66 project...anyone willing to help out a noob?

[nchittendon]

Good day all. Like most of you here, I have a story.

Now read through this with an open mind because I'm about to say some things that some of you might not like.....

I've been a Chevy guy my whole life, and now I am a die hard Honda guy. I know, I KNOW......please don't hold that against me.

My brother-in-law in serving in the US Army currently. Next month he gets shipped over seas to A-Stan and has left me with something to occupy my time. His 66 T-bird.
To be honest, I have never once gone all out with a Ford motor. Chevrolets, all day. Hondas, better than a couple dozen. Fords........never. I am ASE certified in a number of different areas, and I have done 2 years of technical college to be an automotive technician. That was in 1999. I currently work as the Commercial Manager at Advance Auto Parts locally.
Long story short, I'm no rookie to cars.....to any aspect of cars really. So I'm not looking for torque specs, or how a carburetor works.
What I DO need help with, is what are the quirks with these things? What are the little things that are common with my generation of Bird that even a seasoned wrench would get caught off guard by?
I'm looking for a coach. I promise it won't be a full time job, but someone who has played with one of these that might have some free time, and/or the heart to help a guy help a soldier. I have 16 months starting next month to do the following to this car:
~dash lights don't work
~fuel gauge doesn't work
~temp gauge doesn't work
~power windows don't work (if you run a jump wire to the motor from the battery, they work)
~engine overhaul (stock 390)
~want to ditch the mechanical sequential taillight rig, and get an updated electric version
~the only piece so far that I see is "missing," is the chrome trim piece that runs across the top/center of the rear window. Everything else seems to be there.
~we are looking to re-wire the entire car. It seems there have been a lot of hands in that dash and I don't like that.
~small hole in the driver side floor board, just under where your right heel would rest.
~brakes
~chassis (old cracked bushings, shocks, possible air bag setup)

That's all I can think of as of now.......here are the pics as she sits:

[kennykencan]

First off, I think it is very honorable for what you are about to do for your BIL whilst he is away defending our freedoms and giving the everyday people of Afghanistan a chance to have a taste of democracy. Tell your BIL, from me, thank you!

Now, to the Bird...

I think you have a well thought out plan of attack. Here are some of my thoughts on how to make some of your repairs...

~dash lights don't work - Check the headlight switch. The rheostat on the switch seems to be the most common reason that the dash lights don't work. Also check the fuses and bulbs.

~fuel gauge doesn't work
~temp gauge doesn't work - The major cause here is the voltage regulator for the gauges being bad. Its a pain to get to as it is behind the dash and accessible thru the clock bezel, but it is a bear to replace.


~power windows don't work (if you run a jump wire to the motor from the battery, they work) Check that the switches are getting power from the relay on the center of the firewall in the engine compartment. If your getting power, remove the switches and disassemble them and clean them. If that doesn't work, then replacements are in order.

~engine overhaul (stock 390) - Not a big deal, but I'd suggest getting the book "How to Rebuild Ford Big Block Engines". Search the web for it, as it will guide you through the idiosyncrasies of theses FE engines.

~want to ditch the mechanical sequential taillight rig, and get an updated electric version - Why? The mechanical system works great, they just need a little attention, like cleaning the contacts on the sequential unit. Take the white cover off and then clean the contacts with TV tuner cleaner. DO NOT USE ANY ABRASIVES ON THE CONTACTS, as they are gold plated and you will destroy them if you do! Make sure the grounds are clean, and you should be good to go.

~the only piece so far that I see is "missing," is the chrome trim piece that runs across the top/center of the rear window. Everything else seems to be there. - EBay is all I can say.

~we are looking to re-wire the entire car. It seems there have been a lot of hands in that dash and I don't like that. - Good idea. try to use the original color codes to make future repairs simpler.

~small hole in the driver side floor board, just under where your right heel would rest. - Easy Fix. I'm sure you can handle that. Replacement floorboards are available at venders such as Birds Nest and Thunderbird Ranch. Do a internet search if you need these type parts.

~brakes - I think you can handle this... LoL

~chassis (old cracked bushings, shocks, possible air bag setup) - Another easy fix. I'd say no to the air-bag suspension! These cars are all about the luxury, and these cars where one of the best when it comes to luxury. I'd stick to the stock suspension, but that's just my opinion.

Hope this info helps you some and if you have any further questions, don't be afraid to ask, that's what we are here for.

Kenny

[Harley Eaton]

Good advice.. I can add a couple of things. If none of the windows work, it could be the window safety relay on the engine side of the firewall (direct center behind the air cleaner). Probably no fix for it. It can be by-passed so that the windows work without the ignition switch turned on. Dash lights: you can by-pass the rheostat and wire the dash lights with the tail lights. You will lose dimming capability.