Let me preface this - I know nothing about A/C! Also, I apologize if there's already a post about this, but I can't figure out how to use the search function on this site for the life of me.
My 87 V8 Cougar's AC doesn't work - started out as a slow leak and then turned into an issue where it wouldn't keep a charge more than a few months. It got to be a pain, and I just haven't had A/C for a few years now. I would like to get it back up and running, and I'm planning on doing a total system replacement so I don't have to worry about it again in awhile. I've run into a couple questions I was hoping someone could help me with;
I've found that you can fairly inexpensively replace all the parts of our cars' A/C with Rock Auto parts, which is where I'm currently leaning. However, I've been told that our cars are "R12", which is now hard to get with the newer systems using R134A. If I use these parts, is my system still an R12 system? Is there a way to convert the system?
I found that LMR.com has a total replacement system designed for a mustang V8 that also claims to convert it to the R134A coolant. However, I've noticed that this system's coolant return line from the compressor to the condenser runs over the engine, past the distributor cap - while mine runs to the right of the engine and then down under it. The compressor also seems to be at a different angle on the mustangs. Has anyone tried to use one of these systems in our cars, and is it worth it?
Thanks - hope I don't sound like too much of a noob!
Found this on Craigslist today, thought all of you should know, as if anyone would want this car it should be one of us! A little rich for me, but for the sake of our cars I hope it fetches the asking price.
Thanks to all of your help, I successfully completed my 11" brake upgrade over the weekend, and I love it. While I was at it, I put a set of SN95 springs on the front with adjustable caster/camber plates, and it finally sits at a reasonable level! One side effect, however, is that now under hard braking or a bump in the road, the tires rub on the fender lips, as I have the cobra-r rims that stick out of the fenders just a bit (this has always annoyed me). I'll post some pics once it stops raining.
My mechanic, who is well versed in FoMoCo, suggested that I try swapping to a Fox Mustang front lower control arm, which is slightly shorter, and thus would bring in the tire. I have done some searches on this board, but haven't found much information about if this would work or not. Has anyone tried this, and if so, what were your results?
Hey everybody - I've been searching for info on removing/repainting the metal trim that goes around the windshield and rear windows of my '87 Cougar, but haven't found anything. Mine are still in great shape, but the black paint is just starting to come off/fade, so it just needs sprayed. I asked a small town body guy about it once, and he said he wouldn't touch it - he would rather have a glass guy do it to be sure that the trim didn't get bent up in removal. I was thinking about removing the trim myself and just spray-painting it, but this encounter has me worried that I'll bend it all up in the process.
Has anyone removed/replaced this metal trim? Were you able to keep from bending/kinking it in the process? Did you purchase any special tools that helped? Or would I just be better off leaving this job to the professionals?
Hello Everyone, it's been a few years, but I'm back at it! Getting ready to do the 10" to 11" front brake conversion on my '87 XR-7, and the way I'm starting to source parts from all different vehicles, I'm a little worried I'm going to end up with a "frankenstein"! That said, you all have been tremendous help in the past, so I'm reaching out to you to see if I'm on the right track, or if I need to revise my plans. Here is the current plan:
The Car: 1987 Cougar XR-7 with HO 5.0, T-5, 17" X 7.5" Cobra R rims, TC rear end/disc brake conversion. I haven't done much on the front suspension yet, although I think I replaced the springs with used TC springs at some point in time - didn't make much of a difference in my opinion.
What I have: New slotted 11" rotors for a fox mustang, re-manufactured calipers from a Mark VII, stainless steel brake hoses for a fox mustang, all new bearings.
What I still need: Spindles: I should have my hands on some fox-body mustang spindles by the end of the week. I have sourced a pair from a 1990 Mustang GT.
While I'm at it: I figured it would make sense to do a couple other things while I'm at it. I am planning on installing new struts - but I have some questions. I have read that if you re-use your old Cougar struts with the new mustang spindles, you need to use washers/spacers. I would like to avoid this, and I need new struts anyhow, so I figured that if I purchased struts for the SN95, no spacers would be required. Is this logic sound? I'm looking at purchasing these struts from O'Reilly's: KYB Excel-G Part # 235060 - as it seems to have the most similar characteristics as the replacement cougar struts. I also ordered new strut mounts, but I got mounts for the '87 Cougar, as I figured they would be better suited: MasterPro Strut Mounts - Part # FM1061. I am also planning on installing a new SN95 style Master Cylinder, as I'm hoping for better pedal feel: BrakeBest Select - Brake Master Cylinder Part # NMC11349.
Please, let me know if I'm on the right track, or if I'm heading into a disaster! Any advice as to parts, etc. is much appreciated.
Hey everybody, haven't had to post anything for awhile, but last week a tree branch fell through my garage roof and onto my '87 XR-7's roof panel. It put a few dents in the panel, and one body shop I took it to recommended replacing the roof skin since it looks like it "stretched" the metal. It's truly a shame, because you can see in the picture that the original paint was still looking great!
Does anybody have a roof in good shape in the NW Ohio area? Any help to get my car back into great shape would be much appreciated!
Hey guys, odd request, but if anybody has it you would! I burnt up a wire the other day, and it's proven hard to find - here's the details:
The best description from my mechanical book states that it's a "Circuit Jumper Wiring Assy", part number 12638. It's the wire harness that goes from the positive (+) solenoid connector (where the positive battery wire connects) to a plug that connects it with a larger wiring harness.
It's for a 1987 Cougar 5.0 - but I believe the Mustang 5.0 assembly would work as well. I would like a new one, but from what I've heard so far it looks like I'm going to have to go used. I've attached a couple photos for reference. Thanks for any help!!
I just finished the 4-wheel disk brake conversion on my '87 Cougar, but now my brakes are REALLY mushy (even more than before!) I can even stand on the brake pedal and the car just takes it's good ole' time to stop. It has brand new brake lines and master cylinder, so all I can figure is that either I don't have enough vacuum (I've got an aftermarket cam) or my booster just went kapooie. It seems like the easiest fix would be a conversion to manual brakes (the Cobra boosters are hard to find, and even then you don't have a guarantee with a used booster.) Has anybody tried this conversion? Should this fix my brake problem?? Thanks
Just had an idea I thought I would run by you guys to see if I get any interest. My black accent part that runs through the middle of the taillight is starting to fade BAD, and I've been wanting to paint it but just haven't had the time. But then I figured if I could do it with vinyl it'd be a nice, easy, inexpensive fix. Do any of you guys have this problem, too? I'm currently trying to make a layout of the piece, and once I do I'm going to apply it to my car and see if it works good enough to become a solution to this prob. (I'll post pics if ppl are interested.) I figured this would be a nice accent mod too, if you wanted to make that piece match the color of the car. I photoshopped an example, but I've seen pics of other ppl. that have actually done it already (prob. with paint, though.) (These are before and after pics):cougarsmily:
Hey guys, just have a prob. that I thought maybe one of you have ran into before. I've prolly had my '87 Cougar for at least 6 years now, and right when I bought it I noticed it had a slight lean towards the drivers side (about 1/2 inch). Over the years, I have replaced all 4 springs, rear control arms, and the rear end among other things, and the lean's STILL THERE!! Any ideas as to what's causing this???? Any ideas would be appreciated!! Thanks
Hey guys, just thought I would share this. My buddy made this for a college film class, it's a short commercial featuring the Cougar! It's just a LITTLE over-dramatized, but I love it! lol, lemme know whatcha think...
I took my car to get the bottom re-painted this last summer, and I had the guy replace all the chrome molding on it (you know, the little strip inside the big black strip!) Anyhow, I got the car back and the doors weren't done, he said that the chrome strip doesn't come out of the doors' molding. Is this true? If it is true, how can I make it look better, and if it's not, how the heck do I get it out without ruining my moldings?! Thanks for any assistance!
Some things that are up top on my wish list right now are a new set of headlights and some new factory emblems for an '87/88 Mercury Cougar XR-7. I also need that little latch that snaps the center console lid shut (if there are any out there that aren't broken.) Somebody needs to make a meal onea those!
Just wanted to let you guys know that if you wanna give your 'bird or Cougar a new look with some vinyl graphics, I'm your man! I'm starting up a new business, and since I'm tryin to get the word out (and you guys are fellow fox-body enthusiasts) I'm givin some crazy deals. E-mail me the dimensions and colors you want, and i can give you a free quote. (You can apply them yourself, or I can do it for a fee if you don't mind coming to NW Ohio.) The sky's the limit as far as design goes - I can design a graphic/logo, or text for your car, or you can with a graphic editing tool on your own if you'd like. You can even send me a drawing/business card and I can digitize it and make a graphic from it. Please let me know if you have any questions!
Thanx Jason 1987 Mercury Cougar XR-7 5.0 HO 5-speed:cougarsmily: 419-234-8422 bcpen 15sjra@hotmail.com
