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Topic: I went on a rescue mission this past weekend. (Read 1177 times) previous topic - next topic

I went on a rescue mission this past weekend.

I went Sat. to save this car from the elements.

87 TC auto, red cloth int., 67 k on odometer.  I first spotted this car sitting beside a mini-barn in July 2006.  (it does have an oil leak issue) Starts and is driveable.

Everyday I drove by and looked over at it. The owner got it off of e-bay, parked it beside the barn with intention of fixing it but never got to it.

It sat the entire time uncovered and clearly visible from the highway.

The dash does not have any cracks and the bright red cloth seats look sharp. I believe this car spent many years protected from the sun. He told me he did a carfax on it and up until 2002 , it only showed 62,000 miles.

Somehow I believe it. I raised the car up yesterday and pressure washed under the car and engine compartment.  The retaining clips on the rear rotors look perfect and untouched.

This car is an interesting study for me.

First, I have never went and bought a 20 year old TC

Second, I have never bought one with this low mileage.  I will be checking this one over.

The only visible mods were the lower body "skirts" kit. (of which I promptly removed) The interior shows no signs of modifications.

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Alan Mackin--Semi Professional Ford der
83 T-Bird 460
83 T-Bird Heritage 5.0
84 T-Bird 5.0
86 T-Bird Turbo Coupe NHRA Stocker & Super Stocker
87 T-Bird Turbo Coupe
88 Bronco II Drag truck 302
95 Mustang GT auto
2004 F-350 CC Dually V-10

I went on a rescue mission this past weekend.

Reply #1 –
Are the center lights painted or is that some kind of cover on them?

I went on a rescue mission this past weekend.

Reply #2 –
They look to be painted. No matter. I can remove all that  when I polish all of the lenses.
Alan Mackin--Semi Professional Ford der
83 T-Bird 460
83 T-Bird Heritage 5.0
84 T-Bird 5.0
86 T-Bird Turbo Coupe NHRA Stocker & Super Stocker
87 T-Bird Turbo Coupe
88 Bronco II Drag truck 302
95 Mustang GT auto
2004 F-350 CC Dually V-10

I went on a rescue mission this past weekend.

Reply #3 –
Cool, looks like it will polish up nicely.

I went on a rescue mission this past weekend.

Reply #4 –
shiznit, everyone gets a black t/c but me!! Nice find man, enjoy it

I went on a rescue mission this past weekend.

Reply #5 –
Quote from: 5.0willgo;136410
Cool, looks like it will polish up nicely.


Yes I believe I can get it to shine well. I can tell it has nice paint under the oxidation.

The right front fender is the only sore spot. On top someone bondo'd'
and repainted without clearcoat.

It has been awhile since I had a black TC. I kind-of want to put a 5.0 H.O. in it but it is mostly original and I probably should leave it stock and try to preserve it.
Alan Mackin--Semi Professional Ford der
83 T-Bird 460
83 T-Bird Heritage 5.0
84 T-Bird 5.0
86 T-Bird Turbo Coupe NHRA Stocker & Super Stocker
87 T-Bird Turbo Coupe
88 Bronco II Drag truck 302
95 Mustang GT auto
2004 F-350 CC Dually V-10

I went on a rescue mission this past weekend.

Reply #6 –
Yeah, judging by your huge list of V8 cars, I think you'll be alright leaving the 2.3 in :) .

Nice find man, she'll clean up real nice!

I went on a rescue mission this past weekend.

Reply #7 –
I just discovered oil oozing out of the freeze plug hole below the # 2 spark plug.  :disappoin

The freeze plug probably popped out because no-one put anti-freeze in it over the winter.

But oil coming out of the block????

The entire cooling system is coated with motor oil.

Cracked head?

Cracked Block?

Blown head gasket?

Never had this problem before. Any ideas?
Alan Mackin--Semi Professional Ford der
83 T-Bird 460
83 T-Bird Heritage 5.0
84 T-Bird 5.0
86 T-Bird Turbo Coupe NHRA Stocker & Super Stocker
87 T-Bird Turbo Coupe
88 Bronco II Drag truck 302
95 Mustang GT auto
2004 F-350 CC Dually V-10

I went on a rescue mission this past weekend.

Reply #8 –
Quote from: 83-88T-Bird Guy;136399

The only visible mods were the lower body "skirts" kit. (of which I promptly removed) The interior shows no signs of modifications.


do you still have those?  I'm interested let me know :D

I went on a rescue mission this past weekend.

Reply #9 –
Quote from: 88turbo;136591
do you still have those?  I'm interested let me know :D


Sorry, sold them to a local car guy.
Alan Mackin--Semi Professional Ford der
83 T-Bird 460
83 T-Bird Heritage 5.0
84 T-Bird 5.0
86 T-Bird Turbo Coupe NHRA Stocker & Super Stocker
87 T-Bird Turbo Coupe
88 Bronco II Drag truck 302
95 Mustang GT auto
2004 F-350 CC Dually V-10

I went on a rescue mission this past weekend.

Reply #10 –
Great looking car !! How much did you have to give for it?Just curious.There's a black one running around town here with two solver stripes running down the top of it.Nice looking car except for the stripes.You look like you made a good decision buying it,even if it does have a few problems.Afterall,don't all of them have a few problems?
'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..

I went on a rescue mission this past weekend.

Reply #11 –
Quote from: vinnietbird;136604
Great looking car !! How much did you have to give for it?Just curious.There's a black one running around town here with two solver stripes running down the top of it.Nice looking car except for the stripes.You look like you made a good decision buying it,even if it does have a few problems.Afterall,don't all of them have a few problems?


Yea, at 20 years old these Birds are going to have problems.

I gave a grand for it with a complete 2nd engine (5 spd. model)

Might be a bit high, but the overall condition was great and I love the color of the interior.

My last nice looking TC ( driver ) I sold in 2004 and have regreted it for 2 years.

If I have to sell any cars to keep this black one, then I think it will be the 84 5.0 car.

Gotta save these Birds from the crusher!!!!!!!!
Alan Mackin--Semi Professional Ford der
83 T-Bird 460
83 T-Bird Heritage 5.0
84 T-Bird 5.0
86 T-Bird Turbo Coupe NHRA Stocker & Super Stocker
87 T-Bird Turbo Coupe
88 Bronco II Drag truck 302
95 Mustang GT auto
2004 F-350 CC Dually V-10
 

I went on a rescue mission this past weekend.

Reply #12 –
$1000 and it came with a 2nd engine? Not to mention the low miles...
Id say you got a great deal! Beautiful car you have!
What are you going to do about the A4LD to keep it going? Trans cooler and keep your fingers crossed? ;)
Good luck!
[size=0]88 Thunderbird Turbocoupe 2.3T 5spd~78K miles
88 Thunderbird Turbocoupe 2.3T 5spd
[/size]

I went on a rescue mission this past weekend.

Reply #13 –
Quote from: longbedGTs;136735
$1000 and it came with a 2nd engine? Not to mention the low miles...
Id say you got a great deal! Beautiful car you have!
What are you going to do about the A4LD to keep it going? Trans cooler and keep your fingers crossed? ;)
Good luck!


I will drive it easy for now.

I could put a C-4 in it because I do not put many miles on my vehicles per year and store the A4LD away.

I must be getting old because I have convinced myself to keep the car stock and drive it when I want to remember the feel of these Turbo Coupes when they were newer. Strange.....

Brings back alot of memories.:D
Alan Mackin--Semi Professional Ford der
83 T-Bird 460
83 T-Bird Heritage 5.0
84 T-Bird 5.0
86 T-Bird Turbo Coupe NHRA Stocker & Super Stocker
87 T-Bird Turbo Coupe
88 Bronco II Drag truck 302
95 Mustang GT auto
2004 F-350 CC Dually V-10