FORD Quiz

Ford Photo Quiz

Yes, it is definitely a FORD PART! But the question is, what is it and what Ford product was it used on? Also, how many of these wooden-boxed parts were used on each vehicle? (Note the odd Ford script design)

Answer coming in the April 2008 edition of Bird-News.

Tech Tip- Rebuilding Hood Hinges

Rebuilding Hood Hinges


The 1955 through 1957 Thunderbird hood hinge has developed a reputation of being something similar to a time bomb just waiting to go off. The riveted hinge bolt which holds the two parts of the hood hinge together has a tendency to break due to wear or corrosion. When this bolt fails, the owner will immediately become aware of its failure. The hinge's two component parts will separate. One part will remain attached to the hood. The other part, being spring loaded, will violently unwind and will stop only by crashing into or through the front nose of your car. Either way, there will be significant damage to your car. To protect your car, inspect your hood hinges for wear or corrosion. This is a part of the car that is hidden inside the body. It is often overlooked when restoring a car. If there is any doubt as to the condition of the hood hinges, they should either be replaced or rebuilt. As this has happened to fellow club member Paul Mounts, Paul has provided the following tip as to how to rebuild your hood hinges.

To rebuild the hood hinges you first have to gain access. The hood hinges are accessible after removing the hood and the front grill. Once you have gained access to the hinges. unbolt the hinge brackets from the body of the car. Make sure you have compensated or neutralized the spring tension on the hood hinges before you remove them. After removing the hood hinges from the car, remove the hinge bolt from each hinge. The hinge bolt connects the two moving brackets of the hinge. You will need to remove the factory rivets from the hinge bolt. This can be done by grinding the rivets off. Replace the original hinge bolt with a clevis bolt which is the same size or slightly larger than the original hinge bolt. Use a locking nut to secure the clevis bolt. Tighten the lock nut enough to secure the clevis bolt, but not so tight as to restrict the movement of the hinge components. Mark the location of the lock nut on the clevis bolt and disassemble. Once the clevis bolt is removed from the hinge, have the bolt and nut drilled out so that on reassembly you can insert a cotter pin to insure that the lock nut will not work itself loose. If your clevis bolt is slightly larger than the original hinge bolt. you will need to drill out the hinge bracket holes to the new larger size to accommodate the larger clevis bolt. A tight fit will also give you smooth hinge operation. Don't forget to grease the new hinge bolt on reassembly. Once completed you have eliminated the problem of the exploding hinge bolt. Now you just have to deal with realigning the hood! Good luck.

source: CTCC Tech-Tip Manual 1993-1997

Tech Tip- Maintenance chart

Quick Reference Maintenance Chart

As the time has come for most of us to put our T -Birds away for the winter, the following information submitted by fellow club member Craig Beilstein may help to insure that your Bird is ready for Spring. Though the quick reference maintenance chart is for a 1955 Thunderbird, most of the information is correct for 1956 and 1957 Thunderbirds. One exception is that 1957 Thunderbirds require a tire size of 6.70 - 14 inches. The reference chart appears to be from a Conoco Service Station reference manual. The chart indicates the various lubrication points on the car as well as fluid requirements. In addition, the chart provides a recommended frequency of maintenance that most of us probably do not comply with. As such, I have to go now, my car needs to be lubricated. It's been more than a 1000 miles since my last greasing. Thank you Craig for the information.

source: CTCC Tech-Tip Manual 1993-1997

Tech Tip- Battery Replacement

1956-57 Thunderbird Battery Replacement

For those of you out there who drive your Thunderbirds regularly this tip from Ken Smizinski may be for you. There still is a battery made by Interstate Battery that fits into the original battery tray of the 1956 and 1957 Thunderbirds with no modifications necessary. The battery part number is 29NFVHD. It is not "original" like the batteries available from the various Thunderbird parts suppliers, but the battery is current in its technology and the casing resists cracking.

As of September of 1994, I was able to purchase this battery for less than $90.00 from one of the local auto parts houses. I bought my battery from Forest City Auto Parts located in Arlington Heights, II. You will most likely have to order the battery. It is not a popular size with today's cars. When you hook up your battery, it helps to apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly to the terminals. This will help inhibit corrosion.

As an add-on to the above article, I wish to pass on a few simple "handy" tips that I have been accumulating from various club members but haven't figured out how to incorporate them into an article. The first tip also involves petroleum jelly. Petroleum jelly can also be applied to the headlight terminals which are also prone to corrosion. Secondly, when changing your oil, it helps to rub a little oil on the gasket of the new oil filter. This helps create a better seal and also makes it easier to remove the oil filter in the future. Lastly, when changing the various turn signal or back up light bulbs, a piece of 5/8" heater hose cut to about three inches in length makes a great light bulb changer. Using the hose is much safer than using your fingers. Hope these tips were of some use.

source: CTCC Tech-Tip Manual 1993-1997

Editors Notebook- Feb 2008

WITH OUR CTCC T-BIRDS SAFELY IN HIBERNATION, as we endure the onslaught of winter weather, we offer some auto-related items, as well as "new" T-Bird photos/information. Since 2008 represents the 100th Anniversary of the running of the New York to Paris Great Race, a bit of local history is presented on pages 5 and 6.

A relatively new source for Thunderbird photos, specifications, Ford advertisements, etc., is The Thunderbird Anthology CD. Refer to page 8 for more information on this unique collection of Thunderbird lore. This month's cover-photo, as well as the one on page 7, is from this source. Page 9 features a portion of the full-page Macy's ad that appeared in a recent issue of the Chicago Tribune. The caption was "You're invited to celebrate love." Note that the '57 'Bird is fitted with wire-wheels. Could this be a T-Bird owned by one of our Members? If you have any information on the origins of this advertisement, let me know.

The ever-popular FREE Pizza Party at Jake's Pizza is scheduled for February 14th. (See page 10.) The Calendar is updated to include the dates for the Spring Tour (See Back-Cover for Preview). Be sure to checkout the item relating to the progress being made on our new CTCC Website. Webmaster, Joel Greenberg, outlines the exciting, developing news in his report on page 6.

Also, on page 6, the photo of the famous 1907 Thomas Flyer: This is the very same vehicle that was permitted to participate in the Great American Race! It was quite thrilling to see this car in action on the cross-country event, especially in view of the fact that the American Flyer was the winner of the 1908 New York-to-Paris Race!

NEW CTCC MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY - The 2008 CTCC Roster will be updated for publication/mailing with the March issue of Bird-News. If you have any changes, please notify our Membership Chair, Madeline Zambon as soon as possible. Direct your mail to Madeline at: 24346 South Timberline Trail, Crete, IL 60417. CTCC Roster information: Dale Sherwood change zip code from 60127 to 60123. Urszula Mounts: (was Ursala) correct spelling to Urszula.

HAVE A HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

-- Bert Eisenhour, Ed. Bird-News

Thunderbird Anthology CD

Thunderbird Anthology 2005 CD

THANKS TO MEMBER RUDY BUDACH, we have a NEW storehouse of information and photos on the 1955 - 2005 Ford Thunderbirds! This photographic encyclopedia for the TBird contains nearly 600 photos, videos, hundreds of graphics, TV commercials and much more to guide your tour. The compact disc was produced by: HI-TECH SOFTWARE. 10 Little Tarn Court, Hardyston, NJ 07419. Visit: www.htsoftware.com

The 1955 section contains 55 photos, some of which are from Ford advertisements (see the cover and page 7 of this issue) in addition to many 'Birds appearing in Concours and car show events. etc.

While Rudy indicates that he paid $40+ for his copy of the CD in 2006, the above-mentioned website indicates a price of $19.95 plus a $5 shipping charge. There is also a Thunderbird Ads CD with over 200 Ford advertisements (1955-1969). This CD is priced at only $14.95 (plus $5 shipping). Look for more photos as space permits.

TBird Anthology- Part 1

The Thunderbird Anthology 1955 - Part 1

1955 Ford Thunderbird
Pictured, a very early Ford T-Bird advertisement, represents the first in a series of photos/info which will be featured in Bird-News issues during 2008. The "license-plate" is of particular interest, bearing in mind the fact the 1955 T-Bird was assembled on September 9, 1954. Note that the fender-skirt has no trim and the headlight "brow" is a "foreshortened" (non-production) design. See page 7 for more info.

TBird Anthology- Part 2

The Thunderbird Anthology 1955 - Part 2

Editor's Comment: This is an early Ford presentation of the Thunderbird and the (non-Port Hole) Hardtop. Note that there is no trim on the fender-shield. Also, note the odd headlight "brow" design! The photo is one of 568 from The Thunderbird Anthology, a disc that covers the T-Birds from 1955 through 2005 with photos and information.

1955 Factory Options
Total Produced: Convertible 16,155

Standard Equipment:
292-cid Y-block V-8 engine
6-volt eIectricaI system
4O-amp generator
90 amp-hr battery
Three-speed manual transmission
Hotchkiss drive, ball-joint front suspension
5-leaf spring rear suspension
Five 6.70 x15 tubeless tires
Astra-DiaI control panel with illuminated control knobs
Parcel compartment with locking-type push-button latch
4-way illuminated starter-ignition switch
Panel courtesy light with integral switch and automatic door switches
Rear view mirror on windshield upper molding
Dual horns
Half-circle steering wheel horn ring
Glassfibre hardtop (as a running addition)

Additional Cost Options:
Full-flow oil filter
Oil bath air cleaner
4-way power seat
Swift-Sure power brakes $40
MasterGuide power steering $92
Power-Lift windows $70
I-Rest tinted safety glass $25
Fordomatic Drive $215
Overdrive $110
White sidewall tires $30
Tachometer
Electric clock
Cigarette lighter
Convertible fabric top $75
Special fuel and vacuum pump unit
MagicAire Heater $85
Radio $100
Rear fender shields
Full wheel covers
Simulated wire wheels
Engine dress-up kit $25
Windshield washers $10
Both tops $290 (until glass-fibre hardtop become standard equipment)

CTCI Convention

Are You CTCI Convention Bound?

While our current sub-zero temperatures have us in their grip. I readily admit that the month of July seems to be a long way in the future! Nonetheless, if you are contemplating the possibility of driving your classic Thunderbird (or other car) to Portland, Oregon, "sign-on" so that a "mini-caravan" can be formed. If you plan to fly to the Convention. we would also like to include your name in the list of CTCC members planning to attend the CTCI International Convention. The Convention dates are July 28th through August 3rd, 2008. Send an e-mail outlining your plans: BEBluebird@aol.com

-- Bert Eisenhour, Ed. Bird-News

Whale Crossing

A WHALE CROSSING? ONLY IN TENNESSEE!

IN THE FORWARD-THINKING STATE OF TN, IT IS ILLEGAL TO FIRE A GUN AT ANY WILD ANIMAL - WHILE DRIVING - EXCEPT FOR WHALES ....

IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE THAT ANY MOTORISTS IN TENNESSEE ARE WAILING ABOUT THEIR STATE'S UNIQUE, AND BORDER-LINE COMICAL PROHIBITION ON SHOOTING WHALES FROM THEIR CARS!

Source credit: the item/photo appeared in a recent issue of AutoWeek Magazine on the always interesting page titled BWTM (But Wait, There's More).