1
1965T-Bird
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- Reaction score
- 5
- Thunderbird Year
- 1965
Hello,
I'm new to this forum. As many of you may know we sign up for forums to share information about the cars we love. Thus, my post here. I didn't see a search engine, so here goes: Working on my sister's 1965 Ford Thunderbird yesterday...it's been in the family since new! So, I suppose you might say it's a one owner car.
Question 1: Needed a battery....the car hasn't run for over a year and the old battery was dead (out of the car)....seemed to be the wrong size battery anyway (too small). The car ran fine when parked in the garage. Went to Advance Auto and specified a 1965 T-bird and we bought a red top optima. It's too short for the original battery tray, but I know they are great batteries so I think we'll keep it unless someone has a better idea for a battery that matches the original "longer" size battery to fit the tray??? I plan to cut a piece of wood (painted black) to wedge in the open portion of the tray bottom to secure the battery from moving.
Question 2: I could not start the car! Engine doesn't turn over, not even a slight noise...nothing! It's a 390 V-8....59,xxx original miles as far as I know...very clean (the car has been partially restored with new paint & engine bay refresh). The new battery either needs charging (although the lights worked) or the swing-away steering wheel might be causing it not to start? I've never seen anything like this steering wheel. I read the owner's manual, and it says to put foot on the brake and move the lever back and forth (side-to-side) when in the "N" position to try and start the engine, in case it doesn't start in the "P" position. Could there be a faulty switch somewhere that might need replacing, or am I just missing something...remember, it ran & drove fine before parking it over a year ago.
Thanks for any help. Just on a side note, my first job was at a Ford Dealership in Florida in 1966. I was the used car "wash boy"! Loved seeing these cars when brand new back in those days...was really something to witness in person!
Happy Motoring,
John
I'm new to this forum. As many of you may know we sign up for forums to share information about the cars we love. Thus, my post here. I didn't see a search engine, so here goes: Working on my sister's 1965 Ford Thunderbird yesterday...it's been in the family since new! So, I suppose you might say it's a one owner car.
Question 1: Needed a battery....the car hasn't run for over a year and the old battery was dead (out of the car)....seemed to be the wrong size battery anyway (too small). The car ran fine when parked in the garage. Went to Advance Auto and specified a 1965 T-bird and we bought a red top optima. It's too short for the original battery tray, but I know they are great batteries so I think we'll keep it unless someone has a better idea for a battery that matches the original "longer" size battery to fit the tray??? I plan to cut a piece of wood (painted black) to wedge in the open portion of the tray bottom to secure the battery from moving.
Question 2: I could not start the car! Engine doesn't turn over, not even a slight noise...nothing! It's a 390 V-8....59,xxx original miles as far as I know...very clean (the car has been partially restored with new paint & engine bay refresh). The new battery either needs charging (although the lights worked) or the swing-away steering wheel might be causing it not to start? I've never seen anything like this steering wheel. I read the owner's manual, and it says to put foot on the brake and move the lever back and forth (side-to-side) when in the "N" position to try and start the engine, in case it doesn't start in the "P" position. Could there be a faulty switch somewhere that might need replacing, or am I just missing something...remember, it ran & drove fine before parking it over a year ago.
Thanks for any help. Just on a side note, my first job was at a Ford Dealership in Florida in 1966. I was the used car "wash boy"! Loved seeing these cars when brand new back in those days...was really something to witness in person!
Happy Motoring,
John
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