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1958-1966 Thunderbirds ?

59 messages,  Last post on Feb 07, 2010 at 6:57 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Thunderbird, Classic Cars

Messages Page 6 of 6

#50 of 59 Re: 58-60 SquareBirds [bbirdie1960] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

May 02, 2009 (8:12 am)

Replying to: bbirdie1960 (May 02, 2009 12:10 am)
Well put down that pry bar and get yourself a copy of Hemmings Motor News. They should offer everything you'll need for those cars. (www.hemmings.com). Available at most newsstands or online.

#51 of 59 Re: 1958-1966 Thunderbirds ? [piCARso] by tbird8

May 26, 2009 (12:33 am)

Replying to: piCARso (Dec 11, 2008 2:00 pm)
Go ahead and buy the tbird ! They were great cars for the time in witch they were built. If i may make a suggestion, get a 1966 thunderbird with the 428 motor, add new gas shocks and high quality radials. maybe a new set of larger sway bars and a electronic ignition. any car of this age is going to have a few problems, but none have the thunderbirds style! I had a 1966 for years and had very few repairs on it, and having been 16 at the time i was not prone to take it easy on the old girl. oh as a point of fact mine was a 390 bird and she would do 122 as i had the ticket to prove it.yes she was a little scary at that speed, but so were general motors cars. so seriously consider a tbird, once bitten by the bird you never forget.

#52 of 59 getting the air out. by mantismod3

Jun 13, 2009 (2:56 pm)

I have just replaced the brake booster and master cylinder on my 1966 thunderbird and have tried and tried to get it to bleed out but can not get it to work. I would like any advise I can. Thank you. mantismod3

#53 of 59 Re: getting the air out. [mantismod3] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jun 13, 2009 (3:34 pm)

Replying to: mantismod3 (Jun 13, 2009 2:56 pm)
Well you could go buy some brass or steel plugs at the hardware store, then removing the brake lines from the master cylinder and insert the plugs. Then bleed only the master cylinder, cracking open the plugs to let out the air. If the master cylinder won't bleed in this way, then it's no good.
 
Once you have hard pedal at the master you can proceed to each wheel cylinder, starting at the wheel furthest from the master.
 
If the system won't bleed, after you've successfully bled the master previously, then you have a leak somewhere else or heavily worn brake shoes that have allowed a wheel cylinder to expand beyond its normal range.
 

#54 of 59 jonnyt-bird by jonnytbird

Aug 26, 2009 (8:32 pm)

great i just got a 64 bird for $750.00 and its not far from being a great cruiser. i need a gas tank,a skirt (prob won't use)..i need a door skin(drivers), and a few interior fixes...but other than that the car is in good shape...but after reading all 53 messages in this post....well that was scary....thats ok i'm gonna change this car to the way i want it...disc brakes, elec igni, different tires, get rid of some of the vac stuff ..replace with elec doors, elec air, i don't know about what to do with the cruise control yet, i' m going to loose some of the wieght...the chrome is in great shape but the bumpers....rechrome...i have no idea where to put a radio and speakers...don't want to cut the car up or the console.... big dreams... (i hope my wife gets that extra job) haha...time &money but i figure 2-3 years i'll have it about right...its a cruiser..if the curve says 45mph...take it at 35mph....save the tread...people don't realize that this car is 4431lbs... its not a sports car...you go slow in this car so people can get a good look at the car and whos driving it.....just think ...you pop open the trunk at the grocery store and everyone is looking at the car.. older folks talk about how they remembeer the car when they where younger. when times where abit slower... dang car has no cup holders .....gotta fix that... flair birds to me are art and i love them...this is a car that even my wife likes to cruise around in and she's gonna love it when its done.....i'm 40 and i wanted a t-bird

#55 of 59 Re: jonnyt-bird [jonnytbird] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Aug 27, 2009 (8:58 am)

Replying to: jonnytbird (Aug 26, 2009 8:32 pm)
Sure, as long as you don't cut the car up, you can add and bolt-on whatever you want to make it more enjoyable (and safer) to drive.
 
Or if you want to chop it up and make a full-blown custom piece of artwork, no big deal. These cars are not so rare and precious that one more couldn't be donated to a worthy project of customization, if you wish.
 
I'd rather see a custom T-Bird from the 60s than yet another Chevelle done up that way.
 
I like these cars in the bright 60s "beach colors"---the corals, aquamarines, etc.

#56 of 59 beach colors by jonnytbird

Aug 27, 2009 (10:42 am)

beach colors would be a great way to go ...I just need to figure what goes with red interior? I don't want to chop up the body or anything that will change the inner or outer of the car but yes make it safer......do you remember the old side pipes you always saw on the corvettes. i saw some on a 65 t-bird but only could see the door area and half of the back tire.. i wish i could have seen the rest of the car...might be crazy enough to look almost good?....well i just need to get mine running good enough for road use....i think (in the long run) i will customize the car but you know...time and money...

#57 of 59 Re: beach colors [jonnytbird] by andre1969

Aug 27, 2009 (11:00 am)

Replying to: jonnytbird (Aug 27, 2009 10:42 am)
beach colors would be a great way to go ...I just need to figure what goes with red interior?
 
I guess a red interior does limit your choices a bit. Maybe white, black, silver, gray, or varying shades of red/burgundy? I couldn't picture a blue or green going too well with a red interior, but maybe if it's a pale enough hue? I have seen yellow cars with red interiors, and it looks a bit clashy to my eyes. I wonder if coral would work though?
 
Anyway, good luck with your car...hope you have fun with it! I've always liked the '64-66 style of T-bird.

#58 of 59 65 T-Bird won't start... ?? by 65t_bird

Sep 03, 2009 (5:12 pm)

Have installed rebuilt starter and selinoid switch . when key is turned battery level drops. there must be a short in the circuit.. Any suggestions ??

#59 of 59 Re: 65 T-Bird won't start... ?? [65t_bird] by pr4life

Feb 07, 2010 (6:57 pm)

Replying to: 65t_bird (Sep 03, 2009 5:12 pm)
Just a thought that left me stranded a few times. The neutral safety switch may be causing your problems. This is part electrical, part mechanical, and a whole lot of pain in the a**. Part of it is on the column and is there so when the swing away wheel is over, the car won't start. When they get old, it doesn't make contact, therefore making the ignition switch useless. It is also linked to the transmission, so if there is any slop in the linkage, it makes is not work too. Just a thought, and if this isn't it, that will be good for you. Good luck.

Messages Page 6 of 6

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