1985 Thunderbird Door Weatherstripping

[WildWill]

@mcm51, I do agree (and know from close observation at car shows) that the fox Thunderbird and mustang are very similar cars... the only reason I would think the Lincoln Mark VII weatherstrip would work is since it is the same length as that of the T-Bird (according to the possibly trustworthy website), while the weatherstripping for the mustang (and from other places) is four inches shorter from what I know based on some research and your measurements earlier. I'm assuming it is because of the shape of the door and mirror placement, as can be seen in the photos below:

As you might be able to see (I know the photos are crappy), the mustang rubber curves upward before the mirror, while the T-Bird one continues straight (I don't know if it makes that big of a difference).

I will keep digging and see if i can find some more information for the door belt. In terms of the run channel weatherstrip though, I am almost sure the fox mustang stuff will fit.

Thanks!

[WildWill]

Alright... I am going to plan on buying some mustang door belt weatherstrip and also run channel weatherstrip sometime in the future. If it doesn't fit, I can always send it back, and like you mentioned @mcm51, the Mustang and Thunderbird are very similar cars, so it should work. If it doesn't, I will see what I can do in terms of custom trimming/fabrication.

For now, I am going to finish body work, fix the last of the rust holes, and throw a new coat of paint on her! Any recommendations on colors? I was just planning on a dark midnight blue and metallic flick clear coat from the DupliColor Paint Shop series. It should do an adequate job for what I'm wanting. I might also use some ford twilight blue from a fox mustang, but it depends on if I can find it.

Thanks for all of the help!

[mcm51]

It sounds like your more on top of all that window trim than I am, it's probably been some 10 years since I did all that stuff on my fox, and the thing I remember the most looking back is that it was'nt as hard of a job as I thought......After seeing those photo's side by side, that window stuff is more different than I thought, and maybe looking into the MK VII stuff might not be a bad ideal, maybe something longer with some custom work IS the way your gonna have to go, I still can't imagine they don't make a special parts catalog for '83-'88 T-bird that would have all that window frame stuff that would fit like a glove..........When it comes to ext. colors, I've always been a white, grey, silver kinda guy, I've never liked black or anything close to it(midnight blue), BUT, owning a black Bird for half my life, when it's shined up just right, it looks so deep you can swim it it, a black car is really growing on me, and mine I've pinned striped in red, which go great together.......Just pick something other than regatta blue, which I swear is the most common color that I always saw on those fox Birds back when they were new........

[WildWill]

I will decide what I’m going to do about weatherstripping when I get closer. I have found several online parts catalogs (which I mentioned in a post a while ago), but just about every part for my Thunderbird has been discontinued. I probably will try the fox mustang stuff first despite the differences since it is all returnable (the Lincoln parts aren’t), but if it doesn’t work, I might take my chances and buy the Lincoln stuff.

Here’s the Lincoln door (looks really close to the tbird):

Also, I don’t really like regetta blue either, especially light regetta blue. I just wanted to do a dark blue since the car was some kind of a darker blue color (I’m not sure it was original paint) when my family bought the car in ‘94.

[WildWill]

Alright... I tried the Lincoln Mark VII stuff, and it didn't fit because the clips weren't the same. Luckily, I did find some door belts on Classiquecars.com, even for my 1983-86 bird, so I will probably try that next.

I can't find anything for a T-Bird for the run channel weatherstrip, so the Mustang stuff will probably be my only option. I might try it sometime soon and let you all know how it goes.

[Alan H. Tast]

Alright... I tried the Lincoln Mark VII stuff, and it didn't fit because the clips weren't the same. Luckily, I did find some door belts on Classiquecars.com, even for my 1983-86 bird, so I will probably try that next.

I can't find anything for a T-Bird for the run channel weatherstrip, so the Mustang stuff will probably be my only option. I might try it sometime soon and let you all know how it goes.

Any photos you can post showing what you've been working with, comparisons of Lincoln vs T-bird/Cougar trim, etc.?

[WildWill]

I didn't get any photos of the differences, but it was far too different to modify to fit, so I returned it and plan on just waiting for now. I also can't find the run channel weatherstripping currently.

I am also considering waiting with paint right now. I am still driving on a permit (I'm 15 1/2) and trying to handle college, so I don't have much time or money to paint it myself. I might leave it as it is and send it somewhere for painting later on when I can afford it. For now, I really just want a fun street rod with some classic car feel to be honest, so I really don't care if it looks crappy.

I know I am letting all of you guys down by kind of making a hooptie, but I'm trying my best right now with everything and still keeping it as clean as I can, and I think mechanical things are more important for now.

I am going to take it out this weekend for the first time in 3 months. Since then, I have put on the new rack and pinion, outer tie rods, and struts, and also gave it a nice carb tune with a re-timing. It runs and hopefully drives a lot better, so I am really excited!