My head first delve into 1963 85z vs 89m. A rebuild of a senior build
Moderator: ABQTBird
Re: My head first delve into 1963 85z vs 89m. A rebuild of a senior build
Nice ! I'm one for same period correct options on my 56 T Bird.. Nice find.
1956 Thunderbird Sage Green
1953 Ford Custom Liner Hot Rod With Flat 8 Motor with Henderson three 2 barrel Carbs
VTCI Member # 12309
1953 Ford Custom Liner Hot Rod With Flat 8 Motor with Henderson three 2 barrel Carbs
VTCI Member # 12309
Re: My head first delve into 1963 85z vs 89m. A rebuild of a senior build
Look what I just found!
I have an old 1963 console tv/stereo I'm redoing by putting a 32"led tv where the 25 used to be.
So I can't use this remote any more.
This is the 'key jingle' type. I also have one of the old air puff remotes from a long gone console.
I'll gut this and install liftmaster openers.
All I need to do on the outside is erase the button labels.
Big gate
My gate
House garage
Barn.
Perfect for the t-bird.
Space Commander...it couldn't BE any better.
Someone find me a car phone.
I have great trading material....
I have an old 1963 console tv/stereo I'm redoing by putting a 32"led tv where the 25 used to be.
So I can't use this remote any more.
This is the 'key jingle' type. I also have one of the old air puff remotes from a long gone console.
I'll gut this and install liftmaster openers.
All I need to do on the outside is erase the button labels.
Big gate
My gate
House garage
Barn.
Perfect for the t-bird.
Space Commander...it couldn't BE any better.
Someone find me a car phone.
I have great trading material....
https://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/ ... hp?t=19646
my build/rebuild/era-correct silly accessories/whine thread.
Member #13109
my build/rebuild/era-correct silly accessories/whine thread.
Member #13109
Re: My head first delve into 1963 85z vs 89m. A rebuild of a senior build
The plug to access the rear window mechanism(top part of this picture) is it painted or unpainted from the factory?
I can't find a reference to it.
I can't find a reference to it.
https://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/ ... hp?t=19646
my build/rebuild/era-correct silly accessories/whine thread.
Member #13109
my build/rebuild/era-correct silly accessories/whine thread.
Member #13109
- Alan H. Tast
- Posts: 4225
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2003 10:52 pm
- Location: Omaha, NE
Re: My head first delve into 1963 85z vs 89m. A rebuild of a senior build
Painted body color
Alan H. Tast, AIA
Technical Director/Past President,
Vintage Thunderbird Club Int'l.
Author, "Thunderbird 1955-1966" & "Thunderbird 50 Years"
1963 Hardtop & 1963 Sports Roadster
Technical Director/Past President,
Vintage Thunderbird Club Int'l.
Author, "Thunderbird 1955-1966" & "Thunderbird 50 Years"
1963 Hardtop & 1963 Sports Roadster
Re: My head first delve into 1963 85z vs 89m. A rebuild of a senior build
Thanks.
https://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/ ... hp?t=19646
my build/rebuild/era-correct silly accessories/whine thread.
Member #13109
my build/rebuild/era-correct silly accessories/whine thread.
Member #13109
Re: My head first delve into 1963 85z vs 89m. A rebuild of a senior build
I have stored the many many year old(but perfect) correct bias ply tires and installed new radials, so I took the ThunderBird to town today. Top up, tonneau installed.
Flagstaff, our nearest stoplight, is 42 miles away.
From the history I have on the car from three of the four owners before me, the car hasn't been on more than a 20 mile drive since about 1977 and hasn't had a total of 3,500 miles from 1975 to now.
75 and 80mph on i-40 for 42 miles then maybe 20 miles in town with 8 or so store stops.
75 and 85mph on the way home. Tracked perfectly, hands off the steering wheel perfect, with a slight and constant vibration above 80mph.
Wind noise wasn't as bad as expected. No appreciable air leaks, just canvas and mirror noise.. It calmed wwwaaayyy down at 60mph.
Seemed to be, just guessing, 10mpg. I let the nozzle click off when I filled the tank. It sprayed gas out of the filler tube about 3feet upon the click off. I kind of expected that, but had to see for myself.
I learned only one thing because only one thing is peculiar:
DO NOT even think about touching that gas pedal when starting the up-to-temp car.
The slightest tap, and it flooded. Ugly type flooding. 10 second starter grind type ugly.
Flagstaff, our nearest stoplight, is 42 miles away.
From the history I have on the car from three of the four owners before me, the car hasn't been on more than a 20 mile drive since about 1977 and hasn't had a total of 3,500 miles from 1975 to now.
75 and 80mph on i-40 for 42 miles then maybe 20 miles in town with 8 or so store stops.
75 and 85mph on the way home. Tracked perfectly, hands off the steering wheel perfect, with a slight and constant vibration above 80mph.
Wind noise wasn't as bad as expected. No appreciable air leaks, just canvas and mirror noise.. It calmed wwwaaayyy down at 60mph.
Seemed to be, just guessing, 10mpg. I let the nozzle click off when I filled the tank. It sprayed gas out of the filler tube about 3feet upon the click off. I kind of expected that, but had to see for myself.
I learned only one thing because only one thing is peculiar:
DO NOT even think about touching that gas pedal when starting the up-to-temp car.
The slightest tap, and it flooded. Ugly type flooding. 10 second starter grind type ugly.
https://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/ ... hp?t=19646
my build/rebuild/era-correct silly accessories/whine thread.
Member #13109
my build/rebuild/era-correct silly accessories/whine thread.
Member #13109
Re: My head first delve into 1963 85z vs 89m. A rebuild of a senior build
Do we have a favorite yellow for the battery caps? Is the battery lettering painted yellow?
I've read the battery side lettering is painted the same yellow and I've read it isn't painted.
Mine might be just a driver, but it's going to be an absolutely correct driver.
I've read the battery side lettering is painted the same yellow and I've read it isn't painted.
Mine might be just a driver, but it's going to be an absolutely correct driver.
Last edited by Ducksface on Sat Dec 11, 2021 7:26 pm, edited 6 times in total.
https://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/ ... hp?t=19646
my build/rebuild/era-correct silly accessories/whine thread.
Member #13109
my build/rebuild/era-correct silly accessories/whine thread.
Member #13109
Re: My head first delve into 1963 85z vs 89m. A rebuild of a senior build
My 2J(September 62) tinted windshield in my 2K (October 62) car.
I'm guessing by the date code it's the original windshield.
Maybe it's a crafty reproduction.
It needs slight buffing to remove some light wiper blade marks that show up in a cross-light.
Top rear window is dated what I'm guessing to be December 1994 (L-94)
I'm guessing by the date code it's the original windshield.
Maybe it's a crafty reproduction.
It needs slight buffing to remove some light wiper blade marks that show up in a cross-light.
Top rear window is dated what I'm guessing to be December 1994 (L-94)
https://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/ ... hp?t=19646
my build/rebuild/era-correct silly accessories/whine thread.
Member #13109
my build/rebuild/era-correct silly accessories/whine thread.
Member #13109
Re: My head first delve into 1963 85z vs 89m. A rebuild of a senior build
I've seen two versions of what was supposed to be the correct
Hurd record and remove
Key code tags.
For a 1963 Thunderbird.
Which is correct? The double slot tag or the single hole tag?
Edit, months later:
After a fairly lazy but in depth search of nos lock parts and historical notes and pictures and gathered stories, for bullet birds, and many years before and after, I have come to this conclusion:
There is no rhyme or reason to how or why or when they used
The round solid
The round hollow
The round with the bar across the middle.
Anytime from the 1930's through the early 70's, regardless of car make or model, they used the three types willy-nilly.
Or I'm horribly wrong,
Hurd record and remove
Key code tags.
For a 1963 Thunderbird.
Which is correct? The double slot tag or the single hole tag?
Edit, months later:
After a fairly lazy but in depth search of nos lock parts and historical notes and pictures and gathered stories, for bullet birds, and many years before and after, I have come to this conclusion:
There is no rhyme or reason to how or why or when they used
The round solid
The round hollow
The round with the bar across the middle.
Anytime from the 1930's through the early 70's, regardless of car make or model, they used the three types willy-nilly.
Or I'm horribly wrong,
Last edited by Ducksface on Fri Jul 22, 2022 2:29 pm, edited 3 times in total.
https://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/ ... hp?t=19646
my build/rebuild/era-correct silly accessories/whine thread.
Member #13109
my build/rebuild/era-correct silly accessories/whine thread.
Member #13109
- Alan H. Tast
- Posts: 4225
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2003 10:52 pm
- Location: Omaha, NE
Re: My head first delve into 1963 85z vs 89m. A rebuild of a senior build
I don't know that anyone other than a locksmith or someone with what can be documented to be the original key tags can say. For that matter, I don't think many people care (yes, that's me saying that) - they were intended to be destroyed/disposed of after the owner had taken possession of the car. With the replacement of lock/ignition switch key cylinders over the years and proliferation of NOS/reproduction replacements, any car that's got a lot of miles on it or subjected to a full restoration would be suspect as to whether it still retained the original keys or had the key tag saved somewhere.
If people are willing to share photos of their tags and can trace their lineage all the way back to when the car left the factory or was obtained from the original selling dealer, I'd sure love to start seeing them and collecting info for future reference.
Alan H. Tast, AIA
Technical Director/Past President,
Vintage Thunderbird Club Int'l.
Author, "Thunderbird 1955-1966" & "Thunderbird 50 Years"
1963 Hardtop & 1963 Sports Roadster
Technical Director/Past President,
Vintage Thunderbird Club Int'l.
Author, "Thunderbird 1955-1966" & "Thunderbird 50 Years"
1963 Hardtop & 1963 Sports Roadster
Re: My head first delve into 1963 85z vs 89m. A rebuild of a senior build
I have this.
Unrelated to the key id tag, but cool enough for now.
I'll work on the key tag documentation and post a report when I get definitives.
I'm a bit sure, not real sure, mine are the original keys.
Unrelated to the key id tag, but cool enough for now.
I'll work on the key tag documentation and post a report when I get definitives.
I'm a bit sure, not real sure, mine are the original keys.
https://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/ ... hp?t=19646
my build/rebuild/era-correct silly accessories/whine thread.
Member #13109
my build/rebuild/era-correct silly accessories/whine thread.
Member #13109
Re: My head first delve into 1963 85z vs 89m. A rebuild of a senior build
I have this.
Unrelated to the key id tag, but cool enough for now.
Unrelated to the key id tag, but cool enough for now.
https://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/ ... hp?t=19646
my build/rebuild/era-correct silly accessories/whine thread.
Member #13109
my build/rebuild/era-correct silly accessories/whine thread.
Member #13109
Re: My head first delve into 1963 85z vs 89m. A rebuild of a senior build
I installed NOS door locks and a NOS console/trunk set on my '63, these are the key tags that came with my new sets
Angelo
1963 Hardtop
Now Raven Black/Corinthian White/Code 76 interior
Originally Green Mist/Corinthian White/Code 76 interior
1963 Hardtop
Now Raven Black/Corinthian White/Code 76 interior
Originally Green Mist/Corinthian White/Code 76 interior
Re: My head first delve into 1963 85z vs 89m. A rebuild of a senior build
Here's a vintage ford accessories key emblem found on E BAy
https://www.ebay.com/itm/255273568276?f ... Sw9idhtO~n
https://www.ebay.com/itm/255273568276?f ... Sw9idhtO~n
1956 Thunderbird Sage Green
1953 Ford Custom Liner Hot Rod With Flat 8 Motor with Henderson three 2 barrel Carbs
VTCI Member # 12309
1953 Ford Custom Liner Hot Rod With Flat 8 Motor with Henderson three 2 barrel Carbs
VTCI Member # 12309
Re: My head first delve into 1963 85z vs 89m. A rebuild of a senior build
This came a few weeks ago.
Delivered in a presentation box, wrapped in satin.
One step closer to a perfect under-hood.
(Its the air compressor switch with the correct dated part number and fomoco logo)
The Australian faction we have here on this forum found it for me.
I'm about to reciprocate with some small items impossible to find there.
Thanks.
Delivered in a presentation box, wrapped in satin.
One step closer to a perfect under-hood.
(Its the air compressor switch with the correct dated part number and fomoco logo)
The Australian faction we have here on this forum found it for me.
I'm about to reciprocate with some small items impossible to find there.
Thanks.
https://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/ ... hp?t=19646
my build/rebuild/era-correct silly accessories/whine thread.
Member #13109
my build/rebuild/era-correct silly accessories/whine thread.
Member #13109