General Specifications
GENERAL SPECS
1983-86
1987-88
Wheelbase (in)
104.0
104.2
Overall Length (in)
197.6
200.8
Overall Height (in)
53.4
53.8
Overall Width (in)
71.1
71.1
Front Tread (in)
58.1
58.1
Rear Tread (in)
58.5
58.5
Trunk Space (cu ft)
14.6
14.6

 

General Engine
ENGINE
2.3L I-4 TURBO
3.8L V6
5.0L V8 SO
5.0L V8 HO*
VIN Code
A or T or W
3 or 4
F
(T)
Type
OHC
OHV
OHV
OHV
Firing Order/Rotation
1-3-4-2 / CW
1-4-2-5-3-6 / CCW
1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 / CCW
1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 / CCW
Spark Plug Gap
.034
.054
.054
.054
Timing (Factory)
AUTO: 10 degrees BTDC / MANUAL: 13 degrees BTDC
10 degrees BTDC
10 degrees BTDC
10 degrees BTDC
Oil Filter
Motorcraft FL-300
Motorcraft FL-1A
Motorcraft FL-1A
Motorcraft FL-1A

* Reference for HO converted cars only.

 

Engine Specifications
Year/Engine
Cu. In.
Bore & Stroke (in.)
Fuel Delivery (U.S.)
Compression Ratio
Horsepower @rpm
Torque @rpm
1983
3.8 V6 232 3.80 x 3.40 Carb 8.6:1 100@3800 175@2200
5.0 V8 302 4.00 x 3.00 TBI 8.4:1 130@3200 240@2000
1984
I4 Turbo 140 3.78 x 3.12 MPI 8.0:1 145@4600 180@3600
3.8 V6 232 3.80 x 3.40 TBI 8.7:1 120@3600 205@1600
5.0 V8 302 4.00 x 3.00 TBI 8.4:1 140@3200 250@1600
1985
I4 Turbo manual 140 3.78 x 3.12 MPI 8.0:1 155@4600 190@2800
I4 Turbo auto 140 3.78 x 3.12 MPI 8.0:1 145@4400 180@3000
3.8 V6 232 3.80 x 3.40 TBI 8.7:1 120@3600 205@1600
5.0 V8 302 4.00 x 3.00 TBI 8.4:1 140@3200 250@1600
1986
I4 Turbo manual 140 3.78 x 3.12 MPI 8.0:1 155@4600 190@2800
I4 Turbo auto 140 3.78 x 3.12 MPI 8.0:1 145@4400 180@3000
3.8 V6 232 3.80 x 3.40 TBI 8.7:1 120@3600 205@1600
5.0 V8 302 4.00 x 3.00 MPI 8.9:1 150@3400 270@2000
1987
3.8 V6 232 3.80 x 3.40 TBI 8.7:1 120@3600 205@1600
5.0 V8 302 4.00 x 3.00 MPI 8.9:1 150@3400 270@2000
1988
3.8 V6 232 3.80 x 3.40 MPI 8.7:1 140@3600 205@1600
5.0 V8 302 4.00 x 3.00 MPI 8.9:1 155@3400 275@2000

 

Capacities
Engine
Oil Crankcase (quarts)
Rear Axle Fluid (pints)
Fuel Tank (gallons)
Cooling System (quarts)
2.3 I4 5.0 (w/ filter) 3.5 (7.5″ axle)
3.8 (8.8″ axle)
18 10.0
3.8 V6 5.0 (w/ filter) 3.5 (7.5″ axle) 22.1* 11.8
5.0 V8 5.0 (w/ filter) 3.5 (7.5″ axle);
3.8 (8.8″ axle)
22.1* 14.2
*1983-85 models have 21.6 gallon fuel tanks. See owner’s manual to confirm this info.

 

Transmission
Transmission Type
Code
Fluid (pints)
T5 manual 2 3.7
C3 V 8
C4 ** W 10
C5 C 11
AOD T 12.3
A4LD L 12.3
** Pre-’82 models and retrofitted C4 Cougars only.

 

Brake Specifications
Front Brake Disc Min. Thickness (in.)
Front Brake Disc Max. Runout (in.)
Front Brake Disc Diameter (in.)
Rear Brake Drum Diameter (in.)
Front Min. Lining Thickness (in.)
Rear Min. Lining Thickness (in.)
1983-88 Cougar/Thunderbird (Except 1987-88 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe)
0.810 0.003 10.000 9.000/10.000 0.175 0.123
1987-88 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe (and retrofitted cars)
0.895 0.003 11.000 10.000 0.175 0.123

 

Stock Caster/Camber Specifications

For more information visit Global West’s site here.

Left
Right
1985-86
Camber
(tolerance .75 degrees)
.25 degrees .25 degrees
Caster
(tolerance .75 degrees)
.75 degrees .75 degrees
Total Toe
(tolerance .25 degrees)
.38 degrees