I am restoring a 1960 thunderbird full restoration. I'm back to full running shell. Ihad a power stearing leak and a coolent leak fixed them (and a vacum leak). Now I have a trany leak. It is leaking from the shifting linkage and accelerator down shift linkage point. It's a cruiseamatic trans. I'm sure there is just an oring seal that is bad but at this point is there anything I can do without pulling it? I was thinking of trying Lucas trany additive has anybody tryed it in there tanz. I also need to know what viscsity oil is used in the AC. My ac guy keeps telling me that he can't find what it is. I know oil needs to be in the system. Anyone that can tell me is aces in my book. Last one. On the 1960 thunderbird how did they ground the gas tank for the fuel gage to work? I'm new to all this so please be spicific where you can be. Thank you in advance.
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Some Q's on a 1960 Thunderbird
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RE: Some Q's on a 1960 Thunderbird
'fraid the only part I can provide specifics on is the fuel gauge. The sending unit should be grounded to the tank and the body. I soldered a wire onto the sending unit and put a connector on the other end of the wire and the self tapping screw through it that holds the cover on for the sending unit (all this right behind the spare tire in the trunk).
Lack of good grounds is a frequent problem in the electricals, especially instruments, of such older cars. This happens for two reasons: corrosion of previously good connections, and paint where there used to be bare metal. The sending unit from the gas tank is a good example, so is the temperature sending unit, and the radio antennae.
The instruments only run on 6 volts (there is a voltage step down on the back side of the instrument panel) so good connections are important.
You can always check for good grounds by using a jumper cable and going right from the sending unit (whichever one) right to the battery ground. If your readings on the dash change, then you know he ground was insufficient. I am personally suspicious of the temp sending unit as it screws into a neck (possible poor connection) which in turn presses into the intake manifold (another chance for poor conduction). I added a copper washer on it with a wire going to a good ground and eliminated the problem.
john
58 Hardtop
1958 Hardtop
#8452 TBird Registry
http://tbird.info/registry/DataSheet...r~equals~8452)
photo: http://www.squarebirds.org/users/joh...d_June2009.jpg
history:
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RE: Some Q's on a 1960 Thunderbird
I have not used the Lucas Transmission additive before in my squarebird. I have however used it in my daily driver and it can work miracles.
As far as the viscosity on the oil, the manual may say what it is. If not I would imagine that Alexander would know. He seems to know everything on these cars.
Good luck on the car. Dan
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RE: Some Q's on a 1960 Thunderbird
I have used the Lucas additive in my 1959 equipped with Cruise-O-Matic for years with good results, though I did not add it for a tranny leak. It was added because before the car was warmed up, the transmission would sometimes take over a minute to go into drive gear after being put in gear. It solved the problem.
Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top
Alexander
1959 Hard Top
1960 Golde Top
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RE: Some Q's on a 1960 Thunderbird
I`m looking in an old Motor`s repair manual 1953 to 1963 at an exploded view of the trans and it shows an o-ring on the shifter shaft...looks like it shouldnt be too hard to get out. You might consider retrofitting your A?C system to the new r134, from what I understand its fairly easy and inexpensive, and most important you dont need a permit to use or buy it.Hope this helps
Rick
60 Hardtop
Front Brakes
12.6 Volts
Rick
60 HardtopComment
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