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Topic: Need some opinions on what to do with the Bird? (Read 1198 times) previous topic - next topic

Need some opinions on what to do with the Bird?

Here is the deal, the car is a 87 T Bird with 172xxx miles and a 3.8. I have had the car for about 3 years and roughly 60k.  My original plan was to drive it thru the winter and retire it in the spring. I bought a 86 XR7 which is the replacement for it and figured I would spare it a western NY winter. I took off my 10 hole rims today and put a couple snows on the back and 2 brand new tires on the front. While I was on the lt frt I noticed the strut bracket where it mounts to the spindle is cracked so now I am at a cross roads. Should I drive my XR7 this winter or put another 2-3 hundred in a car I wont be driving much longer? Here are a couple pics of the car I am wondering what to do with. Let me know what you think, thanks

Need some opinions on what to do with the Bird?

Reply #1 –
What is a strut bracket?The bottom of the strut?If so,just put a new one on and call it a day. A stock replacement doesn't cost much,and installing them isn't too hard either.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Need some opinions on what to do with the Bird?

Reply #2 –
Yes its the bracket at the bottom of the strut thats cracked. What holds it in? I see the 2 bolts at the base and I imagine the top mount wouldnt be much different then a old shock? Would I need to remove the spring?

Need some opinions on what to do with the Bird?

Reply #3 –
The top nut really needs an impact wrench to make it easy,the bottom two bolts simply go through the strut and the spindle.The spring doesn't have to be removed.It can be left in,but use a hydraulic jack to support it.I have had good luck doing it that way.The safer way would be to use a chain and secure the spring to the chassis so,just in case,it doesn't pop out and wreak havoc.I support the a frame,remove the brake assembly to access the strut bolts,remove those,remove the top nut on the strut (leave the strut mount alone,remove the strut,reverse the process to install it.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Need some opinions on what to do with the Bird?

Reply #4 –
You could always sell it to me:rollin:
41 Dodge Luxury Liner Sedan
78 F-100 2wd flareside
84Turbo Coupe
84 Thunderbird Élan
85 Thunderbird 3.8
88 Turbo Coupe
88 Mustang GT
90 Stang LX 5.0 5spd
93 F-150 4x4 ext cab
96 Mustang GT
98 Mustang GT
99 SVT Cobra
06 Fusion SEL
14 Fusion Sport

Need some opinions on what to do with the Bird?

Reply #5 –
I'd fix the Bird and spare the XR7. That XR7 is too nice and rare to drive in the winter.....
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Need some opinions on what to do with the Bird?

Reply #6 –
Ok heres what happened, I fixed it to save the XR7 from winter. I guess when I sell it in the spring someone will get a cheap car with a new set of struts, gas tank, and a heater core.

Need some opinions on what to do with the Bird?

Reply #7 –
nice looking car but drive the one you like the least this winter.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]


http://www.cardomain.com/id/Carpimp1987
1987 T-Bird AEROBIRD-GT had many many mods but is now totaled and is the car that made me want to start customizing everything all over again.
1988 T-Bird 5.0 HO DD/Sleeper/next project car :birdsmily:
1988 Cougar XR7 5.0 HO Vortech Supercharged being bulit right now :cougarsmily:

Need some opinions on what to do with the Bird?

Reply #8 –
Dang that car looks nice in pictures.  I'd keep it unless there some ugly lurking rust or something.

Love the red interior.
Armed Forces Car Club
Eastern Sierra Chapter, California
WEB:  armedforcescarclub.com

Need some opinions on what to do with the Bird?

Reply #9 –
Quote from: tbirdsps;301015
Dang that car looks nice in pictures.  I'd keep it unless there some ugly lurking rust or something.

Love the red interior.


Thanks, Honestly its the best $200 car I have ever bought. It started life grey but about a year ago I decided to be nice to it and painted it  like a 83 I had back in high school. Its alot like that energizer bunny deal as it just keeps on going.
 

Need some opinions on what to do with the Bird?

Reply #10 –
Is there any rust on that car? If not I'll give you $300 for it in the spring ;)
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.