dunnedom
Click here to upgrade
- Reaction score
- 0
- Thunderbird Year
- 1957
Thanksgiving weekend Daytona turkey run, There it sat! 1957 Flame red thunderbird! Wire wheels! Stunning paint and chrome. Great red and white interior! Power steering, power brakes and ac. Checked all the boxes. My wife fell in love. I started looking. ok, not the original yblock. Another ford small block of later vintage. seller was flipping it. didnt know much. "i think its a roller motor" he said. It started, no smoke, no knock, no lifter noise. I should have insisted on a test drive and mechanical inspection, but she wanted the car, he knew it, and went for the hard sell. I uhaul trailered it home. 10pm arrival. No test drive tonight. Next day, took it out, put fuel in it, started driving. Temp started climbing, engine started missing, then stalled out. Restarted 2 blocks stalled out. Repeat till the driveway, uphill to the garage. no sir. gas started leaking from the tank. got it back in the garage after new battery installed. good night tbird. O ring on the filler tube was rotted, leaking. (repaired) Alternator wasnt charging causing low voltage.(repaired and rewired) secondary throttle blade shaft bushings were shot on the old holley causing vacuum leak.( replaced) Old mallory distributor cap was cracked causing leakage. (replaced distributor). turns out its a 1964 289 5 bolt bell housing out of a fairlane along with the transmission. F4b edelbrock manifold. The old girl is finally drivable and we went to a local show after having an expert do a buff and polish which really made the paint pop! People loved it. My wife was so happy! I have a new hobby!! lol The car really is beautiful. no rot, even underneath. Arizona car.Looks like someone started a frame off resto, then lost interest or money, threw in the fairlane drivetrain without a rebuild, then let the sweeper finish the install. Running now but has vapor lock issues i think. Caveat Emptor! C'est la vie! So, I'll be seeing you all as we progress to make the old bird a strong running reliable reminder of yesteryear!
This page contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. As an eBay Partner, and Amazon Associate I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no cost to you.
