Search found 514 matches
- Sat May 11, 2024 2:10 am
- Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
- Topic: Air vent scoops/deflectors on a '57
- Replies: 5
- Views: 120
Re: Air vent scoops/deflectors on a '57
In this photo you can see that part on the passenger side. I mounted an auxiliary fuse block on it. I don't have a photo handy of the drivers side... I assume if it has that part its mounted similarly. You can also see a bright white light, that's an LED footwell light I added which comes on when th...
- Wed May 08, 2024 1:39 pm
- Forum: 1955-1957 Modified/Custom Thunderbirds
- Topic: balancing with ceramic beads
- Replies: 4
- Views: 89
Re: balancing with ceramic beads
I have never heard of something like that. If the wheel is out of balance something inside the tire will just make it worse due to centrifugal force. There are stick-on weights that can go on the inside of the rim like are used on the old school mag wheels where there is no lip to attach standard w...
- Wed May 08, 2024 1:09 am
- Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
- Topic: Broken tach needle
- Replies: 10
- Views: 172
Re: Broken tach needle
I had a motorcycle which broke both the speedo and tach needles (before I bought it). You know how when the cable/bearing gets dry it can make the needle go crazy and bounce around. Well, if things get bad enough in the bouncing around department the needle bounces off the stop pins and breaks. I'm ...
- Sun May 05, 2024 8:52 pm
- Forum: 1955-1957 Modified/Custom Thunderbirds
- Topic: Rear carpet extension for a 57
- Replies: 2
- Views: 85
Re: Rear carpet extension for a 57
My car had a really nice full set of carpet in it when I got it but it was worn, dirty, and possibly not quite the correct color. I bought new carpet and in the photo you can see the new lighter color carpet on top of the old carpet. I pulled the old carpet out to clean up the floor, etc but I put t...
- Wed May 01, 2024 9:29 pm
- Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
- Topic: radiator recommendation
- Replies: 12
- Views: 254
Re: radiator recommendation
I'd like to know the cost difference from having the original refurbished VS new. My original is working fine but should blow the bugs and dirt out from the back. I would like to figure out how to clean or paint the whole behind the grill black as it's just a light black with all the dirt build-up ...
- Wed May 01, 2024 7:33 pm
- Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
- Topic: radiator recommendation
- Replies: 12
- Views: 254
Re: radiator recommendation
I replaced a 4 row brass with this and it cools better. Looks original if you paint it black. Fit was perfect. I've been very satisfied so far and the price is excellent. I think it was from the same seller MarkR referred to. https://www.ebay.com/itm/291531596201 ebay radiator tbird 1957 aluminum co...
- Wed May 01, 2024 6:14 pm
- Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
- Topic: List of all rubber brake hoses please
- Replies: 20
- Views: 401
Re: List of all rubber brake hoses please
You can get an accurate age for tires produced after 2000. Before 2000 it's a little more difficult but those will obviously be at least 23 years old.
https://www.tirerack.com/upgrade-garage ... f-my-tires
https://www.tirerack.com/upgrade-garage ... f-my-tires
- Tue Apr 30, 2024 5:20 pm
- Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
- Topic: Expected Operating Temperature
- Replies: 17
- Views: 415
Re: Expected Operating Temperature
This AM it was high 80's here. The needle left the peg after about 6 minutes/3 miles. That's about 140 degrees. Using a laser temperature gun I've shot the temp sender area and the thermostat housing and the back of the head behind the sender several times. The readings I get right on the temp sende...
- Mon Apr 29, 2024 8:40 pm
- Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
- Topic: Expected Operating Temperature
- Replies: 17
- Views: 415
Re: Expected Operating Temperature
I have never had that issue. Even on a cool day the needle starts moving within a couple of minutes and the choke pulls off and is at mid range on the gauge within a mile or two and that's with no heat riser valve. My choke comes off within a minute or so. I have the heat riser on the exhaust wired...
- Mon Apr 29, 2024 4:57 pm
- Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
- Topic: List of all rubber brake hoses please
- Replies: 20
- Views: 401
Re: List of all rubber brake hoses please
I've seen claims that if you use a propane torch to heat the copper washer and then drop it in water you will resoften it and make it reuseable. I've seen it done and it seemed to work.
- Mon Apr 29, 2024 4:56 pm
- Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
- Topic: Expected Operating Temperature
- Replies: 17
- Views: 415
Re: Expected Operating Temperature
Hi, In my new-to-me ‘57 Thunderbird (D-Code), I notice that it takes quite a bit of time for the temp gauge to climb off Cold. At least 30 minutes of running. And even then it sits in the lowest part of the “normal” range. It never gets to the middle of normal. This is after driving for an hour or ...
- Thu Apr 25, 2024 4:34 pm
- Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
- Topic: '57 generator conversion
- Replies: 21
- Views: 623
Re: '57 generator conversion
No. On occasion it will have a slight glow when in gear. but otherwise I never see it. All original so no extra loads. 13.5+ at about 1500 RPM. Good enough for me. May tweak the regulator later but I'm happy. From my experience that's too low a voltage if that's at 1500 and you have nothing at all ...
- Wed Apr 24, 2024 4:25 am
- Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
- Topic: Setting Valve Lash
- Replies: 14
- Views: 345
Re: Setting Valve Lash
We just did a "tech day" here and a long-time mechanic showed how he sets the valves. He did it with the engine running. When he was done, I checked the clearance and it was right on the spec, 0.019. The interesting part relative to this thread is that at the start he found that most of th...
- Wed Apr 24, 2024 4:06 am
- Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
- Topic: Gas mileage ?
- Replies: 27
- Views: 619
Re: Gas mileage ?
in three years and 2700 miles my overall average is 13 mpg.
- Sun Apr 21, 2024 11:15 pm
- Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
- Topic: Then and Now in Business?
- Replies: 12
- Views: 340
Re: Then and Now in Business?
Once you have replaced the rubber parts AND you drive the vehicle fairly regularly, you are unlikely to have problems due to ethanol fuel. Many owners drive they cars less than 500 miles a year and at times not at all for weeks/months. Thats when the issues start to develop. Most "stabilizers&q...