Stretched the Bird's wings today... The good, the bad, and the ugly

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Stretched the Bird's wings today... The good, the bad, and the ugly

March 14, 2006, 10:02:16 PM

Well, after sleeping the winter away quietly while I drove the Volvo, the Bird was called into action today. I had to have an oil change done on the Volvo (I have to have it done at a shop to satisfy the warranty - "DIY" oil changes are not acceptable), and I had a bunch of errands to do, so I dropped the Volvo off at the shop and drove the T-Bird all day. There is no salt on the roads anymore, so I didn't feel particularly guilty - in fact, it was nice to be reacquainted with some good ol' American torque :D

So how did the 'Bird fare through the winter?

The good: After driving the euro trash steadily for two months I got to fall in love with the T-Bird all over again. Driving it today and enjoying that instantaneous torque has pretty much cemented my plans for the engine swap being debated in another thread - I think a TFS-headed 5.0 is in its future

It was really strange driving it today: the fact that it was an 18 year old car quickly became apparent (this was not a bad thing). Even the windshield wipers seemed "y" when compared to the Volvo ones, though in fairness, the Volvo has those big ugly winter blades on it.

The bad: After driving the euro trash steadily for two months I got to appreciate how really bad the 10" brakes on these things are. Holy shiznite, how do we stop these things? I was beginning to wonder if I should carry an anchor around in case I really, REALLY had to stop some time. The 11" brake conversion can't come fast enough. And I was reminded of how poorly this thing handles, too - again, the CHE installation can't come fast enough. And those standard seats SUCK ASS. I felt like I was sitting on a park bench after gretting used to the sporty seats in the Volvo. The upcoming TC interior swap should go a long way to correcting this, though

The ugly:

1) The few months of winter driving were not kind. Enough salt must have gotten under the car to cause a rust bubble to appear at the very top of both front wheel openings. Knowing how rust works I know these are holes, but they're small so they'll be easily fixed. The white paint shows the rust badly, though, so it looks like poo. Also, the paint on the insides of the wheel openings on all four corners (where the sheet metal "rolls" under) is peeling off and rust stained, though the metal is still solid. Luckily I had already had a paint job planned for this spring, so I'll get the body man to fix up the fenders and take care of the inner fender lips while he's at it. BTW - one strange thing the body guy noticed when looking at the car last year: There is almost no paint on the inside part of both front fenders, right were they are next to the hood. The metal must be galvanized there, though, because there is no rust - just bare metal. And it's a factory lack of paint, as evidenced by the VIN stickers being applied over the bare metal.

2) The valve cover gaskets seem to have dried out - the thing is g oil onto the exhaust manifolds, causing oil smoke to billow out from under the hood. The same thing happened to my Cougar when I stored it for a winter. I installed updated rubber gaskets in the Cougar - Guess I'll have to take care of that with the TFS head swap

3) The A/C compressor seems to be getting noisier - it lets out quite a growl when it kicks in, but I suppose it's a good thing that it kicks in at all - shows the system doesn't leak. I'll be needing a new one for summer

4) And finally, the rear window seal is leaking. The car smelled musty, and I went looking for water leaks and found the headliner wet at the top edge of the backlight. Guess that's more work for the body man...

All in all, though, driving the car today reminded me of why I love these things, and has gotten me really wired to get on with the upgrades. Hell, the guy at the shop I had the oil change done at even commented on how nice it is and how he doesn't see many anymore - I was actually surprised he knew what it was. He even asked if it was a 5.0 or 2.3 Turbo....

Stretched the Bird's wings today... The good, the bad, and the ugly

Reply #1 – March 14, 2006, 10:10:06 PM

Well glad to hear it faired ok for the most part.

Stretched the Bird's wings today... The good, the bad, and the ugly

Reply #2 – March 14, 2006, 10:37:24 PM

I couldn't help but laugh as I read that. I know exactly how it is to jump into the old ride for an outing.
I remember back when I test drove my Tib, I thought, man this roof is low. I felt like I had to lean down to see out of the windshild. Well that has since changed. I've had that car a little over a year now and I'm so used to it, I don't even notice. I've become more aggressive with my driving since I got the Tib. It handles exceptionally well and stops beautifully. Power is where it lacks. Enter the Cougar.

Back in late November, I took the Tib into the dealership to get some work done. Since they were going to have it a couple days, the Cougar left retirement. When I got behind the wheel I first felt as if I was sitting on top of the car. The side windows seemed so low that I felt like I was on display. Big contrast to the Tib's small side windows. The seats in the cougar are much more comfortable than the ones in the Tib though. As I pulled up the driveway, I realized that the gas pedal was much harder to push than the Tib. Also I noticed the great increase in power as I floored it once I pulled onto the street. Then I started to slow down for the stop sign. Atleast I thought I was slowing down. I pushed the brake and it felt like it would never slow me down. It felt like it nearly went to the floor. Scared me for a second there. Just like you as I headed down the main drag to school I realized how old this car was. With its clumsy suspension, I felt every bump in the road and the car swayed a bit in the turns. A far cry from the new tight suspension on the Tib. I found myself enjoying the cars flaws. I also couldn't help but grin every time I stepped on the gas and heard the exhaust growl and felt the pull of the motor.

Well, a couple days later I got my Tib back. Although I was glad to have it, I had almost wished I never bought it. That car is nice but it just doesn't have the soul and personality that the Cougar has. It was then when I realized how much I really love my Cougar.

Stretched the Bird's wings today... The good, the bad, and the ugly

Reply #3 – March 15, 2006, 12:04:44 AM

I know what you mean. My Tbird is comming out of storage in a few weeks and I can't wait to drive it. After driving FWD cars all winter it'll be heaven to get back into the Bird. I always love pushing lightly on the gas and have the 5.0 chirp the tires and pull away effortlessly from a stop :D . I just have come to love the torque of a V8. 4 bangers just don't feel the same once you get used to a V8's torque curve. I've never been in or driven another car that has felt as right as my Tbird. There is just something unique about these cars I can't describe.

Stretched the Bird's wings today... The good, the bad, and the ugly

Reply #4 – March 15, 2006, 01:26:58 AM

i hear Carm i miss my XR-7 for the handling and gas milage over my 95 XR7 4.6 and my SC for the pure power.

Stretched the Bird's wings today... The good, the bad, and the ugly

Reply #5 – March 15, 2006, 03:53:50 AM

Man, I haven't driven my T-bird in over a year and a half. And I haven't driven a bird at all since CJ. It should be quite a flood of emotion if and when I get back behind the wheel of my car. I still remember how much of a rush it was driving it for the first time after a 6 month hiatus due to a busted timing chain. It motivates me to get the car back on the road. A LOT.

Stretched the Bird's wings today... The good, the bad, and the ugly

Reply #6 – March 15, 2006, 09:40:45 AM

Quote from: Thunder Chicken

There is almost no paint on the inside part of both front fenders, right were they are next to the hood. The metal must be galvanized there, though, because there is no rust - just bare metal. And it's a factory lack of paint, as evidenced by the VIN stickers being applied over the bare metal.

Thats a common issue, seems as Ford forgot to paint that area on a bunch of them... Luckly my White and Red TCs arn't in the group, but 4-5 others had that issue... Most were slightly rusty, guess they weren't galvanized...

Stretched the Bird's wings today... The good, the bad, and the ugly

Reply #7 – March 15, 2006, 10:50:48 AM

I got excited when I pulled my car up a few inches after it sat for almost a year. It'll spin the tires in cold grass at idle without the brakes applied. I miss that car. I am still prolly gonna fix the v-6 instead though....*sign*

Stretched the Bird's wings today... The good, the bad, and the ugly

Reply #8 – March 15, 2006, 08:36:46 PM

I know the exact feeling, but at a different level.

After driving my TC for about a year, i finally decided to put the new radiator in the red bird, put the electric fan on it, throw a battery in and take it for a spin.

Keep in mind, ive got a lot of things done with the 3.8L car, none of which is performance. Ill go with the Good, bad and ugly theme as Carmen did.

The Good:
-The interior. I love the porn red in the TC, but the black/gray in the red bird just calls out to me. The taurus heater controls look slick. The seats being cloth just made them so much more comfortable. The base model door panels arnt falling apart, and while look boring, are much more solid.

-The sunroof. Yes, i know it can go with interior, but it just makes the car. Pop the top, you got ventilation, look up and see the sky. Can remove it totally. I love the thing.

-The looks. Man, people snap their head when i drive the car, even with as rough as it looks now. A red whatever with silver wheels catches eyes.

-The sound system. Man, for some hand-me-downs and off the shelf speakers, it sounds great, especially compaired to the factory Premium Sound.

The bad:
-The 3.8L.

-The automatic.

-The suspension.

-The power.

The ugly:
-Suspension NEEDS and overhaul. Every bushing in the car deflects, the shocks and struts are worn out, both tie rod ends need replacing, the ball joints are going to hell.

-The sunroof. While its great, over the year or so its been sitting, its been dripping, and caused minor mold to form in the interior. My lucky ass has been getting sensative to mold, so i got all stuffed up driving the car.

-The brakes. Carm hit it right on the head, but then you have to factor in, i have cheap pads, and old rotors. I used to abuse the car, i drove it like it was a road race car, so those brakes were done for from the start.

-The alternator. When the electric fan kicked in, the car wanted to kick the bucket. That alternator sucks.

Stretched the Bird's wings today... The good, the bad, and the ugly

Reply #9 – March 15, 2006, 08:48:30 PM

Does it count if my car is just Ugly?

3.8 sucks

clutch is worn BAD

suspension needs work badly (working on that though)

Front panels are wrinkled.

Motor mounts

The Good.?

With all the goodies I've swaped into the cougar it is very cozy. Smells nice all the time.

But I love this car. I beat on it and hammer it all day long and it just keeps asking for more. If at any time I have to drive another car, I always look forward to the next day and driving my sled.

Stretched the Bird's wings today... The good, the bad, and the ugly

Reply #10 – March 16, 2006, 01:26:44 AM

Mmmm... the 11" brake upgrade is like a night and day difference let me tell you. I almost noticed the great upgrade of the control arms in the rear, but best of all the subframes really stiffened things up.

I'll probably have to post a Good Bad Ugly thing for mine when I get it back on the road :) It's been sitting all winter as well.

Stretched the Bird's wings today... The good, the bad, and the ugly

Reply #11 – March 16, 2006, 10:53:25 AM

The good: I got my license.

The bad: My transmission broke less than 4 hours later. That's gotta be some kind of record.

The ugly:"...no, Dad, I wasn't powerbraking it..."

Stretched the Bird's wings today... The good, the bad, and the ugly

Reply #12 – March 16, 2006, 12:16:26 PM

Quote from: kewlbird08

The ugly:"...no, Dad, I wasn't powerbraking it..."

were you though? come on.. you know you were! :flame:

Stretched the Bird's wings today... The good, the bad, and the ugly

Reply #13 – March 16, 2006, 01:16:54 PM

Of COURSE I was!!!

Stretched the Bird's wings today... The good, the bad, and the ugly

Reply #14 – March 16, 2006, 05:16:56 PM

The good: Just took the Bird out for a spin today. Forgot how much I love the sound/pull of a Ford 5.0 :D .

The bad: After driving newer (98+) cars all winter I want 11" front brakes. The 10" fronts and 10" rear drums kinda suck:yuck: .