[@renoflames]

awe man waiting for 2

[@jimtomassetti8928]

Fantastic vidio... car is great shape. Love it when the are sitting for space

[@emaal1248]

Great job my friend as usual.bless you all

[@gayle4804]

Awesome throw back great looking car

[@RoninDosho]

Really Sweet Tbird! Looking forward to seeing part II!

[@DachsAutos]

Awesome video! Pretty great you've got a lead on so many old cars that are worthy of being saved!

[@cratecruncher6687]

Good call thinking of that hung starter. I have had nothing but trouble with Holleys. They hate stale gas, parts are expensive, and they need constant rebuilding if not used frequently. Funny how that dusty old Carter roared to life instantly.

[@RATADATUAVELHA]

I love that car, simply beautiful.

[@terryraymond7984]

those scopes are cool I might have to get one, thanks for using one neat

[@roderickmoyer9851]

Cool ride can’t wait to see it all cleaned up

[@MarshallLoveday]

Had a '62 Thunderbird for a short while in the 1990's. Spun bearing in the original 390. Then kids came along, so I had no more money to throw into it......... I'd like to get another one some time.

[@brumbleyjerry8177]

Great video. It sounds great. Happy thanksgiving from NW Arkansas.

[@haydenuk02]

She sounds good and can’t wait to see the next one. Top work and thanks for sharing this with us take care

[@DependableAutoTruck]

its hard to beat a carter for every day driving. performance wise the holley will beat it every time as well as adjustability the holley is better. great video one thing you may or may not know when setting the idle on a holley you do it before you install. flip the carb over you will see 2 transition slots on each of the front barrels .040 of the slot should be exposed then final idle setting should be done with rear barrels. that slot is the transition from idle to run if not correct will never idle correctly.

[@minnesotatomcat]

Beautiful old bird 👍 my grandpa had a black one with a 390 when I was young, he loved to do burnouts 🤣

[@mikeslattery8715]

Sounds like a good motor!

[@richardstump4582]

See!You On NEXT ONE!!

[@emidiojoao-s9u]

Well alright!!! I was about to get something to eat and I start to see the video...😅 That was a nice work guys👌👋👋. it's a joy to see your videos, cheers from Portugal ✌️🇵🇹🇲🇿😎

[@scottywalker4312]

Wow 😮 she’s a beauty! 👌

[@terryraymond7984]

Nice ultrasonic cleaner those do a nice job, I dont have one but I might get one

[@bradleybennett6768]

Looking forward to the next video.