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Gil’s Garage

Body/Suspension/Steering

Removing the Power Steering Pump

A few simple steps will allow the power steering pump to be removed fairly easily. The first step is to remove the fluid without major spillage. Pictures shown in this article are of a 1957 model. The 1955/56 models are slightly different, but the removal procedures...

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Ornaments- Front Fender

The reason this article is being written is because of the ease of installing these ornaments upside down as observed in various pictures that appear in the Early bird as well as other places.FoMoCo referred to these parts as ornaments part number 16228-A right side...

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1955 Thunderbird Continental Kit

Most American cars built in the nineteen-thirties had an external spare tire which was usually mounted on the rear between the body and the bumper. In the nineteen-forties, the spare tire was moved and secured inside the trunk of most American cars. One exception in...

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Cruise Control and Brake Lamp Switch

Many Thunderbird owners that are driving and enjoying their 1955/56/57 models on cross country trips are installing one of the modern electronic cruise control units now available for classic cars. These units work very well when properly installed. One unit made by...

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Installing the carpet in 1955/56/57 Thunderbirds

The carpet was not installed in the 1955/56/57 Thunderbirds at the factory. They were rolled up and placed in the luggage compartment and installed at the dealerships where the car was sold new. I have attached service produce information letter number 1115 that was...

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Drive Assembly Power Windows

The 1955/56/57 gear mechanisms of the power window drive assemblies basic part numbers 23394 left side and 23395 right side are more than likely the most neglected mechanical gear driven parts when it comes to lubrication. There is a very good reason they are...

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Electrical

Update on original type reproduced Power Punch Batteries

Antique Auto Battery" is still in business at its original location under new ownership and name  Jim’s Batteries. The phone numbers originally used to contact "Antique Auto Battery" now reaches Jim’s Batteries, 800-426-7580 or 330-480-0755.A company in Petersburg,...

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Overdrive and Power Window relays bench check

Gil's Garage Gil Baumgartner CTCI Authenticity Chairman Bench Checking Overdrive & Power Seat Relays The overdrive relay can be bench checked using a external voltage source. The large clips in this photo are from a portable...

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Bench Check Window & Seat Motors

Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman Window and seat motors can be checked on the bench with a power supplied from a battery pack, battery charger or jumper wires from a 6V or 12V battery which ever is applicable. Both motors have the same color...

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Bench Check Ignition Coils

Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman No doubt the ignition coil is one part that has been changed when it still has many years of service remaining. It is very simple to verify the condition of the primary and secondary circuits of the coil by...

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Checking Pertronix with a Sun Distributor Machine

Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman Above are three pictures using a 9V battery to check Pertronix. Attach a 9V battery with a clamp to the machine. Purchase a battery connector from Radio Shack that snaps on the 9V battery it has a red lead...

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Battery Cables

Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman The importance of good battery cables, clean connections and good grounds are sometimes over looked and cannot be over emphasized. Battery cables provide voltage and amperage for starting, ignition and all other...

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Engine

Removing the Power Steering Pump

A few simple steps will allow the power steering pump to be removed fairly easily. The first step is to remove the fluid without major spillage. Pictures shown in this article are of a 1957 model. The 1955/56 models are slightly different, but the removal procedures...

read more

1955/56/57 Thunderbird Overheating

When it comes to the 1955/56/57 Thunderbirds more than likely this subject has been discussed and written about more than any other. Even when new, during certain driving conditions (parades & city driving) coupled with excessive ambient temperature the...

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1957 Reproduction Air Cleaner Assembly, Potential Problem

Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman Photo # 1(click on picture for larger image)   Photo # 2(click on picture for larger image) Photo # 1 shows an original 1957 air cleaner base. The purpose of the three raised areas in the lower dome is to prevent...

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Balancer (Squeaking Noise Lower Front Engine)

Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman I will quote a statement that I have heard from several 1955/56/57 Thunderbird owners. "I have a squealing noise coming from the front of my engine. I have checked the belts and they are ok." In most cases it...

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1957 Thermostat

Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman Because of its large opening the NAPA # 6 has been a very popular thermostat for our Thunderbirds. (click on picture for larger image) An alert tech article reader, Ted Woods, Palm City, FL, has brought to my...

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Fuel System

Holley Carburetors and the Holley Custom Shop

Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman All 1955/56/57 Thunderbirds were originally equipped with Holley carburetors. The following pictures show the type and model for each year. For detailed information see the CTCI Restoration Manual for part numbers...

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Carburetor Base Gaskets

Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman The following information corrects previous available data regarding the carburetor to intake manifold gaskets. Research reveals that the 1955 Thunderbirds had a stack of five thick gaskets stapled together. The...

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Carburetor Vacuum Leak

Does your 1955/56 or E-model 57 idle rough or too fast and appear to have a vacuum leak that you cannot find? The model 4000 carburetor sometimes develops a vacuum leak behind the choke plates were the throttle body meets the main body. When this leak occurs the...

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Choke Tube

Parts that are occasionally neglected are the pieces that make up the coke heater system. The 1956/57 models have a tube inside the cross over exhaust ports of the intake manifold which burns out. In some cases, the owner is unaware of a problem until the choke is...

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Vapor Lock and Electric Fuel Pumps

Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman Vapor locks are created in fuel systems when excessive heat turns liquid fuel into a non liquid vapor. Vapor locks usually occur in automobile fuel systems between the tank and carburetor. Most fuel we purchase...

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Revisiting Fuel With Ethanol

Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman As most everyone knows it is extremely difficult to find gasoline that does not contain ethanol in most parts of the country. Only about 4% of all gas stations in the U.S. have gasoline without ethanol. There is a...

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Ignition System

Replacing The Ignition Switch Key Cylinder

In order to replace the ignition key cylinder you must remove the housing assembly from the dash by using a dash bezel tool available from Thunderbird parts dealers. Disconnect the battery before removing the cylinder housing. Once the housing is released it can be...

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Distributor Installation

Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman Over the last few months I observed several Thunderbird distributors installed with a gasket or "O" ring between the base and the engine block. All "Y" block distributors are designed to be installed without a...

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Distributor

Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman When doing a major tune up the importance of the of the distributor function is sometime neglected. This neglect is the reason that some Thunderbirds do not perform as efficiently as they should and is a primary...

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1957 Vacuum Advance Mechanism

Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman The 1957 vacuum advance mechanism contains a spring, a stop, and washers. Washers can be removed to advance the timing or added to decrease the timing.The stop P/N 12202 is .25" i.d.-.36" o.d.-.95" long.The stop...

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1957 Distributor

Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman The function of the 1957 distributor differs from the '55 and '56 models in that the 57 model has centrifugal and vacuum advance. The construction of the '57 model is also different. The housing is taller to...

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Vacuum Advance Mechanisms

Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman Pictured from left to right are the 1955,1956,1957 vacuum advance mechanisms. These items are one of the most important parts of the ignition system as well as one of the most neglected. The timing advance after...

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Starting/Charging System

Update on original type reproduced Power Punch Batteries

Antique Auto Battery" is still in business at its original location under new ownership and name  Jim’s Batteries. The phone numbers originally used to contact "Antique Auto Battery" now reaches Jim’s Batteries, 800-426-7580 or 330-480-0755.A company in Petersburg,...

read more

Starter Bendix

Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman A problem you do not need unless you are at home with the car in the garage is to have the starter bendix malfunction. When the ignition switch is placed in the start position the starter spins at a high rate of...

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Transmission

Bench Checking an Overdrive Solenoid

Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman The overdrive solenoid can be bench checked before installing it in the transmission overdrive assembly. If it must be removed from the transmission, first remove the two mount flange bolts, turn it 90 degrees...

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