stangeba

In 1978 my wife and I bought a 78 FORD Thunderbird. (I did keep the Monte) The T-Bird was a very nice car and I worked at a FORD dealership as a service advisor then. 351 Cleveland 2bbl.

Steve, I still have my 1971 High School tassel hanging from my mirror in my 71. I remember when it was a real thing in its' day, everyone with a car did it.

Yes, Happy 4th of July!

Looks great!

Probably not of any help to you, but here are pictures of my original 1971 Monte Carlo. Gas Cap Pictures

I love your picture!

I remember always using a 12 Volt test light (with a pointy tip to pierce into the wires) for testing for power and continuity but I was taught back in the early 70's.

Good point! I haven't driven my Monte at night in a very long time... Or several bulbs may be burnt out?

Fuse box. See the small fuse at the bottom labeled INST LPS I think it's only 4 AMPS and sometime they can get rusty causing a loss of power to that fuse. Good luck!

2 more pictures: Notice the 7 tabs the connector attaches to. Notice the ground wire hanging down on the second picture! Make sure it is in place when the new switch is installed. The dash light dimmer looks like a small coil spring and it is inside that white box that is it's insulator. I have seen the coil broken and that will cause the dash lights to fail and blow the fuse. You have already verified the small fuse in the fuse box is OK? The headlights must be on, then power is sent to the dash lights, before you can check the fuse. I will look for a picture of that now:

Unhook the battery Take off the top dash pad. (This may not be required if you can reach it all from under) Then you push in this tiny button (with the tiny spring) and pull out the headlight switch knob and shaft Picture: Then there is a threaded thing (now visible with the knob out) that requires a large screwdriver that you unscrew. Not sure if the best time to unhook the wire connector in now or when it's still secure in the cluster? I have heard there are some switches sold that are wrong. 7 connectors are required for a 71. I will add more pictures in the next reply.

I told them they will never ride in the Monte Carlo again. 🤣

I was told (years ago) NOT to purchase gas when the truck is there filling the underground tanks also! My dad worked for a SINCLAIR distribution company in Utica, Michigan. I did get this t-shirt free and still have it so my grandchildren could also get their picture taken in it!

Cool, I like black.

😂

This looks great!

Welcome! I bet you are as happy that you didn't sell your Monte as I am, that I didn't sell my Monte.

one more picture

I know very well where this fragile thin wire attaches to the steering column on my 71 Monte, and I still broke it one time!!

Back to the Cougar in the garage, my wife had a 73 Red Cougar that was stolen in 1979. It really was a great car. My younger brother also had a blue 73 Cougar convertible.

Happy Birthday!

The paint and primer were all free. I don't remember the labor cost for sure but $200.00 sticks in my head. I had a lot of good times at DuPont. This picture, from 2001, was one of them:

I can't believe it's been 37 years, 26 May 1987, since I had my 71 Monte Painted. Fresh paint waiting for polishing.

12 years ago I was in my 71 Monte Carlo cruising by Guardian Angel Cemetery, 4701 Rochester Road, Rochester, Michigan, and saw how beautifully they had arranged the flags for Memorial Day. I just had to take a few pictures.

Here is a picture of my 71 Speedo connection at the instrument cluster with the cable assembly removed. The "clip" (bottom) is what holds the cable to the speedo. Make sure the cable assembly is fully pushed into the speedo. I remember one time my plastic gear, at the transmission end of the cable, was all worn out and needed to be replaced. You could jack up the car, unhook the cable at the transmission, verify the gear is not worn out or missing, then spin it with a drill mtr while someone is watching the speedo to see if it works. I don't know if spinning it with your fingers is fast enough but you could try. I remember having lots of fun when I added cruise control to my 71 years ago, WOW!!