That is what i mean JOHN. You are the only guy who covers the breadown of the whole car and what to watch for as far as trouble shooting goes. I never tried to order anything yet but Will probably want up replace all the bushings in time. I Will be doing a complete breakdown eventually but a section at a time. Lots of sandblasting ahead. I have to clean my steel wheels to protect them for the future.
Michael, Absolutely right, my friend, clean and protect those wheels as best you can. They cost a fortune to replace. It would almost be cheaper and wiser to buy a T-Bird parts car. Regards, John
wish i had a shop teacher that taught mechanics like you have shown...instead he was to busy sneaking outside taking sips of some clear liquid..so thank you John..this is Rich..
John, I give you alot of credit. That spring stuff to someone like me who has never done it looks scary . but you explained it really well and made it look easy. Keep plugin along my friend.... be careful on that ladder young man.... Take care - Ron
Ron, Scary? Nuttin to it, my friend. It's child's-play.😁 And I will be careful on the ladder. Wifey doesn't like it when I fall off them. Regards, John
John, You're spring removal job went pretty smooth (compared to mine) and you're right, Removing that tool from the compressed spring is a lot more difficult than you'd think. But my biggest challenge came when I installed the new springs, That was the toughest part that I swore I'd never repeat and I ruined the nice paint job I put on them as well. I had to touch them up with a brush but that didn't look as good as the spray job. Oh well, Who the heck looks at your springs anyway, lol. I'm enjoying this series, Keep up the nice work and be really careful on that nice, new ladder!
Art, Everything is just one big piece of cake, my friend. You'll see. And you're right...who looks at the springs anyway? 😜 Now about my future 442....... Regards, John
Hi - Nice video! 67 or newer springs are completly different. Much smaller diameter and more coils. 1961 thru 1966 use similar springs that mount over the upper arm. 1967 thru 79 have the spring between the lower and upper arm. When you order springs, there are different springs for Air Conditioned cars, due to weight differences. I can send you the specs for 1966 front springs from the Ford parts book if you'd like.
Thanks, my friend. If possible, post those specs here in another comment so all can see. There will be an update on the coil springs in the next vid. Regards, John
Hi! Frelich was my grandfathers last name, but he changed it when he came to America. This is the first time I've ever seen this name besides our family tree. :)
Gordon, Thanks, my friend. When done, I doubt it'll look brand new. In fact, I doubt I'll live long enough to actually finish it. But such is life. Regards, John
I have a '66 Thunderbird that I bought before really inspecting for a few hundred bucks. Looking like it won't be worth fixing so I'm going to start stripping it for parts. If you're lacking anything let me know and I'll see if I still have it. Vehicle interior is in pretty great shape, but under body/floorpans/rear fenders are rusted out. Previous owner was from up north where they salted roads. Never considered that might be a problem when buying it since i'm in Texas.
Thanks. There are some items I need. Please contact me at my gmail.com addy....joernone@ We may be able to work out a deal or two, my friend. Regards, John
i rebuilt the front end in a 62 Ford Falcon, i bought new lower control arms, the front end in a falcon is very similar to a t bird the falcon is a uni-body car ,
One of the kids I went to school with drove a red '62 Falcon. His dad bought it for him new. Seems to me it had a floor shift, but I might be wrong. It was a pretty zippy little car. Also, at a drag strip, I once saw a 6 cylinder '62 Falcon kick butt on a '65 GTO...by more than a few car lengths.😊 Regards, John
Sorry my friend but a 67 t-bird is a body on frame car not a unibody like the 61-66 so the springs are totally different and won't work!!! Love the step by step your doing I have a 65-bird that I got as a shell so I'm learning how a lot of it goes together thank you
Yeah, since finishing this video I discovered the difference between the spring designs. And you got your '65 as a shell??? You've bigger nads than me, my friend. That would require too much work.😜 Regards, John
Hello again - Here's the spring info from the Ford Parts catalog. Originally there were 3 different 66 TBird front springs, depending on whether the car had air conditioning or not. Part number C6SZ 5310 A was the standard right spring for air. It has 1 yellow stripe as an ID, and has a load rating of 2410# Its ID code is 3M (which would be on the build sheet), .700 inch wire diameter and 20.25 inch free length. # C6SZ 5310 C was for air and the left side. It has one blue stripe, load rating of 2510#, code 3P, and 20inch free length. # C6SZ 5319 B was the standard spring for no air cars , has 1 red stripe, code 3N, load rating 2310# and 20 5/8 inch free length. A 67 Tbird standard spring had a load rating of 2275#, .717 wire diameter, free length of 17 1/8, its also a smaller overall diameter. After several years the only spring Ford supplied for replacement was the Yellow stripe spring. Its amazing all the engineering minutia car manufacturers go thru to get everything just right, even 50 years ago. Your going to have a really nice car when your all done!
Probably a dumb question, but given how expensive those air cans are why didn't you just use your air compressor? We always called those fold out ladders "step ladders" because they have steps on them instead of rungs and often times have a little fold out plate on the top of them for holding a paint can.
It is my understanding that the backspacing, the distance from the inner wheel flange to the edge of the rim, will decide if it fits over your front caliper.
John if the tire is holding air then the inner bead should be good, the outside of the wheel pits are possibly just cosmetic. If that is the case your old friend JB weld will be just the thing to fix it. I remember in the day having issues with rotating tires as some of those cars had the drum wheels in the back that could not be placed in the front. Not one of Ford's better ideas.
Peter, Good idea until it comes time to change the tire. The JB Weld would pop right off when the tire machine tool comes in contact with it. Better we just go with the weld, if it's possible. Regards, John
Michael, I haven't yet checked to see if O'Reillys has the control arm bushings, but I will. Unfortunately, Rockauto is currently out of stock. But Mac's Thunderbird offers them here: www.macsautoparts.com/ford_thunderbird/catalogsearch/result/?q=control+arm+bushings&x=0&y=0 The Bird Nest offers them here: www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~partsort Regards, John
I have used PB Blaster for years. I left you a can of it last year and 2 bits on your workbench....LOL Hey John, Do you own a tripod?....LOL If I ever need a spring replaced I know who I can call...LOL Nice work, now get over here and work on our FORD van...LOL
Bill, Today I discovered that PB Blaster is sold by Lowe's, so that's where I obviously picked it up, but don't ask me when. And I'll look around for that 2-bits. No doubt the floor monster got it long ago. As for changing a coil spring...I've just shown you how to remove one, so stand by for the re-installation vid and you'll be a coil spring genius, my friend.😜 Regards, John
Those were nasty front ends to work on. If that big long spring gets loose it can be fatal. When that spring is out be sure to replace those upper control arm shafts. They wear out and cause alignment ptoblems!
If you are looking for parts for Thunderbirds I don't know if you know there is a place in vermilion Ohio called bobs classic cars he has a grave yard of every Thunderbirds look it up he might be able to help you I love the 66 best looking Thunderbird or look up Thunderbird junkyard vermilion Ohio it's on Sunnyside Rd
Hello joe , try having a chat with Jonathan w on TH-cam he has been doing up two different thunder birds he is very helpful he is very good. Hope this helps sir. Keep well all the best from UK
Michael, I rented it for free from O'Reilly's Auto Parts. They charge you for the tool, but give you a full refund when you take it back. But if you ultimately decide to keep the tool, then you just keep it...no big deal. Nearly all auto parts stores offer free tool rental. They have a bunch for rent. I'll soon be going back to O'Reilly's to rent a ball joint removal tool. Beats buying them, eh? Regards, John
John, um disappointed, I wanted to see the spring go boing across the room. Hmmm, old goat mystery guy sneaking around the garage, or Unkel Dorkel? I suspect that little rascal Dickle, that lube may have battery acid in it, beware! . Don
Don, Had that spring gone boing I would have immediately thrown my body on it and made it bend to my will. It's what we do here in the deep south. Take no prisoners and all that. And I'll keep an eye out for that dastardly Dorkel. Regards, John
As every mechanic I have known has said, take the engineers out and shoot them all! How practical was it to design a wheel that would not interchange with others of the same brand? Shameful!
Great video John. I like the spring compressor you used more than the one I used, but it worked none the less. Also had issues about the compressor shaft bottoming out on the upper control arm. As far as shocks, TheBirdNest shows a Shock Absorber Bushing AND a Shock Absorber Insulator which I think would be the two pieces you were needing. So far, I've ordered all of my parts from them and have been thoroughly satisfied. Man, I wish we were neighbors so we could work on our TBirds together!
Eric, Thanks, my friend. I've been doing a lot of shopping around and making price comparisons between the various T-Bird parts sellers. They're all pretty much the same and there is a reason for it. Shipping charges are what I primarily focus on. And it is too bad we're not neighbors. I don't know anyone who has an interest in working on old classic cars. Nowadays, it's all Iphones and video games. Total bummer. But such is the new generations. If it'll keep them out of trouble, then I'm all for it. Regards, John
That is what i mean JOHN. You are the only guy who covers the breadown of the whole car and what to watch for as far as trouble shooting goes. I never tried to order anything yet but Will probably want up replace all the bushings in time. I Will be doing a complete breakdown eventually but a section at a time. Lots of sandblasting ahead. I have to clean my steel wheels to protect them for the future.
Michael,
Absolutely right, my friend, clean and protect those wheels as best you can. They cost a fortune to replace. It would almost be cheaper and wiser to buy a T-Bird parts car.
Regards,
John
wish i had a shop teacher that taught mechanics like you have shown...instead he was to busy sneaking outside taking sips of some clear liquid..so thank you John..this is Rich..
Rich,
Yeah, some auto shop teachers really like 7UP.
Regards,
John
Your video meant so much to me although it's a year later it means that I can do it safely. thank you
John, I'm glad you still have your head after messing with that spring.....Those springs are liked caged animals..deadly.....
Buzz,
They're not deadly. You, my friend, have been watching too much TV.
Regards,
John
John, I give you alot of credit. That spring stuff to someone like me who has never done it looks scary . but you explained it really well and made it look easy. Keep plugin along my friend.... be careful on that ladder young man.... Take care - Ron
Ron,
Scary? Nuttin to it, my friend. It's child's-play.😁 And I will be careful on the ladder. Wifey doesn't like it when I fall off them.
Regards,
John
John, You're spring removal job went pretty smooth (compared to mine) and you're right, Removing that tool from the compressed spring is a lot more difficult than you'd think. But my biggest challenge came when I installed the new springs, That was the toughest part that I swore I'd never repeat and I ruined the nice paint job I put on them as well. I had to touch them up with a brush but that didn't look as good as the spray job. Oh well, Who the heck looks at your springs anyway, lol. I'm enjoying this series, Keep up the nice work and be really careful on that nice, new ladder!
Art,
Everything is just one big piece of cake, my friend. You'll see. And you're right...who looks at the springs anyway? 😜 Now about my future 442.......
Regards,
John
Hi - Nice video! 67 or newer springs are completly different. Much smaller diameter and more coils. 1961 thru 1966 use similar springs that mount over the upper arm. 1967 thru 79 have the spring between the lower and upper arm. When you order springs, there are different springs for Air Conditioned cars, due to weight differences. I can send you the specs for 1966 front springs from the Ford parts book if you'd like.
Thanks, my friend. If possible, post those specs here in another comment so all can see. There will be an update on the coil springs in the next vid.
Regards,
John
Hi! Frelich was my grandfathers last name, but he changed it when he came to America. This is the first time I've ever seen this name besides our family tree. :)
Hi John,
Excellent job my friend! This T-Bird is gonna be nearly brand new by the time you are done renovating it!
Gordon,
Thanks, my friend. When done, I doubt it'll look brand new. In fact, I doubt I'll live long enough to actually finish it. But such is life.
Regards,
John
joernone
Hey john, you better live to finish it, cos I am looking forward to a TH-cam ride in that T-Bird before I buy the farm. Lol!
I have a '66 Thunderbird that I bought before really inspecting for a few hundred bucks. Looking like it won't be worth fixing so I'm going to start stripping it for parts. If you're lacking anything let me know and I'll see if I still have it. Vehicle interior is in pretty great shape, but under body/floorpans/rear fenders are rusted out. Previous owner was from up north where they salted roads. Never considered that might be a problem when buying it since i'm in Texas.
Thanks. There are some items I need. Please contact me at my gmail.com addy....joernone@ We may be able to work out a deal or two, my friend.
Regards,
John
i rebuilt the front end in a 62 Ford Falcon, i bought new lower control arms, the front end in a falcon is very similar to a t bird the falcon is a uni-body car ,
One of the kids I went to school with drove a red '62 Falcon. His dad bought it for him new. Seems to me it had a floor shift, but I might be wrong. It was a pretty zippy little car. Also, at a drag strip, I once saw a 6 cylinder '62 Falcon kick butt on a '65 GTO...by more than a few car lengths.😊
Regards,
John
@@joernone the 62 i had i saw the odometer turn over twice, it had 72,000 on it when i got it ans 230,00 when i sold it
Plastic emblem adhesive works great to glue the sole on your shoes. Stuff a rag inside the shoe and clamp the sole to the upper part of the shoe.
Sorry my friend but a 67 t-bird is a body on frame car not a unibody like the 61-66 so the springs are totally different and won't work!!! Love the step by step your doing I have a 65-bird that I got as a shell so I'm learning how a lot of it goes together thank you
Yeah, since finishing this video I discovered the difference between the spring designs. And you got your '65 as a shell??? You've bigger nads than me, my friend. That would require too much work.😜
Regards,
John
Hello again - Here's the spring info from the Ford Parts catalog. Originally there were 3 different 66 TBird front springs, depending on whether the car had air conditioning or not.
Part number C6SZ 5310 A was the standard right spring for air. It has 1 yellow stripe as an ID, and has a load rating of 2410# Its ID code is 3M (which would be on the build sheet), .700 inch wire diameter and 20.25 inch free length.
# C6SZ 5310 C was for air and the left side. It has one blue stripe, load rating of 2510#, code 3P, and 20inch free length.
# C6SZ 5319 B was the standard spring for no air cars , has 1 red stripe, code 3N, load rating 2310# and 20 5/8 inch free length.
A 67 Tbird standard spring had a load rating of 2275#, .717 wire diameter, free length of 17 1/8, its also a smaller overall diameter.
After several years the only spring Ford supplied for replacement was the Yellow stripe spring. Its amazing all the engineering minutia car manufacturers go thru to get everything just right, even 50 years ago.
Your going to have a really nice car when your all done!
Excellent, my friend. I'll boil it down for presentation in the next vid. Thank you very much. Ya done good!
Regards,
John
Enjoyed watching John !! Have a nice Sunday !!
Thanks Virginia. It's always good to have you here.
Regards,
John
Probably a dumb question, but given how expensive those air cans are why didn't you just use your air compressor? We always called those fold out ladders "step ladders" because they have steps on them instead of rungs and often times have a little fold out plate on the top of them for holding a paint can.
Gary,
Why didn't I use my air compressor? I'll explain in the next vid, my friend.
Regards,
John
It is my understanding that the backspacing, the distance from the inner wheel flange to the edge of the rim, will decide if it fits over your front caliper.
I have the rest of the wheel dimensions. I'll show them in the next vid.
Regards,
John
Looking good John.
All my best.
Thanks, Bobby. It's much appreciated, my friend.
Regards,
John
John if the tire is holding air then the inner bead should be good, the outside of the wheel pits are possibly just cosmetic. If that is the case your old friend JB weld will be just the thing to fix it. I remember in the day having issues with rotating tires as some of those cars had the drum wheels in the back that could not be placed in the front. Not one of Ford's better ideas.
Peter,
Good idea until it comes time to change the tire. The JB Weld would pop right off when the tire machine tool comes in contact with it. Better we just go with the weld, if it's possible.
Regards,
John
I might try that method of cleaning the rust like you did. Are these control bushings available from the auto parts store?
Michael,
I haven't yet checked to see if O'Reillys has the control arm bushings, but I will. Unfortunately, Rockauto is currently out of stock. But Mac's Thunderbird offers them here:
www.macsautoparts.com/ford_thunderbird/catalogsearch/result/?q=control+arm+bushings&x=0&y=0
The Bird Nest offers them here: www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~partsort
Regards,
John
It's so weird seeing the spring supported by the upper control arm.
I have used PB Blaster for years.
I left you a can of it last year and 2 bits on your workbench....LOL
Hey John, Do you own a tripod?....LOL
If I ever need a spring replaced I know who I can call...LOL
Nice work, now get over here and work on our FORD van...LOL
Bill,
Today I discovered that PB Blaster is sold by Lowe's, so that's where I obviously picked it up, but don't ask me when. And I'll look around for that 2-bits. No doubt the floor monster got it long ago. As for changing a coil spring...I've just shown you how to remove one, so stand by for the re-installation vid and you'll be a coil spring genius, my friend.😜
Regards,
John
John. Specialists charge more, because, well they are specialists Ask Buzz lol
Jim,
Ask Buzz??? He'd need his wifey's permission to answer. She's the one with the rolling pin.
Regards,
John
Will you be soaking the control arms and other front end parts in the rust removed like the other parts You did?.
Michael,
Probably not. They're too big, but the smaller pieces will for sure go for a vinegar swim.
Regards,
John
I wonder if a Big Block Mustang GT coil springs will suffice since the early cars seem to have the same coil spring location...
I found a place where I can get the springs...made in America.
Regards,
John
John, you "spring" into action on that facia board but be careful on that ladder. Have someone help stabilize while you're working. Good luck.
Thanks, my friend, but if I go sailing off the top step I'll be sure to yell GERONIMOOOOO!
Regards,
John
By the time you finish building your T-BIRD you are going to be the guy everyone will refer To for info on these cars.
Michael,
I hope not. They're supposed to refer to the video series.😁
Regards,
John
Those were nasty front ends to work on. If that big long spring gets loose it can be fatal. When that spring is out be sure to replace those upper control arm shafts. They wear out and cause alignment ptoblems!
Craig,
Tell me the name of one person who has ever been killed while removing a 1966 Thunderbird coil spring.
Regards,
John
If you are looking for parts for Thunderbirds I don't know if you know there is a place in vermilion Ohio called bobs classic cars he has a grave yard of every Thunderbirds look it up he might be able to help you I love the 66 best looking Thunderbird or look up Thunderbird junkyard vermilion Ohio it's on Sunnyside Rd
Hello joe , try having a chat with Jonathan w on TH-cam he has been doing up two different thunder birds he is very helpful he is very good. Hope this helps sir. Keep well all the best from UK
Don't see the need to do that.
Regards,
John
How much is that spring comprresser?
Michael,
I rented it for free from O'Reilly's Auto Parts. They charge you for the tool, but give you a full refund when you take it back. But if you ultimately decide to keep the tool, then you just keep it...no big deal. Nearly all auto parts stores offer free tool rental. They have a bunch for rent. I'll soon be going back to O'Reilly's to rent a ball joint removal tool. Beats buying them, eh?
Regards,
John
John, um disappointed, I wanted to see the spring go boing across the room.
Hmmm, old goat mystery guy sneaking around the garage, or Unkel Dorkel?
I suspect that little rascal Dickle, that lube may have battery acid in it, beware!
. Don
Don,
Had that spring gone boing I would have immediately thrown my body on it and made it bend to my will. It's what we do here in the deep south. Take no prisoners and all that. And I'll keep an eye out for that dastardly Dorkel.
Regards,
John
Replace those upper shafts!
These old Arkansas back roads will destroy the best of suspensions.
Johnny,
They'll destroy an entire car...especially the roads we had back in 1966.😢
Regards,
John
@@joernone True. But I was running on Texas smooth asphalt back in 66.
Oh, no...don't tell me you're a displaced Texacan.
Regards,
John
@@joernone Fraid so. Born and raised.
As every mechanic I have known has said, take the engineers out and shoot them all! How practical was it to design a wheel that would not interchange with others of the same brand? Shameful!
Ansel,
I couldn't agree more, but there had to be a reason why they did the musical wheels thingy.
Regards,
John
Great video John. I like the spring compressor you used more than the one I used, but it worked none the less. Also had issues about the compressor shaft bottoming out on the upper control arm.
As far as shocks, TheBirdNest shows a Shock Absorber Bushing AND a Shock Absorber Insulator which I think would be the two pieces you were needing. So far, I've ordered all of my parts from them and have been thoroughly satisfied. Man, I wish we were neighbors so we could work on our TBirds together!
Eric,
Thanks, my friend. I've been doing a lot of shopping around and making price comparisons between the various T-Bird parts sellers. They're all pretty much the same and there is a reason for it. Shipping charges are what I primarily focus on.
And it is too bad we're not neighbors. I don't know anyone who has an interest in working on old classic cars. Nowadays, it's all Iphones and video games. Total bummer. But such is the new generations. If it'll keep them out of trouble, then I'm all for it.
Regards,
John