"JUST THE FACTS MA'AM"
(Sgt. Joe Friday, Dragnet)
*****
 

"M" CODE COMPONENTS

CYLINDER HEADS - The "M" code Thunderbirds used the early FE 406 Cylinder Heads. They have a casting number of C2SE 6090-A OR C2SE-6090-B. The casting number is located between the center two spark plug holes. The date code should be used to determine the correct head for your car. The heads should predate the build date of your car by no more than 6 months. The date code is located in the rocker assembly galley (under the valve covers) just above the casting number. A later head with a casting number of C3SE 6090-C is easier to find, generally less expensive and will perform as well, although will not be "numbers matching" for your "M" code 'Bird. The "M" heads have the same size intake valve (2.04") as the 4V heads, but have a larger exhaust valve at 1.57" compared to the 1.477" on the 4V heads. The "M" heads have a smaller combustion chamber at 64.55-67.55 cc which gives you a higher compression at 10.5:1 compared to the 9.5:1 with the 73-76 cc combustion chamber in the 4V heads.

CAMSHAFT - 1962 "M" 'Birds used a cam with 286 degree duration and .450" lift carrying a Ford part number of C2SZ 6250-A while 1963 "M" code 'Birds used part number C3SZ 6250-A with the same duration but a slightly hotter lift of .453". Good original cams are hard to find but there are aftermarket cams made with very close specifications that will do the job quite well.

OIL PUMP - "M" code engines use a high pressure oil pump similar to that used in the "Police Interceptor" engines. It carried a 45-75 psi 'Hot" @ 2000 RPM compared to the 35-55 psi of the 4V engine. An AE Clevite #6011044 OIL PUMP works great. There are other suitable replacements, check with your auto parts store.

DISTRIBUTOR - The correct Distributor for an "M" code 'Bird should have the casting number C2SF 12127-B. The secondary spring is different from the 4V distributor and should be part#FFA 12191-A

TRANSMISSION - In 1962 the transmission should be cast with a C1SD 7000-F and carry a tag identifying it as code PCE-K and in 1963 it should be C3SP 7000-D/PCE-R. They can be duplicated today by adding a shift kit to the 4V Cruise-O-matic which will give it quicker and slightly harder shifts

DUAL EXHAUST - All 1962 Thunderbirds had dual exhaust while only the "M" code '63's did. The exhause manifolds were exactly the same as the other Thunderbirds of the same year. ('63 "M" Birds used a heat riser like all '61-'62 Birds which the '63 4V cars did not)

CHROME ENGINE DRESS UP KIT - "M" code Thunderbirds came equipped with a Chrome Dress-Up kit under the hood. It consisted of Chrome Valve Covers and bolts, Chrome Fuel Log, Chrome Oil Breather Cap, Chrome Oil Dipstick Handle, Chrome Power Steering Resevoir Cover, Chrome "Mason Jar" type Master Cylinder Cover, Chrome Radiator Surge Tank and a Chrome Radiator Cap

SPARK PLUGS - The hotter Autolite BF-32 Spark Plugs were used in the "M" code Thunderbirds

VIN NUMBER - The term "M" code comes from the "M" in the Vehicle Identification Number stamped in the body of the car and on the DATA tag. The 4th character in the VIN# is the engine designation with "M" signifying the 6V 340 HP cars and "Z" signifying the 4V 300 HP cars. Note that the VIN# is stamped in 2 locations on the body in addition to the DATA tag which is located on the front left door post for '61 and '62 and on the back edge of the left door for '63. The Body locations are just ahead of the right hood latch and on the cowl just ahead of the right washer nozzle. See the picture for the locations.

"M" CODE INVOICE - This is a copy of the Original Ford "Gate Release" for my 1962 "M" Code Sports Roadster. If you own an "M" Code Car or any '62-'63 Thunderbird Sports Roadster or convertible, or any '64-'66 Tbird you can get a copy of your vehicles "gate release" from Marti Auto Works in Arizona. They can also provide you with a new "Data Plate" if yours is missing or damaged if you send them proper proof of ownership. New Data plates can also be purchased from A.G.Backeast Box 531 Fruita, CO 81521.

"coup de grâce" - The finishing touch! Wouldn't it be nice to find a nice ROTUNDA 8000 RPM TACHOMETER to finish off your "M" Code Thunderbird. They are becoming harder to find and are commanding higher than ever prices reaching upwards of $1,500.00 for excellent examples! When new, the retail price was $31.75 plus an additional $6.10 for the Chrome case and bracket kit. The Rotunda tachometers were made by the Faria Corporation for Ford. Faria also made an exact duplicate of the Rotunda tach except that it bears the Faria name in place of the "Rotunda" trademark. These are somewhat easier to find and a lot less expensive fetching $600.00-$800.00.
Below is a copy of the Original Sales Literature for the Rotunda Tachometers along with a copy of the installation instructions and a couple of installation locations in '62-'63 Thunderbirds.

ROTUNDA 8G TACH	ROTUNDA TACHS	ROTUNDA INSTALLATION
CONSOLE	UNDER RADIO	UNDER RADIO (SIDE)
COLUMN TOP LEFT	COLUMN BOTTOM RIGHT