With the steering column installed transmission gear selector in the park position the steering wheel would slide approximately 18 inches (460 mm) to the right allowing the driver to exit the vehicle easily. The most distinctive feature of the 1961 to 1963 Thunderbirds was the highly touted 'Swing Away' steering wheel. The Thunderbird for 1961 introduced several firsts for the automotive market. 1961 1961 Ford Thunderbird interior with "Swing-Away" steering wheel Kennedy's inaugural parade, probably aided by the appointment of Ford executive Robert McNamara as Secretary of Defense. The Thunderbird was 1961's Indianapolis 500 pace car, and featured prominently in US President John F. A new, larger 390 cu in (6.4 L) FE-series V8 was the only engine available (in 1961). Sales were strong, if not quite up to record-breaking 1960, at 73,051 including 10,516 convertibles. It featured new and much sleeker styling (done by Bill Boyer) than the second generation models. Just my 2 cents worth.The third generation of the Ford Thunderbird is a personal luxury car produced by Ford for the 1961 to 1963 model years. So, unless you're willing to spend some time ordering and comparing, I agree that it's best to re-use the original part if possible. Unless you opened the box- and knew what you were looking for- you couldn't be sure what you'd end up with. ![]() For a time both the old and new rotors sat on the shelf side-by-side. ![]() They were even inferior to the after market (chain store) Chinese "prison camp rotors". Although the new rotors were stocked under the original name and part number, they were definitely inferior to the older US made rotors. For example, when I worked at a certain dealership a factory rep came in and "bragged" that they had saved big money and farmed out the production of their brake rotors to a Pakistani manufacturer. Many years ago there was some consistency, not so much today. I did that with almost every part I sold, be it wheel cylinder or water pump. Many times I had to remove the part from the box to compare it with the customer's original. You may find wheel cylinders under the same brand name with two different bleeder angles on the same shelf. I can tell you from experience that you cannot be sure just what you'll get until you have the actual part in your hand. I've worked in auto parts- dealerships and retail chains- since the 70s. To me, the pictures on Rock Auto's site were definitely showing angled bleeders, but when they arrived they were straight. The camera perspective makes them look a little bit angled, but I don't think so, and I've learned not to trust photos. It looks to me like those Raybestos bleeders are straight. My original problem was solved with the AC Delco cylinders, and I've accumulated three spare sets for the future. I do have a couple of similar wrenches myself. ![]() If your bleeders are metric, just swap them out with standard hex bleeders from the parts store of your choice. Jim, I also have a number of 3/8" ignition wrenches that I hoarded from a great bargain on Ebay. ![]() How about these? Take a look at the last two photos as they appear to be at a slight angle, and they are stamped Made in USA. Has anyone found new front wheel cylinders with the bleed screw angled towards the back of the cylinder like the originals? The new ones I'm finding have a freakin' 8MM bleed screw that sticks straight out and is right up against the spindle.
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