For the Love of a Thunderbird! I'm new, Its nice to meet you.

[GDGemmer]

Hello Friends,

New member here, but not new to the Thunderbird. I grew up with an exhaust valve as a pacifier and spent more time in a garage than the average 16 year old kid has playing video games... Well maybe not... but that just makes the comparison that much sadder :banghead

I've had my Bird for 4 years now. Got it when I was 24. We can do the math... I'm still wet behind the ears :yesnod

I was given the car by my great grandfather who was 92 years old at the time. He bought the car in 1960 from Robert Duncan from Menlo Park, CA (if by chance you know him, let me know) they met in Sacramento and my Gramps drove it home to Redding. Before then, he had a '55 and previous to that he was a flat head guy. Always Ford... ALWAYS. atriot

Billie Guy Shannon passed away in February at 96 years old. I've lost my best friend and a true Y Block legend. No offense to Bruce Young, Isky, Mummert or the like. So... I'll be needing the help of my fellow T-Bird fellas when I have complications and questions.

I've attached some pictures below of Myself, The Car, My Great Gramps, the blocks and heads I have on the stand and work benches, The engine bay (make no mind of the .40 S&W & can of Cope on the Dash )

I'm glad to be a part of the group guys. Thanks for having me. How sweet it is to do things for the Love of a Thunderbird.

Guy Gemmer

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[paul2748]

Welcome - ask away.

 

[profechano]

New to the site as well... Nice to meet everyone!

So I'm new to the site, just paid my dues.

I am the proud owner of my grandfather's 1965 wimbeldon white hardtop Tbird.

My grandfather, "Pop" was the original owner and the sole drive until his death in 1999 (he never let anyone - even mechanics - drive it!)

My father had the car from 1999 through the end of last year (2012) [he only drove it twice]. I received the car this past December, 2012.

I am the third owner and only the third driver in the car's 48 years! This is also why it is in such great condition and shape..., no one has ever abused her.

This car is a family member. It has been at so many family events and moments in my family's past and history it is treated as a cherished family jewel. I was even raced in the back seat of this car (going to the hospital) to be born back in 1973! That's how close this car is to me.

It is in original condition/paint, has 350k+ miles! (although the engine being rebuilt back in the 1980's) and has the original black/yellow California plates.

This site is awesome, and I hope to contribute more now as a member.

Car Status: She is now rolling again (after 3 months in the garage!)
I just got her stitched back together after doing all the following:

New starter & solenoid
Front suspension complete overhaul
New brake booster and master cylinder
Steering Column/Shift Column complete overhaul
+ standard fluid/lube/filter preventative maintenance
(if you have any questions on these topics, they are still fresh in my memory, so ask away...)

You can now see her cruising occasionally at the Escondido (CA) Friday night "Cruisn' Grand" events (5pm-9pm, Fridays, April thru September). I took her last week and it was a blast!

 

[GDGemmer]

Here are a few

I replaced the front and rear shocks last summer. The ride is still pretty "boat like" as I still get quite a bit of sway and instability over large bumps. I'm thinking about replacing the front springs and leaf springs. Is that advisable and if so, where should I be purchasing them?

Secondly, I suspect there is a vacuum issue with the brake system. The brakes tend to stick. Just slightly on first press and then the pedal is stiffer at each consecutive push. They stay engaged until I apply some throttle and get the RPM's up a bit. Thoughts?

Last thing for today... I have quite a bit of play in the steering wheel. 3 to 4 inches of movement before the box engages. Is there an adjustment I can do on the box or shaft or is this a wear and wallow issue?

Thanks a ton in advance! Again, I'm excited to be part of the community and look forward to contributing to the forum.

 

[GDGemmer]

So I'm new to the site, just paid my dues.

I am the proud owner of my grandfather's 1965 wimbeldon white hardtop Tbird.
View attachment 443
My grandfather, "Pop" was the original owner and the sole drive until his death in 1999 (he never let anyone - even mechanics - drive it!)

My father had the car from 1999 through the end of last year (2012) [he only drove it twice]. I received the car this past December, 2012.

I am the third owner and only the third driver in the car's 48 years! This is also why it is in such great condition and shape..., no one has ever abused her.
View attachment 442
This car is a family member. It has been at so many family events and moments in my family's past and history it is treated as a cherished family jewel. I was even raced in the back seat of this car (going to the hospital) to be born back in 1973! That's how close this car is to me.

It is in original condition/paint, has 350k+ miles! (although the engine being rebuilt back in the 1980's) and has the original black/yellow California plates.

This site is awesome, and I hope to contribute more now as a member.

Car Status: She is now rolling again (after 3 months in the garage!)
I just got her stitched back together after doing all the following:

New starter & solenoid
Front suspension complete overhaul
New brake booster and master cylinder
Steering Column/Shift Column complete overhaul
+ standard fluid/lube/filter preventative maintenance
(if you have any questions on these topics, they are still fresh in my memory, so ask away...)

You can now see her cruising occasionally at the Escondido (CA) Friday night "Cruisn' Grand" events (5pm-9pm, Fridays, April thru September). I took her last week and it was a blast!

Alright! Another family passed Bird! Welcome to the group!

 

[paul2748]

Welcome, but I presume that you know that you are in the wrong group - this one is for early 55-57 Birds. Your group is further down the ilst.

So I'm new to the site, just paid my dues.

I am the proud owner of my grandfather's 1965 wimbeldon white hardtop Tbird.
View attachment 443
My grandfather, "Pop" was the original owner and the sole drive until his death in 1999 (he never let anyone - even mechanics - drive it!)

My father had the car from 1999 through the end of last year (2012) [he only drove it twice]. I received the car this past December, 2012.

I am the third owner and only the third driver in the car's 48 years! This is also why it is in such great condition and shape..., no one has ever abused her.
View attachment 442
This car is a family member. It has been at so many family events and moments in my family's past and history it is treated as a cherished family jewel. I was even raced in the back seat of this car (going to the hospital) to be born back in 1973! That's how close this car is to me.

It is in original condition/paint, has 350k+ miles! (although the engine being rebuilt back in the 1980's) and has the original black/yellow California plates.

This site is awesome, and I hope to contribute more now as a member.

Car Status: She is now rolling again (after 3 months in the garage!)
I just got her stitched back together after doing all the following:

New starter & solenoid
Front suspension complete overhaul
New brake booster and master cylinder
Steering Column/Shift Column complete overhaul
+ standard fluid/lube/filter preventative maintenance
(if you have any questions on these topics, they are still fresh in my memory, so ask away...)

You can now see her cruising occasionally at the Escondido (CA) Friday night "Cruisn' Grand" events (5pm-9pm, Fridays, April thru September). I took her last week and it was a blast!

 

[paul2748]

Look into a heavier anti-sway bar for the front. I back one would also be advisable.

Check the vacuum with a vacuum gauge - specs should be in the Shop manual. If you don't have a Shop Manual my advice would be to get one. Very handy piece of literature.

Brakes sticking could be the fault of the flex brake lines. They may have gone soft inside resulting in incomplete release. If they are not new, I would replace them.

There is an adjustment screw in the steering box that might help. Look on the to - one is the fill plug, the other the adjustment. Be careful in adjusting as too much could result in a major steering problem. This is where the Shop manual would help out. If the adjustment screw is all the way in, you probably need a rebuild.

Here are a few

I replaced the front and rear shocks last summer. The ride is still pretty "boat like" as I still get quite a bit of sway and instability over large bumps. I'm thinking about replacing the front springs and leaf springs. Is that advisable and if so, where should I be purchasing them?

Secondly, I suspect there is a vacuum issue with the brake system. The brakes tend to stick. Just slightly on first press and then the pedal is stiffer at each consecutive push. They stay engaged until I apply some throttle and get the RPM's up a bit. Thoughts?

Last thing for today... I have quite a bit of play in the steering wheel. 3 to 4 inches of movement before the box engages. Is there an adjustment I can do on the box or shaft or is this a wear and wallow issue?

Thanks a ton in advance! Again, I'm excited to be part of the community and look forward to contributing to the forum.

 

[GDGemmer]

Look into a heavier anti-sway bar for the front. I back one would also be advisable.

Check the vacuum with a vacuum gauge - specs should be in the Shop manual. If you don't have a Shop Manual my advice would be to get one. Very handy piece of literature.

Brakes sticking could be the fault of the flex brake lines. They may have gone soft inside resulting in incomplete release. If they are not new, I would replace them.

There is an adjustment screw in the steering box that might help. Look on the to - one is the fill plug, the other the adjustment. Be careful in adjusting as too much could result in a major steering problem. This is where the Shop manual would help out. If the adjustment screw is all the way in, you probably need a rebuild.

Thanks Paul! I'll replace the shoes and take a look at the adjustment screw.

I have a rear sway bar so I'll get that put in tomorrow night! Thanks again.