UPS man ROCKS!

[mkoebra95]

I just got a couple of boxes of goodies from the Thunderbird Headquarters via UPS. On the agenda to fix on my 65 this month: leaking PS unit to wiper motor line, sloppy shifter, fuel level and low light sending unit, battery box and some weather stripping for around the side windows. I've seen some good posts on some of these topics so I'll be referencing them as I go along.

Should prove to be an adventure tearing into 46+ y/o equipment. First things first, I need to make a trip to the auto parts store to stock up on Penetrating Blaster...

[1965moscabird]

its nice that you are trying to get your car togather..i also have a 65 thunderbird...Thunderbird Headquarters,,,hmmm....this the last place that i would buy any of my parts from for my thunderbird...i bought a fuel tank sender with the low warning light...the thing worked one day...thats right one day...there parts are very cheaply made..beware of the place if you love your car... and there is no customer service...

[mkoebra95]

Thanks for the "avoid" advice.

If not Thunderbird HQ, then what shop/store do you recommend?

[1965moscabird]

hello i,m glad you asked i have a few...one is the THUNDERBIRD RANCH the mans name is john draxler..really nice man with info and tech support the next one is STEFANS THUNDERBIRDS he,s out here in california really a nice guy and won,t over charge you for parts and has alot of hard to find stuff one more CONCOURS PARTS they are more main stream...if you need phone #,s just PM me and i will set you up...dealing with these three its a joy to have a thunderbird

[rw_removed]

mkoebra95, I see you are in Maryland. I'm in Ashburn, VA. I have a 64 hardtop. I "finished" restoring it in March and am driving it daily.

I've bought a few parts from Thunderbird Headquarters and never had a problem. My favorite is Mac's Antique Auto Parts in Buffalo, NY. I also use Pat Wilson's Thunderbird in NJ. Bob's Bird House is another in Delaware. All of these, at least, are on the east coast.

Good luck.

[Gary Tayman]

Bear in mind that none of these outfits actually MAKE the parts; they just stock them for sale. Dennis Carpenter is a manufacturer, and a few of these outfits might be the only sources for specific items, but the vast majority of it is like buying your coffee creamer at 7-Eleven or Circle K. Get yourself some catalogs from a few of these places, then compare. Stick with the supplier that treats you best.

Something else to consider -- the "Hard parts" are often available through places like NAPA, usually for a lot less than the catalog outfits. I sometimes question the quality of parts bought at Advance or Pep Boys, but there is a local parts supplier that has served me very well. I don't know his parts source, but I consistently get quality parts from them.

bottom line, don't be afraid to shop around.

[65BLUBIRD]

I got my radiator hoses through rockauto.com . hoses look stock and were less expensive then getting the universal or the ones that require some trimming from autozone. website is easy to use. I did get my oil pressure sensor at the local autozone and so far so good.