1961 1963 Thunderbird Slide Mechanism Operation and Shift Lever Roll Pin

This is a short video of how the slide mechanism works on a 1961-63 Thunderbird. I also show his faulty shift lever roll pin and how it is damaging the shift hub.

[@brianadams8748]

Love these cars and that feature

[@kevanswift744]

Thanks for sharing very helpful

[@vintagethunderbirdrepair9426]

Thank you.

[@Berzrk-Z]

Thanks so much for this!! Now if I could only figure out how to remove the steering wheel lol.

[@vintagethunderbirdrepair9426]

Hey Leonard, the steering wheel comes off with a steering wheel puller. You can probably rent one from O'reillys or just buy one, they are cheap. Just pull off the center chrome cap, remove the big nut and use the puller. its not hard. Good luck.

[@Berzrk-Z]

@@vintagethunderbirdrepair9426 Thank you sir! I actually found an older video of yours in which you go through the exact process :)

[@walterjoncas12]

Always enjoyable with useful information.

[@servicetechnician3264]

Hello Nick. Looks like you fixed this one up real well. The lube made a huge difference.
George B.

[@vintagethunderbirdrepair9426]

Thanks George.

[@NorthCoastT]

New subscriber here, just bought a 1961 and will be referring to your channel a lot. Thank you.

[@vintagethunderbirdrepair9426]

Hey North, thank you. I don't do a lot of 61-63 videos but most of my videos apply to the other birds as well mostly. I hope they help you. Good luck.

[@NorthCoastT]

@@vintagethunderbirdrepair9426 I really appreciate it and I will check out your videos anyway, they are very informative.

[@vintagethunderbirdrepair9426]

@@NorthCoastT Thank you.

[@NotYourFinancialAdvisor777]

My 63 tbird won't go into gear it was just fine now it doesn't work any ideas? I don't know anything about these cars

[@socwyvern9745]

I need to get mine working

[@scotdouglas9613]

Nick, thanks so much for your great videos. I have a ‘66 Landau (61k original miles) which is now my daily driver. Most recent improvement was the rattle can paint job I put on it. Don’t hate on me for doing so, it’s just that my budget and the exorbitant quotes from local shops left me no choice. Would love to send you pictures, just tell me how.

[@vintagethunderbirdrepair9426]

Hey Scot, My email is [e-mail] Thanks

[@joernone]

Nick,
How does one fix that wallered out shift lever hole in the hub? Can it even be fixed or does the hub have to be replaced?
Regards,
John

[@vintagethunderbirdrepair9426]

Hey John, yes they can be fixed if not hogged out too bad. The one in this video can be fixed but if it were worn out more than that, probably not. I take the hub off the steering column, remove the shift lever, put a 3/8 drive extension bar in the vice and use the round end to slide into the hub where the shift lever sits, using it as a dolly inside and behind the roll pin hole, and then I tap the hole with a ball peen hammer. This shrinks the hole back down. Its a temporary fix but still works. Maybe I should make a video of it. Ill do that when I get a chance. Thanks John.