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Topics - thunderjet302

62
Suspension/Steering / Rear springs, what's everyone using?
Back in October I replaced the spring isolators on my Thunderbird and the rear end went up. It wheel to fender gap is about 3/4"-1" higher than the front (around 2.25" in the front, almost 3" in the rear).


I would like to get some springs to lower the rear of the car. I plan on running Maximum Motorsports adjustable rear control arms so I can set the correct ride height: http://www.maximummotorsports.com/Extreme-Duty-Adjustable-Rear-lower-Control-Arms-1983-1989-Thunderbird-P1444.aspx

So these are the factory replacement springs for an 87-88 Thunderbird: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/MOO0/8599/03360.oap?year=1987&make=Ford&model=Thunderbird&vi=1430183&ck=Search_03360_1430183_3405&pt=03360&ppt=C0361

These are for an 87-93 Mustang: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/MOO0/8621/03360.oap?year=1987&make=Ford&model=Mustang&vi=1133918&ck=Search_03360_1133918_3405&pt=03360&ppt=C0361#itemDetailTab_

These are for an 87-93 Mustang: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/MOO0/7331/03360.oap?year=1993&make=Ford&model=Mustang&vi=1134111&ck=Search_03360_1134111_-1&pt=03360&ppt=C0361#itemDetailTab_

Can I run the Mustang springs to get a 1-1.5" drop and then adjust it out with the control arms or are the Mustang springs too "weak" for my application?
63
Suspension/Steering / Quad shock bolt size?
Does anyone happen to know the size of the bolts that hold the quad shock bracket to the frame rail on a Thunderbird/Cougar? I also need to know the bolt size for the quad shock to axle bracket as well. Thanks.
64
Lounge / Irrational case of the wants for this Continental
I have an irrational case of the wants for this Continental: https://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/cto/5281788569.html

Quote
Rare and beautiful two owner Bustleback Continental with only 13k original miles! Two owner car. Drives like a new car. Still has a new car smell. Gold with gold leather interior and genuine walnut wood trim throughout. Car is immaculate and worthy of collector status. No rust - kept in climate controlled storage. 5.0L / 302 V8, EFI, AOD Overdrive Trans, Working Air Ride Suspension. Car has all the toys, including digital dash with computer feedback. Original window sticker. Needs only a new, caring home! $12,990 or reasonable offer. This may be the cleanest Continental of it's kind in the country! Car is located in climate storage in Broadview, IL Please email if interested - Thanks.

Spammers and phishers will be reported! No trades, no sales assistance needed, and no lowballers please.




My grandparents had a virtual twin of this car when I was a child. I remember when I was 5 asking my grandfather how fast it went because the speedo was digital. Well it went at least 85mph :hick:. I used to love when they would drive us around in the Continental. Now if I only had the cash....
65
Other Vehicles / Washed the ugly Fox yesterday
Well the Thunderbird is put away for the winter (it doesn't leave the garage again till after April 1st) so I washed the Mark VII yesterday morning. Washing it makes the paint look quite a bit better than it actually is. The clear-coat is shiny but the paint below is splotchy, dull, and missing most of it's metallic sparkle.





At this point I'm not quite sure what to do with this car. I don't drive it much as it's a spare car. When I have the opportunity to take a "pleasure drive" in nice weather I take the Thunderbird 99% of the time. This Mark VII needs a bunch of work cosmetically to make it even close to the condition of the Thunderbird. But for the $800 I paid for the car 3 years ago and the $350 or so I've spent in parts on it the car isn't costing me much to keep around.
68
LEADS on T-Bird/Cougar Stuff For Sale / 83 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, 60K miles, $5K
This car looks to be pretty clean. I'm digging the silver with red leather combo. Another one of those "if I only had the space"....

https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/ctd/5282115009.html
1983 Ford Thunderbird Turbo 2-Door Coupe

1983 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe

Drivetrain: Rear Wheel Drive
Interior Color: Red
Stock Number: 15716
Exterior Color: Silver
Engine: 2L TC I4 single overhead cam (SOHC) 8V
Transmission: 5 Speed Manual
Title: Clear
Mileage: 60,667
Fuel: Gasoline
VIN: 1FABP46W0DH162666

Asking Price: $5,000

Key Features:
Power Steering

1983 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, **ONE OWNER** 2.3 Liter Turbo Charged 4 Cylinder Engine with 5 Speed Manual Transmission, Only 60,667 Miles. Silver with Red Leather Interior with Power Driver Seat, Power Windows, Power Door Locks, Power Mirrors, Tilt Steering Wheel, Cruise Control, AM/FM/Cassette, Alloy Wheels and more. We can schedule a time for you to view this vehicle and take it for a test drive. You won't be disappointed. Let us know when you are coming and we will have the vehicle ready, washed and placed inside our Indoor Showroom for your viewing pleasure. Here at Ultimate Motor Cars we sell top quality pre-owned vehicles at great prices. Our family owned business continues to maintain its reputation for excellence but first, integrity! So, check out our reviews. Your new vehicle is waiting for you. Please visit us at http://www.umcsales.com for additional information about this vehicle or give us a call at 630-515-9595.

Contact Info:
ULTIMATE MOTOR CARS
(630) 515-9595
2101 Ogden Ave.
Downers Grove, IL 60515
72
Drivetrain Tech / Vibration shakes steering wheel up and down. Speed related. Pinion bearing?
So my Thunderbird has developed an annoying high speed vibration above 68mph. This causes the steering wheel to vibrate up and down between 68 and 80 mph. The vibration is present above 80mph but the harmonics of it smooths out and it is not as violent. It has to be driveline related as:

I've moved the tires from front to back with no change.

I can Rev the engine to 5000rpm in park and it's smooth as glass.

The steering wheel does not shake side to side but instead up and down. Vibration can be felt in the seat as well. It's a rythmic wup, wup, wup feeling.

It does it with both the stock steel driveshaft  (which buzzes with the 3.73 gears) and the aluminum driveshaft I normally run.

If the car is run on a lift the vibration is there but not as violent. There has to be a load on the rear wheels for the vibration to be present. The pinion bearing in the rear differential on the car recently started making noise. A lot of noise. The vibration is worse after accelerating above 65mph and letting off the throttle. Again pointing to the pinion bearing or gears. No perceptible vibration is felt on surface roads (below 60mph) only at highway speeds. I've tried shaking the pinion  with the driveshaft installed but it's tight. However if I rock the drive shaft from side to side with the transmission in park and the parking brake applied it loudly clunky side to side about .5 inch or so. The clunk noise is coming from the differential. The awful noise when running is definitely coming from the differential, verified by a stethoscope. Is it possible for a bearing or ring and pinion issue to cause a noticeable vibration?

Here is the noise from the pinion bearing/differential at low speed (windows are rolled up).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xzkctodX0E

Here is the nice and steering wheel vibrating up and down on the highway (again windows rolled up).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1GVReX-I1M
74
LEADS on T-Bird/Cougar Stuff For Sale / 88 Thunderbird Sport, 70K miles
Looks to be in real nice shape. Silver with a blue interior and 70K miles. Appears to be a lower option car as well. The owner wants $6500.

For Sale or trade for Mustang....1988 T Bird Sport Coupe 5.0 V8 w 73k original miles, ice cold a/c(original charge), meticulously maintained, SUPER CLEAN NO RUST, DRIVES LIKE NEW, two books of service records from original owner. You won't find one cleaner. I don't wanna devalue it by putting aftermarket parts on it. NADA value is $7,000. looking for a Mustang LX OR GT MANUAL OR AUTOMATIC OR ANY COOL FORDS. Call or text 8one5 2one9 9one72

https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/5233782041.html
75
Engine Tech / Tensioner range question
Over the weekend I upgraded the alternator on my Thunderbird from a 2G to a 3G alternator. The 3G alternator has a larger pulley than the stock 2G alternator. The stock size serpentine belt fits with the new alternator but is a little tighter. After installing it the arrow on the tensioner points to the "A" in RANGE



With the stock 2G alternator the arrow pointed to the "N" in RANGE. Having the belt slightly tighter shouldn't hurt anything correct? After all it's still in the RANGE area on the tensioner, just tighter.