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About Brad Sears
Expertise
All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience
Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

You are here: Experts > Shopping > Vintage Cars > Classic/Antique Car Repair > 1965 Ford Thunderbird wont start all of a sudden

Classic/Antique Car Repair - 1965 Ford Thunderbird wont start all of a sudden

Expert: Brad Sears - 11/6/2009

Question
Hey Brad,
So my 65 T-bird has always started right up, one push on the gas pedal and a turn of the key and instant start up. I replaced the battery about a week ago and it was still starting great. I went and got some gas the other night, it started fine, drove it about 10 miles back to my house and replaced a few fuses trying to get the gauge lights to work. After installing the new fuses I started her and she ran for about 2 or 3 minutes then died. NOw she'll turn over but wont start up, Im stuck, any ideas????

Answer
For an engine to run it needs three things, spark, fuel, and compression. To check the spark, remove the center wire from the distributor cap and hold it by the insulator at least a couple of inches from the end, so that the end is about 1/4 inch from a good metal surface on the engine. Then have some one crank the engine. The spark should jump the gap and be a bright blue. If there is no spark than you will need to check the points, condenser, cap, rotor, and coil. If there is spark then remove the air filter. With a flash light look down into the carburetor bore and open and close the throttle. There should be a stream of fuel squirting out into the front two barrels. If there is no fuel then the carburetor, fuel pump,or fuel filter is suspect. If there is fuel then do a compression check on the engine with a compression gauge. The compression should be at least 125 pounds per square inch. Low compression could be and internal engine problem or a jumped timing chain.
Brad

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