Vintage Thunderbird Club International

The tube snaps into the back of the chrome bezel. The problem is that the tube falls out of the bezel with handling. Next step is to insert the tube into the bezel and then pour epoxy into the bezel hoping that the tube then stays put. If anyone has a better suggestion…..

I was just working on the park/ neutral switch under the steering column. There’s a bit of position adjustment by loosening the 2 screws. Move the switch a little and try it.

Thanks. What had me baffled was that the tube that holds the bulb snaps into the bezel from the back side. Doesn’t seem very secure but we shall see.

Found the parking brake warning light bezel was loose and rattling so I disassembled the dash. The bezel is held in place only by the decorative aluminum trim. Some strip caulk would definitely eliminate the rattling but thought I’d ask if the bezel is only secured by the trim.

One wire alternators allow for the removal of the old regulator and messy associated wiring.I’m in the process of installing a Tuff Stuff one wire unit to replace the generator on my 62. The manufacturer’s instructions say to simply connect the alternator output to the battery. With the one wire uni...

The wiring harness in the engine compartment of my 62 contains 2 red wires with a black stripe. One red/ black wire is for the headlight low beams. This other red/black wire is folded and doubles back toward the firewall. The wiring diagram doesn’t show 2 red/black wires. Rather than digging into th...

I’m replacing the generator in my 62 with a 100 amp alternator. While reviewing articles on one-wire alternator substitution, I’ve noticed a number of recommendations, without explanation, for installing fusible links and high amperage fuses in the alternator primary lead. I thought that I understoo...

When I removed the idler arm, there was a washer with flat sided center hole (“special washer “ as it’s named in the manual) that obviously fits on the threaded shaft and above this washer was a 3/16 inch thick second washer 1 3/4 inch in diameter with a 15/16 I.d. hole. My 62 Thunderbird manual doe...

Thanks to everyone who offered information. Since the 400 mile trip, the brakes have been “good enough “. They still have a tiny bit of pull at the first touch but after that it’s actually possible to stop straight without hanging onto the steering wheel. It’s a mystery why the brakes cured themselv...

Well here we are in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee at the annual Spring rod run. The city is overrun by car people. I drove the Bird 200 miles to this scene through the hills on winding roads; and to my surprise, the brakes are showing a greatly reduced tendency to pull. I’m not ready to declare final vict...

MN63, Larry’s drums are heavy because the outer portion is extremely thick. The drum is cast as a one-piece unit whereas the original drums had a lighter stamped center section combined with the outer cast iron ring. Bird Nest drums look to be lighter in the photo. With Larry’s drums, I found that t...

Thanks for the reply. The alignment seems okay. I use a Longacre tool which makes it easy to set up alignment. As you say, oscillation is only induced when stabbing the pedal for a hard stop. In my past post, I detailed my trials and tribulations with these brakes. The drums came from Larry’s and ri...

After working on cars for 60 years, I’ve solved a lot of problems but my 62 Bird continues to defy my attempts to achieve consistent front brake performance. The stopping power is excellent but it may pull left, right, display no pull to the right or left, or rarely generate a side to side motion (m...

I connected the 12volt hot lead to the headlight pin but it’s easier to tap into the harness at the plug on the drivers side next to the regulator. This plug has a single green and red wire coming into the plug and double green and double red wires going out to the headlights. The green wires are fo...

If you’re wanting to upgrade because the standard headlights seem a little wimpy, try this first. Remove one high beam from the mount leaving the plug connected. Turn on the headlights. Pull the connector plug back enough to expose the 2 pins on the headlight. Determine which of the 2 pins is bringi...