What did you do to your thunderbird today?

Today.....hooked up the MSD Street Fire ignition kit. Coil, distributor, ignition box. I didn't use the MSD wires as I am using Live Wires.

Over the last two months....new intake, new CAI, new throttle body, new heater tubes, new coolant hoses, new thermostat housing, all new NOS Ford sensors (ACT, Water, coolant, TPS, IAC), New zinc coated drilled and slotted rotors, new Walbro 255 lph fuel pump, new Taurus electric fan, thermostat, ARP intake and thermostat housing bolts. That's where i'm at.

Next, new brake pads, Cobra master cylinder, LED dash lights, new King Cobra clutch, new traction Lock. ALl the parts are on the bench waiting.

Looks like you have been busy!

Very! I also refurbished the inners & outer corner headlights with great results by sanding them down and re-applying clear coat. Replaced the headlight adjusting screws too where there were none before.

Last couple days including today I have been working on stripping the old cyellowed and dirty clear coat off the snowflakes I put back on. The aluminum is pitting. Just used oven cleaner and a scrubby pad. Excellent results. As great as they look now just with removing the old clear, I decided I want to sand and polish them like chrome. I've done it before with motor parts to the bird but this time ive decided to get tools to assist with the labour intensity of the sanding process.

Today.....hooked up the MSD Street Fire ignition kit. Coil, distributor, ignition box. I didn't use the MSD wires as I am using Live Wires.

Over the last two months....new intake, new CAI, new throttle body, new heater tubes, new coolant hoses, new thermostat housing, all new NOS Ford sensors (ACT, Water, coolant, TPS, IAC), New zinc coated drilled and slotted rotors, new Walbro 255 lph fuel pump, new Taurus electric fan, thermostat, ARP intake and thermostat housing bolts. That's where i'm at.

Next, new brake pads, Cobra master cylinder, LED dash lights, new King Cobra clutch, new traction Lock. ALl the parts are on the bench waiting.

That's a lot of new important parts! Don't put cheap Chinese brand LED's in your dash. They fail very quickly or start flickering like crazy and will drive you insane. Pay the bucks and get good Philips brand so you only do that job once.

Put in a new fuel filter and an inline Walboro 255HP on my 84 with stock dual fuel pump setup. The original Bosch E3 pump was still there, seemed to still be fine after 35 years... decided to upgrade anyway. Used the GSL392 and install kit from APE.

Started doing my 5 lug conversion from a 94 v6 Mustang.

**SIGH**

Well, I’ve gone over the edge and am headed to the Dark Side, I fear. The TC is no longer stock.

I installed a Boss BV9384NV double DIN radio/media center. It took a LOT of work. Mods to get the double DIN to fit; temporarily pulling out much of the interior to run the cable for the Remote Backup Camera.

Although I haven’t actually been on the road with it so far, my first impression in the garage is: I LOVE IT!

Second one: why didn’t I do this SOONER?

Thanks to Jeff and others who showed me the error of my ways in persisting with the sadly outdated OEM head unit.

I still have to modify the center dashboard finish panel to accommodate the new configuration...but otherwise I am VERY pleased.

I wanted to install a set of gauges, already had them picked out. But they are 2”, and I have less than that above the new radio.

Pillar mount? Here we go, gleefully into the Dark Side!

Took the TBird outside gave her a good bath and then out for a "walk" the other day. She breaks the tires loose in second!! Took her to a small spot to make a walk around video. Had awesome drive but I'm getting very uncomfortably high engine temps when I'm not at speed. May be time to upgrade the radiator. Water pump is brand new, air is bled out of system. I have had thoughts of converting the front clip to one with a grill for the added cooling at low speeds. I could probably come up with a new method to reroute the hood scoops towards the rad though and achieve almost the same amount. I prefer the TurboCoupe clip anyhow.

Here's the video I made: https://youtu.be/YF49_sB_PBw

Discovered my battery is flat. High temps got me to shut the car down when idling for some more videos and I left my lights on first setting and kept the fan going. Some helpful ppl who didn't mind stopping for a quick boost helped though

I also diagnosed a bad ground in my tail light sequential module and also crossed wires that I didn't know was even a problem until the bad ground came up. My innermost brake light was always bright as if the brakes were applied. Just was a simple wires mixed up solution.

Then tightened down a plastic piece the rear amplifier behind the back seat screws into from inside the trunk. That was rattling around lots.

Currently trialing methods of sanding the wheels down to polish will report back on my best solution.

Car was overheating at idle/traffic... Checked the wiring on the fan and is up to snuff. Replaced my thermostat topped up fluids and purged air in the system, car is magically fixed!

What a relief.

Drove it home from Carlisle all Ford Nationals. Ran like charm all the way including through some real heavy downpour.

Custom designed Dashboard Center Console Trim, to accommodate the new Double-DIN AM/FM/CD/DVD/NAV unit.



Tamper-proof screws (top and bottom) to discourage theft.

The left (amber) rocker switch is wired into the Back-Up Camera as an On-Demand control. My rear window’s factory tinting is becoming blurry; having the ability to instantly see what is behind me helps a LOT.

The right (green) switch activates the Radar Detector. Yes, both illuminate when powered up. Amber color was chosen to remind me not to leave it on.

The finish is Rust-Oleum’s “Hammered” silver spray paint; gives a textured look and helps hide imperfections.

Small marks in paint on upper right touched up after this photo was done.

Very pleased with how it all came together, from design phase to execution.