Technical 62 Thunderbird Convertible.....HELP!!! (EDIT) Now A Resurrection

You are missing a ****-ton of convertible-specific parts. Hydraulic lift cylinders for both the trunk lid and the top, hose sets, top pump, hydraulic solenoids, wiring, flipper lid panel gearbox/motor, relay banks and relays, ad infinitum. '58-'66 T-bird parts houses mentioned (T-bird Nest/Portland OR, Thunderbird Headquarters/Concord CA, Larry's T-bird/Mustang/LA area, Pat Wilson's/PA?, Thunderbird Ranch/WI) have most of the replacement/service items new and used, and the hoses/pump/solenoids/lift cylinders can also be found through places like ConvertibleTopGuys.com, Hydro-E-Lectric and others but the castings and other 'hard' parts need to come from either someone boning out a 'Bird convertible or buying a POS or abandoned project.

I STRONGLY urge you to get all the available manuals for this car, especially the reproductions of factory Body/Trim and Electrical ***embly manuals (available from the '58-'66 T-bird places) - they will more than pay for themselves in what they show in terms of how things go together and what parts were used. The '62 Thunderbird Shop Manual is also a must-have item. Don't doubt me on this one!

As the current Technical Director/Editor for Vintage Thunderbird Club International (VTCI) and a member for over 35 years, I also highly recommend you connect with other 'Bird owners, especially those in organized local chapters. VTCI also hosts the VTCI Forum http://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/phpBB3/ , which has sections solely for '61-'63 questions, both original and modified. I previously posted the main web page for VTCI and its Kansas City-area chapter, which is VERY active (and of which I am still a member) with shows and other member events. There are also chapters north of the border, seeing you list Alberta as another locale - a list of chapters can be found on VTCI's home page at http://vintagethunderbirdclub.net/chapters.htm .

And, for the record, VTCI's 50th Anniversary is this year - we are celebrating the club's founding in Tulsa, OK the week of July 11-15 in the city where it was started. You can learn more about it here: http://vintagethunderbirdclub.net/events.htm

 

I wonder if using just electric linear actuators wouldn't be easier. Control them all with a simple logic plc.

Sent from my SM-G950U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I know of a 58 to 60 convertible in a local junkyard but not sure if the parts would be the same.

 

Nope.

 

Hubcaps arrived. With the new rims/tires and now caps installed, much better!

 

Top and all the solinoids..NOT ONE OF HENRYS "Better ideas"..Ist.get the factory repair manual..then is when the cussin begins...

 

I mentioned earlier that I have a couple of manuals that would help. I also have a 65-72 Ford parts illustration manual... Be a huge help! There is an ad in the cl***ifieds for them.

 

I've got a copy of the top repair manual................. and a "little" bit of patience. lol
I had a Skyliner for more than 10 years as mentioned above. They're not fun.

 

Hard to believe but I found a 62 Convertible 20 minutes away that had been parted out.......except for the cast top bracket I needed.

Cleaned up the bracket in the blasting cabinet and installed it.

 

With it installed, I can now get the top into the trunk.

.... and it turns out there are still a few limit switches installed.

 

Now if anyone has a lead on the missing flipper panel.........

 

Heck with the 'Bird, show us the '58 !!!

 

Too funny. Please ignore the alternator....... it’s in the process of getting it’s generator back.

 

Sorry, just my opinion, but those tiny air-cleaners really make that 348 look wimpy.

 

I've actually got a line on a chromed original air cleaner but am currently collecting bottles to pay for it. lol

 

But there's a lot of them. So that sort of makes up for it.

 

lol

 

I thought that might be the reason. I realize they may be rare as hens teeth and expensive as being worth their weight in gold.

 

It’s been a good week for the resurrection. I picked up the missing cast top bracket on the week-end, and today these parts showed up. I found on Craigslist an ad for the hydraulics (cylinders, hoses and solenoids) in California and had a part included I wasn’t expecting. The flipper door motor and bracket.
Now if anyone can help me find a flipper panel it would be appreciated.

 

Just so happens I do have one, but it's between Omaha and Lincoln. I'm not real crazy about crating/shipping. If you're willing to take a road trip this way PM me. Pricing not determined yet - have to visit with a few people to find out what they want for one, but I know they don't come up all that often.

 

Sent you a PM.

 

Nice people to deal with, they'd know where parts cars are I'm sure.
http://www.thunderbirdsouthwest.com/

 

Thanks!

 

Thanks for showing the '58...nice car. Now back to regularly scheduled programing !