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General => User Rides => Topic started by: Ductape91 on October 19, 2021, 04:48:59 PM

Title: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on October 19, 2021, 04:48:59 PM
Some pics of my 83 thunderbird for digestion. Havent had time to go tinker with it since i got it, but trying to make some since i got a bunch of parts to throw at it.



(https://i.ibb.co/WPCbYSS/Resized-20211003-185207.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vQ97K22)
(https://i.ibb.co/zPD14LC/Resized952021100395185237.jpg) (https://ibb.co/p45gLsN)
(https://i.ibb.co/yXfCwMS/Resized-Resized-20211003-185307-1-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vHwW7rY)
(https://i.ibb.co/9hsmyVn/Resized-20211003-185313.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hcDx2Zs)
(https://i.ibb.co/RQWqhz4/Resized-20211003-190210.jpg) (https://ibb.co/L9f3Qnh)
(https://i.ibb.co/5jTGbcR/Resized-20211003-185251.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PWxFqC6)
(https://i.ibb.co/zf9XCzx/20211003-190035.jpg) (https://ibb.co/x591wNL)
(https://i.ibb.co/zrbG61Q/20211003-190224.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xDGJFyX)
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: mcb82gt on October 20, 2021, 10:20:33 AM
I see nothing...... lol
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: softtouch on October 20, 2021, 02:39:31 PM
Amazingly clean survivor. How many miles on it?
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on October 20, 2021, 07:22:06 PM

 :dunno:
Pics are linked offsite thru imgbb, are they being blocked for you?

Amazingly clean survivor. How many miles on it?


28k, it was the one that was for sale out near pittsburg last month or so ago. Not mint but nice original car. I have my 84 gt turbo vert as well im still working on making right but wanted another tbird since i miss being able to just get in something and drive it without worrying about trouble finding parts for it when something breaks.
Its weird how much newer this car feels than my daily driver, the seats feel firm like in a new car. I noticed when looking for the build sheet there was plastic under the passenger seat that looks like it was just put on, i saw an auction for what is claimed to be similar nos seats that has the same plastic covering the passenger seat bottom on it as well.
When i get time to ill pull it out and take decent pics of it.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: gtbird on October 21, 2021, 05:59:50 AM
Nice find. The interior looks immaculate.
Good luck and enjoy it.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: mcb82gt on October 21, 2021, 10:04:29 AM
I see nothing...... lol

 :dunno:
Pics are linked offsite thru imgbb, are they being blocked for you?

Amazingly clean survivor. How many miles on it?




Work PC, probably blocking it.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on October 30, 2021, 08:39:45 PM
Had some time to go mess around with it today, some pics from the bottom.

(https://i.ibb.co/ccX8ZWq/SAMSUNG-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/svJ1NT7)
(https://i.ibb.co/h9jfdHQ/SAMSUNG-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/W5wtzF8)
(https://i.ibb.co/0QPQ0VC/SAMSUNG-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/x3V3n81)
(https://i.ibb.co/fp4BppC/SAMSUNG-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ts8kssb)
(https://i.ibb.co/5hjKC0K/SAMSUNG-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nM1P4GP)
(https://i.ibb.co/qMPzXgG/SAMSUNG-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/pv9gGKD)
(https://i.ibb.co/CHtSfsb/SAMSUNG-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9rvd73b)
(https://i.ibb.co/Jc4wDYz/SAMSUNG-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Prnvq25)
(https://i.ibb.co/qYDy8Vp/SAMSUNG-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xq2Cbd6)
(https://i.ibb.co/SVgtf9D/SAMSUNG-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kqT4mWV)
(https://i.ibb.co/9W3FPtR/SAMSUNG-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Rc4x8yL)

Starts up and idles but conks out when in gear, found this in the carb while investigating stuff.

(https://i.ibb.co/4JkhsPJ/20211030-160533.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Bwk04qw)

Its the cardboard disk that seals the cap on some bottles of stuff. Surprises are always fun. Its not the actual problem so im gonna have to go thru the carb, replace the base and gasket since i got all that stuff just sitting there waiting to be done.
Would have but i dont have any tools there right now they are at my mustangs garage.
Got wires, original plugs and steel valve covers and cork gaskets im going to throw on to keep me busy as well.
Tried out the radio too finally with a tape adapter and was underwhelmed at the weak sound(my other tbirds radio was pretty decent i recall) but when i was in the glovebox looking to put the owners manual in i closed it and the sound really picked up bigtime.
Loose wires im hoping, i got the troubleshooting books just havent gone thru them yet.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Chuck W on October 30, 2021, 09:23:35 PM
Looks pretty clean. Shame about that 3.8, though.  :toothless:

Did they just spray black paint on whatever they could see with the front wheels off?
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on October 31, 2021, 12:51:56 AM
Looks pretty clean. Shame about that 3.8, though.  :toothless:

Did they just spray black paint on whatever they could see with the front wheels off?

I dont mind the 3.8 since im used to them at this point, just got to work my muscle memory some. Never had a 5.0 and probably never will.
Nothing but problems hunting down stock parts for my turbo car but nobody cares about these so plenty of stuff for them cheap.

I was thinking the same about the paint, when the car was on the towtruck i looked at the wheelwells and thought "is this supposed to be undercoating sprayed in here, why did they spray into these like this?", i dont have any pics of them since its too tight in the garage but when i pull it out ill shoot a few of them, they looked like liners to me at first.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Chuck W on October 31, 2021, 05:46:42 AM
I was thinking the same about the paint, when the car was on the towtruck i looked at the wheelwells and thought "is this supposed to be undercoating sprayed in here, why did they spray into these like this?", i dont have any pics of them since its too tight in the garage but when i pull it out ill shoot a few of them, they looked like liners to me at first.

Looking at your pics from under it, you can see that only the outer portions of the spring and strut are coated, and same about the upper side of the LCAs.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: ISTLCRUZ on October 31, 2021, 07:33:39 AM
That’s a very nice survivor! I think a set of 10 hole wheels would look great on it while keeping a factory appearance. LMR is reproducing them I believe. You could always keep/store the originals. Awesome car 👍
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on October 31, 2021, 01:48:02 PM
That’s a very nice survivor! I think a set of 10 hole wheels would look great on it while keeping a factory appearance. LMR is reproducing them I believe. You could always keep/store the originals. Awesome car 👍

Thanks for the compliments.
I actually like the phone dial rims the most on these cars, if i were going to get rims those would be the ones i look for, but i do know that the 10 holes were available in a few different sizes so those have tire options.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on October 31, 2021, 02:03:21 PM
I was thinking the same about the paint, when the car was on the towtruck i looked at the wheelwells and thought "is this supposed to be undercoating sprayed in here, why did they spray into these like this?", i dont have any pics of them since its too tight in the garage but when i pull it out ill shoot a few of them, they looked like liners to me at first.

Looking at your pics from under it, you can see that only the outer portions of the spring and strut are coated, and same about the upper side of the LCAs.


You cant tell in these pics because of the angle but the rears particularly it looks like some kind of coating was done to the wheel wells.
Standing on the side with the wheels at head height on the towtruck it was very noticeable.
I was sorta distracted at the time trying to figure out how to release the parking brake on this thing to get it off the truck since it didnt have the handle i was expecting to see(has the auto release with the tiny little handle, never saw that before so didnt know that was the release).
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Aerocoupe on November 03, 2021, 08:59:38 AM
Overspray from a collision repair or just a refresh paint job?  Front fenders should have inner liners so undercoating up front is not common but I am not saying someone didn't go that route as not all the pencils in the can are sharp.  Regardless the car is super clean.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on November 03, 2021, 12:26:08 PM
Overspray from a collision repair or just a refresh paint job?  Front fenders should have inner liners so undercoating up front is not common but I am not saying someone didn't go that route as not all the pencils in the can are sharp.  Regardless the car is super clean.

There are a few touch ups to the paint around the car that would have been done if they repainted it.
If you look under the hood you see the front support inner fender area(around the battery) kinda sticks out a bit but my other tbird did there too i recall, i think its from bumping into stuff not from a legit collision. There are alot of unpainted metal things abound i saw looking around that im pretty sure were supposed to be(like the radiator brackets and sway bar parts), so who knows exactly.
Im waiting for a new carb to come so i can sort it out in the sunlight and inspect it properly and not crawling around it in a tight dark garage.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: 50tbrd88 on November 03, 2021, 08:49:25 PM
Nice looking car.  I’d say by the way it looks,  it’s been well cared for!
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on April 03, 2022, 05:02:27 PM
So after losing my vacation and getting called back to work a few months ago, where i had planned on working on the tbrid and a few other things, i scrounged to make time where i could to get it working properly again.
Last week i finally had a whole day to get in there and get it running, so i did. Finally installed the rebuilt carb. It was too cold to take it out and drive but it starts right up now and doesnt stall in gear.
This weekend i took it out for a short drive to pick up some stuff for it and road test it to see what else needs to be done for drivability sake. It still has a few kinks to work out regarding the high idle but atleast it moves.

(https://i.ibb.co/YcpJwX9/20220402-164128.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zXGCDFc)

Replaced the battery cables while in there since they were beyond saving, negative was internally corroded and shielding was cracking off in my hand at every touch not worth taping up.

(https://i.ibb.co/26SPfFw/20220327-180032.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RSNPVg1)

(https://i.ibb.co/yBWvtPv/20220327-180222.jpg) (https://ibb.co/prJVcwV)

(https://i.ibb.co/Jx2dp5q/20220327-174839.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ZHKJgWS)
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on May 25, 2022, 06:21:18 PM
Over the weekend i tried to install an H4 coversion kit but it didnt turn out as i had hoped.
Comparison of the sealed halogens to the new headlamps.

(https://i.ibb.co/jzDbLws/20220521-185028.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xY6XMgd)

Much smaller and significantly lighter, but the high beam only has 2 pr0ng connector and had to bend the tab to get it in there.
I think h7s have single filament lamps with this style connector so ill look into that.

(https://i.ibb.co/Tk4gNrL/20220521-190850.jpg) (https://ibb.co/56rRJ2F)

Only put them on the drivers side to test them out.

(https://i.ibb.co/HBmn4Gb/20220521-190903.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xXVJLzB)

Low beam.

(https://i.ibb.co/zftBj6n/20220521-190909.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Hg9b1hF)

High beam.
Unfortunately, the low beam h4 dimmed significantly when i threw on the high beams and set off my light warning monitor.
Took them out and reinstalled the sealed beam halogens, deal with it later.

I moved on to other things while i was there like setting the idle properly on this thing now that i have something that can read it.

(https://i.ibb.co/Mh2F9kQ/20220521-195156.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6ZnjN0L)

It was idling warm at 1400 rpms so i had to fix that, some tinkering later have it at 850 rpm warm idle in neutral and 650 rpm in gear which is fine for me.
While i was under the hood i noticed the battery was all wet on top(not water and all over my new cables real nice) so 200 bucks later i got a new battery for it as well.
Ford didnt have the battery group size for some reason had to get one from autozone.

(https://i.ibb.co/JQzJLwz/20220521-200959.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zJSvcTS)
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: softtouch on May 29, 2022, 06:41:01 PM
You should not be able to get a Low Beam Out warning light with the dimmer switch on high beams.
The H4 bulb must be back feeding voltage onto the low beam circuit.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: softtouch on May 29, 2022, 08:27:08 PM
Were there any wiring changes with the conversion kit? The low beam dimming when  high beams are turned on is backwards.
The specs for a 9004 bulb is 700 lumins lo beam and 1200 lumins hi beam.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on May 30, 2022, 12:19:53 AM
@softtouch

I tried to quote you but it wouldnt load for some reason. I was reading thru the 83 evtm that i have and saw the same so i got some stuff to figure out there.
There were no wiring changes with the kit as it was just housings and replaceable bulbs, the housing have these ricey looking "day lights" things in them that i cut the wires from since im not using them and have no connection to the actual bulbs but both h4 bulbs were dual filament and had 3 tabs which the high beams sealed bulbs and connector on the car have 2.
I was looking into different bulbs for the highbeams just for a plug and play thing there since i know those exist.
That is easy enough to solve since its just a connector and pinning but it was boiling in my garage and i was sweating all over everything so i wasnt trying to figure anything out at the moment but i didnt want to waste a trip to the garage without trying something.
The battery was also an issue i saw after taking the lights back out so that can be eliminated from the situation. I would like to measure draw but i only had that buttstuffyzer and it doesnt measure that, my multimeter is at work.
I had the car out today and drove it around for a few hours and refilled the gas tank with new good gas and it seems "sorted" out finally so now i can go back and try to tackle this when i get more playtime.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Aerocoupe on June 02, 2022, 01:24:16 PM
All you need is this:

https://lmr.com/item/LRS-S526A/mustang-headlight-connector-pigtail-79-86

This solves the issue with the H4 bulb on the high beam side.  You may be able to simply remove the two wires from the two pr0ng factory connector, remove the three wires from the LMR three pr0ng connector, and then insert the two factory wires into the LMR three pr0ng connector.  This will allow you to use H4 bulbs in all four headlights.

I sourced used low beam connectors for my conversion and run four H4 bulbs.

I would suggest that you power the lights off of relays and not the stock wiring as the H4's will draw more current.  You simply use the factory wiring as 12V+ triggers for the relays.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on June 04, 2022, 04:31:24 PM
All you need is this:

https://lmr.com/item/LRS-S526A/mustang-headlight-connector-pigtail-79-86

This solves the issue with the H4 bulb on the high beam side.  You may be able to simply remove the two wires from the two pr0ng factory connector, remove the three wires from the LMR three pr0ng connector, and then insert the two factory wires into the LMR three pr0ng connector.  This will allow you to use H4 bulbs in all four headlights.

I sourced used low beam connectors for my conversion and run four H4 bulbs.

I would suggest that you power the lights off of relays and not the stock wiring as the H4's will draw more current.  You simply use the factory wiring as 12V+ triggers for the relays.

I was going to pick up some h7s for the highbeams to avoid having to changing plugs but i guess if i go this route ill have to do relays regardless.
Wanted to edit this since i must be the last person on earth that didnt know and just found out they literally make plug and play goes right into your old headlight socket no cut power to the battery hi/lo relay harnesses for four headlight cars with high temp ceramic plugs so im just going to buy one of those and put that in.
If it comes out nice i get a set for my mustang as well.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: mcb82gt on June 06, 2022, 09:42:55 AM

Wanted to edit this since i must be the last person on earth that didnt know and just found out they literally make plug and play goes right into your old headlight socket no cut power to the battery hi/lo relay harnesses for four headlight cars with high temp ceramic plugs so im just going to buy one of those and put that in.
If it comes out nice i get a set for my mustang as well.

I used one of those on sons Crown Vic.  Worked really well.  When on high beam all 4 lights were 100 watts.  Really lit up well.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on July 04, 2022, 10:01:08 PM
So i installed the relay harness around last week or so and turned it on.

(https://i.ibb.co/jRXy33H/20220618-154455.jpg) (https://ibb.co/X8R7FFV)

(https://i.ibb.co/MRbGbJ3/20220618-164138.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rZgcgX1)

Threw out some nice light compared to the pic further up the page.

(https://i.ibb.co/1RKRDTG/20220618-164100.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6DbD3F0)

Just one problem... I didnt have the high beams on.
Putting them on made no difference, just all on or nothing.
So i checked the relay to see if it was stuck, nope.
Checked the plugs to see if i mixed them up, nope.
Then looked at the wiring of the relays and realized they are set up for all 4 to be on all the time when on. The kinda thing a younger me wouldve and shouldve checked before he started.
Bummer.
So out came the bright stuff and back in went the halogens

(https://i.ibb.co/Y3J8WRL/20220618-163256.jpg) (https://ibb.co/HVRY2FH)

, for now.
Atleast i got to clean out the headlight area while i had everything out, bugs and sticks everywhere.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Chuck W on July 05, 2022, 08:12:12 AM
Why in the hell did they set up those relays like that?

You should be able to rework the trigger wiring so that the functions are separate like they're supposed to be.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on July 05, 2022, 07:05:49 PM
Yea, im going to have to run some wire and repin stuff if i want bright lights.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on July 16, 2022, 10:50:25 PM
So i replaced the radiator cap today, amongst other things, the original that came with it still holds pressure despite appearance so ill just hang onto it for some reason.

(https://i.ibb.co/khS1vVN/20220716-135014.jpg) (https://ibb.co/30CzQ5g)


(https://i.ibb.co/K0fnzH3/20220716-134949.jpg) (https://ibb.co/M2td5L3)

Its weird that the new one, RS-53, feels like it belongs on there more than the one that was on it.
I recall reading that 83 was the first year for some kind of yellow color coded system for service items under the hood, which the power steering cap, oil cap and dip stick all have.
Inside the radiator aint looking so good though, gonna need to find something to get that stuff out when i flush the old coolant.

(https://i.ibb.co/dGXWWkY/20220716-135028.jpg) (https://ibb.co/V2bjjM4)

I tried to get my a/c working since its hawt and shweaty out but it has issues im not entirely sure how to approach it.
The low pressure line and acspoogeulator looks new or replaced, compared to the high line which is all crusty, and the previous owner put quick connectors on it and put a sticker over the factory r-12 one which has nothing on it but implying it was converted to something else. There is a sticker for some kind of leak detector company there next to it.
I can only assume it was converted to r134 so im rolling with it hoping they changed the oil too.
I took off the quick connector and put my single gauge on it without turning it on and its at 100 psi, way too high... i think, running with it on was short cycling between 20 and 40.
I gave it a 12oz shot of just r134, no oil or stop leak, and it stayed at 55psi and blew nice cold air, for about 2 hours of driving untill i parked it and went shopping for awhile.
Came back and ran it and was back to short cycling.
Ugh, im not an a/c guy and im not going to pretend to be one so im likely going to farm that mess to somebody else with tools and knowledge with it.
I got a bunch of other things to frustrate me with still on it.
Changed the oil and filter on it, i used motorcraft 5w30 semi synthetic(it was all the store had, cant find conventional 5w or 10w oil on the shelf round here for some reason) and added some zddp additive to it just because ive had it forever and wanted to use it on something.

(https://i.ibb.co/phCYp9R/20220716-204241.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fDmj7Pn)

(https://i.ibb.co/zRWDZxz/20220716-204252-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/XsfMtLq)

(https://i.ibb.co/rMMP52P/20220716-205422.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TRRXPMX)

I wanted to use my extractor on it, since im using it on everything now, but the hose wouldnt go down the dipstick tube on it so finally had to crack the drain bolt on something after almost 5 years now.
Cant win them all.
Wanted to do plugs and wires but too hot for that underhood work, it starts and runs so ill deal with that when the temps come down.
Also tried at the lights with the relay kit again but still not working right, i pulled it out and im going over it wire by wire before i put it back in, got too hot in the garage for that kind of frustration today.
Maybe next week.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on September 23, 2022, 10:38:44 PM
So last week i began thinking on how to deal with the cruddied up radiator and settled on wanting to use draino crystals to attempt to clean it.
So in the meantime i bought the elcheapoest "plastic" radiator to fill in for it while i get around to cleaning the original radiator.
That came today and since it was nice and cool out i headed to the garage to swap it out and do a few other things while im there.

The radiators

(https://i.ibb.co/chfmLSL/20220923-172245.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3m6Jz9z)
(https://i.ibb.co/LQshc3M/20220923-172239.jpg) (https://ibb.co/YDVT1x6)
(https://i.ibb.co/QmMb2JM/20220923-172252.jpg) (https://ibb.co/F7zxShz)
(https://i.ibb.co/dm62p2x/20220923-172301.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RjP060d)

Old one came out without issue other than making a big mess all over my floor despite having drainpan city under it. My vacuum extractor was basically useless since i couldnt find the hose small enough to go down to the bottom, untill afterwards, and only got half the fluid out.
Thankfully i bought a bunch of flare nut wrenches a few weeks ago to bungle a brake job on my mustang and i had the right size for the transmission line connectors, i was expecting 5/8 but they were 11/16. No drama in removal.
While there i took a look at my condenser and saw some damage on it and what looked like wetness on the hose side, i didnt have my leak detector light there so ill go over that when i pull the new radiator out to put the old one back in.

(https://i.ibb.co/7WyxpV6/20220923-170404.jpg) (https://ibb.co/pzX6KZ9)
(https://i.ibb.co/3STRdCV/20220923-170436.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Dw1rWRm)
(https://i.ibb.co/0tSkWDJ/20220923-170425.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3zqw8rh)
(https://i.ibb.co/wsZZtyX/20220923-170407.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dgssZBq)

 Ok, so while im in there i decided to give those fancy h4 lights lights another shot, now that i can tuck them away nicely. I repinned them awhile ago and expected them to work like they should. They didnt, and they almost burned out my light switch thanks to the cheap relays sticking and one wire burning up. Im done trying to make those work at this point so into the trash they go. Ill buy better glasses.
Now ive had this serpentine belt that i couldve sworn was the right one for this car just waiting to go on to replace the cracked one on there and no better time to do it, so i grabbed it and tried to put it on only to see its too small. Went over everthing to check if something was out of position but nope, just wrong belt.

(https://i.ibb.co/rFvHpgN/20220923-165131.jpg) (https://ibb.co/S5JBm2G)
(https://i.ibb.co/yRKhKms/20220923-165119.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9vBwBmY)

Lesson learned, Back to radiator.
So after putting it in without any issues i realized something wasnt right, it couldnt be something on this car got changed without issue.
Untill i noticed the overflow tube was mia when i went to put on the radiator cap, broke off in the box it came in, i must have looked right at it a hundred times and didnt notice it wasnt there untill then but i already put it in so now ill hunt down one of those repair kits they sell for that.
I knew there was a reason i hated these plastic radiators.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on September 26, 2022, 01:13:39 AM
Terrible.

(https://i.ibb.co/gvtSNpL/20220926-000939.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rb5xYSR)
(https://i.ibb.co/W6PVXDG/20220926-000946.jpg) (https://ibb.co/G0tHDsn)
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on October 15, 2022, 10:15:28 PM
Since i have to swap out my belt tensioner for a later one to replace it, as the older style one is not available anywhere, i decided to take it all apart in preparation and do a few other things while im in there.
Almost got stopped dead right at the beginning since you have to take off the smog pump pulley to reach the top long bolt for it but for some weird reason i threw a 5 1/2" 2 jaw puller in my trunk like 2 weeks ago and i needed it for this since it was stuck on there.
Taking out the alternator/smog pump bracket was alot more involved than i thought it would be, Everything has to be off to take it out. If i wasnt halfway there already i probably wouldve let it ride.

Yanked out the fuel pump and compared it to its replacement.

(https://i.ibb.co/bLC3bQQ/20221015-172127.jpg) (https://ibb.co/NpJ3Ttt)

Grimey. I tried to clean it some but i aint a detailer i dont got the patience for that like some people have.

(https://i.ibb.co/cckfxdG/20221015-195044.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TBYjr5V)

(https://i.ibb.co/zZgbNXr/20221015-172606.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3cbWkp7)

(https://i.ibb.co/fCpHmg6/20221015-172219.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hKWVp6Q)

(https://i.ibb.co/stX72gj/20221015-172249.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GFrm0d7)

Seems this parts store no name fuel pump was cracked on top. No clue why or how that would happen.
Thankfully its replacement is a nos factory rebuilt one with nos gasket.

(https://i.ibb.co/VTC4ht6/20221015-172254.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3cFZ87K)

Didnt have the right socket set to fit the crankshaft bolt and light up the timing marks to install it so itll have to wait till next time.
So since i had a straight shot to the one sparkplug behind the smog pump, a flexible stubby ratchet and a 5/8 sparkplug socket i figured why not and i grabbed my new wires and plugs and threw those on while i was there.
Despite being replaced before, since they were autolites and not motorcrafts and were obviously installed with no intention of ever being replaced again if torque was any indication, the rear passenger one was broken and had a worn electrode but the rest other than some oil on the threads looked basically new. Oh well, peace of mind regarding that now.
Kinda wish i waited now to do the plugs and wires from the top with everything out of the way since the valve covers could use a redo on the gaskets they are leaking in a few spots.
I have steel ones and gaskets(both cork and rubber ones)laying in a box somewhere but i might just pop off the plastic ones and do the rtv gaskets like the book says. Ill see where life takes me when that time comes.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on October 20, 2022, 09:40:23 PM
Last sunday i went back and grabbed the sockets i needed for the crank bolt to tdc it and finally put the fuel pump in.

(https://i.ibb.co/mqCv4Dh/20221016-192607.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3NyfcrS)

Test ran the car before putting all the tensioner bracket stuff back in to see how it runs with the new pump now and its noticably much better, starts right up after a single pump when cold and restarts no problem without pumping the pedal now.
Feels good when replacement of a part had a noticable effect on something.
Today i took off work to put the car back together with the later more common belt tensioner pulley, which doesnt sound like much but required pulling the all the stuff on the passenger side out and replacing the alternator bracket with an 84+ one and the tensioner bracket for the common one.

(https://i.ibb.co/zS842dR/20221020-142951-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/YtDLdgk)
(https://i.ibb.co/JFK0W5q/20221020-143016-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3Y7G5Bv)
(https://i.ibb.co/HBfXd5c/20221020-143912.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tQT3XV0)
(https://i.ibb.co/LnbQSHX/20221020-152031.jpg) (https://ibb.co/5BtYTwg)
(https://i.ibb.co/ccBqdDm/20221020-152040.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hR60vDq)

Note the flat area for the tensioner bracket to mount to compared to the staggered earlier tensioner bracket, the later common one also has two m12 1.75 bolts holding it on to the alternator bracket instead of the earlier one having one m12 1.75 top bolt and lower is m10 1.50. I had to run to the store to pick up one since the bracket i bought only came with the smog and alternator bolts.
The smog pump had a spacer on it when on the older alternator bracket but the later one had no room for it, the bolt on the later one had a shoulder on it and i dont know if a washer goes back there on this later one but it didnt have it, and it fit when tightened and the pulleys still all lined up.

(https://i.ibb.co/LzrgN4T/20221020-162153.jpg) (https://ibb.co/N6rNTw0)

That was the only one the store had in that size so i had to make do, if i grabbed it from a junkyard i wouldve grabbed all the bolts with it but i didnt so it is what it is its not in the way of anything and thats what washers are for. Only the top bolt hole allowed me to do this the lower one bottoms out in the bracket.
I picked up those m8 bolts because the top of the tensioner had a hole there for one but i couldnt remember if something went there or not. On the earlier one it did.

(https://i.ibb.co/bv5zTww/20221020-163851.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gWZzNqq)
(https://i.ibb.co/Q9ZhkN6/20221020-164428.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8MJGb5j)
(https://i.ibb.co/4ZZjGym/20221020-164435.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7JJG5cY)
(https://i.ibb.co/L0Fph2x/20221020-164925.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Gd6P3bW)
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on December 15, 2022, 10:22:53 PM
Havent done much lately, took it out for a day to drive around last week after my daily had problems and after filling the tires up it runs and drives real nice.
Got around to replacing that extra long bolt for the tensioner bracket with one of proper length.

(https://i.ibb.co/RGKYspn/20221208-153421.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8nwNfD3)
(https://i.ibb.co/y8Vk0PK/20221208-154254.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ZhNgdXv)

Replaced the oil cap with the original one since i finally got the petrified hose off and made the seal work.

(https://i.ibb.co/qdjFBXs/20221208-153849.jpg) (https://ibb.co/yXPB0Gy)
(https://i.ibb.co/zSzv2k3/20221208-154006.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RCqw65X)

So after that all i have left to now do is the valve cover gasket (there isnt one but there will be now) and creatively make a temp gauge for it.
I bought a housing you tie into the radiator hose just for this but since i dont want to cut a perfectly good hose i decided to go another route and cobbled together a water outlet with a plug hole and found a threaded plug to tap to fit in it for a no cut solution.

(https://i.ibb.co/G0T7RCt/20221213-182340.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TkLctPb)
(https://i.ibb.co/hsg8bzb/20221213-182425.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9npY656)
(https://i.ibb.co/MDBSTnV/20221213-184402.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rGd0Pk6)
(https://i.ibb.co/LpFtzcg/20221213-182433.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zfMRhB2)
(https://i.ibb.co/x3BbtFB/20221213-184507.jpg) (https://ibb.co/stN4dWN)

Ill see how this turns out but i might redo the tapped plug since the threaded hole in the outlet was drilled crooked by whoever made it.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Chuck W on December 15, 2022, 10:40:45 PM
That sensor seems a little short. Hopefully it's fully into the coolant, or you'll get bad readings.

Bet it was nice to get it out and drive it.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on December 15, 2022, 10:47:59 PM
That sensor seems a little short. Hopefully it's fully into the coolant, or you'll get bad readings.

Bet it was nice to get it out and drive it.

The sensor came with some info display i got for the car, its 10mm or something like that.
I was concerned about that but i dont know where the thermostat will seat and dont want it to hit it. I might get a deeper one if it doesnt work because its not submerged enough.

It was nice but traffic sure wasnt. Everybody is all over the road anymore and atleast half the cars i see have accident damage on their sides. I feel like an alien on the road with it as well since you dont see stuff from even the 90s anymore driving around.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on January 17, 2023, 03:23:38 AM
So since i had off today i went down to the garage to tinker on the thunderbird as i had plans to attempt a thing on it, but the garage was blocked by a vehicle that was so close i couldnt even get to the door.
Sucks, living in the city is a P in the A sometimes since parking is a premium and they wont tow anything anymore round here these days, this was the 3rd time which for me is the last time so its find a new storage location time.

Anyways, on to business.
 Since i cant talk about what i did ill talk about what i was going to do.
My "intention" today was to attempt to finally install a temperature gauge on this car and after a few "revisions" to my plan i finally settled on how and what.
The original plan was to do this as reversible as possible with no cutting anything and install the water neck(posted previously) with a brass fitting to use the 10mm temp sender that came with the chinese info center thingy i bought a long time ago, but im scratching that as that thing will look so out of place in the car i cant put it in there.
Instead i picked up these neat "dated looking" linear digital gauges that will serve the purpose of temperature and oil pressure readings me.

(https://i.ibb.co/5sCt7Bm/20230117-022641.jpg) (https://ibb.co/BTvd1qb)
(https://i.ibb.co/DCFtsbj/20230117-022829.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ncybZ0K)
(https://i.ibb.co/7g8hh4Q/20230117-022838.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rbT99s3)


The gauges were about the only thing i could find that wasnt a big cheap looking(some of them werent very cheap, these werent either) circular one, which to me looks out of place with the digital dash and whatnot. Even the factory ford ones stuck out like sore thumbs.
This is just my opinion and preference, if you fancy those kind of gauges in your car i mean you no offense its your car do what you want :P
The sender for the new temperature gauge is 5/8 18tpi, which is what the thread size just happens to be on the water neck without the adapter i originally needed and shamefully bought. So now the sender will extend down into the coolant more and minimize the chance of bad readings, and still clears the new old stock thermostat i picked up for it(since im there already) which i dont have a decent pic of but is some kind of weird flat puck style looking thing i never saw before.

(https://i.ibb.co/rFBbQ03/20221226-145230-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/LYTQ0Rr)

I bought 90° push on wire connectors for them to go on the senders since the way the the with the gauge goes on looks cheesy and cheap. This will look factory when im done installing it under the hood.

(https://i.ibb.co/2hK5vvG/20230117-022959.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sR3tKK8)

Im still waiting for the other one in the mail since i couldnt find these style connectors in any store and once i figure out the size of the oil sender hole a tee fitting so i can keep the factory light.

Im still up in the air about how and where to mount them, the "plan" is to put them on the panel under the steering wheel on each side of it but that may change depending on how i can position them.
A side project im still figuring out what to do with was picking up a dash clock and gutting it to make a void for something i havent settled on yet.
It was going to be another gauge, or possibly a tachometer but im not sure yet.

(https://i.ibb.co/rQmGz76/20230104-173001.jpg) (https://ibb.co/NFs6JVj)
(https://i.ibb.co/GdWjPFp/20230104-173345.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qDNw1xj)

Unfortunately i dont believe the new gauges would fit into the space where the dash clock goes but i havent tried yet so who knows.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on April 01, 2023, 07:15:43 PM
Since it was warm out today i stopped by the thunderbird to get some belated work done.
Todays mission: Drop Fuel Tank and retrieve Fuel Sender.

(https://i.ibb.co/GdrbrmZ/20230401-152217.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fXTPTJ3)

Started out by undoing the rear fuel line fitting to hook up something to siphon the remaining fuel out. A horrible mess, gas all over me multiple times since the brass connector on my siphon hose was too short and the area to work in was tight. That and the hose on the car was 3/8 instead of being 5/16 like i was expecting. Ugh.
Moved onto the front to do this first and some mess but success.

(https://i.ibb.co/7K5SWnh/20230401-164205.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qpfDsN6)
(https://i.ibb.co/s6pY826/20230401-164154.jpg) (https://ibb.co/X3fRcb3)

I used one of those hand pump things that harbor freight used to sell for like 5 bucks but the one i bought from autohole cost $35 and said it was safe to pump gasoline, which the harbor freight one clearly said dont do. Slow but worked and spent some time soaking up all the spilled gas with all the trash on the floor and using my blower to dry it up enough to work on it.
Whipped out the jackstands to support the tank and pulled it out.

(https://i.ibb.co/7VP6xLT/20230401-171952.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jGm19sx)
(https://i.ibb.co/BBDvf9Q/20230401-171958.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bXhY6kC)
(https://i.ibb.co/yg6gf9J/20230401-172923.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GCWCx6j)

The tank, they must have had a grand old time spraying green and yellow paint all over randomly on this car cause i keep finding it.

(https://i.ibb.co/1zf1ZQL/20230401-173006.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Z265dXV)
(https://i.ibb.co/9nCrQNF/20230401-173011.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xhR7xDp)

The new tank

(https://i.ibb.co/y4wLsPp/20230401-165558.jpg) (https://ibb.co/FHSG73X)

Then began the task of removing the sender.
Glad i always have a non sparking tool around considering how heavy the gas vapors were in the garage at this point.
(https://i.ibb.co/DzVSGjG/20230401-173600.jpg) (https://ibb.co/q7yP020)
(https://i.ibb.co/wc6Lvct/20230401-173609.jpg) (https://ibb.co/y4sR342)
(https://i.ibb.co/Ssmy7pR/20230401-173852.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Wxz5p1g)

Checking the positioning of it inside the tank.
(https://i.ibb.co/5MCdj2H/20230401-173327.jpg) (https://ibb.co/NVfXN7B)

Now that i got it out i can see it and check it over.

(https://i.ibb.co/JzRV8FF/20230401-174158.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tbMgnPP)
(https://i.ibb.co/804zGxm/20230401-174208.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Xbky65W)
(https://i.ibb.co/7bWDc3B/20230401-183607.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3kNbXxV)
E3SE-9275-EB is the part number

There was a broken wire on it yet it still worked fine for some reason. Weird. Going to clean it up and measure some things on it so i can continue with my possible replacements project.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on April 02, 2023, 12:51:09 AM
I measured some things.
The full length of the tube, when unbent, from the bottom of the plate to the end of the tube is 10".
From the bottom of the plate to the bottom of the sender as installed in the tank is just over 6", considering the tank is 7 3/4" deep from the lip where the sender sits i guess thats so it aint pounding on the bottom of the tank and punching a hole in it when it pulls up.
From the top of the plate to the top of the outlet tube is 1 1/2".

(https://i.ibb.co/0KG7pyY/20230401-211738.jpg) (https://ibb.co/W02hNvB)
(https://i.ibb.co/FYR9zYV/20230401-211748.jpg) (https://ibb.co/DM0NQMp)
(https://i.ibb.co/MG6d1x0/20230401-211800.jpg) (https://ibb.co/pRyqKBF)

Tested it with a multimeter, didnt have roach clips so couldnt test the sweep but got 12 ohm empty and 163 ohm full, so technically there is nothing wrong with this but after pulling off the filter and seeing the rust and crust inside narrowing the tube down to about 1/8 im certain on replacement. I have parts coming for that project that ill post in the thread i started regarding this.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on May 07, 2023, 01:47:25 AM
It was nice out today so i headed out to get atleast one of my cars up and running again, so i went finally put the new gas tank in and the sender i made for it.
First task was to replace the broken plug for the fuel sender.

(https://i.ibb.co/v333rGd/20230506-151536.jpg) (https://ibb.co/n777Vv1)

Then install the sender itself, i had to bend the lockring tabs down they were so up it wouldnt fully lock down.

(https://i.ibb.co/jGxh75t/20230506-153558.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Gk17gJm)

Good, now thats out of the way i can install the new filler tube seal and tank vent and gasket.

(https://i.ibb.co/6bCCK9m/20230506-153127.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3WZZx67)

The old one was stretched pretty bad and petrified im surprised it didnt leak. Pic for comparison of old and new.

(https://i.ibb.co/BPk436K/20230415-145856.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qn60jgF)

So, now thats taken care of up with the tank back into the car.

(https://i.ibb.co/kQg5VT2/20230506-162556.jpg) (https://ibb.co/f4YqVWd)

I didnt rip that mat thing off the old gas tank that went between it and the car body and put it on the new one, hopefully wont be an issue.

And finally installed new rubber fuel lines, threw a fuel line check valve i picked up for it in there.

(https://i.ibb.co/0J7Kcck/20230506-164835.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Thf1kkZ)

Hehehe... What could go wrong with putting that in?

Put a few gallons in and checked the dash reading, was at zero bars with 4 gallons. Not completely deterred i decided to head out and put more gas in it at the gas station, which i did.
Now at 13 gallons in the tank it was reading above half so i wanted to head out onto the highway to test if the gauge would change using up some of that gas. Right as im about to pull onto the onramp the car started bogging hard everytime i gave it some gas.
So scratch that plan and heading back to the garage to figure out what is happening.
Stalling out so bad i couldnt even make it back to the garage and basically died on the roadside a few miles away.
Bummer.
No tools handy so i could only poke around underhood looking for whats going on.
Pop off the top of the airpan and check for gas squirting out when i move the throttle, nope, basically none. I got no gas.
That cant be i just put gas in it, whats going on?
Open the gas cap and pressure, no problem there.
I finally remember i have my leatherman and crawled under the car to see if i didnt tighten the clamps enough. Nope, no leaks dry as a bone.
Ok, lets take off a fuel line and see whats going on, maybe i put the check valve on backwards. I took off the line at the pump and plenty of gas all over my arm so theres fuel a plenty.
Then it hit me, did the fuel filter get clogged by something? Running out of daytime hours and battery almost dead from turning it over with starter fluid i had to make a choice.
Well it was the choice of walk back to the garage and get my daily driver, a new one(thankfully i bought some nos ones awhile ago) and the tools to change it or call a tow truck.
So i walked back to the garage to get what i needed, took it out and instantly saw all the metal chips literally blocking the filter. Couldnt get a decent pic of that but im sure you can imagine what it looked like.
I thought for a second thinking literally how could metal chips clog this. New gas tank could have metal chips in it but metal in the tank that big wouldnt make it past the strainer on the sender.
Nothing was inside of the sender and any of the stuff on it wouldnt have made it past the strainer on the sender either.
Then i remembered the check valve being cheap chinese stuff so im betting thats where it came from despite blowing thru it testing it before installation.
Ok, installed new filter and fired right up, ran like a top drove it back to the garage and walked back to get my other car.
Im going to have to go back over some things before i take it back out again.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Chuck W on May 07, 2023, 08:12:17 AM
At least it was something simple. Glad you got it out on the road and it sounds like you're getting closer to having it road-worthy.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on May 07, 2023, 02:41:47 PM
The problem was simple but the whole roadside ordeal ate up over 4 hours, and pretty much killed my other plans that day.
I usually keep atleast a few tools and things in the car to fix stuff on the road but i pulled them out to inventory them and never put them back.
The car is running and driving now so ill make time to drive it around, all i have left to do to the car is change the valve cover gaskets, inspect the speakers since one sounds ripped and a new problem that popped up during this ordeal the drivers window doesnt want to go up without some help.
I have the gaskets but waiting for another reason to dig that far into that mess of hoses first and ill fix that while im in there. The speaker thing i need more room to work in than i have, cant open the door in there so that will have to wait untill i get my mustang going so i can swap garages with them. The window thing will have to wait now for above reason.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on May 09, 2023, 07:26:37 PM
I cut the old filter open and didnt find anything in there to cause the complete blockage situation i had.
What a terribly cheap made part.

(https://i.ibb.co/whJSDyN/20230509-190557.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fd8kmMY)
(https://i.ibb.co/YBf1nMW/20230509-190601.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9Hy1KLv)
(https://i.ibb.co/0rm9Cmp/20230509-190625.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9Wc4bcm)

The metal pieces that was in there fell out before i got to do it but upon further inspection it wouldntve cause the complete stoppage of fuel anyway.
Now im confuse.
The plastic shape of the internal filter housing is warped but not enough to completely seal it. The screem material is very clean, since it only had under 400 miles on it im not surprised by that.
Guess some investigating is necessary.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: mcb82gt on May 10, 2023, 11:24:06 AM
would a grenading fuel pump send metal pieces down the line?   :dunno:
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Chuck W on May 10, 2023, 11:35:37 AM
Unlikely.

Either it was in the filter or the check-valve.

I'd say it's clear now.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on May 10, 2023, 12:43:14 PM
would a grenading fuel pump send metal pieces down the line?   :dunno:

I thought the diaphram is a rubber disc and when they fail itll leak out the pump(or thats what its supposed to do when it fails)?
The old pump was cracked on top but no leaks, i never checked the original filter the car had. New pump is nos oem remanufactured.

Unlikely.

Either it was in the filter or the check-valve.

I'd say it's clear now.


I hope so. Either way that check valve coming out next time i get to the car, i have one of those glass inline fuel filter things im going to throw on in its place so i dont have to cut a new piece of hose for it.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: mcb82gt on May 11, 2023, 09:17:45 AM
Quote from: Ductape91, i have one of those glass inline fuel filter things im going to throw on in its place so i dont have to cut a new piece of hose for it. [/quote
uote]

Ive heard very bad stories about those  breaking and fires.  Go with at least a clear plastic one.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Chuck W on May 11, 2023, 09:26:53 AM
Yeah, plastic > glass for the fuel filter.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on May 11, 2023, 01:16:12 PM
Company i worked for years ago used them on ride on and self propelled mowers for years, bouncing and slaming in fields over rocks and holes and never had one break.
Im sure they can and do break on people but alot of videos i saw about them breaking was people routing them in the worst way possible, like over the motor/exhaust and after the fuel pump and just letting them flop around underhood to smack into stuff.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Aerocoupe on May 11, 2023, 02:18:52 PM
Just find a piece of metal tubing the same size as the rubber line and leave the check valve or extra fuel filter out of the line. You have a strainer on the pickup and already have an inline filter. Why create another pressure drop for zero benefit?

We just did this on my buddy’s 69 fastback with a 408 in it. Removed a chincy little fuel filter up by the Holley carb, replaced the inline filter before the Holley blue pump and bumped the fuel pressure at the carb from 5 psi running to 7 psi. Car is a different animal now.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on May 11, 2023, 04:09:50 PM
I have a 25' roll of fuel line i just didnt feel like digging it back out to make another one.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on December 03, 2023, 08:49:57 PM
Back at the garage today for a few things, though mostly the non functional drivers window.

After removing alot more scews than the last time i remember having to do this i removed the door panel and handle to expose the vapor mat and such.

(https://i.ibb.co/Tgn0w0d/IMG-20231203-161301071.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ZMwgfg7)

After pulling that stuff off while trying not to ruin it and removing the door speaker i got to see where the motor was.

(https://i.ibb.co/smxvRYj/IMG-20231203-162207294.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GxYvpS7)

Maybe im crazy but i dont remember my 86 having the motor in the middle of the door like that, though that was a long time ago.
Now as you can see in the upcoming pics there are factory dimples on the door for you to drill thru to get to the bolts, i wish my hands were smaller because i hated drilling holes in my car even though thats what they are there for.

(https://i.ibb.co/pjXRSVM/IMG-20231203-163318520.jpg) (https://ibb.co/YBjyxn1)

(https://i.ibb.co/yFbsBXt/IMG-20231203-163554906.jpg) (https://ibb.co/0ydJVcT)

I used a step drill and made the holes 1/2", which was enough for my nut driver to get thru and reach the bolts. The bolts themselves were 5/16, which was smaller than i was expecting them to be.
No drama in removal of the motor itself, just came right out thru the speaker hole.
While i was in there trying to clean the metal shavings and leaves and whatnot, i got what i could of them, i checked the speaker wire and the connector was corroded, as was the speaker plug end. The speaker itself has seen better days and was missing 90% of the outer ring stuff.

(https://i.ibb.co/DpL7JXK/IMG-20231203-162847181.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8cXjC38)

Bummer. Guess ill have to replace that, if i can find it, and the other door probably is similar so that means i got to plan for both.
Back to the window motor it was as i suspected, the 3 plastic things broke into pieces which renders the window useless.

(https://i.ibb.co/rc6wVDJ/IMG-20231203-165840755-HDR.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hZWmS3v)
(https://i.ibb.co/s2rpcJF/IMG-20231203-170040125.jpg) (https://ibb.co/W61N7pc)
(https://i.ibb.co/Tts5NN0/IMG-20231203-170148224.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zZzwtt2)
(https://i.ibb.co/swwZ1w5/IMG-20231203-170406745.jpg) (https://ibb.co/d22Rp2b)
(https://i.ibb.co/zh1PSZ7/IMG-20231203-171430745.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mCmhH4X)

Atleast the motor is good because i hear the replacements arent that good. I wish i couldve washed out all the old grease since the replacement gear set barely came with any but im confident i got all the broken bits out. It is what it is.
Threw it back together and works like a charm. If i had grease i wouldve greased up the rails for the window mechanism but ill try to remember that when i have to pull the panels back off to replace the speaker.

Side note, i swear there were these little plugs you could get from ford that went into the holes you had to drill but couldnt find them, would like to put something in there when i go back in there.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Mikey97D on December 04, 2023, 08:06:47 AM
Nice work.  I never knew about the reason for those dimples.

You can probably find rubber plug assortments at the local autoparts store.

I did find a listing on McMaster-Carr:  https://www.mcmaster.com/9600K514/
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on February 29, 2024, 08:11:24 PM
Stopped by the garage today before i went to work, actually a few days ago also to take it out, to replace the alternator.
Easy enough job with just a 7/16, 9/16, 5/8 sockets and 15mm wrench and 5/16 socket for the tensioner.

Pulled the old one out and took a pic so i can remember where the wires go.

(https://i.ibb.co/9TWw673/IMG-20240227-140703882.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7WKgPqN)

Inspecting the alternator charging harness, wires looks good no hot spots or corrosion on the connectors. A real shame that these connectors are not reproduced by anybody.

(https://i.ibb.co/CzXNv5h/IMG-20240227-140718042.jpg) (https://ibb.co/FKfNJbg)

Old and new(nos rebuilt actually). I had to drag it to work yesterday to remove the pulley since i cant find my impact anywhere.

(https://i.ibb.co/M1vz40s/IMG-20240227-141209972.jpg) (https://ibb.co/LgFTW78)

And new one ready to go in.

(https://i.ibb.co/thn4n1k/IMG-20240229-140840710.jpg) (https://ibb.co/4fC7C09)

The old one has alot of forward/back play in it, definately enough to make the belt jump. Rebuildable so im going to drag it to work and take it apart and see where the play came from.
Title: Re: 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
Post by: Ductape91 on March 03, 2024, 10:08:26 PM
Drove the tbird around for the last two days since my daily is broke and i needed to put more miles on that fuel sender and all i can say is wow, the headlights just dont light up anything on the road in the rain. The stuff they used to paint the lines with lasted years and was still visible in the rain with standard halogens but man this newer stuff is faded after months and is invisible in the rain.
Had to pic up some new wipers right away and the intermitten wipers just kept stopping randomly on the windshield untill i ran the normal speed for awhile. Probably havent been used for decades so im just glad they even work.
I put it back in the garage again, maybe next weekend ill drag it back out, but while i was there i finally got to use those h4 headlight replacements i bought like a year ago but threw some cheap leds in.

(https://i.ibb.co/T40GcPN/IMG-20240303-191802918.jpg) (https://ibb.co/x1gbhzr)

I hate the color, hope they wont blind people but they probably will. Well see.