Search found 138 matches

by Aaron65
Thu Jul 11, 2019 4:26 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Radiator differences between '63 and '64?
Replies: 3
Views: 1195

Radiator differences between '63 and '64?

I feel like I'm peppering this place with questions, but what are the differences between radiators for '63 and '64, and by differences I mean functional differences in fit? I notice that Champion Radiators (which are inexpensive) has a '64-'66 radiator, but none for '61-'63; however, they both seem...
by Aaron65
Thu Jul 11, 2019 3:20 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Spool Valve Centering?
Replies: 3
Views: 1191

Re: Spool Valve Centering?

It does not turn on its own when I start the car, but it does react very quickly upon initial right turns. On the highway, I have to be pretty careful when following a right hand curve, because it will shift right as soon as the steering wheel passes the center.
by Aaron65
Thu Jul 11, 2019 10:17 am
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Spool Valve Centering?
Replies: 3
Views: 1191

Spool Valve Centering?

Hello everyone, As with any new old car, I'm working through the bugs on my '63. The steering is a little darty, like it's got a mind of its own. I've gotten the car aligned to my satisfaction, so I checked the effort needed to turn the wheel in each direction using a beam-style inch-pound torque wr...
by Aaron65
Thu Jul 04, 2019 10:15 am
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Help! Caster all out of whack!
Replies: 5
Views: 1898

Re: Help! Caster all out of whack!

Thanks Bill. I definitely have a problem with the upper control arm in my case (I think). I've ordered an upper control arm from the salvage yard because I think (and I'm not sure it's even possible) someone at some point used a driver's side arm on the passenger side. I'll update when I figure it a...
by Aaron65
Mon Jul 01, 2019 4:32 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: 1963 upper control arm side-to-side differences?
Replies: 2
Views: 905

Re: 1963 upper control arm side-to-side differences?

Thanks Karl, I went ahead and ordered another upper arm from the salvage yard. I can't get enough caster on my right front, and the frame/alignment guy said the lower ball joints are in the correct position in comparison to the driver's side. The upper one is angled well forward; it's obvious by loo...
by Aaron65
Mon Jul 01, 2019 1:00 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: 1963 upper control arm side-to-side differences?
Replies: 2
Views: 905

1963 upper control arm side-to-side differences?

Does anyone know if there are different right and left upper control arms on a '63 T-Bird? They both visually look about the same...I'm asking because I'm trying to figure out a side-to-side caster issue, and I want to make sure nobody used an incorrect upper control arm on the passenger side.
by Aaron65
Sun Jun 30, 2019 3:05 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Help! Caster all out of whack!
Replies: 5
Views: 1898

Re: Help! Caster all out of whack!

It's not so much the number as the difference between the two wheels. Cross caster makes it nervous to drive...I'm going to take it over to a local old time frame and alignment shop (I hate taking my cars in) so they can get it up on the rack and do some measurements of the frame and suspension poin...
by Aaron65
Thu Jun 27, 2019 3:02 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Help! Caster all out of whack!
Replies: 5
Views: 1898

Help! Caster all out of whack!

I just changed ball joints and lower bushings on my '63. Before the rebuild, I was only able to get 2* negative caster out of the passenger side. Afterward, I can only get 4* negative, probably because the new bushing is tight so I can't use the slop to get more caster. The driver's side is fine...I...
by Aaron65
Thu May 16, 2019 6:23 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: '63 Upper Ball Joint Installation?
Replies: 3
Views: 1193

Re: '63 Upper Ball Joint Installation?

Thanks Karl,
I'll probably just rent a ball joint press from a local auto parts store. Not much of my other old stuff uses press-in ball joints, so I've never bought a tool. As always, there's always a first time for everything when you have a bunch of different old cars! Thanks again!
by Aaron65
Thu May 16, 2019 4:43 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: '63 Upper Ball Joint Installation?
Replies: 3
Views: 1193

'63 Upper Ball Joint Installation?

I'm going to replace all the ball joints in my '63 soon, and the shop manual is, well, vague regarding the upper ball joints. It looks like they might be a press fit/held in by a nut; however, the manual mentions none of this, nor the torque specs of the nut that holds the joint into the upper contr...
by Aaron65
Sat May 11, 2019 4:37 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Alternator bracket mismatch
Replies: 21
Views: 5008

Re: Alternator bracket mismatch

Well, I hope to bring this to a conclusion, but we'll see. I converted the car to a '65 alternator and changed the wiring accordingly. I had to use a couple of washers to line up the alternator as well as I could. It looks pretty good, but as Karl mentioned earlier, one belt does ride a little highe...
by Aaron65
Wed May 08, 2019 10:32 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Alternator Conversion--1963 to 1965
Replies: 2
Views: 1013

Re: Alternator Conversion--1963 to 1965

Thanks Bob!
by Aaron65
Wed May 08, 2019 6:48 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Alternator Conversion--1963 to 1965
Replies: 2
Views: 1013

Alternator Conversion--1963 to 1965

As a continuation of my alternator bracket mismatch woes of a couple threads down, my alternator itself seems to be somehow tweaked. The alternator seems to sit well on the brackets, but the pulleys aren't quite straight. I have no idea exactly how or what is going on with the alternator, but I'm go...
by Aaron65
Mon May 06, 2019 6:26 am
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Alternator bracket mismatch
Replies: 21
Views: 5008

Re: Alternator bracket mismatch

Thanks Karl, The water pump pulley also runs the air conditioning compressor! I was kind of wondering if I could get away with having one alternator belt on there before I saw your message. Maybe it's worth a try. It's definitely the alternator belts that are noisy. I think I already said that someo...
by Aaron65
Sun May 05, 2019 10:11 pm
Forum: 1961-1963 Thunderbirds
Topic: Alternator bracket mismatch
Replies: 21
Views: 5008

Re: Alternator bracket mismatch

Ugh...not so fast! The alternator belts started squealing again after I got on the gas for a bit (I'm adjusting the wet float setting to fix a heat soak issue). Someone painted the pulleys, so I'm hoping I can just wire wheel any leftover paint, but if that's not it, then I'm in for a frustrating ti...