Troubleshooting electrical problems in old cars can be a challenge sometimes. When a component fails, like a light bulb, it's relatively easy to track down and repair. Other faults, like corrosive resistance at a connection, an open circuit, or short circuit to ground somewhere can take time.

The '63 T-Bird came in with a couple of blown fuses and no dash illumination or working turn signals. Someone had cut off connectors inside the doors for the courtesy lights and we even discovered a ground wire for the headlights connected to power at the starter relay. So, there were some weird things.

While the dash was apart, we replaced fuses and everything tested okay and worked fine. But as soon as things were fully reassembled, the fuse for the turn signals blew again.

Seems like we spend a fair amount of time just waiting on parts to arrive. Some parts are generic in nature as they were used across many years and models. They can be picked up at the local parts store. Others are Thunderbird specific and they've got to come from the specialty suppliers.

And then there are parts, like shock absorbers, that you wouldn't think would be all that special. Turns out the front shocks were a one year only deal. Everything before and after 1963 is completely different. What the parts houses sell for a '63 won't fit at all. After some research we found a shock  (KYB 31125) for a different application that will bolt-on and work with only a minor modification.

The rears were a similar story. What's currently sold as a replacement will physically bolt on but we determined it doesn't have the proper travel - about 2-3" too short. So we find something longer (Monroe 31125) that was actually used on 1955-1960 T-Birds.