What did you do with your Thunderbird Today?

[Kurt K]

If it bothers you, you can try using the FL500s filter instead of the FL820s. It is a little thinner and longer than the 820, and much easier to get it in and out of the confined space in the car.

I will look into this. The STP filter is shorter, but still has the same fat diameter and the factory filter.

 

[MadMikeyL]

I will look into this. The STP filter is shorter, but still has the same fat diameter and the factory filter.

Looks like the STP number is S10590 that cross-references to the FL500S

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Changed the oil today for the first time in far too long.

Looking to head back into the mountains tomorrow for a drive with my son again.

 

[Generalee0527]

Finally got that PS pump off and out of the way. I used my whole library of curse words 3 times, couple of raps of my bfh. Hmmm, there was another bolt that was hidden by the electrical Solenoid and connector. Well how the f does that come off? 10mm open end won't hold tight enough. Drove a 3/8 open end on it w/ hammer the it rounded out. Well, hand me that angle grinder- thinned out the box end to very thin and forced it in and over. Oh hoho mine now! So the bolt is still captive and I'm debating removing the Solenoid as it is a 6mm hex. This one may be cut off on both ends and left insignificant.

 

[XR7-4.6]

Finally got that PS pump off and out of the way. I used my whole library of curse words 3 times, couple of raps of my bfh. Hmmm, there was another bolt that was hidden by the electrical Solenoid and connector. Well how the f does that come off? 10mm open end won't hold tight enough. Drove a 3/8 open end on it w/ hammer the it rounded out. Well, hand me that angle grinder- thinned out the box end to very thin and forced it in and over. Oh hoho mine now! So the bolt is still captive and I'm debating removing the Solenoid as it is a 6mm hex. This one may be cut off on both ends and left insignificant. View attachment 16759View attachment 16760

The EVO solenoid swivels, you don’t have to loosen it

 

[Stanley]

Getting some Morimoto 9.0 projectors squeezed into some brand-new housings.

 

[XR7-4.6]

Don’t ask

 

[XR7-4.6]

Well that went well




Also in the midst of cleaning up the worlds worst wiper arms… apparently whoever had this mark VIII before thought they needed pliers to remove them

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

FYI: Rustoleum 2x "Ultra Matte" black works great on the wiper arms.

 

[XR7-4.6]

FYI: Rustoleum 2x "Ultra Matte" black works great on the wiper arms.

I’ll pick up a can. I used to use Duplicolor trim/bumper paint for this sort of thing but they drastically changed the formula to where it’s basically semigloss which is just plain wrong

They’re cleaning up well, basically just attacking the gouges with a file and smoothing with a coarse wire wheel at high speed.

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

The Ultra Matte is not flat, but that's a good thing because flat paint scratches so easily. I would say it's as matte as possible while still providing a durable surface.

 

[Ericv8thunderbird]

When I upgraded to the Mark Viii J hook wipers, I used SEM trim black to paint them.

 

[XR7-4.6]

The Ultra Matte is not flat, but that's a good thing because flat paint scratches so easily. I would say it's as matte as possible while still providing a durable surface.

Agreed. I have a real bone to pick with spray paint manufacturers with their ideas of what’s between flat and high gloss are of late.

The other one that might look good is VHT rollbar and chassis satin black, that’s close to what I want but I think I ran out last summer

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

When I upgraded to the Mark Viii J hook wipers, I used SEM trim black to paint them.

I'm a Walmart shopper!

My wipers painted:

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

In fact, I used the same paint on the B-pillar door trim (after removing my previous, faded Plasti-Dip application).

 

[XR7-4.6]

Ok so last question with these arms, which one is left or right or does it matter?

One is clearly about 1/8” longer at a very slightly different angle… this could well be I. The rhealm of production variance but just curious

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

They are marked on the inside with L and R.

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

 

[XR7-4.6]

So they are… damn junkyard markers

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

And it does matter, because the added angle on the left allows the wiper to park parallel to the bottom of the windshield while the right points up a bit.

 

[Generalee0527]

Agreed. I have a real bone to pick with spray paint manufacturers with their ideas of what’s between flat and high gloss are of late.

The other one that might look good is VHT rollbar and chassis satin black, that’s close to what I want but I think I ran out last summer

I used Martin seymour chassis black and they are the right matte finish.

 

[XR7-4.6]

Now that I come to think of it I repainted the stock wiper arms with VHT when I was buttoning everything back up during the cam swap last year, I fogged them and a few pulleys with it all at once

 

[Zep5.0]

Now that I come to think of it I repainted the stock wiper arms with VHT when I was buttoning everything back up during the cam swap last year, I fogged them and a few pulleys with it all at once

Ya, those wiper arms do get hot, lol.

 

[XR7-4.6]

This task had been stressing me out; getting the Gentex mirror OUT.

It in addition to the normal side spring clips, these have a beefy front clip you have to depress first, and I even remember it being kind of a pain getting it out of the junkyard car… actually this might have been one of the mirrors I’ve pulled where the tab came with it lol Anyway I cobbled together this wedge tool using an extra piece of curtain rod holder I have an inexplicable bunch of in the old junk drawer, a piece of plastic wrapped onto it with duct tape and bent it a little bit to pivot against the windshield(……) but it worked! Pheew!

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

Next time, this type of pick tool works:


You insert the pick from the bottom to push between the metal tab and the windshield base. The pick is just about as thick as those two bumps on the metal tab stick out; it's those two bumps that hold the mirror in place. You do not pry; the thickness of the pick does the work.
With the pick inserted, I use a tiny hammer to move the mirror foot upward toward the top edge of the windshield.



That being said, the set screw type foot is sooo much easier to install/uninstall, and it doesn't vibrate.

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

Anyone looking for a new mirror, this is the type of foot with set screw I'm talking about. They're easy to find on Japanese cars. Toyotas usually have the green illumination.

 

[XR7-4.6]

Next time, this type of pick tool works:
View attachment 16889

You insert the pick from the bottom to push between the metal tab and the windshield base. The pick is just about as thick as those two bumps on the metal tab stick out; it's those two bumps that hold the mirror in place. You do not pry; the thickness of the pick does the work.
With the pick inserted, I use a tiny hammer to move the mirror foot upward toward the top edge of the windshield.

View attachment 16890

That being said, the set screw type foot is sooo much easier to install/uninstall, and it doesn't vibrate.

I actually have that pick but I just didn’t like how narrow it is, prying or not it’s a stress riser, the wider you go to push down on the spring the less risk.

Vis a vis vibration, I never had it with a conventional mirror, the Gentex in my car is the only time I encountered it in any car I’d been in. I’m not convinced it’s an issue with the base personally, it was quite a firm grip on mine. I think it’s the weight of the mirror itself

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

Vis a vis vibration, I never had it with a conventional mirror

You, Sir, just jinxed yourself.

 

[White Lincoln]

Today I cleaned out the spare tire area, checked that the spare had 60psi, checked the scissor jack, cleaned the jack and put a coat of black paint on it. Earlier this week I used Blue Magic 850 Leather Cream Conditioner on my leather to keep it supple so it will last another 50 years...

Tomorrow I want to get it up on ramps, drain a quart of oil and add the stop leak to see if it really works. I never tried anything before and I trust Lucas products more so than other off brands. You know, the ones Dereck uses on a leaky engine.

 

[Ericv8thunderbird]

Since today was pretty nice out, I prepped the rear calipers for a coat of fresh paint.