Car Model History

Two-Door Hardtop · 302 cu in (5.0-liter) two-barrel V8

1978 Ford Thunderbird, 302 cu in (5.0-liter) two-barrel V8, SelectShift automatic

Ford's 1978 brochure identifies the Thunderbird and lists the 302 cu in (5.0-liter) two-barrel V8 in the model-year engine choices.

1978 Ford Thunderbird coupe, front three-quarter view
Model-year coupe reference photograph; trim and engine details may differ from this exact configuration. ·

Photo: “1978 Ford Thunderbird Hardtop (25195010534)” by Sicnag / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Factory configuration

What this model is

Trim
Thunderbird
Body style
Two-Door Hardtop
Engine
302 cu in (5.0-liter) two-barrel V8
Transmission
SelectShift automatic

The 302 was unavailable with California emissions equipment; the 351 and 400 were the brochure's optional V8s. Exterior Decor and Sports Decor remain option groups, while Town Landau and Diamond Jubilee are separately named models.

Configuration-specific ownership

Maintenance for this exact configuration

These items are filtered to the engine, transmission, trim, and model-year applicability recorded for this configuration. Broad Amazon category searches are suppressed here; shopping links appear only beside catalog-backed part numbers.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1978 Ford Thunderbird, 302 cu in (5.0-liter) two-barrel V8, SelectShift automatic. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
1
Factory intervals
0
Fitment-scoped
1
Exact references
1

Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oil filter — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    This manufacturer application record establishes replacement-filter fitment only; it does not establish a service interval.

    Baldwin B2

    Baldwin B2

    Applies to: 1978 · United States · Confirm the installed engine and filter housing before ordering.

    Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Ford 1978 — Thunderbird application, printed catalog page 657, Lube column · checked

    Verified ordering references

Sources

  1. Ford — 1978 Thunderbird brochure

Other 1978 configurations

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