These are standard specifications for the 1978 Ford Thunderbird, not necessarily specifications for the vehicle(s) in the photo(s).
Transmission:
3 Automatic Select shift
Information provided by NHTSA
Data updated January 2023
Features
| Engine Location : | Front |
| Drive Type : | Rear Wheel |
| Body / Chassis : | Separate body on perimeter box |
| Production Years for Series : | 1977 - 1979 |
| Price : | $5,410-$10,110 |
| Weight : | 3910 lbs | 1773.546 kg |
Engine & Transmission
| V 8 90-degree | |
|---|---|
| Displacement : | 4949 cc | 302.0 cu in. | 5.0 L. |
| Power : | 134 BHP (98.624 KW) @ 3400 RPM |
| Torque : | 248 Ft-Lbs (336 NM) @ 1600 RPM |
| Bore : | 4.0 in | 102 mm. |
| Stroke : | 3.0 in | 76 mm. |
| Compression : | 8.4:1 |
| Main Bearings : | 5 |
| Construction : | Cast-iron block and head |
| 2-barrel motorcraft 2150 | |
| V 8 90-degree | |
|---|---|
| Displacement : | 5752 cc | 351.0 cu in. | 5.8 L. |
| Power : | 152 BHP (111.872 KW) @ 3600 RPM |
| Torque : | 278 Ft-Lbs (377 NM) @ 1800 RPM |
| Bore : | 4.0 in | 102 mm. |
| Stroke : | 3.5 in | 89 mm. |
| Compression : | 8.0:1 |
| Main Bearings : | 5 |
| Construction : | Cast-iron block and head |
| 1 2-barrel carburetor | |
| V 8 90-degree | |
|---|---|
| Displacement : | 6555 cc | 400.0 cu in. | 6.6 L. |
| Power : | 160 BHP (117.76 KW) @ 3800 RPM |
| Torque : | 314 Ft-Lbs (426 NM) @ 1800 RPM |
| Bore : | 4.0 in | 102 mm. |
| Stroke : | 4.0 in | 102 mm. |
| Compression : | 8.0:1 |
| Main Bearings : | 5 |
| Construction : | Cast-iron block and head |
| 2-barrel motorcraft 2150 | |
3 Automatic Select shift
Gear Ratios
| 1st Gear : | 2.40:1 |
| 2nd Gear : | 1.47:1 |
| 3rd Gear : | 1.00:1 |
Production Figures
| Total Ford Production for 1978 : | 1,923,655 |
| Total 1978 Thunderbird production : | 352,751 |
| 1978 Ford Thunderbird | |
| Diamond Jubilee Edition HardTop Coupe 2 dr. 6 P : | 18,994 |
| HardTop Coupe 2 dr. 6 P : | 333,757 |
Dimension(s)
HardTop Coupe
| Fuel Capacity : | 21.0 Gal |
| Seating Capacity : | 6 |
| Doors : | 2 |
| Exterior | |
|---|---|
| Length : | 215.5 in | 5474 mm. |
| Width : | 78.5 in | 1994 mm. |
| Height : | 53.0 in | 1346 mm. |
| Wheelbase : | 114.0 in | 2896 mm. |
| Front Track : | 63.2 in | 1605 mm. |
| Rear Track : | 63.1 in | 1603 mm. |
Town Landau Hardtop Coupe
| Price : | $8,415 |
| Weight : | 4100 lbs | 1859.729 kg |
| Fuel Capacity : | 21.0 Gal |
| Seating Capacity : | 6 |
| Doors : | 2 |
| Exterior | |
|---|---|
| Length : | 215.5 in | 5474 mm. |
| Width : | 78.5 in | 1994 mm. |
| Height : | 53.0 in | 1346 mm. |
| Wheelbase : | 114.0 in | 2896 mm. |
| Front Track : | 63.2 in | 1605 mm. |
| Rear Track : | 63.1 in | 1603 mm. |
Diamond Jubilee Edition HardTop Coupe
| Price : | $10,110 |
| Weight : | 4205 lbs | 1907.356 kg |
| Fuel Capacity : | 21.0 Gal |
| Seating Capacity : | 6 |
| Doors : | 2 |
| Exterior | |
|---|---|
| Length : | 215.5 in | 5474 mm. |
| Width : | 78.5 in | 1994 mm. |
| Height : | 53.0 in | 1346 mm. |
| Wheelbase : | 114.0 in | 2896 mm. |
| Front Track : | 63.2 in | 1605 mm. |
| Rear Track : | 63.1 in | 1603 mm. |
Handling
| Suspension | |
|---|---|
| Front : Coil springs with lower trailing links and anti-sway bar Rear : Rigid axle with lower trailing radius arms, upper oblique torque arms, coil springs and anti-sway bar | |
| Steering | |
|---|---|
| Recirculating Ball |
| Tires / Wheels | |
|---|---|
| Tires : | HR78 x 15 SBR BSW |
Recall
| Component | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | INTERCONTINENTAL AUTO PARTS |
| NHTSA Campaign ID | 08E019000 |
| Summary | INTERCONTINENTAL AUTO PARTS IS RECALLING 1,937 FUEL FILTERS, P/NOS ALG 44/1 AND PUROLATOR F10024, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 14 AND FEBRUARY 13, 2008, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FILTER'S OUTLET CAP MAY NOT BE SECURELY CRIMPED TO THE HOUSING. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SEPARATION OF FILTER'S OUTLET CAP FROM THE HOUSING. |
| Consequence | IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, A NO START CONDITION MAY RESULT AND FUEL MAY BE PUMPED ONTO THE GROUND. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP DUE TO INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, FUEL LEAKAGE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE. |
| Remedy | INTERCONTINENTAL WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING MARCH 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INTERCONTINENTAL AT 800-451-2593. |
| Notes | THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO INTERCONTINENTAL AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO SAFERCAR.GOV. |
| Component | WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| NHTSA Campaign ID | 77V199000 |
| Summary | THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH CAST ALUMINUM WHEELS WITH INADEQUATE LUG ***** COUNTERBORE DEPTHS. THIS CONDITION MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT LUG ***** THREAD ENGAGEMENT. THE LUG NUTS MAY LOOSEN AND FALL OFF, ALLOWING THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. |
| Remedy | DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NEESSARY, WILL REPLACE THE WHEELS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER. |
| Notes | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: SUSPENSION; WHEELS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: WHEEL SEPARATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION COULD CAUSELOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.NOTE: UNUSUAL VEHICLE VIBRATION AND NOISE MAY ALERT THE DRIVER TO THE LOOSEWHEEL CONDITION. |
| Component | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| Mfr Report Date | 19771001 |
| NHTSA Campaign ID | 77V185000 |
| Summary | ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE PARK ACTUATION SUPPORT PLATES ARE DEFECTIVE DUE TO THEIR SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CRACKING DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT DURING MANUFACTURE. AS A RESULT, FRAGMENTS FROM A BROKEN PLATE CAN BECOME LODGED IN THE TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL MECHANISM. THIS COULD PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL FROM ENGAGING WHEN THE SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE 'PARK' POSITION, OR PREVENT THE PAWL FROM BEING DISENGAGED FROM THE PARK GEAR. |
| Remedy | THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PARK ACTUATION CAM SUPPORT PLATES, FREE OF CHARGE, ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. |
| Notes | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH C-6AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.SYSTEM: POWER TRAIN; PARK ACTUATION GEAR SUPPORT PLATES.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN THE PARK MODE WITHOUT THEPARKING BRAKE ENGAGED, THE PARKING PAWL MAY NOT ENGAGE THE 'PARK' GEAR AND THEVEHICLE WOULD BE ALLOWED TO ROLL FREE CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE AND PERSONALINJURIES. |
| Component | SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| Mfr Report Date | 19771001 |
| NHTSA Campaign ID | 78V108000 |
| Summary | THE INVOLVED VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH SHOULDER HARNESS RETRACTORS THAT MAY NOT LOCK. SHOULD THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DECELERATION OR IMPACT, THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE RESTRAINED BY THE SHOULDER HARNESS PORTION OF THE THREE-POINT SEAT BELT SYSTEM. FURTHERMORE, THE SHOULDER HARNESS RETRACTORS MAY NOT ALLOW EXTRACTION OF THE SHOULDER BELT WEBBING DUE TO A PRE-LOCKED CONDITION. THIS IS A NON-COMPLIANCE TO THE EMERGENCY LOCKING RETRACTOR PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, 'SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES'. |
| Remedy | THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER. |
| Notes | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: INTERIOR; SEAT BELT RETRACTORS, SHOULDER.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: A PASSENGER NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED COULD BE SUBJECT TOPERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT. |
Data updated January 2023
1978 Averages
| Avg. Household Income : | $17,000 |
| Avg. Home : | $54,800 |
| Avg. Gallon of Gas : | $0.63 |
1978 Ford Thunderbird FAQs (show)
Popular frequently asked questions include:
What are the dimension and mechanical specifications of the 1978 Ford Thunderbird?
Q: What is the wheelbase size of the 1978 Ford Thunderbird? A: The 1978 Ford Thunderbird has a wheelbase size of 114.00 inches.Q: What is the length of the 1978 Ford Thunderbird? A: The 1978 Ford Thunderbird has a length of 215.50 inches.Q: What is the width of the 1978 Ford Thunderbird? A: The 1978 Ford Thunderbird has a width of 78.50 inches.Q: How much did the 1978 Ford Thunderbird cost when new?A: The 1978 Ford Thunderbird cost approximately $5,410 to $10,110 (USD) when new.Q: What were the bodystyles of the 1978 Ford Thunderbird? A: The 1978 Ford Thunderbird was offered as a Diamond Jubilee Edition HardTop Coupe, HardTop Coupe, Town Landau Hardtop Coupe.Q: What tires did the 1978 Ford Thunderbird have? A: The 1978 Ford Thunderbird had HR78 x 15 SBR BSW tires.Q: How many vehicles did Ford produce in 1978? A: Ford produced 1,923,655 automobiles in 1978.Q: How many 1978 Thunderbirds were produced? A: Ford produced 352,751 examples of the Thunderbird in 1978.Q: What engines did the 1978 Ford Thunderbird have? A: The 1978 Ford Thunderbird had the following engine options: V 8 (4949 cc | 302.0 cu in. | 5.0 L.) with 134 BHP (98.624 KW) @ 3400 RPM and 248 Ft-Lbs (336 NM) @ 1600 RPM V 8 (5752 cc | 351.0 cu in. | 5.8 L.) with 152 BHP (111.872 KW) @ 3600 RPM and 278 Ft-Lbs (377 NM) @ 1800 RPM V 8 (6555 cc | 400.0 cu in. | 6.6 L.) with 160 BHP (117.76 KW) @ 3800 RPM and 314 Ft-Lbs (426 NM) @ 1800 RPM Q: What transmission did the 1978 Ford Thunderbird have? A: The 1978 Ford Thunderbird had a 3 speed Automatic Select shift gearbox.