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Topic: Finish the sentence: As long as you have the dash out, you should... (Read 2692 times) previous topic - next topic

Finish the sentence: As long as you have the dash out, you should...

Getting ready to replace the cracked dash with a pristine one (Thanks Vinny!) on my 1988 LX.  I know I should replace the heater core as long as it's apart, but what else?

Thanks for the ideas and spending a bit of my money!

Geoff
T-Birds can't fly.  Ask how I know...

Finish the sentence: As long as you have the dash out, you should...

Reply #1
Heater core, blower motor, and fuses to blower motor resistor(all things I've been putting off).

t-5 pedal swap would be pretty easy if you plan on it as well.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Finish the sentence: As long as you have the dash out, you should...

Reply #2
Heater core comes to mind immediately./
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

Finish the sentence: As long as you have the dash out, you should...

Reply #3
Hang a clutch pedal ;)
Love Foxes, Birds or Stangs.

Finish the sentence: As long as you have the dash out, you should...

Reply #4
Definitely install a ford heater core
1987 T-Bird TC: 5-Spd, 5-lug conv., CHE Rear CAs, '04 Cobra wheels and 13" Brakes, Vac Assist conv: '93 Cobra BB/MC & Wilwood PV, Gutted/Knived Intakes, T3 turbo, RFE6 Mani, Stinger 3" Exhaust & Oil Feed, 255HP Walbro, Kirban AFPR, RR Cam, Esslinger Cam gear and Round Tooth Conv., Gillis Boost Valve, Speedway Dual Valve Spring,  K&N, 130a 3g Alt conv., 140mph Speedo
Running Better Than Ever :burnout:

Finish the sentence: As long as you have the dash out, you should...

Reply #5
Quote from: Ramos617;434781
Definitely install a ford heater core

This. Don't get a part-store brand, they don't last. I speak from multiple personal experiences. Get a real Ford one.
CoogarXR : 1985 Cougar XR-7

Finish the sentence: As long as you have the dash out, you should...

Reply #6
Heater core for sure...
'88 'bird, 10.9:1 306 w/TFS top end, forged rods/pistons, T-5 swap & bunch of other stuff, 1-family owned, had it since ‘98, 5.0tbrd88 on Instagram and YouTube

Finish the sentence: As long as you have the dash out, you should...

Reply #7
Clutch Pedal - great idea, but this one's not going to be a t5, maybe the next one.  Someday, I'll have a flock of t-birds. :popcorn:

Ford heater core - got it.  I'll replace the fan and resistor while I'm in there.

Filling up the shopping cart as we speak.

keep the great ideas coming!
T-Birds can't fly.  Ask how I know...

Finish the sentence: As long as you have the dash out, you should...

Reply #8
Throw in a set of nice dash speakers too ;)
CoogarXR : 1985 Cougar XR-7

Finish the sentence: As long as you have the dash out, you should...

Reply #9
Id seal off the heater vents well and make sure there are no broken vac lines. i hate plastic lines.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Finish the sentence: As long as you have the dash out, you should...

Reply #10
Make sure that the heater hose that feeds the heater core has the restricter in it.  I think Ford did this as the pressure would get too high with elevated RPMs and cause the heater core to prematurely leak.  Not saying it is a have to but I would do some checking to make sure.  I have them in both of my cars more for insurance then anything as replacing a heater core is not fun.  It used to come in the hose when you got it from Ford but this is just as easy and can be reused.

http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/item/LRS-18599A/79-04-Mustang-Heater-Core-Flow-Restrictor

Darren

83 351W TKO'd T-Bird on the bottle


93 331 Mustang Coupe - 368 rwhp

Finish the sentence: As long as you have the dash out, you should...

Reply #11
I put a broken 1/4" socket in the hose of the last one i did. Heater worked fine. can't remember if that was this tbird or the last one.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Finish the sentence: As long as you have the dash out, you should...

Reply #12
I'd replace the carpet, get the cage installed, put the t5 pedal in and switch to a cable mount clutch quadrant, retape the wiring harnesses and wire up all the speaker and led wiring.  While the carpets out you might as well derust and prime everything underneath. Plus run your new speaker/amp wiring.  And since you are doing that you might want to reskin the door panels, delete the rear seat........

Finish the sentence: As long as you have the dash out, you should...

Reply #13
I'm a middle age man.  If I go that fast, my wrinkles end up against the back window.  Also, not deleting the back seat - reliving my highschool dream, including making out with my sweetie!
T-Birds can't fly.  Ask how I know...

 

Finish the sentence: As long as you have the dash out, you should...

Reply #14
Lol. You asked!  You might wana think about a bench seat. Thats a pretty tight squeeze back there.