TBird Rookie needs some help - 1965 Convertible won't start

[wgeorges]

Hello All,
I just joined the Forum and I'm looking for any help/advise you may be able to offer.
In 1965 my father bought a brand new red convertible Thunderbird. It stopped running around 1977 and sat in our family's garage for the next 25+ years. About 5 years ago I had it totally restored. It's fantastic when it runs...it just doesn't run for very long before something goes wrong. Unfortunately, unlike most of this forum's members, I don't really know how to work on the car. I live in St. Louis, MO and have had a couple places work on it but I haven't found a place I'm really comfortable with.
So my first question - is there anyone from St. Louis (or nearby) who has a suggestion on a reputable garage/mechanic that I could trust to work on the car.
Also I'm looking for any help you may have on what might have gone wrong recently with my TBird. I was driving the car (it had been running for a few weeks after getting out of the mechanic's shop) when I stopped in a parking lot and put the car in park and then turned the ignition off. It seemed to lurch slightly forward when I put it in park as if the car was still moving even though I had come to a complete stop. When I got back into the car to start it up it wouldn't turn over. In fact it didn't make a sound. The electric is fine - the lights still come on and the radio works, but when I turn the key I don't hear the alternator click even once. I seem to recall my father, at times, would have to gently push up the gear shift on the steering column in order to get the car to turn over...that didn't work either.

Again, thanks in advance for any help or advice you have to offer. This rookie really appreciates it!

Again I appreciate any he

[dansbirds]

When you are sitting in the car can you move the wheel? I dont mean slide away, but up and down a bit. There are bushings in the column that deteriorate. Also the shift handle if never replaced will be worn on the end in the column from 45 years of moving from gear position to position. If your dad was lifting up on the handle to get it to start I would look at these areas. If there is slop/play in the column I would imagine your neutral safety switch cant quite tell what gear your in and isnt going to let you start the car in gear. Last ? do you have trouble keeping the car in park? thats another result of these pieces being worn. Sorry I am not closer to St Louis area as I would give you a hand as I have put more than a few of these back together. Have you tried moving the shift lever to neutral to start?

[Harley Eaton]

Why would you expect the alternator to "click:? It could be that your neutral start switch is stuck in the EXTREEM park position, which would involve reaching under the dash to move the switch off the stuck position. Have you tried to crank the car by jumping from the battery to the starter relay? Should do that first! If you find this doesn't work, check starter current with an ampere gauge. Still will not crank, come back with more information or bring the car to my shop. Harley Eaton

[Gary Tayman]

This can't get too complicated. Just about every one of these cars has a problem with starting in park. The only ones that don't are the ones that have been fixed.

To start the car: Bring the steering column into position, if it isn't there already. Turn the key to start it, with your right hand. With your left hand, reach over the column and grab the shift lever. Lift it up, see if the starter suddenly engages.

The problem is the neutral safety switch. It is adjustable, but doesn't really go out of line by itself. What DOES happen is the shift components themselves wear out. Shift lever, upper bushing in the steering column, and the lower plastic bearing that looks like a doughnut. That bottom one is the hard one, the others are easy to replace.

As for finding a good mechanic in St. Louis or anywhere else, start by visiting a few car cruises or car shows. Talk to other cruisers, ask them who THEY recommend. Some do their own work, but others have favorite places to take their cars.

You'll often find shops that advertise in local magazines or sponsor shows. This is all well and good, but ask others who have used their services before trusting your car to them. This is the big mistake I made; I used highly-advertised shops to do some major work to my car. It cost me major money and nearly all of it must be done over, to the tune of more money than the car is worth.

[wgeorges]

Dan,
First, thanks very much for taking the time to respond! No, the steering wheel doesn't move up or down (even a little bit) - it's solid. I did try to start the car in neutral - no luck. I don't have trouble keeping the car in park either. As far as the shift handle goes, I don't know if it was replaced when the car was restored but I don't believe it was.
Please let me know if you have any other thoughts and thanks again for your help.