Skip to main content ↑ ↓

Topics

This section allows you to view all Topics made by this member. Note that you can only see Topics made in areas you currently have access to.

Topics - 86T-bird

1
T-Bird/Cougar Parts & Cars FOR SALE / 28 & 31 Spline Moser Axles for Turbo Coupe Axle 4 Lug
I have two sets of Moser hardended axles for a Turbo Coupe, one 28 spline and one 31 spline, both have studs.  The 28 spline has 3" studs, the 31 spline has standard studs.  These are c-clip 4 lug axles and are the correct length for '87-'88 Turbo Coupe & '93 Cobra rear disc brakes. 

$165 shipped to the lower 48. 

I puchased both sets new and they've been replaced over time as upgrades have taken place.
2
Lounge / Congrats to 5.8fastcat on 3rd Place in Modified Power Adder 2013 Drag Week!
Greg (5.8fastcat) and his son Adam, ran the guntlet of Drag Week (September 8th-13th) and took 3rd in Modified Power Adder with an average of ~9.20!!!  Fastest trap speed was 156 MPH.  If I recall correctly, he ran a 9.20 at BG, 9.20 at Indy, 9.24 at St.Louis, 9.19 in Mephis and a 9.17 back at BG.  He was also the fastest Ford powered car, but didn't get credit for it.

For those unfamiliar; Drag Week began with Sunday's registration at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green Ky & racing on Monday morning, then to Indy, St. Louis, Memphis and back to Bowling Green.  Travel time between tracks was 7-9 hours, depending on traffic and repairs.  The route for each day is given out when you turned in your time slip.  You could not deviate from it.  To prove you didn't, photos at two designated landmarks were required.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32952[/ATTACH]

The trip was the during the hottest week of the year.  There were days of up to 104, plus 90% humidity!  Total round trip was 1,200 miles.  The heat was incredibly brutal on the cars and people.  Imagine what temps inside a car with no A/C is like when it's 104 outside!

My friend Ryan and I drove 500 miles down from Michigan to partite (Greg & Adam live in Ownsburo KY).  Ryan, Greg and I were all on the wait list.  There were 250 registered and 230 showed up.  Only 11 folks on the wait list showed up, so we all got in!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32951[/ATTACH]
Quote



Ryan has the Red 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, he averaged 12.22.  I drove the Gray Mustang hatch back (between Ryan's Jeep and the Red Pro Mod Camaro).

I brought a knife to a gun fight: 12.45 average.  My little "back up" 306 was tired!  Used 8 quarts of oil in 2,200 miles.

Ryan and I were in Daily Driver.  In years past, anything quicker than 13 flat in Daily Driver was in the "Quick 32".  Not this year!  The cut off was 11.94.

It was an endurance run.  None of us were without problems, but all were repairable.  The most exciting and memorable breakdown was the fire in Greg's trunk! 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32953[/ATTACH]

The most amazing part was having it put out, repaired and back on the road in less than 25 minutes (that included all of our "pit stops" - don't know if Greg needed to change his shorts).

It was a great trip, and am finally feeling like I am recovered (4 nights of less than 5 hours sleep takes a little catching up...).  Glad to have been able to do it with Greg & Adam!  A bonus for was us, was hooking up with Gumby at Indy on Monday morning (he got up early and was waiting for us there prior to 8 AM).

Reading about Drag Week cannot do the experience justice.  It is the most hardcore car event I've completed.
3
LEADS on T-Bird/Cougar Stuff For Sale / New Old Stock '87-'88 Thunderbird parts Craigslist Ann Arbor
http://annarbor.craigslist.org/pts/3818623933.html

Located ~20 miles south of Ann Arbor in Milan.

They have a ton of stuff, all new.  Quarter windows, front lights, rear lights, fog lights, steering wheel, wheels, A-arms, fender mouldings, hood insulation, gas tank straps, struts & shocks.

If you need parts for a concours restoration, this might help.  Their price point isn't cheap though...
4
Lounge / Check out what I recieved from one of our board members!
Take a look at a Spoiler I purchased from a fellow board member. 

This is what I received after stating in three different PM's that I was only willing to buy it if there were no spider cracks in the paint.

Ya think I have case for a refund?
5
T-Bird/Cougar Parts & Cars WANTED / Looking for front spoiler assembly for 83/86 Thunderbird!
Checking to see if anyone has a front spoiler assembly they'd like to part with, or knows of one for sale.

I've picked up an unused A&A kit with everything but the front assembly.

Though I never thought I'd put a body kit on my car, I feel the recent upgrades to the wheels & tires lend themselves to a wider lower body look (plus it would complete the ization of the funky grill I put on it!).

Any help in locating one is appreciated.

Mark
6
User Rides / A few upgrades: 5/20/13 Pics outside the garage!
I've been working on a few upgrades.  May have tried to take the elephant all in one bite.

This is what it looks like at the moment.  A few things have been swapped out but it's missing quite a few more.

The push is on to be back on the road by the Power Tour.
7
Misc Tech / Making of a 140 MPH speedo face. Help - Solution
Looking for someone who has the wherewithal to make a 140 MPH speedo face per the instructions on Coolcats.net (the speedo was a Canadian 220 KHM).  All I need is the black face on sticky paper, I have everything else. 

Yes, though it may sound pathetic to those well versed, I am unable to get one to print out properly.  I suspect I'm missing some software or maybe it's some simple operator error, at any rate I am unable to get it to size properly and frankly I'm tired of trying!

If you're willing to take it on and send it to me, I'm willing to pay for it! 

It may make sense to make a few in case I slip with the exacto knife cutting out the odometer holes...

PM me if you'd like to help out.  I'd sure appreciate it!

Mark
8
Engine Tech / 302 engine block comparison pictures
Though this is not a subject often discussed on this board, it often brought up on other sites.  Due to our new upgraded features, posting pics here is a breeze!  Just limited to three pics per post.

Pics aren't perfect, but it gives a good idea of each block.

Here are a series of three posts showing three different 302 engine blocks:
The first series of three is a late model roller block, second series is early 289/302 block, third in the series is a Mexican block.

Areas to note on a late model roller is the size of the main cap and webbing area beneath the main (can be easily seen in two of the shots of the #2 main).
9
Lounge / Mini Garagemahal - Update 5/25/11 Check out the Racedeck floor and the cars are home
After decades of working in tight spaces, my garage addition is in progress.  Here are a few shots of what I've had all these years.  It is a pre 1925 two car 1 1/2 story garage with carriage doors.  I live in a historic district, so the doors, windows and primary structure were required to remain intact.  It's dimensions are 20' wide, 18' deep (keep in mind the T-Bird is about 17').  It has been enough room to work on one car or store two.

The plan is to put a 12'X20' addition and make the loft accessable and strong enough to hold a few engines.

I had the carriage doors brought back to life last year (still missing a window munton on one door...).  It was pretty amazing to have them close and be able to lock the building.
11
T-Bird/Cougar Parts & Cars FOR SALE / 88/87 Raven Turbo Coupe Seats F&R. Pick up for free
I have a set of seats I swaped out of my Bird.  Two buckets and the rear seat.  They are OK shape.  No tears or rips.  The usual fade to blue, a little wear through on the drivers piping and a couple ciggarete burns (from previous owner).  They are presentable and serviceable.  The passenger side will come with a manual track, but there is no track for the drivers side.

Come and get them! I'd perfer to see someone use them, instead of going to the land fill.
12
Show Photos / 55th Anniversary Show in Dearborn 6 26 10
There were 300 cars in attendance today.  The event began on Thursday and included tours, a cruise around the test track, breakfast, dinners.  It was quite an event if you able to do everything.

The largest amount of vehicles were the 55's-57's.  I didn't see a bad example of any early model they were all very high quality cars!

There were a large amount of 58-60, 61-63 and 64-66.  There was only a smattering of 67-69 (one 4 door), 70-73, 74-76 and 77-79 (one unusual supercharged 408 1977), no 80-82, more 83-88's than I antited and a few 89-97.

Lots of "Retro" Birds, but that's hole different deal there.

Highly unlikely to see an event like this again for these cars for another 5 years.

Here's the link:http://s992.photobucket.com/albums/af44/86T-Bird/55th%20Thunderbird%20Aniversary%20%20June%2026%202010

I haven't sorted out how to paste them in the body of the thead yet...
13
Events & Shows / Ford World Heaquaters 55th Thunderbird Aniv. June 24-26
Just a note to let everyone know about the 55th Anniversary Celebration at the Ford World Headquarters.  There is a maximum of 300 cars allowed on the property.

"Ford Motor Company is offering Ford World Headquarters property for the 55th Anniversary or the Thunderbird Celebration on June 26, 2010. In 2005 for the 50th Anniversary, we had 30 days to plan and Ford requested 200 cars. Well, 240 registered, and Ford invited all to attend. This time, for 2010, Ford is allowing 300 Thunderbirds on the front property of Ford World Headquarters. The 55th Celebration host hotel is the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Dearborn. There are limited rooms available for $99 per nite. See the website at www.tbird55.com"

Additional information is at: http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27596

If registraton for the 300 cars is full, it would still be great event to attend!

I will be attending and am fortunate to be one of the 300 cars.

Mark
14
Drivetrain Tech / T-5 to T56 Tips
For those of you who have done the swap from AOD to T-5 (excluding the Turbo Coupes...).  Here are a few tips on a T56 swap.

There are three styles of tail shafts on a T56.  GM, Mustang Cobra (from a modular motor) and Ford Motorsport/Hurst Driveline Conversions (3 3/4" bolt spacing).

The crossmember seems to be a big question for most:  Crossmembers are available through AJE (Anthony Jones Engineering).  The cost was $159 plus shipping.  Please note: there are other options, particularly if you have welding skills or access to someone who does.  The crossmember brackets can be moved rearward and rewelded to use the original double hump unit (supposedly 96-98 Mustang Cobra's had bolt on crossmember brackets which could be used, but I was unable locate any to confrim it.)  If you choose to move the brackets or use the Cobra one's, sub frame connectors may be in the way (if you have them installed).  Or there is a complete kit from D&D (including trans).

The crossmember must match the tail shaft, so it's important to know which one you have. 

The crossmember offered by AJE is a solid mount (the trans bolts directly to the crossmember).

AJE is in the process of coming up with a universal unit to work with all style tail shafts, but as of last month, they still had three separate ones (all the same part number, so it can confuse the warehouse and you may receive the wrong one, but it'll be quickly and courtously taken care of).

Should your T56 be a 10 spline unit (rated at 450 lbs of torque), the swap is very simple.  Pull the T-5 (75 lbs), get a trans jack and load up the T56 (120 lbs).  Mount the bell housing, jack the trans into place, install the crossmember.

A modular motored piece will need a windsor style bell housing.  These are pretty hard to find.  Quick Time makes one, but it adds about $500 to the swap.

If you have the heavy duty version with the 26 spline input, a new clutch disc is required.

I have the Ford Motorsport/Hurst Driveline Conversion unit (these are available through Summit).  It was 1 3/8" longer than the T-5.  It ran $130 to shorten and balance my driveshaft.

Wiring for the speedo will have to be lengthened, due to the pick location on the opposite side of the trans.

A T56 has an electric solenoid for the reverse lock out.  In a late model car, this is activated by the computer when the vehicle is moving at 5 MPH and below.  It can be addressed in a number of ways:  1. Purchase a connector (about $12 on e-Bay) and wire it to your brake light switch.  2. Pull the solenoid and pull the guts out or make a plug to fill the hole.  3. Force it past the solenoid when you want to get reverse (I hear it takes two hands and maybe a knee...).

I pulled the guts on the solenoid.  You have to be carefull engaging 5th gear, too far and it grinds into reverse.  Update:  I do not recommend pulling the guts on the selenoid!  It is an absolute PITA to engage 5th without hitting reverse.  A simple alternate is to pull the sping, cut 1.5 coils and reinstall.  The greatly reduces the amount of effort to engage reverse, but provides enough resistance to never hit reverse when slamming into 5th!

The T56 is a much tighter trans than a T-5 (I had the Z-Spec).  Shifting is very precise, much harder to miss third gear.  It's a very nice piece!

The extra gear is nice for those "intermediate" cruising speeds, but the biggest benefit is the greater torque rating for those who's power level is above the T-5's rating.

Mark