AC is the 58 the same as 59?

[Guest]

Ebay has a 58 "only" AC for auction would this fit a 59/60?
Monty

http://cgi.msn.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=34197&item=2438601913

[Alexander]

RE: AC is the 58 the same as 59?

Judging by the white knobs on the dash control and the compressor label, that is a 1959 system. It does not look complete. It is missing the temp/defroster controls and the water pump pulley. These parts are hard to find, as few want to split up complete systems.

The A/C system was changed a little each year from 1958 to 1960. The biggest change was in 1960 when they went to a heavier flywheel type of water pump pulley to combat the complaints of vibration with the A/C on. The belt arrangement for this system is totally different than the 1958-59. The 1960 system requires a offset power steering pulley (hard to find) and a double pulley (easy to find) on the generator.

The A/C system from any year 1958-60 Thunderbird will fit each year 1958-60 Thunderbird. The dash controls and knobs on the 1958 are black, while those for 1959 and 1960 are white. I am using the pulley setup from a 1960 on my 1959 Thunderbird.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[1960Bird]

RE: AC is the 58 the same as 59?

Alexander,

What is the pully like? I have a std one of a 1960 352. Did you get your engine togethet?

Steve Ronk
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1960 HT

[Alexander]

RE: AC is the 58 the same as 59?

The A/C water pump pulley has three grooves and is very heavy cast iron, very unlike the the non-A/C pulley which is a stamped steel piece with one groove.

I got my engine together on Monday. Hopefully I will be able to install it in my Golde Top in the next few weeks.

Unfortunately, I suffered first and second degree burns on my face and arm when I was cleaning out the oil pickup with brake cleaner in a sink at a friend’s service station. I had no idea there was a pilot light for a boiler behind the wall in back of the sink. The sink exploded like a barbeque grill when you throw in a match. Justr my luck. The men at the shop have had flammable materials in tha sink often, but never had a fire. Of course the burn did not stop me from completing the job. It looks like I will heal without a scar.

Thanks again for sending me the manifold heat sheild. A machine shop drilled out the old plug. I got a 1 inch pipe end plug at Home Depot for 99 cents. If fit perfectly. I only needed to cut down the threads a little bit with a lathe and cut down the square plug halfway to clear the heat sheild.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[1960Bird]

RE: AC is the 58 the same as 59?

Boy,
I am glad you didn't get hurt worse. That could have been really bad. Did I tell you that I got the new 390 running. I am still have a few electrical problems due to the one wire alternator ( trying to hook up a volt meter) I am taking the car to a local car electric co...I am tired of messing with it, I also have a leaking exhaust manifold, but otherwise the car is running great. Did you say you were cleaning the oil pick up filter/tube I I were you I would replace the oil pump, pick up tube and the drive shaft, if you have a problem down the road you will have to drop the pan...not a good thing. Let us know your engine progress. Take care of yourself,will talk to you later.

Steve Ronk
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1960 HT

[Alexander]

RE: AC is the 58 the same as 59?

Good advice. The oil pump and the drive shaft are new, only the pick-up is original. I would not chance a new engine on a used oil pump or oil drive shaft.

Good luck with the 390 motor. If you want to cure the leaking exhaust manifold problem get the PCE copper exhaust gaskets from JC Whitney, part number 81ZX4478W. they are $42, but you never need to replace them. They are reusable and you won't have anymore annoying exhaust leak. They will not blow out. I have gone through half a dozen different gaskets before I found these. The catalog lists them as for 1961 to 1971 big block ford, but I have used them with no problem on my 1959 and 1960 352's.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[Guest]

RE: AC is the 58 the same as 59?

Alex I am a US Army Safety Specialist employed at Fort Eustis Virginia I am interested in your accident
what kind of cleaning tank/tub were you using?
What kind of product?
What conditions were the tank etc was gasoline used by them?
Was there venitlation
Did you wear goggles or a full face shield
the pilot light was on the other side of the wall how did fumes get there
I ask this because we use a lot of cleaning tanks
Any pictures of the work site or your face?
Monty email me at my work if you can wingetk@eustis.army.mil

[Alexander]

RE: AC is the 58 the same as 59?

Monty,

Here is a link of my experience. I will try to get a picture of the work area where this occurred tommorrow.

http://www.squarebirds.org/brake_cleaner.htm

http://www.squarebirds.org/images/brake_cleaner_front.jpg

danger - flammable

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[Guest]

RE: AC is the 58 the same as 59?

Hope you get this. When I got home this Monday Orders do mobilization to Centcom were waiting for my -- possible the middle east for a year by the way where do you live? Some of my tour will take me to Tampa email me at kingston_winget@hotmail.com I have less then four weeks and there is a mountain of stuff to do. l like how to get my 59 convert inside

[Alexander]

RE: AC is the 58 the same as 59?

I live in New York City.

I hope the write-up on my accident was helpful.

I wish you luck in your tour of duty overseas. Come home safe.

If you need any technical assistance with your your T-Bird, don't hesitate to post.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top