Search found 185 matches

by voltron
Sun Sep 03, 2023 7:12 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: Engine stops running for no apparent reason
Replies: 74
Views: 4024

Re: Engine stops running for no apparent reason

The photo of one of the terminals on the starter solenoid shows to be empty. That should have a wire that bypasses the resistor so the coil gets the full 12 volts when the starter is cranking the engine.
by voltron
Mon Aug 28, 2023 6:42 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: Engine stops running for no apparent reason
Replies: 74
Views: 4024

Re: Engine stops running for no apparent reason

I noticed in one of your photos that the old style distributor to coil pigtail wire with the stud insulator that will ground out on the inside of dist due to wear and tear and break down of the insulation. The superior replacement has a rubber molded gromet that replaces the troublesome stud and bak...
by voltron
Sat Jul 22, 2023 4:19 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: vacuum advance questions
Replies: 38
Views: 1921

Re: vacuum advance questions

Maybe you should look away from the carb for a bit. Pertronix has been known to fail and cause horrible problems, I would put a set of points back in and see what happens. Also the choke heat tube is hidden from site and is known to rust out and leak exhaust in the clean air supply vacuum going to t...
by voltron
Sun Jul 16, 2023 8:17 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: vacuum advance questions
Replies: 38
Views: 1921

Re: vacuum advance questions

You need to send in pictures of your carb and distributor if possible. A 55 carb is designed to work with 55 dist, and a 56 carb is designed to work with a 56 dist. you need to know what you got. They are both T Pots but the internal orifices. are differnt, Both are sensitive it only takes an inch o...
by voltron
Sat Jan 07, 2023 8:03 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 1955 Thunderbird Front Signal Light Problem
Replies: 17
Views: 1018

Re: 1955 Thunderbird Front Signal Light Problem

I agree that a bad ground can cause a lot of problems. Because of the dual filaments a bad ground on right side can cause the right filament to seek a ground through the left side filament causing it to light. Also do both turn signal indicators on the dash pod blink at the same time? Ifso the bad g...
by voltron
Tue Dec 27, 2022 6:04 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 1957 Power Steering Tracking and Turning Issue
Replies: 8
Views: 597

Re: 1957 Power Steering Tracking and Turning Issue

Don't overlook the idler arm, power steering Birds have a rubber bushing that twist while making turns and aid in returning to center when untwisting. The rubber deteriorates with time. Manual steering Birds don't need or use the rubber style bushing.
by voltron
Fri Dec 23, 2022 2:39 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: Signal Light Switch Replacement
Replies: 11
Views: 800

Re: Signal Light Switch Replacement

You might consider using something like Dyna-Blue electrical cable lubricant that electricians use to pull tight cable bundles through conduit.
by voltron
Wed Dec 14, 2022 10:45 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: Starter Drive Operation
Replies: 4
Views: 395

Re: Starter Drive Operation

I had the starter out of my '57 Bird with a standard shift to test it on a battery, there was nothing wrong with it but it triggered the bendix to extend. Working over the front fender I was able to reinstall the starter. I lifted the starter as vertical as I could with the bendix sticking up into t...
by voltron
Tue Dec 13, 2022 1:49 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Wire wheel question
Replies: 5
Views: 435

Re: Wire wheel question

They are reproduction Kelsey Hayes look a likes sold by a TBird parts supplier. I put the center spinner hubcap on to see what it looked like. It was on so tight I was afraid to pry hard to get it back off without hurting it. I called the parts dealer I bought it from, he told me to use a plastic we...
by voltron
Mon Dec 12, 2022 5:02 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Wire wheel question
Replies: 5
Views: 435

Wire wheel question

Were the factory installed wire wheels mounted tubeless or did they come with tubes?
by voltron
Tue Oct 18, 2022 11:18 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: Wire wheel question
Replies: 3
Views: 429

Re: Wire wheel question

Thanks for the responses.
by voltron
Mon Oct 17, 2022 11:39 am
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: Wire wheel question
Replies: 3
Views: 429

Wire wheel question

Just got started on my car again and a friend and I decided to check the clearance between the wire wheel spinners and the skirts and would like to know how to safely get the spinner cap off the wheel without damaging anything. The cap is really on there and am afraid to pry it off. Got the wheels o...
by voltron
Wed Oct 05, 2022 6:43 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: ‘57 bent rim?
Replies: 14
Views: 807

Re: ‘57 bent rim?

If the damaged part of your hubcap coincides with the bent spot of the wheel it's likely they were damaged at the same time. Were you with the car when the tire work was done?
by voltron
Fri Sep 09, 2022 3:57 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 1956
Replies: 5
Views: 494

Re: 1956

There is an amazing mechanical device on the starter shaft called a Bendix drive that moves the starter gear into the flywheel when the starter is energized. This spins the flywheel to start the engine. The increased speed from the running engine makes the Bendix drive retract the starter gear from ...
by voltron
Tue Aug 23, 2022 8:58 am
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 3 spd. overdrive
Replies: 22
Views: 1871

Re: 3 spd. overdrive

You need to test the other components to see if one of them are the cause the solenoid not working before jumping to a conclusion and buying a solenoid. The governor turns the relay on then the relay turns the o/d solenoid. You could start in the middle at the relay by rigging a test light to the te...