Search found 171 matches

by Florida_Phil
Sun Jan 08, 2023 12:37 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 1955 Thunderbird Front Signal Light Problem
Replies: 17
Views: 1018

Re: 1955 Thunderbird Front Signal Light Problem

All is working! Replaced the passenger side turn signal fixture and wires. The bulb socket was badly corroded and the wires were broken. The ignition key issue wasn't a problem at all. The operator (me) had the key in the wrong position. Years ago this never would have happened. I'm getting too old ...
by Florida_Phil
Sat Jan 07, 2023 8:31 am
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 1955 Thunderbird Front Signal Light Problem
Replies: 17
Views: 1018

Re: 1955 Thunderbird Front Signal Light Problem

Ward is correct - the signal lights should not work with the ignition in the off position. They should work in both the accessory and on positions only. This car was converted from 6 to 12 volts by a previous owner. They left the ground positive. I reflashed the voltage regulator and switched the b...
by Florida_Phil
Thu Jan 05, 2023 6:05 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 1955 Thunderbird Front Signal Light Problem
Replies: 17
Views: 1018

Re: 1955 Thunderbird Front Signal Light Problem

I removed both fixtures and found some frayed wires in the passenger side signal light harness. Ordered some parts. One thing I hadn't noticed before. The turn signal lights work with the turned key off. I never would have guessed that. Thanks for the feedback.
by Florida_Phil
Thu Jan 05, 2023 4:30 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 1955 Thunderbird Front Signal Light Problem
Replies: 17
Views: 1018

Re: 1955 Thunderbird Front Signal Light Problem

Took both front turn signal light fixtures out of the car. On my bench, both bulbs, wiring and light sockets checked out good. Ran an extra ground wire with no change. Traced the wiring back to the fender block and discovered the left parking light wire had current on a right turn signal. Somewhere ...
by Florida_Phil
Mon Jan 02, 2023 5:52 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 1955 Thunderbird Front Signal Light Problem
Replies: 17
Views: 1018

Re: 1955 Thunderbird Front Signal Light Problem

I have traced the problem down to the screws holding the clear plastic lens in place. If I remove the three screws, the turn signal lights work as they are suppose to. As soon as I screw one or more of the three retaining screws in, both sides blink on a right turn signal. The only thing I can think...
by Florida_Phil
Mon Jan 02, 2023 5:05 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 1955 Thunderbird Front Signal Light Problem
Replies: 17
Views: 1018

Re: 1955 Thunderbird Front Signal Light Problem

I removed the clear plastic lens on the left front turn signal light and it started to work correctly. I thought I may have a bad bulb, but it looked good. I cleaned the wires where they go into the wiring block on the left fender well. Thinking it was a bad connection, I reinstalled the plastic len...
by Florida_Phil
Mon Jan 02, 2023 3:20 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 1955 Thunderbird Front Signal Light Problem
Replies: 17
Views: 1018

1955 Thunderbird Front Signal Light Problem

I've got something weird going on with the front turn signal lights in my 1955 Thunderbird. My TBird was converted to 12 volts by a previous owner. I have had the car for five years and have never had electrical issues before this. The problem is when I put on the right turn signal, both front signa...
by Florida_Phil
Mon May 24, 2021 10:31 am
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 1955 TBird Swing Arm Questions
Replies: 5
Views: 1066

Re: 1955 TBird Swing Arm Questions

When my soft top is up, my seat back rearward tilt was restricted by the ends of the swing arm where it connected to the top at the pins on both sides. I was able to disconnect the swing arm by removing the pins on both sides. I left the swing arm in the car resting on the floor in case I want to re...
by Florida_Phil
Sun May 16, 2021 1:41 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: Questions from a potential '57 buyer?
Replies: 18
Views: 3619

Re: Questions from a potential '57 buyer?

As far as the manual vs. automatic transmission goes, it depends upon what you want in a classic car. I'm an old hot rodder and former drag racer. I wasn't looking for a TBird when I found my 55. I wanted a black, Y-Block, stick shift 50's Ford that reminded me of my youth. The first thing I did whe...
by Florida_Phil
Sun May 16, 2021 7:14 am
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 1955 TBird Swing Arm Questions
Replies: 5
Views: 1066

Re: 1955 TBird Swing Arm Questions

Thanks for your replies. My car was built with a soft top and the swing arms. When the soft top is up, the swing arm assembly limits the backward tilt of the seat. This puts the driver in an almost upright position. Being a tall person, I would like the seat to tilt back farther like it does when th...
by Florida_Phil
Sat May 15, 2021 10:16 am
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 1955 TBird Swing Arm Questions
Replies: 5
Views: 1066

1955 TBird Swing Arm Questions

I wish to remove the soft top swing arm assembly from my 1955 Thunderbird. Can I leave the top up without the swing arm? The soft top is connected to the swing arm with two pins on each side. Are these pins difficult to remove? Any tips?
by Florida_Phil
Wed Jan 06, 2021 5:31 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 55 Dash Removal Question
Replies: 4
Views: 1693

Re: 55 Dash Removal Question

The following post is from 11-21-2001 Dash Removal Brian, I've hesitated in responding because it has been a few years since doing this and I as afraid of leaving out something important. I don't know how far you are stripping down the car so let's assume you're only removing the dash. (1) Always re...
by Florida_Phil
Tue Dec 29, 2020 8:37 am
Forum: 1955-1957 Modified/Custom Thunderbirds
Topic: 55 T bird manual O. D. transmission
Replies: 2
Views: 1488

Re: 55 T bird manual O. D. transmission

My 55 Thunderbird was built with a manual transmission and O/D. My transmission is a Borg Warner T86 with a R10 overdrive unit. I have a modified 1957 engine in my car now with a Pertronix conversion in the 1957 distributor. The transmission and O/D was left stock. My kickdown switch is disconnected...
by Florida_Phil
Tue Dec 15, 2020 8:25 am
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: Replacing clutch
Replies: 14
Views: 3384

Re: Replacing clutch

My 1955 TBird has a manual transmission with O/D. I attempted to remove the transmission with the engine in place. Like you discovered, the transmission input shaft will not clear the bellhousing. Removing the O/D solenoid and the shifter did not solve the problem. The shop manual says to loosen the...
by Florida_Phil
Thu Aug 27, 2020 9:01 am
Forum: 1955-1957 Modified/Custom Thunderbirds
Topic: Power steering conversion
Replies: 2
Views: 1722

Re: Power steering conversion

I am also considering making this modification to my 55 TBird. Solutions range from using stock parts, replacing the steering box and or column, electric conversions to installing rack and pinion. A friend of mine has a large range of stock power steering parts taken off Ford passenger cars. I do no...