It is normal for the oil pressure to be high when the engine is first started and is cold. It should settle at around 40 psi once the engine reaches full operating temperature. If it does not, then change the oil and filter and make sure you are using the correct weight oil, which is more than likely 5w30. Use a good oil filter such as Purolator, Wix, or Motorcraft in your Ford. Make sure to use the correct size filter. If none of this helps, then have an oil pressure test run, as your oil pressure gage may be wrong.
5W-30 is the preferred oil , according to the 1996 Ford Thunderbird Owner Guide
Run your engine for awhile, if it seizes up, the pump wasn't working.
According to the 1996 Ford Thunderbird owners manual and fordparts.com for the 4.6 liter V8 engine ( Motorcraft FL-820 engine oil filter )
According to one of Fords websites : For a 1996 Ford Thunderbird with the 3.8 liter V6 engine : ( Motorcraft FL-400-S engine oil filter )
Because high oil pressure is good...
According to the ( 1996 ) Ford Thunderbird Owner Guide : With engine oil filter change : ( 5.3 U.S. quarts of 5W-30 , PREFERRED engine oil )
The oil pressure switch on a 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier is on the rear of the engine block. It will be directly above the oil pan.
The 1996 Ford Thunderbird Owner Guide shows the ( Motorcraft FL-400A ) engine oil filter for the 3.8 liter V6 fordparts.com shows the ( Motorcraft FL-400-S ) engine oil filter for the 3.8 liter V6
Check with a manual gauge to confirm no oil pressure Could just be a bad oil sending unit Could be a bad oil pump Excessive engine wear
if its a 4.6 then it will be on the drivers side. above the control arm. its in a very ackward place
In front of the engine it is part of the front timing cover.
The 1996 Ford Thunderbird Owner Guide shows ( Motorcraft FL-400-A ) and the website fordparts.com shows ( Motorcraft FL-400-S ) for the 3.8 liter V6