Batteries Revisted: Current Battery availability For 1955/56/57 Thunderbirds
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman Authentic Power Punch batteries that were installed in 1955/56/57 Thunderbirds at FoMoCo when our cars were new are being reproduced by Antique Auto Battery Co in Youngstown Ohio. The 1955 6V battery is a group 2...
1955/56/57 Thunderbird Steering column repair
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman I have recently had several Thunderbirds brought to my shop to correct a botched upper steering column hub replacement. In all cases the upper hub P/N 3511 had separated from tube assembly P/N 3509 because of poor...
Correct Color for Power Seat Riser Bar
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman Correct Paint Color for Power Seat Vertical Bar (Right Photo) The power seat track vertical equalizing bar P/N 61832 was originally painted gray with a hint of brown. I have found a paint that matches the...
Brake Systems
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman I have recently observed several Thunderbirds with what I will call "maintenance malpractices" used on the brake systems. These practices occurred during brake shoe or wheel cylinder changes. The 1955/56 models...
Brake Fluid
Gil's GarageGil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity ChairmanAdapted from the Airheads BMW Club newsletter - July 1995Battle of the DOTsDOT 3-4 Verses DOT 5. Which brake fluid should I use?Brake Fluid Facts by Steve WallAs a former materials engineering supervisor at a major...
Disc Brake Performance
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman Two types of combination valves are shown in picture 1. When installing a combination valve follow the suppliers instructions. Also shown in picture 2 is a residual pressure valve installed to the left in the rear...
Disc Brake Conversion
Gil's GarageGil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity ChairmanConverting to disc brakes on your Thunderbird will provide you with significantly improved braking, and is not a hard conversion to make. The photos included, and description provided, are related to the disc...
Dial-O-Matic Seat Basics
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman This article and accompanying photos will provide some basic information about the Dial-0-Matic seat installed in some late 1957 Thunderbirds. Photo # DM1 (click on picture for larger image) Photo # DM2 (click on...
Change That Brake Fluid
Gil's GarageGil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity ChairmanIf you cannot remember or do not know when the brake fluid was replaced in your Thunderbird, it is time. I recommend replacing the fluid every three years. See the restoration manual pages 324-327 for how-to...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Windshield Wiper Vacuum Source
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman This article explains how to connect the vacuum source from the engine to the wiper motor. All 1955/56/57 models are the same except for initial vacuum connection to the engine. 1. The 1955 model (shown) receives...
Wheel Info – 1957
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman 1957 Passenger Cars except Station Wagons, Retracts and Ranchero. 14" X 5" with slot openings and riveted centers, used with 14" X 7.50 tires. 1957 Thunderbirds 14" X 5" Kelsey Hayes (K.H.) wheels, no slots, no...
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...
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...
Transmission Fluid Leak at the Drive Shaft Yoke
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman As our Thunderbirds reach close to 60 years old, strange problems are starting to appear more often. Recently I encountered a situation where fluid was leaking from the rear of the transmission. The owner thinking...
Transmission Bell Housings
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman Over the years, I’ve received several calls regarding the finish of transmission bell housings. The restoration manual page 374 & 375 shows the standard transmission and attaching parts. (click on picture for...
Tire Safety / Age
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman Many members will be taking to the road this summer, in their Classic Thunderbirds, to attend the various regional conventions and some will be driving several hundred miles. The T’Bird maintenance item most often...
Tips and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman Brakes are 1950s original style and they are good, but not as responsive as modern brakes. Use caution until you become familiar with their stopping power. Radial tire pressure must be maintained at 35 PSI....
Timing Marks
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman The timing marks for all original 1955/56/57 Thunderbirds can be difficult to locate on un-restored or older restorations. In some cases the timing marks are either dirty or painted over and cannot be found. The...
Timing Light
Gil's Garage Gil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity Chairman As mentioned in the article on ignition timing one essential function of a major tune up is to insure that the timing is being advanced properly. In some cases the initial timing is set and the procedure stops...
Thermostats
Gil's GarageGil BaumgartnerCTCI Authenticity ChairmanThermostats allow the engine to reach efficient operating temperature as quickly as possible. They are designed to open at a preset temperature. A 160 degree thermostat opens at approximately 160 degrees, the 180...