1997ThunderbirdLXV6
PostWhore
It had a full life.
1995 Thunderbird 4.6; seen 30DEC23
- Thread starter 1997ThunderbirdLXV6
- Start date
I wouldn't be surprised if that had over 300k in reality...hard to believe the odometer gear would last that many miles, if so, better grab them because they might be indescribable...I've seen so many fail even before 70k...
1997ThunderbirdLXV6
PostWhore
Meanwhile, a Lincoln Rown Rar.
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2023
- Messages
- 1,282
- Location
- North Ridgeville, OH
- Vehicle Details
- 1997 Thunderbird 4.6, 1998 Mark VIII LSC
Man, that blue interior gives me the feels for my old 94 XR7.
This is random, but the 97 needs a new LR caliper and/or bracket - at least one of the slide pins is seized and has been for years. In your travels, can you keep an eye peeled for any that don't have seized up slide pins? Probably a tall order considering how these are stored, but "don't ask, don't receive" applies.
This is random, but the 97 needs a new LR caliper and/or bracket - at least one of the slide pins is seized and has been for years. In your travels, can you keep an eye peeled for any that don't have seized up slide pins? Probably a tall order considering how these are stored, but "don't ask, don't receive" applies.
1997ThunderbirdLXV6
PostWhore
Never done anything brake related. I'm going to need a picture.
Meanwhile, today's roundtrip netted a fuel economy of 28 mpg. Good, but at a constant speed of 60 mph, I expected a bit better. I've done similar trips with a constant 65-75 mph, and fuel economy was about the same. It could be due to colder temperatures and thus increased drag.
That said, it's pretty impressive overall in a car of this vintage with a 3.8l engine; many modern cars don't get any better.
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2023
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- 1,282
- Location
- North Ridgeville, OH
- Vehicle Details
- 1997 Thunderbird 4.6, 1998 Mark VIII LSC
Correct - lower air temperatures contribute to lower MPG. Denser air is more air resistance and also increases the fuel requirement for combustion. Good for power though. Wind speed and direction also plays a significant role in MPG. With a 20 MPH tail wind I may see a 10-15% improvement in MPG compared to the return trip with a 20 MPH head wind, depending on speed.
In aircraft, denser, colder air contributes to great improvements in climb performance, but a noticeably lower cruise speed. The increase in power is not enough to overcome the increase in drag, especially at speed - wind resistance increases with the square of speed, so 10% more power will only help you overcome a few percent of the increased drag at speeds well over 100 MPH.
(not my picture)
If you remove the caliper you can check to see if the slide pins in the bracket are any good.
The slide pins allow the caliper to center itself on the rotor when pressure is applied to the piston. When they get stuck, the piston pushes the brake pad against the back of the rotor only, and you get 1/2 the braking effectiveness. As time goes by and that continues, the problems tend to compound in a soggy pedal that mimics air in the lines.
In aircraft, denser, colder air contributes to great improvements in climb performance, but a noticeably lower cruise speed. The increase in power is not enough to overcome the increase in drag, especially at speed - wind resistance increases with the square of speed, so 10% more power will only help you overcome a few percent of the increased drag at speeds well over 100 MPH.
(not my picture)
If you remove the caliper you can check to see if the slide pins in the bracket are any good.
The slide pins allow the caliper to center itself on the rotor when pressure is applied to the piston. When they get stuck, the piston pushes the brake pad against the back of the rotor only, and you get 1/2 the braking effectiveness. As time goes by and that continues, the problems tend to compound in a soggy pedal that mimics air in the lines.
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2023
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- 1,432
- Location
- Charlotte, NC
- Vehicle Details
- '95 Thunderbird with '18 TF 5.3L - SVO Engine
Those MPG numbers are kept there by A: The Oil & Gas Industry and B: The automotive industry. That's why they haven't changes substantially in decades. The status quo keeps the pockets lined.
Keeping the tires properly inflated will really help the mileage over long distances. Check your air pressure. I bet it'd down a few pounds because of the colder air. Not many people give much thought to their tire pressures on a regular basis.
Grog6
Moderator
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- Sep 22, 2023
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- 2,596
- Location
- Harriman, TN
- Vehicle Details
- 2x 1996 Cougars, 1997 Tbird 4.6's all.
Ive kept track of the mileage on m drives to work, and over the years, the Cougars best mileage speed is 75, and the tbird was 80.
I averaged 22mpg in the cougars, and 24 in the tbird. That's 120 miles/day.
I averaged 22mpg in the cougars, and 24 in the tbird. That's 120 miles/day.
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2023
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- 1,432
- Location
- Charlotte, NC
- Vehicle Details
- '95 Thunderbird with '18 TF 5.3L - SVO Engine
I'll take one of these thank you very much. In my travels I've driven about half a dozen Teslas. The long range models are comparable to ICE cars and are great for road tips. The standard range models are good for around town driving and short trips if you don't travel much. I'm very impressed with their performance and I know they're only getting better as the years pass.
Yeah I hear those are real hot items
Don’t park it next to your bird
Don’t park it next to your bird
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2023
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- 1,282
- Location
- North Ridgeville, OH
- Vehicle Details
- 1997 Thunderbird 4.6, 1998 Mark VIII LSC
I'm not much on the Musk but I'm down for a BEV at some point too, my problem is the industry has horrible design tastes right now so I'm in no hurry. Our PHEV has been great, and I'll likely never buy a traditional ICE vehicle again.
