Search found 143 matches

by T-Bird Bob
Mon Oct 02, 2023 12:00 am
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: Why Fine Threads?
Replies: 11
Views: 602

Re: Why Fine Threads?

I don't know, maybe jus someones quirk? I remember most senior guys I worked with had something they obsessed over. So I bet the chief engineer obsessed over fine threads and whenever a junior guy designed a subsystem they made sure to include fine thread to not upset him. So I also believed it is s...
by T-Bird Bob
Tue Jul 25, 2023 12:47 am
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: vacuum advance questions
Replies: 38
Views: 1923

Re: vacuum advance questions

Hello Diesel, Again, my diagnostic is: Someone has increased idle RPM to compensate for the missing dashpot. Result: -High idle -manifold vacuum at idle at the ignition advance. Just make sure the throttle is closed enough to pass the ported vacuum port and check again. Find a dashpot after that. Go...
by T-Bird Bob
Thu Jul 20, 2023 1:49 am
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: vacuum advance questions
Replies: 38
Views: 1923

Re: vacuum advance questions

Hello Diesel, Some issues: I can't see where the vacuum line from the distributor is connected? Or did you just connect a rubber hose for measurements? In general, it should be connected to the front center of the carb. Is the car a manual or automatic? If it is automatic, the carb is missing its da...
by T-Bird Bob
Wed Jul 19, 2023 12:20 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: vacuum advance questions
Replies: 38
Views: 1923

Re: vacuum advance questions

If you have vacuum at idle, your throttle isn't fully closed at idle.
It is usually ported vacuum: 0 at idle, manifold at any more revs.

Rgds,

Bob
by T-Bird Bob
Wed Jul 19, 2023 12:14 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 1955 major/minor brake eccentric cams
Replies: 12
Views: 552

Re: 1955 major/minor brake eccentric cams

Hello Johnny, I managed to adjust the brakes in a way that you don't need the cam and it wont influence braking performance and balance. In the manual it says to use the star wheel to expand until the brakes drag and then back off 10 clicks. Then use the cam to move the forward shoe close to the dru...
by T-Bird Bob
Sun May 07, 2023 2:53 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: Setting the voltage regulator
Replies: 15
Views: 741

Re: Setting the voltage regulator

The charge light is a different story. The regulator as three coils that are using current through them to control things: A) the voltage at which it shuts off the field current to the generator. B) The current coming from the generator C) the minimum voltage the generator needs to supply to stay co...
by T-Bird Bob
Sun May 07, 2023 2:21 am
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: Vacuum advance problems
Replies: 4
Views: 345

Re: Vacuum advance problems

Hello Watson, The reason is that your throttle is not fully closed at idle. So maybe you are idling high or have other problems. Remember, the vacuum is drawn from a port directly close to the throttle. It is placed to be above the throttle when at idle (so it is at ambient pressure) and gets below ...
by T-Bird Bob
Sun May 07, 2023 1:55 am
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: Setting the voltage regulator
Replies: 15
Views: 741

Re: Setting the voltage regulator

Hello Jimntempe. Since you already know how to bend the springs in the regulator, I have no doubt you can adjust it right to 15V. What you should take into consideration is that at idle, the generator does not charge. I think it needs some 1100 Engine RPM in general for the generator do output anyth...
by T-Bird Bob
Sat Jul 23, 2022 8:09 am
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: I'm back... And, we're finally on the road... :-)
Replies: 12
Views: 1045

Re: I'm back... And, we're finally on the road... :-)

Hello Oiseau, Well, I understand the desire to pop over to Italy for espresso, wine and just in general. I never did drive mountain passes, also because I have no power steering! I would be really happy if you could test this for us! Maybe there is someone here from Colorado or so that can tell us h...
by T-Bird Bob
Fri Jul 22, 2022 1:49 am
Forum: 1955-1957 Modified/Custom Thunderbirds
Topic: Auxiliary temperature gauge suddenly stopped working properly
Replies: 3
Views: 587

Re: Auxiliary temperature gauge suddenly stopped working properly

Hello Will, This is a Stewart Warner Temp gauge. Normally, the long sweep gauges (needle goes from 7 o'clock to 5 o'clock) are mechanical gauges, not electrical. If it shows a temperature when you switch off the engine, it is most likely mechanical. If it doesn't show a temp during driving, but does...
by T-Bird Bob
Fri Jul 15, 2022 12:58 am
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: I'm back... And, we're finally on the road... :-)
Replies: 12
Views: 1045

Re: I'm back... And, we're finally on the road... :-)

Hello Oiseau! Also happy to see you back on the road. From experience: You don't need to be worried about your drum brakes when cruising the vineyards of Lavaux. I tested it with my '55 and it works. The torque converter seems also to be somewhat tight, so you get some engine braking even with the f...
by T-Bird Bob
Mon Jul 04, 2022 1:18 am
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: wiring/electrical schematic for temperature guage/sending unit
Replies: 19
Views: 4209

Re: wiring/electrical schematic for temperature guage/sending unit

Hello Nvrtudel, Are there really two connectors or are that just two spades connected with one bolt? If there are really two connectors: -Try both independently -Measure resistance to ground of both over a large temperature range (use a multimeter) It might be the switch as described before - but I ...
by T-Bird Bob
Sun Apr 03, 2022 3:35 am
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 1955 Automatic Choke assembly pictures request
Replies: 4
Views: 551

Re: 1955 Automatic Choke assembly pictures request

Hello SkyHazeGreen, See photo: 1955_choke.jpg It is not the best quality, but you can get the main parts: If you open the 3 little screws on the outside of the cap, 3 things will come off: -the cap -the bimetalic spring -the round gasket (maybe - I don't remember correctly) None of them are under te...
by T-Bird Bob
Tue Jan 18, 2022 4:14 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 1955 B Bird
Replies: 16
Views: 1524

Re: 1955 B Bird

Hello Zach, Yes, the steering wheel horn is held by two screws. In my case they where even flat screws, a real pain when you don't see anything. More fun is only putting it back - I do recommend a mirror. Don't forget to mark what direction the wheel goes on to put it back straight. Regarding the co...
by T-Bird Bob
Sat Jan 08, 2022 12:26 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 1956 Hood Hot
Replies: 35
Views: 3071

Re: 1956 Hood Hot

I think I have to add something to my previous post. Yes, all gauges available today will show "cold" when de-energized - including mechanical gauges. It seems that the 1957 Tbird already has such a gauge (I only have a 1955 - maybe I should get a 1957 in addition, so I don't have to put t...