New Member: 77 Thunderbird

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   I bought a 77 Thunderbird about a month ago, and already this forum has been a huge source of information for me. Thanks everybody!
Love to post a picture, but don't seem to have an option to upload.

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derth Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 06-October-2022 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 35	Post Options Post Reply Quote derth Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: New Member: 77 Thunderbird Posted: 06-October-2022 at 4:54AM
	I bought a 77 Thunderbird about a month ago, and already this forum has been a huge source of information for me. Thanks everybody! Love to post a picture, but don't seem to have an option to upload.

72 RS 351 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04-September-2014 Location: Knoxville TN Status: Offline Points: 3445	Post Options Post Reply Quote 72 RS 351 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06-October-2022 at 5:12AM
	Welcome aboard. You will be able to post pictures when the administrator confirms the membership, usually in a day or so.
	*Don* 73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000 rpm 351 stroker 73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later. 92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W

72FordGTS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group GTS.org Admin Joined: 06-September-2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 6780	Post Options Post Reply Quote 72FordGTS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06-October-2022 at 11:20PM
	Welcome to the forum! Nice to see another Thunderbird owner join. I upgraded your membership so you have full forum privileges and can upload photos. So post some pics when you have a chance.
	Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin

Steve M. Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 08-June-2019 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 2034	Post Options Post Reply Quote Steve M. Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07-October-2022 at 12:12AM
	Welcome to the forum.
	Steve M.

derth Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 06-October-2022 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 35	Post Options Post Reply Quote derth Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07-October-2022 at 3:07PM
	All right, here we go. Previous owner had a plan with the paint scheme, as you'll see. Not sure I would have done it, but it's grown on me. Intending to finish that job in the spring. For now, overhauling brakes, swapping shocks, looking for the vacuum leak in the headlights, window-shopping for some baller wheels, and generally just making the list. Oh, and doing something about the crumbling gauge cluster housing - probably a set of aftermarket gauges and some sheet metal unless I can find a decent replacement housing.

spriegel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 28-September-2021 Location: Fairview, PA Status: Offline Points: 992	Post Options Post Reply Quote spriegel Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07-October-2022 at 4:06PM
	Welcome to the forum! Nice looking car! -Chris
	Chris Fairview, PA '1973 Ford Gran Torino

Steve M. Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 08-June-2019 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 2034	Post Options Post Reply Quote Steve M. Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08-October-2022 at 4:36AM
	Nice T-Bird
	Steve M.

californiajohnny Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 05-October-2013 Location: winlock, wa Status: Offline Points: 14723	Post Options Post Reply Quote californiajohnny Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08-October-2022 at 8:57PM
	welcome!
	JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION

derth Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 06-October-2022 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 35	Post Options Post Reply Quote derth Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09-October-2022 at 3:28AM
	Thanks for the welcome everyone! Quick question, I've read through all the threads I could find here about the gauge clusters. Does anyone know of a source for the white plastic housings? I've got the regular ol' 3 gauge plus clock, and my whole housing has gone to dust, leaving me with pretty much just a speedometer. I'm kind of guessing I'll end up rebuilding the whole business out of acrylic or just scrapping it in favor of a custom setup, but if there was a decent replacement for that white housing out there, that would be pretty sweet.

Steve M. Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 08-June-2019 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 2034	Post Options Post Reply Quote Steve M. Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09-October-2022 at 5:16AM
	Consider changing over to the '77 and up rally pack/cluster with all the gauges. Its an easy upgrade and those clusters are out there.
	Steve M.

kychevyguy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 16-December-2013 Location: Lexington KY Status: Offline Points: 1996	Post Options Post Reply Quote kychevyguy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20-October-2022 at 12:40AM
	Welcome, nice 'bird.
	JT, USAF Ret./Architect 1971 Ford F100 "Lizzy" 1971 Cougar XR7 "Kitty" 1984 Chevy Silverado "Sylvia" 2009 Smart Fortwo Cabrio "Lil Dude" 2015 Volvo XC60 R-Design "Sven"

derth Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 06-October-2022 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 35	Post Options Post Reply Quote derth Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20-October-2022 at 1:22AM
	I had seen the rally pack clusters on ebay. It looks like a pretty pricey proposition, but I can't say I wouldn't prefer the gauges over the idiot lights. Does anyone know, do the rally cluster housings stand up to time better? I'd hate to pop that much cash on something and then be back in the same boat a few years later.

72FordGTS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group GTS.org Admin Joined: 06-September-2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 6780	Post Options Post Reply Quote 72FordGTS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20-October-2022 at 12:37PM
	The white plastic housing? No, its no more durable than the standard gauges. It's a bit of a crapshoot buying used. A cluster from a car that lived in a garage is going to be in better shape than one that lived outside in the desert.
	Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin

Big Bird Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25-August-2013 Location: New York Status: Offline Points: 4195	Post Options Post Reply Quote Big Bird Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25-November-2022 at 5:44AM
	Hello and Welcome! Headlight vacuum leak is usually in the (irreplaceable) headlight switch... Years ago a guy on another forum (The old Thunderbird Registry forum, migrated to LoveFords.org and then...Paul from Gearworks???) was making/trying to make electrical actuators for these. He was drag-racing an orange big block car. Don't know if he ever finished or got to market.
	"What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind." Randy 1979 T-Bird 2005 F-150 STX RCSB 4.6, 3.55 LSD How the Heck does a REGULAR CAB SHORTBED weigh over 5200 pounds?

derth Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 06-October-2022 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 35	Post Options Post Reply Quote derth Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25-November-2022 at 7:06AM
	I was thinking about this too. Linear actuators are tempting, but then you need limit switches etc. Seems like a vacuum valve activated by 12v would be a better choice - retain all the stock vacuum actuators but bypass the whole hose loop running through the firewall and switch.

Big Bird Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25-August-2013 Location: New York Status: Offline Points: 4195	Post Options Post Reply Quote Big Bird Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25-November-2022 at 1:42PM
	At any rate, there's about 20 feet of hoses and the vacuum cans as well as the switch. Inspect them all and use a small hand pump to pull a vacuum on the canisters and switch individually.
	"What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind." Randy 1979 T-Bird 2005 F-150 STX RCSB 4.6, 3.55 LSD How the Heck does a REGULAR CAB SHORTBED weigh over 5200 pounds?

wonderlander774 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Probationary Member Joined: 12-December-2022 Location: Ohio Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote wonderlander774 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13-December-2022 at 8:43AM
	Welcome

7T9_Tbird Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04-December-2017 Location: Athens, Alabama Status: Offline Points: 498	Post Options Post Reply Quote 7T9_Tbird Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24-December-2022 at 6:55AM
	Don't know if your still looking, but: http://dicksterssmartpants.com/store/vacuum-to-electric-headlight-conversion-kits/ford/1977-79-ford-thunderbird-vacuum-to-electric-headlight-conversion-kit.html Hope this helps!
	John 73 Gran Torino formal roof 79 Thunderbird Heritage 79 Thunderbird Town Landau

derth Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 06-October-2022 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 35	Post Options Post Reply Quote derth Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24-December-2022 at 9:22AM
	That kit looks fantastic! May be a little rich for my blood, though. Maybe I can poach ideas off of it, at least.

Greg73Oregon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23-February-2021 Location: Roseville, CA Status: Offline Points: 232	Post Options Post Reply Quote Greg73Oregon Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27-December-2022 at 7:26AM
	I'm not all that familiar with vacuum operated headlight doors - whether vacuum to open or close. I have worked extensively with design and build of atmospheric (altitude) test chambers for avionics testing. These are a couple of inexpensive 12V electric vacuum control valves. Seems they could possibly work to turn ON/OFF vacuum for your purpose. However, the design needs a designed-in bleeder orifice, or an additional control solenoid to bleed off vacuum down-stream of the main control valve, when vacuum is no longer needed. Found cheapest on Amazon. Edited by Greg73Oregon - 29-December-2022 at 10:54AM
	GKF

derth Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 06-October-2022 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 35	Post Options Post Reply Quote derth Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24-June-2024 at 9:37AM
	Circling back around to these headlight doors, I finally found the solution thanks to this video I stumbled on randomly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InrPSPZcQvI I replaced the doodad pictured on the left, found under the hood on the driver's side fender, with barbed 1/4" vacuum line splicers. I don't know yet how long the the headlight doors will hold now, but they've been closed for about 5 hours, which is a pretty good improvement over the 15 minutes they were giving me before.

Travis91 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 16-July-2017 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 220	Post Options Post Reply Quote Travis91 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25-June-2024 at 3:56PM
	Nice Thunderbird. Looks good. I saw a white one of those same year i believe for sale a couple miles away from my house last summer.

derth Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 06-October-2022 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 35	Post Options Post Reply Quote derth Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26-June-2024 at 1:49AM
	They certainly turn heads! I get a smile or a thumbs up every time I drive it. The headlight doors are holding strong still, so I guess that little splicer doodad was it. I was dreading the expense and difficulty of doing the headlight switch, so I'll call that a win.