1963 THUNDERBIRD SPORTS ROADSTER
Complete Rotisserie Restoration
in progress now


February 12, Finally getting back at it: (Feb 18 - added a few more picts at bottom)
I got all the body parts spread out in the shop and ready to start stripping
paint with "Aircraft Stripper". I started with the flip lid, package tray
and cowl. Even with the exhaust fan operating full speed in the shop,
the fumes were very bad. I quit the stripping and ordered a
"supplied air respirator" from AutoBodyDepot.com
I just arrived yesterday and I was able to try it out. I got the "Hobby Air II"
which is the heavy duty unit with 80' of hose. The thing works GREAT!
I finished stripping the parts I started with 2 weeks earlier, and never smelled
anything except fresh air! This can also be used for painting in liew of
the disposable respirators. I highly recommend one of these for stripping and
painting operations.
On Wednesday I got my engine back from the machine shop. I requested that they
not paint it (as they usually will) because they don't do a very good job.
They problably would have painted the engine with the valve covers and oil pan
"Ford Blue"!! I've seen a lot of engines painted like that in so-called
"restored" cars. I'll eventually remove the valve covers and oil pan and
do a proper paint job on the engine and it's parts.
I've included a picture of the engine date casting. It's located just below
the oil filter adapter. The date on this one is "2K9" which decodes to
October 9, 1962. The build date for this car is October 18, 1962. The engine date,
to be "numbers matching" for your Tbird should predate the build date of your car
by no more than 6 months. The engine should never be built after your car for
obvious reasons, unless you need a replacement and can't find a correctly dated
engine for your car.
I have the body shell essentially ready for primer, the only thing I want to do first is
to spray rustproofing inside the frame rails, and inside the quarter panels and
other areas that will be inaccessible to primer and paint. The primer will
cover any rustproofing overspray. As you can see, all of the new seam sealer is in place.
I had to use 3 different brands as the paint store was low on inventory.
j_ready2strip.jpg
Parts ready 2 strip 		j_hobbyairii.jpg
Hobby Air II 		j_engine_back.jpg
Rebuilt Engine 		j_engine_date.jpg
Engine Date Code "2K9"
j_seam_seal1.jpg
Seam Sealer 		j_seam_seal2.jpg
Seam Sealer 		j_seam_seal3.jpg
Seam Sealer

Added pictures on 2-15-05 below:
j_parts_stripped.jpg
Deck,Flip and Package Tray 		j_fender_stripped.jpg
Fender Stripped 		j_hood_part_stripped.jpg
Hood Part Stripped 		j_hood_stripped.jpg
Hood Stripped



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