With nice weather approaching it will be time to bring out our T-Birds and other cars for the upcoming show season. I think our club members are tuned in to checking fluids, tires, and belts.
However, on the First drive, it is important to start slow and check the operation of the brakes. Due to the fact most of our class cars have single chamber master cylinders, it is important on the first slow drive to check drive to check the pedal goes to the floor, of any polling, pulsation, or grabbing. Wheels and cylinders have a tendency to attract moisture and turn to gel.
When was the last time you pulled a drain and pulled back a seal to inspect the condition of your wheel cylinders, rubber, brakes, hoses, and brake cylinder metal lines. Please check the operation of your emergency brake and if it's not operable, have it repaired properly. Tires have a tendency to develop flat spots and cracks due to age and exposure to the sun. Replace any tire that shows any defect. It has been a pleasure writing about, and the different series of T-birds and my personal experience. I will move on to different topics because I don't have enough knowledge of these later T-birds to do this column justice.
Happy mentoring,
Larry SnearyH.V.T.C. Tech Advisor
Styles and Changes
After a five year hiatus, Ford introduced the 2002 Thunderbird. Returning to the original formula for the Thunderbird, the latest version had a two-passenger convertible/removable hardtop configuration like the first-generation Thunderbird and styling strongly recalling the original.
What is a bird that does not fly and some requires maintenance?