Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Considering buying a Cat....Opinions Needed (Read 3963 times) previous topic - next topic

Considering buying a Cat....Opinions Needed

Ok, this is the 84 Cougar I've been considering buying:

http://tucson.craigslist.org/car/433554792.html

The owner says that he Pulled the distributor and was under the impression that by doing so, he had messed up the computer to the point where it couldn't reset the timing....

I'm assuming this would be a rather complicated fix to undertake....

Other than that though, it just needs a battery.

Should I???? More importantly, how involved would it be to reset the timing?

<---One must always remember to Remain cool, calm and collected when dealing with your fellow man, especially on the Internet....
-DMC24guy
[/SIZE]

Considering buying a Cat....Opinions Needed

Reply #2 –
How easy of a fix are we talking  Should I have it towed, or would it be something I could do in this guy's back yard? To set in a new distributor, how would I know when the #1 Piston is at TDC on a compression stroke?
<---One must always remember to Remain cool, calm and collected when dealing with your fellow man, especially on the Internet....
-DMC24guy
[/SIZE]

Considering buying a Cat....Opinions Needed

Reply #3 –
him screwing up the timing has no effect on the computer. I would have it towed. Not sure about the TDC, but the timing would just get it to the point were its set so it starts and get a timing light and set it. Real simple at that point. I can do it on a chevy, but not yet on a ford. More knowledgeable people will chime in.
Looks to be worth that 300 all day long, jump on it!
RIP 1988 and 1990 Lincoln Mark VII LSC
I welcomed the dark side and currently am driving a 2000 Dodge Durango SLT plus, with a 5.9, Code named project "Night Runner"
Shes black on black, fully loaded, with headers, 180 tstat, e fan, straight exhaust into a cherry bomb vortex ler, full tune up, ported intake and T/B, MSD coil, and round aircleaner.
Mods to come: Fully rebuilt and heavily modded 46RE, and a richmond rachet locker.
my $300 beater ;)
R.I.P Kayleigh Raposa 12/18/90 - 2/24/07

Considering buying a Cat....Opinions Needed

Reply #4 –
The price is what's really tempting me. It needs work, but with the money I would have to spend on it, I could easily fix whatever problems it has. Plus, the guy even said the price would be negotiable if I could tow it away...which I can. He's basically giving it away.
<---One must always remember to Remain cool, calm and collected when dealing with your fellow man, especially on the Internet....
-DMC24guy
[/SIZE]

Considering buying a Cat....Opinions Needed

Reply #5 –
i would be like well, since you messed up the timing, and cant prove it runs, im a little skeptical how about 225 and its gone today. or 200
RIP 1988 and 1990 Lincoln Mark VII LSC
I welcomed the dark side and currently am driving a 2000 Dodge Durango SLT plus, with a 5.9, Code named project "Night Runner"
Shes black on black, fully loaded, with headers, 180 tstat, e fan, straight exhaust into a cherry bomb vortex ler, full tune up, ported intake and T/B, MSD coil, and round aircleaner.
Mods to come: Fully rebuilt and heavily modded 46RE, and a richmond rachet locker.
my $300 beater ;)
R.I.P Kayleigh Raposa 12/18/90 - 2/24/07

Considering buying a Cat....Opinions Needed

Reply #6 –
Yep, I would try to bargain it down as low as possible.  Telling him that the motor is junk...

Considering buying a Cat....Opinions Needed

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Sduneman3;179540
Yep, I would try to bargain it down as low as possible.  Telling him that the motor is junk...


ok guys,, this is bad Karma in the making, hes already cooked a turkey,,,,,,,,,,oooppsssssss I mean a TBIRD.  Now your only asking for a cat to be cooked as well.:flame:

dont lie.  Dont volunteer info but dont encourage bad Karma either.

Considering buying a Cat....Opinions Needed

Reply #8 –
Since it is written inside the Craigslist ad that the price is "negotiable", especially if the car can be towed away, I was figuring $250 would be my offer. I would tell him "$250 and It'll be gone today". That sounds about right?

(If only I had a good Washing Machine to part with....)

BTW, is the engine and all the components underneath the hood basically the same as my old 87 V6 T-Bird? Melting TFI module and all?
<---One must always remember to Remain cool, calm and collected when dealing with your fellow man, especially on the Internet....
-DMC24guy
[/SIZE]

Considering buying a Cat....Opinions Needed

Reply #9 –
I think in 84 the TFI was still on the Dizzy.
84 Turbo coupe 2.3T Modded with 88 upper and lower intake, 88 injectors, E6 manifold, T3-4 AR.60 turbo, 31X12X3 FMIC, Homemade MBC , Greddy knock off BPV.
4 eyes see better than 2! 
Da Bird!

FreeBird

Considering buying a Cat....Opinions Needed

Reply #10 –
Memories of random engine cut-outs while driving around town are coming back to me....

Hell, if the distributor is off, I might as well take the opportunity to Remote Mount the TFI.
<---One must always remember to Remain cool, calm and collected when dealing with your fellow man, especially on the Internet....
-DMC24guy
[/SIZE]

Considering buying a Cat....Opinions Needed

Reply #11 –
Well, the guy wrote me back this morning and told me the car only has 115k miles on it. His reasoning for taking out the distributor was as follows:

..."It was inspected as the source of not starting. All tests pointed to the coil
though, so there is a new coil in it and now the battery causes it to not start. "

Low mileage $300 car....I may have to get this one.
<---One must always remember to Remain cool, calm and collected when dealing with your fellow man, especially on the Internet....
-DMC24guy
[/SIZE]

Considering buying a Cat....Opinions Needed

Reply #12 –
I guess we can expect long threads full of basic questions once again.
It's Gumby's fault.

Considering buying a Cat....Opinions Needed

Reply #13 –
Be honest with yourself.  You question this forum for small issues with your car that are meaningless to the rest of us that most can do with their eyes closed.  Yes stabbing a distributor is very easy, but your past car work history says no you are not capable of doing it.
One 88

Considering buying a Cat....Opinions Needed

Reply #14 –
The reasoning for the questions is simple. I've only owned a car since...August of 2005. Everything is rather new to me, including what some here consider basic maintenance. Yes, If I have a question about something, I'm not afraid to ask it here. Most of the time I'll get good answers.

After owning now 4 Thunderbirds, I do feel confident enough about diagnosing a lot of problems on my own. I know what to look for when certain things happen. TFI, PIP, the various sensors, etc. Will I have questions about stuff I've never dealt with before?...sure. Will they appear asinine to some....probably. But, I'll keep asking them because I know someone will more than likely have the answer.

As for setting the timing. I believe I'm plenty capable of doing it.
<---One must always remember to Remain cool, calm and collected when dealing with your fellow man, especially on the Internet....
-DMC24guy
[/SIZE]