Black Gold 380R's 1957 Thunderbird Thread

[Black Gold 380R]

After that I got under the dash to check the wiring on my temperature gauge. I'm not sure if it matters or not, but based on pictures I found on the internet and looking at my wiring diagram it looked like the wires on my temperature gauge were backwards. So, i flipped them.

The gauge was working before, but would read in the overheating range.

With the aftermarket gauge I installed it never read higher than 200. So, I feel the cooling system is operating properly.

I took the car out for a drive and although the gauge is reading higher than I would like it is still within the "normal" range of the scale.

Cool. I can live with this.

 

[Black Gold 380R]

Now it's time for me to start focusing on the little things contributing to the "looks" of the car.

So, I decided to order a new trunk handle/emblem.

As you can see the old one is not up to snuff LOL. It's faded, pitted and the red paint is missing from the beak and FORD lettering.

More polishing needed...

New handle/emblem installed. MUCH better......

 

[Black Gold 380R]

In keeping with the "looks" theme.......

My Dad removed the original steering wheel (we still have it). He did this because the original is 17 inches in diameter and WAY too big for us taller people of today. It was VERY difficult to get in and out of the car with the original steering wheel.

It would also rub on our thighs and abdomen when driving. VERY uncomfortable.

So, he bought an aftermarket steering wheel. It's only 13.5 inches in diameter and made it so much easier to get in and out and made it easier to drive the car.

However, I have no clue why he picked this one. My wife and I both agree it does NOT fit the car at all.....

So, I seen that the T-Bird company, I order parts from, has a smaller steering wheel that looks very similar to the original wheel. So, I purchased it. Hoping it will be here by the end of this week.

It's cool the horn button says Ford and I like woodgrain, but this wheel does not fit the classic beauty of the Thunderbird. Time to upgrade LOL.

Steering wheel removed and awaiting the arrival of the new steering wheel. Stay tuned...

 

[Black Gold 380R]

And the last thing I did was frame the poster of the Thunderbird and hang it up in the garage.

I think it looks pretty cool!!!

 

[Black Gold 380R]

Okay Everyone,

Had another productive weekend with the 57. First I did a couple small projects.

I figured since I was going this far I might as well go all the way. So, I decided that since the clock doesn't work I would send it off to be repaired.

So, I got under the dash to pull it out. So much easier getting under there with the steering wheel removed.

After I removed the clock (it was easier than I thought it would be) I had some extra time. So, I decided to clean the rubber mats. They looked bad. Especially the driver's side.

I was wondering if this would come clean. I actually used tire cleaner on this since it's rubber.

Man, it came out GREAT!!! Using my pressure washer helped a lot.

 

[Black Gold 380R]

And of course I got the new steering wheel in.

Man, WHAT a difference.

This is BEFORE (No Bueno):

The new wheel came with this generic center logo. So, I purchased the 57 logo when I purchased the wheel.

Also, the center backing came in silver. The 55 and 56 backing is silver, but the 57 is black. So, I painted the backing black.

Here is how it looks with the original center logo and black backing.

And here is AFTER. MUCH better........ You can see the clock is removed in this picture. I will probably have to remove the steering wheel when it comes time to reinstall the clock.

Here you can see there is plenty of room between the bottom of the steering wheel and seat.

Looks factreee LOL.

 

[Black Gold 380R]

While I had the car out of the garage I snapped a couple pictures. Man, it looks really good with the paint polished, the white walls clean and the tires with dressing.

 

[DSG2003Mach1]

coming along nicely, cool stuff with the white wall cleaner.

That poster came out awesome as well

 

[Black Gold 380R]

Hello Everyone,

Did some minor work on the 57 this weekend. A little maintenance and some cosmetic upgrades.

First thing I did was remover the passenger side door panel. The door handle is in bad shape and needs to be replaced and so does the metal insert.

Here you can see how pitted the passenger door handle is. Needs to go LOL.

Here you can see how scratched up the metal insert is

I'm replacing the metal insert anyway, but wanted to practice removing the door handle the proper way. Worked great. I did not add any additional scratches.

Door panel removed. Now I can get in there and lubricate the power window mechanism and tracks.

Here you can see just how chewed up the metal insert is. Also, in the top right hand corner of the picture you can actually see a hole in the metal insert. Don't ask me how that happened.....

More scratches and damage to the front portion of the insert....

This is the driver's side door handle. I'm going to do the same repairs to this side, but will need to order the metal insert first. As you can see this handle is way better than the passenger side, but it is still getting replaced for now.

New door handle installed. I love new shinny parts LOL. You can see the metal insert on the driver's side is not as bad as the passenger. I don't know if this one was replaced at some point. However, if there's a new passenger insert you know I have to have a new driver's side insert LOL. I will order it soon. These inserts are definitely not cheap....

 

[Black Gold 380R]

I'm waiting on the metal insert for the passenger side. I'll put it back together once it arrives. I have not ordered the driver's side insert yet. So, that's why I replaced the inner door handle already. While I had access to the driver's side I also replaced the door sill plate.

Here you can see how dull the old one is.

You could barely see the logo on the old one.

This is the rear of the door sill plate. You can actually see a hole in this as well. Again, don't ask me how that happened LOL.

I'm not sure how this happened but at the front and middle of the body you can see some overspray.

The rear of the body has some markings in the paint as well.

Took some lacquer thinner and got everything cleaned up.

And here is the new door sill plate. Looks way better now. I thought the hardware was good, but it could be better. I'll order some new hardware and get that installed once I receive the new metal insert.

 

[Black Gold 380R]

Okay, the aluminum trim came in so I got to work on the passenger side door panel this past weekend.

Man, the new one looks awesome!

Compared to the new one the old one looks really bad......LOL.

 

[Black Gold 380R]

Okay the tricky part was mounting the new one. I had to use glue and rivets to get it mounted. But once it was finished, what a transformation.

Got it glued and riveted on. Much better.....

Got the lower armrest lined up and reinstalled.

Got it all cleaned up and upper armrest/trim installed and mounted back on the door. Looks brand new. WOW is all I can say. Now that's how I like it LOL.

The new door handle finishes it off nicely.

 

[Black Gold 380R]

I even replaced the polished aluminum strip on the upper armrest.

Here you can see how scratched up the old one was. I probably could have polished this, but I don't have one of those table mounted grinders you put the polishing pads on.

So, I just put a new strip on.

I couldn't get it to focus, but no more scratches.

Then I installed the new door sill trim plate. I left this for last since I was going in and out of the car to install the door panel. I was able to install new hardware this time. I'll change out the driver's side hardware later.

Completed project. Looks great. Time to order the parts for the driver's side LOL.

 

[Black Gold 380R]

Oh, and I got the clock back and installed it as well. Works perfectly now.....

 

[railroad]

Great car, great thread, so envious.
I did not see what oil you are running. I hope it has all the flat tappet additives in it. I run Rotella dino oil in my flat tappet engines.
Synthetic will not protect those cam lobes.

 

[Black Gold 380R]

Great car, great thread, so envious.
I did not see what oil you are running. I hope it has all the flat tappet additives in it. I run Rotella dino oil in my flat tappet engines.
Synthetic will not protect those cam lobes.

Thank you very much railroad! Very cool feedback.

After I had the heads rebuilt I changed the oil with Pennzoil 10W-30 conventional and used an FL-1A Motorcraft filter. I realized I needed to change the valve seats due to the car running on leaded fuel back in the day. So, I was wondering if I needed to do anything else.

I have been doing research on this car and watching YouTube videos of guys resurrecting older cars. I normally watch Vice Grip Garage (VGG) and another channel called Dylan McCool. They both mention running the Shell Rotella. VGG always says Shell Rotella has all the vitamins and minerals the engine needs as he's pouring it in.

I discovered he meant the Zinc content. Since I had already changed the oil I found a product called Rev X Zinc ZDDP. So, I added it to my engine oil. Product says it treats up to 6 quarts and is rated at 3200 PPM. On my next oil change I will switch to the Shell Rotella.

Rev X Zinc ZDDP (Zinc Additive)

Thank you very much for the heads up! I always say I do not know everything and assistance and suggestions from folks like you are a tremendous help. Much appreciated!!!

 

[railroad]

Some of the big name oils, Roush, Red Line, etc have oil with all the additives you need and a better selection of viscosities.
I had a print out of amounts of zinc and phosphates, or whatever else is needed, in each brand.
You might be able to find it, with a search.
It had some surprising numbers on off the shelf oils.
I read your thread holding on to each update, hoping you did valve seats, before I got to the last post.
Your upgrades and swaps are spot on for me.
We had a 312 in a pickup, Dad built at the Ford dealer where he worked.
It had sodium filled exhaust valves,,, supposed to be able to make long heavy runs, I think.
We ran a 500 cfm 2 barrel carb and 3.90 gears. The 60's mustangs were hot then and we would give them a surprise.
Keep up the good work.

 

[wizbangdoodle]

Awesome car and great work. Those cars are from an era that really had some great design.

 

[Black Gold 380R]

Some of the big name oils, Roush, Red Line, etc have oil with all the additives you need and a better selection of viscosities.
I had a print out of amounts of zinc and phosphates, or whatever else is needed, in each brand.
You might be able to find it, with a search.
It had some surprising numbers on off the shelf oils.
I read your thread holding on to each update, hoping you did valve seats, before I got to the last post.
Your upgrades and swaps are spot on for me.
We had a 312 in a pickup, Dad build at the Ford dealer where he worked.
It had sodium filled exhaust valves,,, supposed to be able to make long heavy runs, I think.
We ran a 500 cfm 2 barrel carb and 3.90 gears. The 60's mustangs were hot then and we would give them a surprise.
Keep up the good work.

Thank you railroad. Very cool things you said. I really enjoy when people read my threads and provide feedback. That includes constructive criticism. I have no problems when people say I should have done something different in a constructive way.

However, it's even cooler when people tell me I'm on track with things they would do. So, thank you for that brother.

Very cool story about your Dad. I'm a true blooded Mustang guy, but like to hear when people do something different. It's definitely a lot of fun to surprise people who think they have the race in the bag LMAO!!!

Thanks again for the feedback and advice. Much appreciated.

 

[Black Gold 380R]

Awesome car and great work. Those cars are from an era that really had some great design.

Thank you Wizbang! I agree 100%! I love to go in the garage and look at my cars. The visual aspects are so appealing. I tell my Dad that I have beauty and the beast in the garage LMAO!!! He knows exactly which cars I'm referring to when I say that.

Too bad everything is so bland these days. Oh well, I guess that's what makes our classics special when we are out driving them. They make everyone smile. Which is pretty cool.....