Let us know how it works out. The things we have to do to keep our Birds in shape. :D
I'll have to give a report how it matches up. The molding s in fact, Fairchild # 1369-4 molding, which I'm hoping to get cut to size, modified and attached...soon as I get a little free time.
My T-birds still in the body shop, but I need to get this molding swapped over onto the trim ASAP.
Thanks for the reply. I was planning to get out to the Carlisle PA shows earlier this month but couldn't get the time to go. I just received a sample piece today in the mail, from a vendor selling what I'm guessing is Fairchild Industries part # 1369-4 molding. Its the same one as seen here: http://www.jcwhitney.com/p3039069/sku-225817.jcwx?filterid=d667y1980g2u0j1
The funny thing is when I look at it on the JC Whitney site it now says it does fit my 1980 base T-bird....whereas before it said it would not fit..... Weird.
It's a pretty close match, so I guess I'll order two lengths and hopefully if I make a few cuts and mods as required, I can get it to look close enough to factory... that no one will ever notice the difference.
I'm trying to find replacement outer wipes for my 1980 Thunderbird...talk about impossible. At this point, I'd be happy to find a place I could just send them to to try to match them as best as possible.
My 80 has no vent window and has the sail mounted outer mirrors, so I need a wipe that's 38" long.
Just a point of info.... I ended up finding a set of original hinges off an 1981 Fairmont. The Fairmont reverses the position of the lower and upper hinge (It's simply opposite of the T-bird's positioning) but the same two hinges are identical.
Does anyone know of a good source that carries different universal dew wipes? One that shows a good diagram and dimensions?
Its near impossible to find the outer wipes for the 1980 to 1982 cars, so I think I'm stuck having to custom cut some universal molding and apply it using the old hardware.
I found one door of the car that would cost me about $100 but I hate spending that for a 38" length of window felt.
I'd rather just get some universal stuff, as long at it does what its supposed to do to have matching driver and passenger doors. Anyone know of some sources? I've been searching online but haven't seen anything yet.
I picked up a Autometer #10120 pillar pod for a 94-02 Mustang, as some in the thread suggested for the early 1980's Thunderbirds. I'm going to try to use it for my 80 T-bird but can tell you that its not at all a good fit right out of the box. It might be close with an 83 but not 80-82.
It sticks up about 3/4" around the curved portion of the existing trim. I'm hoping I can trim both edges a little at a time (as needed) and then heat it up enough to get it widen up to sit up against the existing pillar.
Just thought I would make mention in case others with the 80-82 try to look into the same pillar pod.
I hope not to reawaken the hostilities that accompanied this thread so without going there...
I was wondering if the 1994 to 1999 (or possibly up to 2002 or 2004) as in Autometer #10120 pod Mustang pillar pod is still considered the best fit, for the early 80's Cougar and Thunderbird? I understand that the 83 and 84 interior was pretty much a carry over from the 80-82 cars.
I have an 80' T-bird, so if my pillar post is basically the same as the 1983's shape (assuming the pillar trim was among the interior parts that hadn't changed in 83), I should be able to use a pod which matches up nicely on an 83-84 pillar.
Like the start of the tread pointed out, I know a 79-93 Mustang pillar is nothing like the shape of a 1980 pillars trim. I just bought one to give it a try and the 79-93 shape is nowhere the same and just plain huge compared to the 80's pillar.
If I could find an 83-84 in a junk yard, I could make an actual comparison, but they are kinda scarce in the salvage yards.
I haven't given up on this situation, only its currently about 18 degrees outside and snowing at the moment. I think this will be a spring weather project....If I only had room in my garage.
I wish I could add get a second T-bird but my wife already frowns because all the time (and money) I spend on my 80.
I think you should just keep it. That way, you wont look back in a few years and regret getting rid of it. I sold my 68' Camaro over 18 years ago and could kick myself for doing so.
I just found a donor car to make a access panel cover bigger then the portion of firewall I'll be cutting out. I'll be tackling this project in the near future and take a few photos along the way for reference.
I'm looking for a Non-cruise standard Thunderbird steering wheel for my 80 bird. Color doesn't matter. I can pain it but prefer black.
It can be off a LTD, Grand Marquis, Crown Victoria, Mustang, Cougar, Lincoln, Mercury, Thunderbird, etc. This style of wheel mounts on the hub with splines (unlike the 1983 up noched style).
Steering wheels off 79-82 T-birds will work but not 1983 and later.
Maybe I need to pull the valve covers and go over setting valve lash. I read if they are set too tight, that will result in low engine vacuum, however I did recheck them this past summer (when I replaced leaking valve covers) and despite some slight adjustments, they all seemed set properly.
I'm using Comp Cams magnum steel roller tip rockers and locks...maybe I should just go through them once again for piece of mind.
