There's two used ones on Ebay. I bought a new one on there about two months ago for $115 and it didn't help much over the used one I had. I'm thinking of installing some fog lights
Thanks man! I bought the bird not knowing much about them. I figured since it was so close to a mustang I could figure most of it out but what I didnt know is there is no aftermarket support for these cars! Which sucks!
I know what you mean. I went through 5 sets of headers trying to get one to fit correctly until I figured out that Cougar's have bigger motor mounts then Mustangs. That's one thing I like better about Chevy. There less difficult to work on & you don't have to buy special tools just to do it.
Like everyone's said, nice t-bird! I myself like the Camaro a hell of allot more, being a Camaro fan. But you did get a sweet deal on the t-bird though. Good luck & have fun with all of them!
If the 87\88 Cougar has the same front bumper cover. There's a new one on Ebay for around $135. And there's a used 88 Thunderbird bumper cover with some broken bottom mounts for $125obo there to. Hope this helps.
So how are things coming with your cougar? Haven't heard back from you in a while on what you've decided & what, if anything, you've done so far. If your still trying to decide on paint, that is when you can afford to, i'd paint it the original color. In the long run the car will be worth more. That is unless you don't like the original color. Anyways, good luck man & keep us updated!
I found a place in California that can fix digital speedometer clusters for around $100. My 3rd cluster went out last year on my 88 Cougar (mpg, trip, average speed, etc.) But I haven't had time to take mine out & send it there yet. I was going to just get one at a junk yard like you were saying. But for what they cost, the chance of it going out, & the mileage would be different, I think it would be better to have your original one fixed.. One of the junk\s yards I was looking at online, told me about this place that can fix it. As soon as I find there number or website, I'll give it to you. Good luck!
I strongly disagree with your opinion about 88 Cougar's Dead Pilot. In 87, to be exact, I think Ford made the cougar smoother looking which to me made it look shagier & more aerodynamic. I mostly like how the side windows look with the wider cab & the rear end change with less of a down drop with a sportier look. The only things I like better about 86's are the front chrome grill, front bumper, chrome, & being able to say that your car was the first year for EFI. Don't get me wrong, I love the way 86 cougar\thunderbirds look to, but i'd prefer an 87 or 88. Anyways, good luck with your restoration. You'll be able to find about any part you need for it on here.
I agree with thunderjet302. The more original you keep the Cougar the more it's gonna be worth in the long run. But it could always be repainted to it's original color. I'd just get a color sheet & see what you think would look best. Good Luck!
All I was going by is what my Dad was told at the Ford, Lincoln, Mercury Dealership in 1986 & what a brochures said. Sorry, I've never seen a 86 cougar & I was told they were Throttle Body fuel injected or something like that or not true Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI). I did a little history reading on the Cougar about when it first came out in 1967. & something I don't understand is why did the 427 engine put out 390hp, & the 428 only had 335hp & in 1971 the 429 Super Cobra jet had 370hp. I don't understand why Ford built bigger engines with less horsepower. I guess maybe for more Torque.
86 had throttle body injection. True Electronic Fuel injection didn't come on the Cougar until 88. I was with my parents when they were looking at Cougar's & Thunderbirds in 86 & that's one reason why they waited until late 1987 to order the XR-7 Cougar
Sorry to tell you this, but by looking at your pictures closer. I can tell it's not an original XR-7 because of the chrome moulding in the center of the tail lights & the trim around the windows. XR-7 is basically the sport model of the cougar. All of the mouldings & trim are color matched to the car's paint, accept for the black moulding around the windows. Kind of like the Dodge Ram Sport pickup. The only chrome pieces on a XR-7 are the 3 Cougar emblems. The grill & one on each side of the upper quarter panel.
