Sat for five years, 59's time for new parts

[inheritance]

Okay heres some pics i took today of the car itself. I'll save the technical stuff for later.




Okay the rest of these pictures are somewhat random, but if anyone has the time to look things over please do.

The suspension i would say is relatively worn, some shots of the front end show wear.



what rear end do i have?



Fuel pump shot. Should this extra fitting on top be connected to something or plugged?

I tried to align the front tires better, but i am still suffering wear to the inner tires? What is so wrong?

This is the 325 horse 390 from a 62 marauder. Right?

more front end shots


I made a video on youtube today, heres that..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-wFFej471g

[Guest]

Hey Aaron,
Looks like you got a good Bird to start with! Take your time with her, she will come around.
She needs a name!!!
Richard D. Hord

[inheritance]

well thank you! I hope to get it to the point where i can drive it more often. The tire wear, lack of exhaust pipes, and lack of finances keep me struggling.

[YellowRose]

Picture thread of my 59. Multiple shots and questions.

Hi Aaron! Thanks for the pix and the video clip! That was neat! It looks like ya have some work to do on the engine, for one thing. If you do not have a shop manual, you need to get one. In it, you will find the specs for alignment of the front end. That might help you. Try to find someone who really knows their alignment procedures. I use Firestone because they can provide you with a lifetime warranty. If I do not like what I am seeing, I take it back to them. As I recall, that plugged connection on the fuel pump is your vacuum connection. Others who are more technically inclined than me can set me straight on that. She looks to be pretty nice looking. She just needs some TLC to bring her back to where she should be. A lot of the guys here should be able to help you figure things out, once they see the pix and watch the video. Good luck with her!

[Guest]

Hey Aaron,
Just do a little at a time. Remember she's like a fine wine she is only going to get better with age especially if you keep her out of the weather. As Ray stated, need to get you a manual, there is allot of good information in there! Check Ebay!!! Keep us posted!
Richard D. Hord

[Dakota Boy]

can you post a pic of how the rear leafs attach to the frame? (the front of the leafs, not the back ends)

my car is a 58 that the last owner removed the coils and fitted 59 or 60 leafs into. I'm just curious as to how the "stock" mounts are supposed to look.

Thanks

[inheritance]

Thanks for the posts. I plan on buying a service manual as soon as possible. I was paid 700 dollars today and I have decided that I am going to invest it into the thunderbird. So far, i have decided to buy a drum brake overhaul kit with wheel cylinders and new shoes for all four, (found it priced for 150$).
I also am buying a detent plate as available from this website. I'm getting a mechanical water temp gauge, a heater core, and depending upon price, the upper and lower ball joints, and inner and outer tie rod ends. Fresh alignment per specs of the service manual with radial tires. Might not be able to afford the bullitt wheels right now considering the aforementioned upgrades, but i am going to see if the local junkyard has 4 15 or 16 inch steel wheels that would mount and just go that route for now.

Heres the pics you needed dakota, please keep the posts coming!! It is very nice to have others share interest!

[fomoco59]

My first Squarebird ('59) was the same color.. Hickory Tan and Colonial White with tan and white vinyl interior! Have to admit I painted it re-sale Red and White and dyed the interior. Welcome to Squarebirds !

[Dakota Boy]

thanks for the pics of the leaf mounts

mine were some fabricated brackets, but looks like they were attached in the same fashion as the stockers on yours.

[inheritance]

thats cool fomoco, i do like the tan bird but would of preferred another color myself.

dakota, no problem man glad I could help.

so does anyone have any general suggestions for the car or maybe areas that I should focus on? I can take as many pictures as can be, and sure aren't afraid to tackle a project head on. Also. what is going on with my tires? Is that likely to rememdy without replacing the steering valve and power steering components? I only have the money for the inner and outer ties and ball joints as of now. The sway bar bushings look ok still.

[Guest]

Hey Aaron,
You may not have the money right now, but the front brakes needs to be changed over to disc. The '58-'60 Thunderbird brakes are the same that was on the '55-'57 Thunderbirds and the '58-'60 Thunderbirds weigh roughly 1500 lbs more. The brakes on these old cars are not that great.
I would also get the breather back on her. If she backfires through the carburetor, you got a fire. Keep a fire extinguisher handy anyway!!!
Richard D. Hord

[inheritance]

The '58-'60 Thunderbird brakes are the same that was on the '55-'57 Thunderbirds and the '58-'60 Thunderbirds weigh roughly 1500 lbs more.

Interesting point! From review of the disc brake conversion on the site http://www.squarebirds.org/disc_brake.htm, it does not seem as though it would be that hard of a task to do over a weekend as long as the spindle was machined. I wish the pictures worked in that article. Should i absolutely consider changing over to front discs as compared to saving only 150 dollars and rebuilding the stock drums?

[YellowRose]

Picture thread of my 59. Multiple shots and questions.

Check the temporary Technical Resource Library website listed in my Signature element at the bottom of this. There is some additional information there about disc brake conversions. Howard and I are involved in doing a disc brake conversion using '68 Mustang rotors, and '70's Chevy S-10 calipers. Going the Mustang route, your original spindles, bearings, bushings, etc. can be used. Which means you should not have the alignment problems others have experienced going the Granada route. We are using Granada disc brake ready rims though.

[inheritance]

im looking at it now, hmm.... very nice! Wish i could afford that rod and custom kit, but thats not happening. When do you think Howard and yourself will have more information on the mustang and s-10 conversion deal?

[simplyconnected]

The Pittsburg area should have great bone yards. The cheapest way to get disk brakes is if you can find Versailles spindle sets real cheap (spindle, back plate, caliper and rotor = set). Next, if you can't find Versailles spindle sets, see if you can find Granada spindles, real cheap. These spindles replace your originals, but they hold Ford Granada rotors, calipers, and brake pads.

They're getting scarce. If you have to pay more than $200 for the spindle sets, buy Scarebird brackets that bolt to your original spindles. The brackets are neat because they use your oem spindles and they hold GM S-10 calipers and pads. We use Mustang rotors, which fit directly on your spindles; even the bearing and seal sizes are the same as your drums.

In either setup, you need wheels that are designed for caliper brakes (disk brakes). When you do a disk setup, you need a power booster/master cylinder combination, and a combination-proportioning valve (we use old Mustang valves).

We are working on a plan where you can buy the bracket setup parts from different vendors for about $600 or less (minus bone yard 14" Ford wheels). This price includes everything from the booster to the spindles. - Dave