The Unofficial "Ask a Stupid Question" Thread

[XR7-4.6]

I saw them once in the junkyard, and first I thought ka-ching! Then at the attempt of removal, the glass just fell off the unit, the inside of which had discolorations all over. Ultimately I decided they weren't worth the time and effort of repair.

That version never seemed to be in demand even when they were new, I honestly don’t know what the manufacturer was thinking because besides the lack of reflector almost every detail on the lenses of the OEM and Depo clear corners was omitted, namely the lines molded into the lens. Worse yet the edge where the gasket sits under had a weird silvery paint in the shape of the non existent reflector and since it still used the chrome bulb mask it stood out like a sore thumb from the side. Paired with the headlights they looked mismatched. Maybe they intended to manufacture aftermarket headlights to match at one time but be it as it was when they hit the market it was kind of bizarre.

Here’s a very aged one on eBay for $29, it’s been there for a while

94-97 Ford Thunderbird Passenger Right Front Corner Signal Parking Light | eBay

1996 Ford Thunderbird 3.8 Auto White / Blue1FALP6241TH121000.

www.ebay.com

Gives you an idea of the quality too

 

[CDsDontBurn]

There's this one too. It's not the pair, just the passenger side.

Passenger Right OEM Corner Park Light Lamp turn Signal 96-97 COUGAR Thunderbird | eBay

THUNDERBIRD 96-97 Park Lamp-Turn Signal; (outer headlamp mounted). COUGAR 96-97 Park Lamp-Turn Signal; (outer headlamp mounted). See pictures.

www.ebay.com

 

[Little Ice-Cable]

Another dumb question, I know it is not the mn-12 platform, but does anyone know what years the fila thunderbird was produced.

 

[CDsDontBurn]

Can't say for certain, but by some Googling, it looks to be 83 - 85?

 

[Little Ice-Cable]

That's what I thought but I have seen some 86s, so I didn't know for sure

 

[KevinVarnes]

I believe the Fila was only '84-'85.

 

[XR7-4.6]

There's this one too. It's not the pair, just the passenger side.

Passenger Right OEM Corner Park Light Lamp turn Signal 96-97 COUGAR Thunderbird | eBay

THUNDERBIRD 96-97 Park Lamp-Turn Signal; (outer headlamp mounted). COUGAR 96-97 Park Lamp-Turn Signal; (outer headlamp mounted). See pictures.

www.ebay.com

BTW just to twist the knife a little these were $30 shipped on eBay for the PAIR brand new in box for the longest time!

Weirdly they were actually cheaper even than the 89-95 clear corners

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

Is this wiggle normal? Only the driver's side does it.

 

[XR7-4.6]

Is this wiggle normal? Only the driver's side does it.

Ya know you piqued my curiosity, and I just so happened to have a pair of the hinges in a cabinet because of course I do and just so happened as I walked by it scrolling on my phone lol

Here’s the driver (bottom)and passenger (top) side mirror imaging each other. Notice something different?




Besides the sawdust!

Me thinks that spring is specifically there to keep the passenger seatback from rattling on the inertia stop when passengers aren’t occupying the seat. The driver seat doesn’t use it because the driver would always be sitting in it keeping the seat upright anyway. It’s a mix of beancounting engineering and NVH engineering, neat!

And that’s the reason it’s more slack on the driver side, the spring keeps the lever under tension at all times where on the driver side when the seatback is forward it’s essentially free to move in its necessary tolerances. It’s nothing to worry about; When the seatback is sitting against it(and you’re back is sitting against the seatback) you’re loading up that lever where it won’t rattle, as if it had its own spring.

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

Does anyone know the dimensions (inner diameter) of the PCV hose directly on the valve?

Mine is extremely brittle, and I think it doesn't form a tight seal on the valve.

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

...ok, I think I narrowed it down to 3/8" inside diameter.

But is it OK to use a TOC (transmission oil cooler) hose for the PCV valve? Autozone had TOC hose only, sold by the foot.

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

It's for this tiny 2" section only:

 

[97 30th]

Just needs to be oil resistant so that hose should be fine.

 

[MadMikeyL]

3/8 transmission oil cooler hose is exactly what I use for those types of things.

 

[Grog6]

When I have a bad one somewhere,I go thru and check all of them, unless they were replaced;all are the same age.

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

When I have a bad one somewhere,I go thru and check all of them, unless they were replaced;all are the same age.

True true.

I actually also changed the one that goes from the left valve cover to the air intake, whatever that may be. That hose's surface actually turned to dust at any touch.

 

[White Lincoln]

I used gas line I had in my collection. Been there a really long time and so far no issues.