Looks like the days are numbered for my gray bird...

Topic: Looks like the days are numbered for my gray bird... (Read 3357 times) previous topic - next topic

Looks like the days are numbered for my gray bird...

February 09, 2009, 02:05:46 PM

Well many of you knew that I had a severe rot problem with this car, but I guess I didn't even know how bad it was. I repaired it as best I could for a quick fix to get a couple more months out of it... quick being about 8 hours worth of work. This is the passenger side strut tower.

Here's a video of the flexing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6SUv2HgE4Y

Looks like the days are numbered for my gray bird...

Reply #1 – February 09, 2009, 02:12:11 PM

WOW...

How is everything else though? Like the underside. With your skills I bet yo could clip the front end. I dont know what it would end up costing vs replacing it with a solid car though.

Are you going to get another or are you leaving us?

Off topic but how do you like the shaved handles? ever have any issues?

Looks like the days are numbered for my gray bird...

Reply #2 – February 09, 2009, 02:13:30 PM

Holy ! That video is frightening!

It's official. Crystal needs us all to keep our eyes out for a nice '87-'88 replacement. :hick:

Looks like the days are numbered for my gray bird...

Reply #3 – February 09, 2009, 02:42:43 PM

Wow...I'm surprised it was still even in one piece.

What are your plans?

Looks like the days are numbered for my gray bird...

Reply #4 – February 09, 2009, 03:44:21 PM

Is the other side as bad too?

Looks like the days are numbered for my gray bird...

Reply #5 – February 09, 2009, 04:33:43 PM

All I could find is the other side. Dont know if you need it but here it is

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1983-1987-FORD-THUNDERBIRD-LH-INNER-FENDER-NOS_W0QQitemZ320212355114QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item320212355114&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A543|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

Looks like the days are numbered for my gray bird...

Reply #6 – February 09, 2009, 04:50:50 PM

If this was my car I would just cut the old frame rail out and make a new one. Its not that hard to do. Here is some pics that might help give you an idea.

Cut out the old frame rail and make a new one from 4 pieces of flat stock welded together.

Weld them together and in place.

Make a reinforcement at the back of the frame rail for added strength. Drill holes for the bolts that hold the k member on.

If you need anymore pics. Just ask i have more. This was done on a mustang but its pretty much the same.

Looks like the days are numbered for my gray bird...

Reply #7 – February 09, 2009, 07:08:23 PM

If you were still in Ohio I would sell you a good solid base for dirt cheap. The body aint perfect but all the important bits are rust free. Of course its 3.8 and the interior is absolutly shot lol.

Looks like the days are numbered for my gray bird...

Reply #8 – February 09, 2009, 08:08:22 PM

Wow, that's bad. My parts TC flexed when you put your knee on the bumper, but it wasn't that bad...

Is that the car you repaired a whole lot of rust on a few years ago? How are those repairs holding up? That'd be a big factor in whether you repair it or not...

Looks like the days are numbered for my gray bird...

Reply #9 – February 09, 2009, 08:56:05 PM

Quote from: Rcarder407;256102

If this was my car I would just cut the old frame rail out and make a new one. Its not that hard to do. Here is some pics that might help give you an idea.

Cut out the old frame rail and make a new one from 4 pieces of flat stock welded together.

Weld them together and in place.

Make a reinforcement at the back of the frame rail for added strength. Drill holes for the bolts that hold the k member on.

If you need anymore pics. Just ask i have more. This was done on a mustang but its pretty much the same.

Just wondering why you used flat stock? Seems like a lot of work and welding?

Looks like the days are numbered for my gray bird...

Reply #10 – February 09, 2009, 09:08:11 PM

We were cheap and thats all we had laying around. :hick:

Looks like the days are numbered for my gray bird...

Reply #11 – February 09, 2009, 10:36:20 PM

well, if you happen to be in the market for another bird' i know of a pretty darn nice 83 turbo coupe for sale locally. don't know what our plans are but its definitely worth looking at.

Looks like the days are numbered for my gray bird...

Reply #12 – February 10, 2009, 01:32:42 AM

I was actually thinking I wanted another 4 eyed bird as a replacement, hit me up with more info on that 83 :)

This is my first car and I'm still driving it 8 years later which is impressive enough as it is. I'd love to fix it but it's been neverending rot issues since I bought it.

I appreciate the how to on the repair, but it's nothing I've never done before, it's simply a matter of practicality. I just patched in what I had to in order to keep it roadworthy. A pretty repair it's not, but it's plenty practical.

I have my ranchero in a mid resto and I also have my prefect to build. The turbo coupe will be an easy project too. With all those to work on

Looks like the days are numbered for my gray bird...

Reply #13 – February 10, 2009, 02:25:57 AM

i don't know if this helps but i have the strut towers from Kmember i pick up. they cut just past the brake line to about 2 INCH past the strut tower;
i'm doing a straight-6 to V8 K member swap on my 1982 yellow stangcoupe.
so i don't need the frame/strut tower parts. here photos.as you see rust free.

more of inside

Reply #14 – February 10, 2009, 02:26:37 AM

let me know if there needed. there out of a 1986 mustang.