Search found 747 matches

by Steverino
Fri Aug 11, 2023 5:29 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Constant voltage regulator?
Replies: 8
Views: 561

Re: Constant voltage regulator?

Just one more update - I did get the converter / regulator (that I linked above) installed last weekend and my gauges are back online. That is to say the temp gauge works great, and the fuel is back to reading 3/4 when the tank is full... :roll: (I'm so tired of these stupid senders...) Thanks again...
by Steverino
Fri Aug 04, 2023 6:17 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Constant voltage regulator?
Replies: 8
Views: 561

Re: Constant voltage regulator?

The parking lights are correct on your car. The parking lights staying on with the headlights was something that happened around 1968 I believe. Bob Jackman VTCI member # 4942 63 SR Thanks Bob! Sorry for the late reply - I was on vacation and didn't have connection. That's interesting - I've been i...
by Steverino
Tue Jul 25, 2023 8:14 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Constant voltage regulator?
Replies: 8
Views: 561

Re: Constant voltage regulator?

That's an interesting option. Based on the product pictures on Amazon, I'm pretty sure that's exactly what my car had previously (see my pics above). Just a little black plastic cube with a metal mounting tab. I already ordered the other unit I had linked, but I'm going to keep this in mind too, jus...
by Steverino
Mon Jul 24, 2023 7:37 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Constant voltage regulator?
Replies: 8
Views: 561

Re: Constant voltage regulator?

Hey, thanks for responding - that's great to know!

On something like this that's completely hidden from view originality isn't a big concern for me. I'm not looking to keep mine concours-correct from every angle, though everything I've done is completely reversible.
by Steverino
Sun Jul 23, 2023 7:13 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Constant voltage regulator?
Replies: 8
Views: 561

Re: Constant voltage regulator?

Just as a follow up - does anybody know how many amps the gauges draw? I found an inexpensive 12v - 5v converter that puts out 3A: https://www.ebay.com/itm/384892160106?hash=item599d5c486a:g:xhsAAOSwZkRigo0n&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0Od6WOUNU%2FppMCDpaZhhKyhlHaugUmFgN6dQPAFtGF1Bi3ndwKq%2BnzixRbE9zwU...
by Steverino
Fri Jul 21, 2023 7:42 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Constant voltage regulator?
Replies: 8
Views: 561

Constant voltage regulator?

I had my Bird at my mechanic today to have the A/C recharged. That went fine and now when I cruise I can be cool while I look cool :mrgreen: However, when I picked the car up I noticed that the fuel and temp gauges stayed at rock bottom, but I know they worked when I dropped it off. I am thinking it...
by Steverino
Fri Mar 24, 2023 8:15 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Steering wheel re-install issues
Replies: 4
Views: 440

Re: Steering wheel re-install issues

Jim, Thank you SO much for taking time to write your detailed reply! I'm embarrassed to say I think my mistake was exceedingly simple... I had the nut flipped over, with the tapered end facing inward. Logic "told" me that the tapered part would nest inside the hub retainer... :roll: This i...
by Steverino
Sun Mar 19, 2023 8:08 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Steering wheel re-install issues
Replies: 4
Views: 440

Re: Steering wheel re-install issues

Thanks for the reply... I understand your caution around the impact - just to clarify, the impact was used to overcome the friction in the crimped nut, not to actually tighten down the wheel (or get it TOO tight) - in fact, that's one of the problems: I've not been able to get the nut fully tight ag...
by Steverino
Sun Mar 19, 2023 1:16 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Steering wheel re-install issues
Replies: 4
Views: 440

Steering wheel re-install issues

Hi all, I had my steering wheel out and the top of the column (chrome bezel, shift collar, etc) all out. Replaced turn signal switch, shift detent plate, shift lever, and repaired the ovaled out shift lever pivot point in the collar. Also put on my new-to-me not cracked and freshly painted wheel! Ev...
by Steverino
Sat Jan 14, 2023 8:13 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Shift lever pivot hole excessive wear
Replies: 7
Views: 571

Re: Shift lever pivot hole excessive wear

So here is the end result. Total investment is $2 for bushing & bolt/nut. Hopefully not too hateful. Given how much the car is driven now, I expect the repair to last a very long time. Now to the fun of running the wires for the repro turn signal switch. Based on subsequent reading, I hope I don...
by Steverino
Thu Jan 12, 2023 2:56 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Shift lever pivot hole excessive wear
Replies: 7
Views: 571

Re: Shift lever pivot hole excessive wear

You know, I just made the assumption that they wouldn't be reproducing shift collars... I'm not sure why I assumed that - guess I figured it is a fairly complex casting and fairly low demand. Glad to be proven wrong! Anyway, I'm already in this far, so I'll see how my DIY fix turns out. I'm going to...
by Steverino
Mon Jan 09, 2023 8:44 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Shift lever pivot hole excessive wear
Replies: 7
Views: 571

Re: Shift lever pivot hole excessive wear

Thanks for the ideas, gents. I think I may try to tap the hole in the shifter and instead of a roll pin, use a couple of stainless button-head cap screws with shoulders. The shoulder part would be sized to a slightly enlarged hole in the steering column collar - which would take care of the current ...
by Steverino
Sun Jan 08, 2023 5:07 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Shift lever pivot hole excessive wear
Replies: 7
Views: 571

Shift lever pivot hole excessive wear

So I finally had time to extract the roll pin and put a new pin & shift lever in. However I discovered that the hole in the column housing has gotten elongated with wear over the years, so there is a lot of slop (see pics). How can I correct this? All I can think of is to have it welded up and r...
by Steverino
Sat Dec 17, 2022 9:26 am
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Shift lever roll pin removal
Replies: 3
Views: 337

Re: Shift lever roll pin removal

Thanks guys! Those are great ideas - always nice to not have to reinvent the wheel. I'll give them a go!
by Steverino
Fri Dec 16, 2022 9:27 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Shift lever roll pin removal
Replies: 3
Views: 337

Shift lever roll pin removal

Hi all, I'm in the midst of a steering column "tune up". I've replaced my shift detent plate and have a new turn signal switch to install (hopefully to get a non-prematurely-cancelling signal). I also want to install a new shift lever to mitigate for any wear on the original. Which leads m...