6/23/2023 0 Comments 66 thunderbird steering wheel![]() ![]() Order from any vendor of your choosing but I heartily recommend the quality parts I got from Bird Nest. Even though my vacuum dashpot for the parking brake doesn't work, there is a manual override lever just at dash edge and I suggest always using the p-brake. The 65 and 66 were prone to steering wheel play in the up and down direction, in addition to popping out of park. Obtain both the electrical assembly manual and the wiring diagram for your car - it'll be invaluable. Thanks go out to The Bird Nest for their help over the phone when the OEM service manual was of no help. It's me in NC again and in response to the owner of the '66, I am proud to say that I finished the job this morning after about 2 weeks. No wonder they eventually bought a similar company - Jaguar. I love my T-Bird, but Ford's parts and complexity were fairly dismal in the mid 60's. No wonder I'm missing "Park" and the column moved up and down and all around. It turns out the lower bushing btw column and shift tube had long since degraded and the upper bearing support ring was like a trace of ear wax. The job was made more difficult by Ford's use of 12-point bolts that also rusted into a solid hulk - after removing the left hood hinge I split the bolts using a Dremel Multi-Max and removed the flexible joint that way, replacing with grade 5 socket head bolts. I finally managed to get the upper steering shaft out of the column, withthe objective having been to replace the lower shift tube bushing and upper steering shaft bearing support. ![]() ![]() Throw the shifter into Drive thats where this Thunderbird likes to be - and it will take you on a grand tour of a classic piece of Ford history.Not really a question but just a statement - just how much more complicated could the Ford engineers have made the shift/steering/sliding column assemblies and then build them with rubber and plastic bushings that likely decomposed into thin air well before the 1970's were over? The interior is fresh and clean, and the power windows roll down with ease. The powerful 390 V8 roars up quickly and the gauge pods come to life. The red bucket seats catch your eye instantly, and as you check your Overhead Safety Panel, you swing the steering column into position and start the car. Step into this exceptional Thunderbird and you will find a classic jet inspired interior, adorned with spherical gauge pods and chrome trim. As the curtain closed on the 1966 model year, so closed a long and distinguished chapter in the Ford Thunderbird's history. The Thunderbird received very attractive exterior styling touches as well. The 1966 models received a very becoming face lift to their interiors, with new trim patterns on the seats, door panels, and rear quarter trim. The Town Hardtop and the Town Landau would be the two new ones, joining the Conventional Hardtop and the Convertible. Ford marketed four Thunderbird models for 1966, the first year since 1963 to offer more than three models. Our 66 is also optioned with SelectAir factory air conditioning, 6-way power drivers seat, power windows including vent windows, power locks, and AM pushbutton radio. Standard features include the 390ci V8 with automatic transmission, Overhead Safety Panel with warning lights, power steering, swing-away steering wheel, sequential turn signals, and front disc brakes. Mechanically, this 66 is excellent, with many components having been redone or replaced, including an overhaul of the factory air conditioning system and brakes. ![]() The eye-catching red interior with wrap around rear bucket seats is also spectacular as well. This T-Bird is in exceptional condition, having been the object of a high quality exterior refinish, and shows only 76k miles. Raven black with red bucket seat interior. ![]()
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