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Topic: My 85 TBird (Read 60591 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #180
I've seen that trunk lid mural before.  I can't remember where and maybe in a past life but I have definitely  seen that somewhere before.

1988 Thunderbird TC, 5spd
Stinger 3" single exhaust, Cone Filter, Adjustable Cam Pulley, Schneider roller cam, Walbro 255 lph, AEM Wideband O2
'93 Mustang Cobra replica wheels on 235/50R17

'21 F150 Powerboost
'17 Husqvarna TX300

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #181
Holy shiznit...I’ve seen some murals before but that was just, well bad. You did the 80’s a favor by deleting that “art”.

I’m gonna go to hell because it was probably something very meaningful to the past owner. Hell here I come...it was aweful.

83 351W TKO'd T-Bird on the bottle


93 331 Mustang Coupe - 368 rwhp

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #182
I have been trying to remember just where I found that deck lid. I am pretty sure I picked it up 20 + years ago when I set out to do this the first time. It's possible I posted a pick of it somewhere back then.

Saturday afternoon started with lightly block sanding the roof. All went well and its ready to sand for paint. Then blocked the quarters and rockers and  finished up the filler work on the deck lid and hood. Sunday afternoon got everything cleaned up, masked, and in primer. Now the shell is ready to sand for paint, but a few things to do before that can be done.  I will need to reinstall the rear end and motor/trans. I ended up getting some braided rear brake hoses and need to relocate where the rear brake hose mounts to the body and where they will meet the hard lines on the axle. I also bought a Killer Chiller for the intercooler system and want to mount and route the hoses for that.  While I have all that back in going to bend up and fit the hard brake lines. Then before the engine compartment gets paint I want to get the underside cleaned up, painted, and undercoated.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #183
Have you got the doors, fenders, header panel, and bumper wraps all ready for paint or will those be done after the body, hood and trunk lid?

83 351W TKO'd T-Bird on the bottle


93 331 Mustang Coupe - 368 rwhp

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #184
Quote
Have you got the doors, fenders, header panel, and bumper wraps all ready for paint or will those be done after the body, hood and trunk lid?

Those will be done after. As time allows I may be able to whittle away at some more of the body work.  The bumper covers are in primer, but need to be sanded and re-primed a time or two, as does the hood and deck lid.  The fenders and header are pretty much ready for primer. The doors and spoiler need more serious attention. Right now my main goal is to get the engine compartment in paint and get the drivetrain/suspension installed for the last time.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #185
Oh man, you have got a lot of it knocked out then.  Great work and thanks for sharing the project.

83 351W TKO'd T-Bird on the bottle


93 331 Mustang Coupe - 368 rwhp

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #186
Last night was able to get the motor/trans/k member installed. Tonight found a spot and mounted the Killer Chiller and routed the a/c lines to it. I wanted to mount it behind the bumper rebar, but the heat exchanger was in the way so had to come up with plan B. Ended up behind the cold air intake mods. I made sure to test fit the fender and fender inner liner and everything clears ok.

First had to remove a little bracket so it would sit somewhat flush. A finger belt grinder works well to remove spot welds if you never intend to reinstall what's being removed.


The K/C came with a bracket to hold it and just needed a way to hold that to the body. Welded on 3 studs to the back side and used 2 holes that were there and made a 3rd where I thought it needed it.

That upper little tab is a bracket for the air cleaner cover, so all of these fasteners will be hidden behind that.


The ac lines were also supplied in with the kit, just needed to cut the ends to length and crimp the clamps. The fire wall connection was correct for the 85 bird, but I ended up using the line I had originally modified because it cleared the valve and coil covers better. Now it just needs a few feet of heater hoses and that little project is done.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #187
Been a couple months and was wondering if you had any spare time to work on it?

83 351W TKO'd T-Bird on the bottle


93 331 Mustang Coupe - 368 rwhp

 

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #188
Things came to an abrupt halt not long after my last post. Had some machinery and tractor repairs to do for spring planting for my Dad, and then my old Case tractor hobby has been getting in the way.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #189
Tell me more about this tractor hobby. We had a guy selling a 50's Farmall tractor and I wanted it badly...for no reason.
It's Gumby's fault.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #190
Well it’s been awhile since I worked on the bird or looked at this thread. Apparently tinypic is no longer so I spent some time removing the bad links and getting some photos attached. Relocated the brake line mounts on the rear axle and bent some lines up today.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #191
More brake line bending. Fronts are done, rear still needs some work. I have to move the mount on the rear diff back a couple of inches, when all the way up the hose hits the body. 

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #192
Nice work.
Have you considered putting a 45° fitting on the rear diff connection?

1985 Mercury Cougar XR-7 - 5-speed 
One of 1,246 built

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #193
Nice work.
Have you considered putting a 45° fitting on the rear diff connection?


Thank you.

I did not.  I think moving it rear ward is my best option, it will allow the mount for the hard line connection to be up above the diff and out of the way, but I will have to make some new lines, which may be needed anyway. After getting the axle back in the car I’m now concerned about exhaust pipe clearance with the brake caliper hose mounts.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #194
Made the mods to the hose mount and found a spot for the hard line mount that allowed for the hose to flex, it’s tight up there when the axle is all the way up. If I could go back 20 years I would tell myself to just use an 8.8.  After closer inspection the exhaust won’t be an issue with the axle hard line mounts, but the springs will be. Shouldn’t take much to get those moved around a bit.  Finished plumbing the brake lines on the body, so I think it’s ready to take back apart and start getting the underside cleaned up and ready for paint/undercoating.