Driving Impressions

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Driving Impressions

March 15, 2011, 08:46:51 AM

So today I had an appointment to get my T-bird alignment done after doing the new steering rack, pump, etc. Of course the one day I make an appointment somewhere, it rains!

It has probably been 6-7 years since I really drove the car in any heavy rain and let me tell you I forgot about some of the shortcomings of the old girl.

1.) The windshield wipers suck! I never noticed this before but now that I drive newer vehicles on a daily basis it really makes the 23 yr old wipers on the 'bird seem archaic and inefficient.
2.) Headlights are about 1 candlepower...this was the ONLY thing about the car I did not like when I drove it daily. The headlights were always super dim and eventually were "foggy" on the inside. Back in the day before I put the new headlights on, I drove around with the brights on all the time at night just so I could see!
3.) 17x9 wheels + py roads around here = darty steering feel.

However, I still LOVE driving this old

T-bird. It just feels right sitting in the drivers seat. I feel way more comfortable in this than my S197 Mustang (probably because I've put about 53,000 more miles on the T-bird over the course of time). You can see out of it great, you sit more upright, and it just "gets around" well. I do think the new quicker-ratio rack made a big difference in the steering feel of the car.

So I am one step closer to being prepared for Power Tour. Next on the list: fix drivers side door lock (it quit working), re-tint the windows, and fix some play in the steering column. I had to drop the column once and lost a bolt...ever since then it has had some side-to-side play.

Well sorry to ramble on guys, I'm just excited spring is here and that I am driving my 'bird again.

Driving Impressions

Reply #1 – March 15, 2011, 09:36:47 PM

I can't wait to get my XR-7 out of storage! It has the quick ratio steering, and it does make a difference. My 83 that I daily drive in the winter has the old sloppy rack, and while it is easier to drive, it's not real "fun". Both the 83 and the 85 have sucky headlights. I ran Sylvania SilverStars in my old Marquis, and they helped. I should try them again.

Driving Impressions

Reply #2 – March 15, 2011, 10:21:03 PM

Try polishing your headlights with brake fluid. It eats plastic and paint, so be careful. From the way I understand it, that is all the headlight restore kits are, "watered down" brake fluid.

I know exactly what you mean about the car just feeling right. Right now my car needs suspension work, motor mounts, and a 5 speed. I got a saftey guy I can use to get around that, but I really want to fix it right while I can park it. It's real tempting to just throw a temp tag on it a drive around for a couple weeks though.

Driving Impressions

Reply #3 – March 15, 2011, 10:29:27 PM

Don't worry, you're not rambling. I think everyone here can relate to you. I've been able to start driving my Thunderbird regularly as well, I love it. Just driving down the road, enjoying the comfy seats, hearing the rumble of 8, 27 year old cylinders firing away with as much power as they can muster.

I personally like the light steering; these are luxury cars after all, not Mustangs. Other cars feel...well...not like my Thunderbird!

Driving Impressions

Reply #4 – March 15, 2011, 10:36:16 PM

I have new lights and wipers, and no complaints on the Sport. The wipers are great, and while the head lights aren't as great as my wife's new Maxima, they are pretty good. The Sport handles well, even with the 17x9 and 10's on it. I know what you mean about the steering on bumpy roads, but that's the wheels, not the car. It wasn't made for them from the factory.I would only change one more thing about the Sport. I want it to be quieter on the inside. Even after the sound deadener, it is better, but not yet where I want it. I'll be doing a little more to work on that eventually.

Driving Impressions

Reply #5 – March 15, 2011, 11:11:29 PM

I've yet to drive mine this year. It's almost time. The roads are clear of salt. I just need to get a rain free day to pull it out of the garage and change the oil. I can't drive in the rain or I'll have to clean the undercarriage again....

Driving Impressions

Reply #6 – March 16, 2011, 10:02:15 AM

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I can't wait to get my XR-7 out of storage! It has the quick ratio steering, and it does make a difference. My 83 that I daily drive in the winter has the old sloppy rack, and while it is easier to drive, it's not real "fun". Both the 83 and the 85 have sucky headlights. I ran Sylvania SilverStars in my old Marquis, and they helped. I should try them again.

I've thought of trying those Silverstars. Sound like you think they are worth it?

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Try polishing your headlights with brake fluid. It eats plastic and paint, so be careful. From the way I understand it, that is all the headlight restore kits are, "watered down" brake fluid.

I actually bought some stuff made to brighten up headlights, tail lights etc. Can't remember for the life of me who made it (I want to say Mothers) but it made my headlights look like new again. I put new headlights on the car in 03 or 04.

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I personally like the light steering; these are luxury cars after all, not Mustangs. Other cars feel...well...not like my Thunderbird!

I can agree with that. I think it would be nice to have my car as it is now but also have a 100% stock fox T-bird/Cougar right down to the 14" wheels. I sometimes miss how my car looked and drove stock with the 14" 8-holes and white letter tires.

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I have new lights and wipers, and no complaints on the Sport. The wipers are great, and while the head lights aren't as great as my wife's new Maxima, they are pretty good

Well Vin I never remember thinking the wipers were bad until now. I even put new blades on last summer. Maybe the wipers on my Silverado are just that good, but driving the car in the dark and pouring down rain made me less than relaxed, lol.

My headlights have always been horrible. Even with the new lights they pale in comparison to modern vehicular lighting...but that's part of the fun of driving an older vehicle.

I know the steering is the wheels...its probably worth putting up with for the change in handling.

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I've yet to drive mine this year. It's almost time. The roads are clear of salt. I just need to get a rain free day to pull it out of the garage and change the oil. I can't drive in the rain or I'll have to clean the undercarriage again....

x2 on the rain. Its done a lot of that lately! At least they are saying it will be nice today/later this week. I plan on cleaning her up after work tonight.

Driving Impressions

Reply #7 – March 16, 2011, 11:00:56 AM

I buy the best wipers I can get. They're worth it.

Driving Impressions

Reply #8 – March 16, 2011, 11:18:47 AM

The pros and cons of the Fox chassis. They feel light but the truth be told the suspension was never raved about back when they were new. Even new they felt kind of....indirect so to speak. The Tbirds and Cougars as "personal" coupes were closer to luxury than sport. Improvements for handling usually translate to harsh but handling is improved. Everything is a compromise.

In my experience the Foxes as compared to the MN-12 feel much better but the MN-12 handles way better even though it's 600 lbs heavier. Especially in the rain. To me the disadvantage to the MN-12s is the weight and size (six inches wider) but they are quieter and really closer to the MKIII in feel than the Fox Tbird/Cougar is to the MKVII. It's even more noticable with the 3.8. The lighter front end actually enhances the feel IMO. I've driven the 3.8s almost exclusively. I didn't like the feel of the 5.0 as much but at least it has power.

In every case however the larger size of the Tbird/Cougar is way better than the Mustang and the back seat is usable too!

Driving Impressions

Reply #9 – March 16, 2011, 11:56:35 AM

I can see all of those points. The wiper motors do degenerate over time; the motors can be rebuilt but I've had decent luck finding NOS ones. They help tremendously, along with a top-level charging system in the car. I believe the headlights are still available new from Ford but IIRC the prices are starting to creep upwards (http://www.turbotbird.com has the p/n's and pricing in their FAQ section).

Heh...lemme tell you about driving the convertible in the rain.

Cowl shake + 17" tires + modified suspension + leaking top = FUN FUN FUN!
It's like stepping on eggshells the whole time. But understeer is, surprising, just about what you expect from a coupe.
The suspension is actually a hair softer in the back now, thanks to the CHE arms. It's surprisingly civil.
So the key is to just slow down, try to stay in the groove of the road, don't make any sudden moves, and allow extra braking time. I've never had a problem in the few times that I had to drive it in rainy weather. I mean, if I wipe out my car, it's not replaceable...that is also a motivating factor.

Driving Impressions

Reply #10 – March 16, 2011, 01:53:37 PM

Eric if I had your car I would just make sure it stayed in the dry! Hell my car would be hard to replace...yours would be nearly impossible.

Driving Impressions

Reply #11 – March 16, 2011, 02:25:11 PM

I tried but when you're hundreds of miles from home, going to or from a car show, you don't have much choice but to keep driving through the rain. It's been rained ON plenty of times in hotel parking lots and at the car shows themselves. That's okay because the engine compartment and undercarriage don't get dirty (due to the car cover). Ah well...every once in a great while, letting Mother Nature wash the underside is fine.

The scariest moment in driving that I ever had with the convertible was, believe it or not, in totally dry weather. Going to VA, I arrived on I-64 at dusk, sun to my back, in a walled construction zone (left and right sides), no construction going on so no speed restrictions, and three lanes of packed traffic going 80 mph. And I was trapped in the left lane against the wall, with nowhere to go, no idea of the road ahead, in a foreign town. Couldn't slow down, couldn't speed up, couldn't get over for probably 5-10 miles. I was actually starting to get a touch of vertigo. Threw my britches away when I finally got to the hotel LOL.

I think the most fun I've ever had was going back home to OH from Fords@Carlisle. Normally it's a 4.5 hour drive. For some reason, that afternoon the car was running really well and it asked me to just go. And go I did. Probably averaged 85-90 on the PA turnpike. There were no cops out, and it was a great early evening ride until I got to the Pittsburgh area and all the douches came out of the woodwork. Saw a few 100+ mph runs there to get around them. Made it home in just under 3 hours, for 250+ miles.

Like I said, I'm not afraid to drive it. But water throws a big monkey wrench into any driving situation and you have to be extry cautious.

Driving Impressions

Reply #12 – March 16, 2011, 03:32:55 PM

I got caught in the rain with the T-bird once last summer. Let me tell you a AOD with a 2800 stall converter and valve body mods is a bit scarry in the rain. The car can burn the tires easily on dry pavement and spin them again on the 1-2 shift. I had to start from a stop in 2nd gear (thankfully I've got an epoxy mod valve body so I can do that) to get going as the tires slipped something fierce in the rain.

Driving Impressions

Reply #13 – March 16, 2011, 07:17:17 PM

First time I had the Cougar out in weather was 2 weeks after I bought it. The first time I had had any RWD on questionable roads. If i hadn't spent most of my previous winter driving hours drifting in a FWD family car, I probably would have lost her over the median. Surprised the heck, and scared the outta me, after sitting for 5 years, I didn't really think she could do it. Now that Ive done it a few times, I really want to find out what it'll be like with a new gear set in the back.

Driving Impressions

Reply #14 – March 16, 2011, 10:46:57 PM

I know what you mean. I looooove driving my cougar. It needs some struts cause the thing's a boat right now, but honestly thats kinda fun lol.

I took it out on the road today and burned the tires up a little and just let her fly. It feels good. It sucks that I can't drive it right now cause I still need a tag but I'll be so happey when it gets going again.

But the weird thing to me is that after driving my 96 for months, it feels foreign getting into the 88. The 96's interior design is perfect. I think from a driver oriented point of view, it couldn't be better. Getting into the 88 the shifter is farther away, the steering wheel feels different, the ignition is in a different spot, the lights and turn signal locations are different, but its not bad, just different. But, the 88 is SOOOOOO much more fun to drive to me. It corners better, steers easier, feels lighter, and just feels.... better. It almost can't be explained.