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.

Compare related 1978 configurations

Compare up to twelve documented pairings, prioritizing the same engine, body, trim and gearbox as this car. This related selection is not a complete factory lineup.

Browse all documented 1978 configurations →

Compare 9 related configurations — current car marked
1978 Ford Thunderbird: documented configuration differences
ConfigurationEngineTransmissionBody
Current carThunderbird, 302 cu in (5.0-liter) two-barrel V8, SelectShift automatic302 cu in (5.0-liter) two-barrel V8SelectShift automaticTwo-Door Hardtop
Thunderbird, 351 cu in (5.8-liter) two-barrel V8, SelectShift automatic351 cu in (5.8-liter) two-barrel V8SelectShift automaticTwo-Door Hardtop
Thunderbird, 400 cu in (6.6-liter) two-barrel V8, SelectShift automatic400 cu in (6.6-liter) two-barrel V8SelectShift automaticTwo-Door Hardtop
Thunderbird Town Landau, 302 cu in (5.0-liter) two-barrel V8, SelectShift automatic302 cu in (5.0-liter) two-barrel V8SelectShift automaticTwo-Door Hardtop
Thunderbird Town Landau, 351 cu in (5.8-liter) two-barrel V8, SelectShift automatic351 cu in (5.8-liter) two-barrel V8SelectShift automaticTwo-Door Hardtop
Thunderbird Town Landau, 400 cu in (6.6-liter) two-barrel V8, SelectShift automatic400 cu in (6.6-liter) two-barrel V8SelectShift automaticTwo-Door Hardtop
Thunderbird Diamond Jubilee Edition, 302 cu in (5.0-liter) two-barrel V8, SelectShift automatic302 cu in (5.0-liter) two-barrel V8SelectShift automaticTwo-Door Hardtop
Thunderbird Diamond Jubilee Edition, 351 cu in (5.8-liter) two-barrel V8, SelectShift automatic351 cu in (5.8-liter) two-barrel V8SelectShift automaticTwo-Door Hardtop
Thunderbird Diamond Jubilee Edition, 400 cu in (6.6-liter) two-barrel V8, SelectShift automatic400 cu in (6.6-liter) two-barrel V8SelectShift automaticTwo-Door Hardtop

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
Scheduled topics
0
Applicability stated
1
Exact references
1

Before ordering Identify 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 fitmentView intervals, applicability and sources

    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

Search results may cover different scales, trims and model years. Check each listing; this search does not establish an exact replica of the documented vehicle.

Sources

  1. Ford — 1978 Thunderbird brochure

Other 1978 configurations

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