thanks for the tips on convertible parts. i made a tool for the removal of the female screws out of a u-bolt. worked well. cleaned them up, now ratcheting perfectly. thanks for you nice video.
@vintagethunderbirdrepair94263 жыл бұрын
Glad it helped, thanks.
@vermbird83933 жыл бұрын
@@vintagethunderbirdrepair9426 it was me, warren in sand diego
@jimletizia19424 жыл бұрын
We need to get the word out on you Nick. Great videos. Your channel should have thousands of subscribers.
@vintagethunderbirdrepair94264 жыл бұрын
Thanks Jim. John and Sean have been helping me a lot sending people to my videos so I appreciate all their help too.
@anthonyrossetti14 жыл бұрын
I love this! 1965 convertible. To replace the top switch that was unobtainable for my top, I used a guitar foot pedal switch. I had to enlarge the hole slightly on the mounting bracket. The switch is momentary... and double pole double throw.
@vintagethunderbirdrepair94264 жыл бұрын
Hey Anthony, that's the first time I've ever heard of anyone repairing a T-bird with guitar parts. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Top switches are now available through the Birds Nest. In their 2019 catalog, page 7, top of the page they show all the top switches for 61-66. Thanks for he feedback. Nick
@herbertstrachman25994 жыл бұрын
Vintage Thunderbird Repair Just found your U Tube channel. I found the convertible top report very interesting. Could you please tell me where your shop is located. I do have one question, today I closed the top but when I went to open it to check something , I did not have hear any sound of the screws unlocking. Dead silence. And the top did not open. Any suggestions. Thanks. Herb Strachman
@tompittman46074 жыл бұрын
Nice job Nick, really impressed at the level of detail you're putting into these repairs. I rebuilt my emg. brake mechanism after reviewing your video, worked out well, I thank you for the inspiration, now I know its right, one less item on my punch list! Tom
@vintagethunderbirdrepair94264 жыл бұрын
Thanks Tom, I appreciate the compliments. Good luck with your car. Nick
@jimletizia19424 жыл бұрын
Wow! you are the best Nick. I have been working on 58-66 T Birds for 40 years and I have never seen someone as detailed in their work as you. actually you put me to shame. With all my experience which has been a lot less detailed than your work, I have learned a lot from you in a short time. Please make more video's. I know they are a lot of work,.I have never done a video of my work, That would be a project in itself. I'm currently the owner of 4 T-Birds, a 59, Black and Red 430 J code Convertible, a 63 Red and Red 85M code Convertible, ( I really enjoyed your video on the Tri-Power parts and restoration,) a 65 Triple Black Z code Coupe loaded to the max with options, (cruise control does not work, Lol,) and a 66 Diamond Blue and white Z code Convertible. all are in restored driver condition. I would love to talk with you sometime off line for some instruction on troubleshooting the power top switch on my 85M code convertible as I have no power action when I work the switch on the driver door panel. Thanks again for your love for these great cars, and any help you can give me. Jim L
@jimletizia19424 жыл бұрын
Off line chat is not necessary because your comments are really thorough. But would love to meet you one day.
@jimletizia19424 жыл бұрын
Thanks, I would enjoy that as well.
@jimletizia19424 жыл бұрын
Is there a way to fix a faulty power top switch mounted on the driver door panel on a 63 convertible? Your video on restoring the limit switches was great.
@vintagethunderbirdrepair94264 жыл бұрын
Hey Jim, I dont have one in my hand at the moment but if memory serves me correctly, they are a toggle switch and one year only. I dont think I have never rebuilt one of those and cannot remember at the moment if they can be disassembled. If you are able to disassemble the switch then you can get inside and clean it. Usually, as with other switches, cleaning is all they need. Thats the best I can offer you right now, sorry. Thanks, Nick
@jimletizia19424 жыл бұрын
By the way, from one of your comments below, I called Birds Nest and they do not have a top switch on the door panel for a 63 model car. They said you will have to find one on ebay but be repaired to pay big bucks. Any help would be appreciated. Not sure if it's the switch thats bad yet. Jim L
@vintagethunderbirdrepair94264 жыл бұрын
Hey Jim, thanks for the reply. The 63 top switch is a toggle switch unlike the 1961-62 which is just like a window switch. Chances are, if the top is not working, its not the switch, thats pretty rare. You can easily check the switch with an ohm meter. If it's bad, you can probably fix it by being very careful not to damage it. I don't have any so I'm also out of luck if I needed one. Thanks, Nick
@garyfain7235 Жыл бұрын
Hi Nick, love your videos! I have to either rebuild my r replace my carb on my 65 TBird. I remember you saying better to replace the stock carb because of rebuild is not real reliable. I can’t find the video of you changing out the carb where you gave the name and model of the carb replacement. Can you tell me which it is? Thanks and keep posting. You’re really helpful especially to newbie owners
@vintagethunderbirdrepair9426 Жыл бұрын
Hey Gary, thank you. Lately Ive been using the Holley Street Warrior carb. It is aluminum and dissipates heat better than the zinc Holley 1848-1 that I used to recommend. Also, the Street Warrior is 600 CFM and the 1848-1 is only 475 CFM but you cant really tell the difference. Also, the Street Warrior is cheaper too. Go with the Holley Street Warrior. You wont be sorry. Thanks.
@garyfain7235 Жыл бұрын
@@vintagethunderbirdrepair9426 thanks Nick, really appreciate the help.
@alberthitchcock2 жыл бұрын
Hi Nick, Great job refurbishing all of this. You mentioned you had to 'press' the screw out of the mechanism of the body. How did you do that ? I am going to do this on mine as they are very stiff and i think gummed up. Thanks Albert
@vintagethunderbirdrepair94262 жыл бұрын
Hey Albert, on the male screw mechanism attached to the deck lid, I disassembled it and gently tapped the male screw out of the mechanism. It has a slight press in the bearing it is held in. I hope I'm explaining that correctly. This way I was able to clean everything thoroughly.
@alberthitchcock2 жыл бұрын
@@vintagethunderbirdrepair9426 yes perfect. Thanks Nick
@tbirdsteve1 Жыл бұрын
Nick, the replated parts you mention at 1:00, did you replate those because that's how they should be or because you just prefer them that way?
@vintagethunderbirdrepair9426 Жыл бұрын
Hey Steve, unfortunately I don't remember what exactly gets silver cad and gold cad. On this particular car, the owners didn't care either so I just did everything silver cad. I know they get one or the other. Some parts are silver cad and some are gold. I chose to cad plate everything instead of paint since cad lasts longer. In the engine compartment I powder coat most things black because it lasts much longer too. When I had it judged at the international show in Portland, they didn't seem to care or know the difference and I still got first place. I know some of it is wrong but nobody remembers these things anymore. The VTCI does have restoration guides that describe some of these things. Alan Tast in the VTCI might know. Good luck.
@jimletizia19424 жыл бұрын
Hi Nick, Jim here again. I am having an issue with my 1966 T bird convertible where the Round limit switch that’s on the flip tray is acting up. When the flip tray folds under for the trunk lid to close I have to bang on that round limit switch with a rubber hammer two or three times to get the trunk lid to start closing. Could that be corrosion, loose wire etc. What is your experience with that possibly happening to you. Thanks for all your help for these cars.
@chrissmollen31902 жыл бұрын
Hey Nick, any advice on getting my truck open if the convertible top isn't working? I have a 66 Q-code car.
@vintagethunderbirdrepair94262 жыл бұрын
The shop manual has procedures for opening the trunk lid if the top fails. There are two ways to do that, bypassing the relays if the top motor is still working, or mechanically opening it if the hydraulic top motor fails. The shop manual explains both. Its far too complicated to explain that here. However, both ways are not hard. Good luck.
@chrissmollen31902 жыл бұрын
@@vintagethunderbirdrepair9426 Thanks
@chrissmollen31902 жыл бұрын
@@vintagethunderbirdrepair9426 What is the best shop manual for me to buy?
@vintagethunderbirdrepair94262 жыл бұрын
@@chrissmollen3190 Call Birds Nest and ask them for the "1965 Thunderbird shop manual." They will have the correct one. In there are complete chapters dedicated to diagnosing and repairing the top mechanism plus what I told you before, how to open the trunk if the top fails. Very good information. This is how I learned, by reading that. Good luck.