Even though Ford didn't want the car to be considered a sports car, it looked fast, even though it wasn't. The car was unveiled in 1960 as a 1961 model. Unlike the second generation, which featured a flat front area, the 1961 T-Bird was a work of art penned by Bill Boyer. It still remained a personal luxury vehicle, with either a hardtop or a soft top, but it was sleeker. I also used the T-bird hose mount to hold the hoses to the frame.The third generation of the Thunderbird was a big revolution in the model's history since it came with a completely new design approach. For the T-bird I ordered the hoses for a 6 cylinder as the 8 cylinder hoses were too short. A new Pitman arm comes with the unit & bolts up nicely. I now have less than 4 turns lock to lock & it works well. ![]() Early pumps have a valve assembly that can be shimmed to adjust the pressure. That saved me $150 instead of buying the Borgeson part! Due to the need for more fluid pressure I mounted an early Saginaw pump on the original FE power steering adjustable mount with an adapter plate & spacers that I made. I made a 1/4" plate to bolt on the end of the drag link to hold the stud in place that attaches to the Pitman arm. I removed the valve on the end of the drag link & took it apart to remove the valve assembly. ![]() The shaft from the new box is about 1/2" lower than the original so now the column is at a slightly steeper angle. I cut it off the old box & removed 5" from the column to allow room for a rag joint. The t-bird shaft was attached to the old steering box. You have to shim the upper mount hole(per their directions) about 1/4th inch to align the steering shaft with the original steering column. As to the Borgeson steering conversion, it's a '90's Isuzu Rodeo unit re-manufactured & modified to remove the old cast in mount & weld on a new plate that matches the Galaxie mount holes which are the same as the 58-60 T-bird. And not to hijack the thread but how do you like the Borgeson power steering conversion? If you do a search on here for C5HM and look through the photos of the Holman & Moody 64 Galaxie he is currently restoring you will see the extensive modifications they made to the control arms to correct some of the geometry. ![]() And not to hijack the thread but how do you like the Borgeson power steering conversion?ĥ9 Thunderbirds were raced in Nascar maybe you could look into what, if any, mods were done that could be replicated and help get you what you need. Also just installed a rear disc brake kit.Īny info on suspension improvements would be appreciated.Īny info on suspension improvements would be appreciated.59 Thunderbirds were raced in Nascar maybe you could look into what, if any, mods were done that could be replicated and help get you what you need. I used that so I could still get the hood closed. 30 over 428CJ with a Crane HV272 hydraulic cam & a 3 2bbl set up from a M seriesġ962 Thunderbird 390 cu.in. The drive train is a 9 inch with 3.70 gears,a Gear Vendors overdrive on a C6 with a 2800 rpm stall converter. I have a rear sway bar from a '73 Torino & am looking for a larger front sway bar. I've also replaced the power steering with a Borgeson unit for early '60's Galaxies. I have replaced my front spindles with a pair from a '65 Galaxie that has the large I saw the video on Leno's 7 litre '66 Galaxie that Hotchkis worked on & read that one of our guys talked to John Hotchkis about interest in his products for Galaxies among our forum readers. ![]() Is anyone aware of any upgrades available to improve camber during cornering? We all know of kits for GM cars,(taller spindles, aftermarket upper A arms, etc.)to prevent excess tire roll under in tight or fast turns & allow more caster. The 58-60 T-birds seem to have the same front suspension. There may be some improvements in them as the newer models came out. From what I've been able to determine, the 57 through 64 big Ford front suspensions are all alike in design.
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