Prospect - '86 Cougar October 20, 2008, 08:45:58 PM Hello,After over 2 years of being Fox-car-less and honestly not even having the means to buy one if I found it, I have ran across an ad for an '86 V6 Cougar that supposedly only needs a fuel pump to be in good running condition. He says the paint is faded (he calls it gold, which must be Sand Beige?) as well as the interior, and the right front fender has decent dent in it. It has the C5 3-speed (wish it had OD), wire wheel covers, and the half-vinyl top (which I definitely like). It's over 150 miles from me and I've bugged the out of the seller, who also doesn't have internet or digital photo access. His price in the classified ad said $500 OBO, but he just told me he'd take $300 and that I'm the only person who's called about it. It also has a clean title. Oh, and very little rust. Basically, if I go to the trouble of renting a dolly and driving that distance, I expect to be bringing it home, and I really have no way to see it any other way. Can I go wrong at that price? What am I in for in replacing the fuel pump? Since it has the vinyl top, does that make it an LS? According to Cool Cats, the only paint color to get a beige-colored vinyl top is the Sand Beige Metallic, which I'm guessing probably only came on LS's?Thanks for any replies, and I hope I can join the actual car-owning ranks of the members on this forum sometime soon. Later.Fordman3 Quote Selected
Prospect - '86 Cougar Reply #1 – October 20, 2008, 09:49:02 PM I'd go get it, a complete car is worth 300.00. If it turns out to be junk then getting that back from parting it out would be super easy. :hick: Quote Selected
Prospect - '86 Cougar Reply #2 – October 20, 2008, 09:59:36 PM Or dropping in a v-8. Or leave it a v-6, do a quick "junkyard" rebuild on it, and throw in a aod. As long as your okay with doing 45 up hill on the freeway, you'll get pretty good miliage out of it. Quote Selected
Prospect - '86 Cougar Reply #3 – October 20, 2008, 10:06:14 PM A good side to having the C5 is a rebuild only costs ~400.00 compared to 1100+ for the AOD. Quote Selected
Prospect - '86 Cougar Reply #4 – October 20, 2008, 11:06:16 PM Hey guys,Thanks for the replies. I think "if" I can come by the $300 and he'll be patient if it takes me a little bit, I'm gonna get it. What about the fuel pump? Any hidden challenges? Aren't lots of tank straps dry-rotted? And isn't there a seal or o-ring under the pump that deteriorates and cracks? I'm just trying to think of any possibilities. I appreciate any pointers.Also, any ideas if it's an LS? I guess I could ask him again, but I feel like I should leave him alone for now. I'm not sure if he'd know anyway. Does an '86 have LS badges? My '83 did on the trunklid.Thanks again.Fordman3 Quote Selected
Prospect - '86 Cougar Reply #5 – October 20, 2008, 11:14:24 PM mabe one of us are closer to the car to check it out for you. Quote Selected
Prospect - '86 Cougar Reply #6 – October 21, 2008, 10:18:25 AM Yeah where are you located? I know there is a yard by me with a 4 eye that has fenders. I was going to get them but funds are tight. Quote Selected
Prospect - '86 Cougar Reply #7 – October 21, 2008, 10:21:54 AM QuoteDoes an '86 have LS badges? My '83 did on the trunklid.my 86 cougar has on the trunk lid, Cougar LS Quote Selected
Prospect - '86 Cougar Reply #9 – October 21, 2008, 07:54:12 PM id say its worth it... i got parts too LOL Quote Selected
Prospect - '86 Cougar Reply #10 – October 21, 2008, 08:20:41 PM Hey again,Thanks a bunch for the replies. I actually have a ton of spare parts that I've wagged around for the last few years, in hopes that one day I'd have a car again I could use them on. I've actually got the entire doghouse (minus hood) from an '86 XR7, that is in good shape. It's the dark red/maroon over charcoal. I've even got the front valance with foglight cutouts. I found the whole set on Ebay a few years ago for $15!!! I've got a complete set of deep red velour seats from my old '83 LS that look brand new (wish I'd have removed the console before letting it go). I've got a dual power seat console control panel (the floor-mounted style console) in good shape. I've got an '88 TC steering wheel and a Capri/Cougar sport wheel (the kinda rare ones without cruise controls with the cat emblem in the center). I've got a set of red lighted vanity mirrors. I've got a complete set of 16" TC snowflakes, AND the Cougar caps that fit in them. I really was on a roll once upon a time. However, if you look back at the description of the car I'm considering, most of my parts don't have a prayer of looking right on it. How weird would a beige car look with blood-red seats in it? Or a maroon XR7 doghouse on the front? Any opinions?Oh, nobody's got back to me on the fuel pump question. Anybody?Thanks again.Fordman3 Quote Selected
Prospect - '86 Cougar Reply #11 – October 21, 2008, 11:09:16 PM You will want to get a new fuel pump retaining ring and o-ring. They should still be available at the Ford dealer. Don't even bother trying to reuse the old ones.You' may want to soak the fuel tank strap retaining bolts before you go to try and remove them. They can wind up having sat in a bunch of crud the way they are mounted in the car.Changing a fp is not a big deal, but some of the things like the strap bolts and the retaining rings can be a PITA. Quote Selected
Prospect - '86 Cougar Reply #12 – October 22, 2008, 07:28:24 PM Thanks, Chuck. Anybody know what gearing a V6 C5 car normally has? I'm guessing 2.73?? If it was a 2.73, what kind of mileage "should" I be able to get? The reason I'm curious is, if I do get this Cougar, I'll use it to drive to work and back every day, 80 miles round trip. I've been doing it for over a year, every day, in my '98 F150 4.6, so besides just wanting another Fox car, I need a vehicle that will give me decent savings at the pump every week. I get around 17.5 mpg pretty consistently in my truck (it's almost entirely interstate cruising, except for a few miles at each end of the trip). Any chance I'd get close to 25 mpg? I drive 'em like a granny these days to squeeze the last mile out of every tank. I appreciate any replies.Fordman3 Quote Selected
Prospect - '86 Cougar Reply #13 – October 22, 2008, 07:48:04 PM my 87 I got 425 to 450 on the minimum octane on a tank of gas. I was actually surprised. Quote Selected
Prospect - '86 Cougar Reply #14 – October 23, 2008, 09:26:45 AM my 86 3.8 with c5 and 2.73 with 215/70 or 75 on 14's gets 15-19 bout 16 maybe on the freeway and 19 when hotroding around tryin to blow it up lol Quote Selected
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