Wow, you guys almost killed yourselves twice during this video, first with the jack and then when it fell into reverse. News flash guys, THUNDERBIRDS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR FALLING INTO REVERSE!!! NEVER EVER, NEVER EVER, NEVER EVER leave the car running without sliding the steering column to the right AND applying the emergency brake. NEVER EVER!!!!! You need to seriously watch my Thunderbird repair videos. I address in detail the throttle linkage issues and specifically the steering column and shift lever issues that cause them to fall into reverse, and how to repair them. Plus I have a video on the emergency brake in case yours is not releasing properly. Plus a lot more. If you need any help, let me know. Good luck.
I've had one of these for more than 45 years - now totally restored. The shifter slop will be more than a bad detent. The Detent is actually harder than the shifter so both will be worn out. It will also need the bushings and bearings in the column replaced to make it totally tight. Fortunately everything is available (including shifter) to rebuild it. Good luck!
The RESONATORS have been deleted on your car. The mufflers are at the rear of the car - yep, those are the factory installed mufflers! As Craig already mentioned, the detent on the shift lever is worn allowing it to slip into reverse. Nick is right on when he says NEVER leave the car running without sliding the steering wheel all the way to the right and setting the parking brake. Chocking the wheels is a good idea as well. I'd repair the shift lever ASAP - that is a dangerous situation and it's relatively easy to fix. You have a very solid, rust free '64 Thunderbird!
Hey, looks like your shift lever has a groove in it from the detent. It's a common problem with the old Tbirds. You can get a new lever or weld the old one. See videos on UA-cam. Also they are heavy cars, maybe have an extra jack underneath just in case. Anyways I really like your videos. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for watchin'. Be sure to tell your friends. I became aware of that issue you are talking about after I made the video, but I appreciate you saying something. It's how we all get better working on these old classics.
Yes, I agree that the inadvertent shift into reverse was probably a result of the detent problem. In my opinion, a good place to start on any 4th gen T-Bird project is making sure the emergency brake is solid and working, then setting it firmly before you start the car up. If no e-brake, then it would be wise to use quality wheel chocks. Also, sliding the swing away steering wheel over to the right immediately after start-up will keep the car from going into reverse unintentionally. I don't think sliding the wheel over would've helped in this instance, though, because the car went into reverse so quickly. Good luck on the project. They really are beautiful cars.
Those were very hard on upper control arm shafts! They threaded ends were nearly impossible to grease and they would wear out! They were a bitch to change and dangerous because it required compressing those heavy coil springs! You better have the correct spring compressor and use a ton of caution! They also ate ball joints and idler arms! They were very front heavy and they wallowed through curves! They would pop into reverse from park when idling and, of course the auto parking brake would pop off and rage car would take off in reverse. How Ford got away without massive lawsuits I will never understand.
You are probably missing the throttle stop that is mounted to two bolts on the transmission. Both 64 Birds that I bought in the last ten years had this part missing. Transmission shop loses it when the pull out the tranny. You cannot get full throttle response with this piece missing, nor will you be able to adjust it enough.
Sorry, I can’t watch this. Two wheels in the air, no jack stands, one guy rocking a front wheel back and forth, and then the other guy crawls under the car. You’re both taking huge risks and if you were my employee you’d be fired.
What a fine specimen of a 64 T-Bird you have. If you are ever in Dallas on a Saturday night please consider showing off the car at Keller's Hamburgers. It's a drive-in with a lot of great looking classics. Thanks for the super entertainment. @@up-n-runnin377
Wow, you guys almost killed yourselves twice during this video, first with the jack and then when it fell into reverse. News flash guys, THUNDERBIRDS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR FALLING INTO REVERSE!!! NEVER EVER, NEVER EVER, NEVER EVER leave the car running without sliding the steering column to the right AND applying the emergency brake. NEVER EVER!!!!! You need to seriously watch my Thunderbird repair videos. I address in detail the throttle linkage issues and specifically the steering column and shift lever issues that cause them to fall into reverse, and how to repair them. Plus I have a video on the emergency brake in case yours is not releasing properly. Plus a lot more. If you need any help, let me know. Good luck.
Thanks for the info. I will check it out. Thanks for watchin'.
I've had one of these for more than 45 years - now totally restored.
The shifter slop will be more than a bad detent. The Detent is actually harder than the shifter so both will be worn out. It will also need the bushings and bearings in the column replaced to make it totally tight. Fortunately everything is available (including shifter) to rebuild it. Good luck!
Thank you for the insight. I appreciate it. Thanks for watchin'.
The RESONATORS have been deleted on your car. The mufflers are at the rear of the car - yep, those are the factory installed mufflers!
As Craig already mentioned, the detent on the shift lever is worn allowing it to slip into reverse. Nick is right on when he says NEVER leave the car running without sliding the steering wheel all the way to the right and setting the parking brake. Chocking the wheels is a good idea as well. I'd repair the shift lever ASAP - that is a dangerous situation and it's relatively easy to fix. You have a very solid, rust free '64 Thunderbird!
Thanks for watchin'. I appreciate it. I definitely learned a lot working on this old bird. Thanks for your input.
Yep that was scary
Thanks for watchin'.
Hey, looks like your shift lever has a groove in it from the detent. It's a common problem with the old Tbirds. You can get a new lever or weld the old one. See videos on UA-cam. Also they are heavy cars, maybe have an extra jack underneath just in case. Anyways I really like your videos. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for watchin'. Be sure to tell your friends. I became aware of that issue you are talking about after I made the video, but I appreciate you saying something. It's how we all get better working on these old classics.
Yes, I agree that the inadvertent shift into reverse was probably a result of the detent problem. In my opinion, a good place to start on any 4th gen T-Bird project is making sure the emergency brake is solid and working, then setting it firmly before you start the car up. If no e-brake, then it would be wise to use quality wheel chocks. Also, sliding the swing away steering wheel over to the right immediately after start-up will keep the car from going into reverse unintentionally. I don't think sliding the wheel over would've helped in this instance, though, because the car went into reverse so quickly. Good luck on the project. They really are beautiful cars.
Thanks for watchin'. I agree with everything you said. Be sure to tell your friends to watch!!!
Those were very hard on upper control arm shafts! They threaded ends were nearly impossible to grease and they would wear out! They were a bitch to change and dangerous because it required compressing those heavy coil springs! You better have the correct spring compressor and use a ton of caution! They also ate ball joints and idler arms! They were very front heavy and they wallowed through curves! They would pop into reverse from park when idling and, of course the auto parking brake would pop off and rage car would take off in reverse. How Ford got away without massive lawsuits I will never understand.
Hey guys are you brave or nuts? No jack stands? Wth. Also slide the steering wheel to lock it in park. Come on!
I agree with everything you have said. Thanks for watchin'.
You are probably missing the throttle stop that is mounted to two bolts on the transmission. Both 64 Birds that I bought in the last ten years had this part missing. Transmission shop loses it when the pull out the tranny. You cannot get full throttle response with this piece missing, nor will you be able to adjust it enough.
Good information, thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it. Thanks for watchin'.
Sorry, I can’t watch this. Two wheels in the air, no jack stands, one guy rocking a front wheel back and forth, and then the other guy crawls under the car. You’re both taking huge risks and if you were my employee you’d be fired.
Thanks for watchin' the channel. I agree, not the best move on our part.
What a fine specimen of a 64 T-Bird you have. If you are ever in Dallas on a Saturday night please consider showing off the car at Keller's Hamburgers. It's a drive-in with a lot of great looking classics. Thanks for the super entertainment. @@up-n-runnin377
Maybe it's just me, but I don't get under any car that doesn't have jack stands as a life insurance policy.