Work In Progress. '88 TC

Topic: Work In Progress. '88 TC (Read 14896 times) previous topic - next topic

Work In Progress. '88 TC

October 01, 2018, 03:29:00 PM

This is my '88 Turbo Coupe. I've been lurking around here trying to get up to speed. I am still a long way off.

Not a lot of options in this car. I have been working on it slowly trying to get it up to snuff.

I've taken the airbox out and put an open element on it. Added a Gilles Valve too, but there are some problems there with the boost control.

When I got the car a couple of the injectors were stuck open and the fuel tank was full of junk. New fuel tank and rebuilt injectors and she is back up running. Idle hunts around as if it has a big cam in it but I think that is one of the sensors needing adjusting. It does have a roller cam (-4°). Needs an exhaust soon plus a refresh on the suspension & brakes.

Here was my 2nd TBird from a long time ago.

Work In Progress.

Reply #1 – October 01, 2018, 07:55:16 PM

Very clean looking TC. Nice work with getting the fuel system cleaned up and running good again. Post up when you do any more mods or fixes on it, these cars are tough to kill, very worth putting a few hours and dollars into keeping them running good.

Work In Progress.

Reply #2 – October 01, 2018, 10:55:48 PM

Mikey, where in Connecticut are you located, I’m next door in Coventry RI.
Rick

Work In Progress.

Reply #3 – October 02, 2018, 08:45:31 AM

Quote from: Vintage;467371

Very clean looking TC. Nice work with getting the fuel system cleaned up and running good again. Post up when you do any more mods or fixes on it, these cars are tough to kill, very worth putting a few hours and dollars into keeping them running good.

Thank you! The interior is in really good shape. The car has about 120k on the clock right now. She has a few dents on the roof, hood, and trunk from tree limbs that fell. The worst part is trying to get the cigar smoke out of the interior. I first bombed it with a Turtle Wax product that lasted a couple weeks. Then left vinegar in a bowl for a few days. Last week I opened an ozone bomb that seems promising to finally kill most of the scent.

Quote from: gtbird;467375

Mikey, where in Connecticut are you located, I’m next door in Coventry RI.
Rick

Hi Rick, I am near the center of the state in Connecticut (Prospect). I was close to your neck of the woods when I went to the Thrill & Chill Turkey Run by Rhody Rovers (Dirt Bike / Dual Sport ride).
-Mike

Edit: Rick, impressive modification list in your signature. Did I see your car on one of the Facebook pages? I think it was a black TC I am remembering.

Work In Progress.

Reply #4 – October 02, 2018, 12:19:19 PM

Mikey: You would not have seen my car on Facebook as I don’t do Facebook (I’m an old geezer, 63).
My car is silver with the same “porno red” interior as yours.
I forgot to mention in my first post that you have a great looking car. Maybe next spring we could meet up somewhere and check out each other’s ride. Right now, I’m out of commission, I just had rotatator cuff surgery and I can’t shift, can’t drive my Cobra either.
Rick

Work In Progress.

Reply #5 – October 02, 2018, 12:29:22 PM

Quote from: gtbird;467379

Mikey: You would not have seen my car on Facebook as I don’t do Facebook (I’m an old geezer, 63).
My car is silver with the same “porno red” interior as yours.
I forgot to mention in my first post that you have a great looking car. Maybe next spring we could meet up somewhere and check out each other’s ride. Right now, I’m out of commission, I just had rotatator cuff surgery and I can’t shift, can’t drive my Cobra either.
Rick

Heal up soon, Rick.
That would be good in the spring. I think we should try to get a New England group meet and maybe piggy back it on some other show. Maybe something like Mustang unlimited show?

Work In Progress.

Reply #6 – October 02, 2018, 01:31:41 PM

I'm going to physical therapy twice a week and I'm getting better by the week.
A couple of pics of my ride.
Rick

Work In Progress.

Reply #7 – October 02, 2018, 02:21:57 PM

Awesome looking engine bay Rick!

Gotta admit, I had no idea there were as many 5.0+power adder Birds on here. Its a beautiful thing!

Work In Progress.

Reply #8 – October 02, 2018, 06:08:51 PM

She's a beauty!

Work In Progress.

Reply #9 – November 19, 2018, 09:37:11 AM

I put my car away for the winter. Unfortunately it stays outside since I don't have the garage space. I put a tarp under it and it has a mild slope so hopefully the water runs off plus put the car cover on it. Also used a gas stabilizer when topping the fuel off. I should pull the battery and put it on a tender.

I put roughly 1k miles on it this summer and didn't do much else other than get it cleaned up. I did remove the rear seat to fix a seat belt so the kiddos could ride in it.
I did battle the cigar smell in the car and I think I've gotten the upper hand on it finally. I found on Amazon this stuff: Dakota OBNA-5 Bomb/Car Odor Eliminator Neutral Air
So far the Dakota OBNA-5 car bomb seems to have eliminated the smell. We'll see if I need to do it again in the spring after being closed up.

Things that need to be done this winter is a clutch and exhaust. Will wait until after the holidays.

Work In Progress.

Reply #10 – November 20, 2018, 08:43:14 AM

That's my favorite color combo for these cars. Same color as my first TC, but I had red leather. Looks like a very nice car.

Work In Progress.

Reply #11 – November 20, 2018, 08:53:29 AM

Quote from: Tbird232ci;468063

That's my favorite color combo for these cars. Same color as my first TC, but I had red leather. Looks like a very nice car.

Thank you!

Work In Progress.

Reply #12 – January 07, 2019, 02:00:28 PM

The car is hibernating with all the salt on the roads.

I have been helping my friend work on his Mazda putting a LS/LT 5.7 with a T56 in his Mazda. It's a track car.

He recently asked what I think I am getting out of helping. My repsonse was simply another set of hands once we start working on mine. :)

Edits: playing with picture size.

Re: Work In Progress.

Reply #13 – April 01, 2019, 10:23:49 AM

I uncovered the car the car a couple weeks ago and discovered some new leaks and one I had been chasing previously.

One of the new leaks was from the oil level sensor that the previous owner had disconnected and filled with silicone. The thread size is M20 x 1.5 and I found an oil plug at the local auto store to replace it for the time being.

The next leak was an existing one in the plumbing for the remote oil filter. I tightened up the fittings and hopefully that will be enough but I am not holding my breathe.

Good news is that I finished the oil change and no spots on the garage floor.....yet.

One of the new leaks is transmission fluid color. I believe the T5 uses regular ATF? It appears to be coming out of the larger bolt (low) on the passenger side. I have an appointment for the clutch later this week so I will have him check for the leak and seal. Timing wise I just don't have it to replace the clutch on the garage floor.

Late last year I bought this LED headlight kit off Amazon: LED Headlights

I had read about the getting the headlight bulb retainers from Dorman too so I got those and I agree the bulb won't cool well with the stock deep retainers. The one problem I found is the LED lights have the wiring come out the side of the bulbs which makes it difficult to get the retainer onto them. I tried to cut a notch into the retainer but cause the brittle plastic to break. I ordered another set and will use a Dremel to make a notch for the wiring loom to go through.

I have not polished my headlights. I picked up a kit last night to finish the job, but I am impressed so far just with the light change.

Left (driver's side) is the LED

Re: Work In Progress.

Reply #14 – April 05, 2019, 08:11:59 PM

Notched the retainer to fit the wire through.
http://imgur.com/a/hK8rrVH

I did get to drive the car a bit yesterday before the rain came.
https://i.imgur.com/AO9yUWt.jpg