Car Model History

Two-Door Coupe · 4.2-liter (255 cu in) V8

1981 Ford Thunderbird, 4.2-liter (255 cu in) V8, SelectShift automatic

Ford's 1981 brochure supports the Thunderbird with the 4.2-liter (255 cu in) V8 and SelectShift automatic.

1980-1982 Ford Thunderbird generation reference coupe
Generation-correct reference photograph; an exact-1981 licensed replacement remains preferred. ·

Photo: “1980 Ford Thunderbid (37142983790)” by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Factory configuration

What this model is

Trim
Thunderbird
Body style
Two-Door Coupe
Engine
4.2-liter (255 cu in) V8
Transmission
SelectShift automatic

The 3.3-liter six was standard; the 4.2-liter V8 was optional. Automatic Overdrive was unavailable with the six and mandatory with the 5.0-liter V8.

Compare related 1981 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 1981 configurations →

Compare 11 related configurations — current car marked
1981 Ford Thunderbird: documented configuration differences
ConfigurationEngineTransmissionBody
Thunderbird, 3.3-liter (200 cu in) inline-six, SelectShift automatic3.3-liter (200 cu in) inline-sixSelectShift automaticTwo-Door Coupe
Current carThunderbird, 4.2-liter (255 cu in) V8, SelectShift automatic4.2-liter (255 cu in) V8SelectShift automaticTwo-Door Coupe
Thunderbird, 4.2-liter (255 cu in) V8, Automatic Overdrive4.2-liter (255 cu in) V8Automatic OverdriveTwo-Door Coupe
Thunderbird, 5.0-liter (302 cu in) V8, Automatic Overdrive5.0-liter (302 cu in) V8Automatic OverdriveTwo-Door Coupe
Thunderbird Town Landau, 3.3-liter (200 cu in) inline-six, SelectShift automatic3.3-liter (200 cu in) inline-sixSelectShift automaticTwo-Door Coupe
Thunderbird Town Landau, 4.2-liter (255 cu in) V8, SelectShift automatic4.2-liter (255 cu in) V8SelectShift automaticTwo-Door Coupe
Thunderbird Town Landau, 4.2-liter (255 cu in) V8, Automatic Overdrive4.2-liter (255 cu in) V8Automatic OverdriveTwo-Door Coupe
Thunderbird Town Landau, 5.0-liter (302 cu in) V8, Automatic Overdrive5.0-liter (302 cu in) V8Automatic OverdriveTwo-Door Coupe
Thunderbird Heritage, 4.2-liter (255 cu in) V8, SelectShift automatic4.2-liter (255 cu in) V8SelectShift automaticTwo-Door Coupe
Thunderbird Heritage, 4.2-liter (255 cu in) V8, Automatic Overdrive4.2-liter (255 cu in) V8Automatic OverdriveTwo-Door Coupe
Thunderbird Heritage, 5.0-liter (302 cu in) V8, Automatic Overdrive5.0-liter (302 cu in) V8Automatic OverdriveTwo-Door Coupe

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 1981 Ford Thunderbird, 4.2-liter (255 cu in) 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
4
Scheduled topics
3
Applicability stated
4
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 - V8 enginesView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine oil - V8 engines

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1981 · 4.2-liter V8, 5.0-liter V8 · United States · Factory brochure maintenance summary for the advertised 1981 engine range.

    Published interval: 7,500 mi / 12,100 km · Change every 7,500 miles on V8 engines.

    Source: Ford Division — 1981 Thunderbird brochure · Thunderbird Maintenance Schedule panel, brochure page 13 · checked

  • Spark plugs and engine air filterView intervals, applicability and sources

    Spark plugs and engine air filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1981 · 3.3-liter inline-six, 4.2-liter V8, 5.0-liter V8 · United States · Factory brochure maintenance summary for the advertised 1981 engine range.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,300 km · Replace spark plugs and the engine air filter every 30,000 miles.

    Source: Ford Division — 1981 Thunderbird brochure · Thunderbird Maintenance Schedule panel, brochure page 13 · checked

  • Engine coolantView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine coolant

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1981 · 3.3-liter inline-six, 4.2-liter V8, 5.0-liter V8 · United States · Factory brochure maintenance summary for the advertised 1981 engine range.

    Published interval: 50,000 mi / 80,500 km / 36 months · Replace every 50,000 miles or 3 years.

    Source: Ford Division — 1981 Thunderbird brochure · Thunderbird Maintenance Schedule panel, brochure page 13 · checked

  • 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: 1981 · United States · Confirm the installed engine and filter housing before ordering.

    Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Ford 1981 — Thunderbird application, printed catalog page 268, 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 Division — 1981 Thunderbird brochure

Other 1981 configurations

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