APRIL 2017Thunderbird Owners of New York

Web-page: http://clubs.hemmings.com/tony/index.htmlMember, Classic Thunderbird Club International – Chapter 49

1955 1956 1957

Meeting: Monday, April 3rd - 7 p.m.

Bethpage Library, 47 Powell Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714 516-931-3907

THUNDEBIRD Automobiles of the Thunderbird Owners of New York Car Club

OFFICERS: PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: Joseph Marchione

PresidentJoseph Marchione – 631-261-0179

Vice PresidentStan Matusewicz – 631-231-3156

SecretaryJohn Cattonar - 631-269-4705

TreasurerPete Cochrane - 631-363-6662

CTCI Advisory Council Rep.Bob Ceraso - 631-757-9476

Tech Advisor: 1955’sBob Ceraso - 631-757-9476

Tech Advisor: 1956’sStan Matusewicz -631-231-3156

Tech Advisor: 1957’sLou Realmuto - 631-226-1733

Computer AdvisorSal Perrotta - 631-884-3179

Newsletter EditorArlene Swenson - 631-277-9511

SECRETARY’S REPORT:Thunderbird Owners of New York - JOHN CATTONAR SECRETARY

MARCH 2017 MEETING NOTES

As usual, our March Meeting Night was PIZZA NIGHT. Thanks to Al and Eileen Continelli, we had an abundance of pizzas and a great variety to boot. We had only 27 people in attendance this meeting (we usually have around 35) but we all ate for those who didn't make it. The meeting officially started at 7:20 P.M. after everyone had his fill of pizza and soda.

Hi Everybody,

…Not really too much to talk about, just anxiously awaiting the arrival of driving season. …Perhaps a couple of friendly reminders: First, the Empire Galaxie cruise for America's Vet Dogs kicks off on April 9th and our Dust-Off Brunch food fest is on April 23rd at the Bonwit Inn. Unfortunately, it's a little late this year due to Palm Sunday and Easter but we hope you can make it anyway.

By now you should have received an email containing the new calendar of events up to and including the month of June, if not, contact me and I'll send it to you.

Also, I just found out about a Barrett-Jackson Concours at the Mohegan Sun from 6/17 to 6/19, followed by an auction from 6/21 to 6/24. Either of these events might make a nice trip for some members.

And lastly, keep in mind that our All-Ford show is July 9th and supports a great local charity - Building Homes for Heroes.

New for our show this year is a car corral where people can offer their cars for sale, and they could be any brand, not just Ford.

So please spread the word about this and let's make it a success.

Our next meeting is April 3rd and I hope to see you there.

Thanks, Joe.

After the pledge of allegiance, Peter Cochrane, our treasurer, reported we had $2,172.00 in the bank. Joe Marchione reminded the members to pay Peter for our up coming Spring Dust Off so we can let the Bonwit Inn know how many will be in attendance. It's April 23rd , and it's $30.00 per person. Joe also read a

letter from the New Jersey Thunderbird Club who thanked us for the $200.00 check we sent them in support of the up coming CTCI Regional Show that they are hosting. Everyone was reminded to make his reservations early (like now), since the hotels fill up real quick.

Before you know it, it will be April which means on the 9th, The Ford Galaxy Club will be having their yearly Vet Dog Cruise. Also, the following Saturday, on April 15th, there is a charity car show at the Miller Ale House on Vets Highway in Commack. The car show season is beginning.

Dennis Benfante displayed the special T-shirts that were made for the club this year, only $15.00, which he was collecting the monies for, so he could place the total order. No one had any new news or technical issues with their cars so the meeting adjourned at 7:50 P.M.

Steve Murray , once again won the 50/50. $47.00 The club voted to bar him from taking part in the 50/50 in the future. (only kidding..)

JOHN CATTONAR --- T.O.N.Y. SECRETARY ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

MEMBER NEWS:

Kings Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade -

6th Annual Kings Park St. Patty’s Day Parade/Saturday, March 4, 2017 - Noon - If you are Irish, you know why the month is called ‘March’. In addition to the big parade in Manhattan on St. Patrick’s Day, many communities in the tri-state area also hold parades. So that they don’t have to compete for pipers and marchers, they hold these parades on the weekends before and after St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th . There are parades every Saturday and Sunday in March. Kings Park was no exception – it was a fairly large parade that featured more than 20 bagpipe bands, fire departments, floats and many organizations. Seven classic cars

participated – two from T.O.N.Y.: Bob Ceraso, in his 2002 thunderbird blue/pea green T-bird, that got a lot of attention and Stan & Mindy Matusewicz in their turquoise ’56 with one of their ‘killer’ dogs – Buddy. (see photo below). – most of the other cars, including Elliott Weiner with his cream & gold edition ’76 Thunderbird, were from the Long Island Thunderbird Club. Kenny Weinburg, LITC, was at the head of the parade in his white ’65 Thunderbird with the three Grand Marshals – the McWilliams Sisters (see photo below). The bystanders really were excited to see our cars. …and driving along at two miles an hours, no one worries about our cars

over-heating! Even though it was an extremely cold day – 12 degrees, thousands of Kings Parkers and

people from surrounding communities, turned out on Main Street to see Irish eyes smiling.

Grand Marshals: the McWilliams sisters: Marge Stajk, Barbara Griffin, Ken Weinberg’s ’65 ThunderbirdCathy Donnelly - with Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone

Elliott Weiner’s gold/cream ’76 Thunderbird one of many Fire trucks in the parade

Stan Matusewicz, his dog, Buddy, and his ’55. Bob ? w/ his ‘35 Dodge ‘woody’.

*Club member, Pete Cucci, won Best in Show, with his red ’57 T-Bird at a big car show in Florida on March 12th! Congratulations Pete!! Geppie did a valve job on this car and it’s running great, Pete says.

April 1st - April Fool’s DayApril 8th - Houston Car Art Parade- http://www.thehoustonartcarparade.com April 10th – Passover beginsApril 16th - Easter

April 22nd - Earth Day - http://www.earthday.org/ - this is an annual event, where events worldwide, are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

Sunday, April 23rd DUST-OFF BRUNCH – for the Thunderbird Owners of New York car club - $30.00 per person -

Our CLUB’S “Dust-Off” Brunch will be held at The Bonwit Inn – from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.1 Vanderbilt Motor Pkwy, Commack, NY 11725 (631) 499-2068

Please mail your check, made out to T.O.N.Y., in the amount of $30.00 per person to: Peter Cochrane, 41 Arthur Avenue, Blue Point, NY 11715

CATTONAR'S CORNER - by John Cattonar Let’s talk a little bit about the carburetors used on the 3 years of our little birds. The "teapot" type carb. (Holley 4000) was used on the 1955, the 1956 and the dual quad 1957 "E" birds. What's the difference in the carbs and how to quickly identify them? The 1955 carb has no automatic choke (black box) mounted on the passenger's side of the carb. The choke is mounted on the intake.The 1956 carb has the black plastic choke housing mounted on the right side of the carb. Minor internal changes.The 1957 dual quad is basically the same as the 1956 carb with minor changes (one less dash pot etc.)The 1957 single 4 barrel carb was the 1st year for the 4150 series which is called the "box style". Float bowls front and rear.The 1957 Supercharged carb is a "teapot" type but has square butterflies and a metal shield surrounding the "plastic black box choke housing".

My own experience with my 1957 T-Bird was that after the 3rd rebuild in 30 years, I decided to go for a new Holley 4150 carb rated at 600 CFM with an electric choke. The carb. when installed looks just like the original with the exception of the gas inlet. Everything lines up. The performance is so much better with the electric choke and starting takes only 1 pump of the gas pedal. Keep in mind that these original carbs. are more than 60 years old and are the heart of your engine. I highly recommend thinking new.

___________________________________________________________________________________________CALENDAR OF UPCOMING CAR SHOWS & EVENTS ...

Sunday, May 21st – *Thunderbird Appreciation Day - Two car clubs – T.O.N.Y. and LITC will meet for a “Cruise” - type event… to enjoy our Thunderbirds and to share stories with our clubs and with the public ..arrive any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Key Food Shopping Center, Indain Head Road, Kings Park, NY.

APRIL CAR SHOWS

Sunday, April 9th - Empire Galaxy Cruise to Orient Point –meet at the multiplex theatre, Rt. 110 & Conklin St., Farmingdale – 8 a.m. – go to: www.empiregalaxies.weebly.com

SATURDAY, 4/29/17 ---- NO RAIN DATEIMPRESSIVE & AGGRESSIVEPEP BOYS, WAVERLY AVE., AND SUNRISE HWY., PATCHOGUE6:00 PM TO 10:00PM -TOM 631-902-1522$10.00 DONATIONS

SUNDAY, 4/23/17 RAIN DATE 4/30/17LI STREET RODS – CAR SHOW AND SWAP MEETSUFFOLK COMMUNITY COLLEGE, WICKS RD., EXIT 54 ON THE LIE8:00 AM TO 4:00 PMJERRY PRINZIVALLI 631-872-2539 JPAUTO416@OPTONLINE.NET WALKINS $7.00, CARS $14.00, VENDORS $35.00 ---- FREE T SHIRTS TO THE FIRST 150 CARS

Sunday, April 30th -car show and charity fundraiser: St. Patrick’s School, 284 E. Main St., Smithtown. 9 to 4 - Rain date: 5/7

Sunday, April 30th – car show/family day/flea market. 2nd Historic Motor Parkway Memories Antique Car Show: Williston Post 144, American Legion, 730 Willis Avenue, Williston Park, NY 11596 contact: Tom: 718-224-2674 toms53belair@aol.com 9 to 4 rain or shine - http://www.greaternewyorkregion.org/event/2nd-historic-motor-parkway-memories-antique-car-show-family-day-flea-market/ $5. Car owner & passenger; $5. Adult; $2. 6 to 12; children under 6, Free – first 100 vehicles must be on field by 10 a.m. - clubs wishing to present together, must

be on field as a group by 9 a.m. - hot rods, vintage cars, special-interest vehicles, stock muscle cars, trucks, motorcycles and modifieds._____________________________________________________________________________________________

MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND SAVE THE DATE! - Sunday, July 9th

Did you sign up? If not, sign up today! You’re guaranteed a t-shirt if you pre-register! Rain date: July 16

It’s our 12th Annual “Thunderbird and All-Ford Car Show” – along with the Long Island Thunderbird Club – at the Key Food Shopping Center in Kings Park, NY - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. - rain date: Sunday, July 16th - see another flyer with this Newsletter –

*PLEASE NOTE: When you register, consider checking the box on the registration form, at the bottom of the flyer, to add a donation for “Homes for Heroes” - If you are not showing a car, perhaps you will consider just including a donation to “Homes for Heroes” (w/ check made out to same) and send it all along to Dennis Benfante. THANK YOU!!

“OUT OF TOWN CAR SHOWS”

April 6th to 9th - Charlotte Auto Fair, NC - National Spring Meet: hosted by Hornet’s Nest Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America go here: http://www.charlotte-autofair.com/

April 19th to 23rd - Spring Carlisle, PA - a collector and classic car swap meet, car corral and auction is held each April in America’s Automotive Hometown, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. http://www.carlisleevents.com/carlisle-events/carlisle-spring-swap-meet-corral-auction/default.aspx Event Hours: Wed.-Sat. 7am-6pm • Sun. 7am-3pmAdmission: Daily Wed.- Sat. $10 / Sun $7 / Event Pass $30

April 28 – 20th - Spring Englishtown Swap Meet and Auto Shows - http://www.etownraceway.com/swap_meets.aspx

May 5th to 7th , 2017 - Rhinebeck Car Show - www.rhinebeckcarshow.com http://www.rhinebeckcarshow.com/

June 2nd to 4th , 2017 Carlisle Ford Nationals: http://www.carlisleevents.com/carlisle-events/carlisle-ford-

nationals/ Carlisle, PA

June 3rd , 4th , 2017 - Greenwich Concours d’Elegance - http://www.greenwichconcours.com/ CONCOURS d’Elegance at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, Greenwich, CT

“Spring is here!!” greenwich concours race cars ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Thunderbird Convention - August 2-6, 2017

Mark your calendar and plan to attend the CTCI Convention sponsored by the New Jersey Open Road Thunderbird Club. The host hotel is the Hannover Marriott in Parsippany, NJ. The convention is shaping up to be a lot of fun for all, with plans for New York City Tours, a Harbor Cruise, a cook out, and a host of other exciting activities. FOR DETAILS VISIT: www.njortc.org/2017-convention.html or www.ctci.org

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APRIL BIRTHDAYS John Zengel – 1st Lorraine Dechert – 1st Carole Foster 7th Ray Scott 7th Marge Scomello – 10th Pete Cochrane – 12th

Pam Ogno – 13th

Fran Cattonar – 17th

Sean Peters – 22nd Ernest Gebers – 26th Steve Murray 26th

Stan Matusewicz -27th Cathy Orlando – 30th

MORE TECH TALK

By Peter Cochrane

Another way to start ‘sitting’ cars…..This article is for the mechanically inclined:

I have removed the spark plugs to reduce the connecting rod pressure on dry and almost dry engine rod and main bearings that have sat for a while, and then disconnect the hot lead from the key and then crank the engine for about 5-15 seconds.  This should be enough to bring up the oil pressure to all main and rod bearings.  Motor will spin faster with plugs out and pump oil quicker through the engine.  It is important to disconnect the hot lead to distributor as an errant spark from a spark plug wire lying loose could cause a flash fire if any gasoline vapor would come out of an open spark plug hole when cranking.

There are electric pump devices that can be installed on an engine that pump oil all through passages that you can turn on before starting/cranking the engine.  These maybe a little expensive as I have not priced one and/or may be hard to install.  I believe these were designed for marine use and other expensive engines to save rebuilding costs.For an engine that has sat a very long time, I remove the distributor, but first mark the position of the rotor on the distributor and mark the distributor position so it can be replaced in the block without losing the timing reference position.On most American V8 and other engines there is a hexagon shaped shaft sticking up from where the bottom of the distributor was inserted.  From there, I have inserted a six point socket with extension (usually from a ¼ inch socket set).  With the speed handle or other tool, I spin the shaft in the same direction of the normal distributor rotor rotation.  This will pump oil up through the whole oil system of the engine as you will feel resistance once it begins to flow.  You should be able hear the oil traveling and squirting as you do this.  This will get the main and rod bearings with plenty of oil for starting as they were probably bone dry or near bone dry from long time sitting.   At this point it is time to re-install the distributor (having not spun the engine yet), you should be able drop the distributor back in place where it was.  If it does not go all the way down you may have to pull it out again and turn the hex shaft a little to get the bottom of the distributor shaft to engage over the hex shaft.  (A little trial and error here.)  If this motor is very dry, a little oil squirted in the spark plug holes to lubricate the cylinder walls couldn’t hurt either.  One caution point here I have done is to tape the six point socket and any extensions and adapters all together so as not to drop any loose tool pieces inside the engine. (Print out|keep w/car)

CELEBRITIES AND THEIR THUNDERBIRDS:

Natalie Wood & her ‘55 actress Sandra Giles w/ fur covered ’57

Clark Gable & supercharged ’55 Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer admire their new 1955

Clark Gable John Travolta

Annette Funicello Tony Perkins another beauty

SS|EP

Annette Funicello Nick Adams

These 4 photos - Marilyn Monroe & Arthur Miller

below: Glynis Johns with her ’56````` & three photos of Marilyn Monroe & Arthur Miller

Frank Sinatra

Trivia: in 1956, electric door locks were introduced on several luxury automobile models

Happy T-Birding - See you on the Road - Arlene Swenson, 3/23/2017