Biggest reliability issues with T-bird? March 31, 2009, 01:04:43 PM I'm picking up a 88 T-bird sport coupe in 5 of 10 condition tomorrow with 230,000 miles and still running strong.5.0 is sludgy and leaking due to v/c leak, cracked windshield, tail lights are not working (where would I look to repair this, fuse? faulty wiring?Drivers window is off the track and comes up all crooked (whats the cause behind this?)My plans are to pressure wash the hell out of the car, outside, engine bay and undercarriage, New battery and all new tune upThen HO conversion and nice exhaust system for my daily 60 mile round trip commute. Electrically, what are the biggest gremlins in these cars and what are the fixes? Quote Selected
Biggest reliability issues with T-bird? Reply #1 – March 31, 2009, 03:01:33 PM window's an easy fix. prolly just the epoxy's loose in the "U" that holds the glass.if both taillights aren't working, more than likely a fuse. no biggie. the ignition switch module thing would be well worth replacing now, as they have issues. cheap fix. Quote Selected
Biggest reliability issues with T-bird? Reply #2 – March 31, 2009, 04:36:00 PM The heater cores usually go to as well.I'd swap it with a Ford part while the weather is nice or you'll end up needing to do it in the dead of winter. Quote Selected
Biggest reliability issues with T-bird? Reply #3 – March 31, 2009, 04:51:58 PM Only major issues I've ever had with these cars are broken front springs and the POS 3.8L engine, but you don't have to worry about that. Quote Selected
Biggest reliability issues with T-bird? Reply #4 – March 31, 2009, 05:59:47 PM Check the wiring at the BOO (brake on/off) switch, which is located about halfway up the brake pedal.Those wires flex right at the connector and separate. Quote Selected
Biggest reliability issues with T-bird? Reply #5 – March 31, 2009, 07:37:30 PM think mustang, minus about 75hp, and then make it better. Quote Selected
Biggest reliability issues with T-bird? Reply #6 – April 01, 2009, 06:56:56 PM Quote from: cougarcragar;265123Check the wiring at the BOO (brake on/off) switch, which is located about halfway up the brake pedal.Those wires flex right at the connector and separate.Yep I've had that happen, twice. I finally just replaced the wires. It was a PITA job too as it's a tight space to be in with a soldering iron :hick: The only thing I've had go wrong with my 88 has been the heater core going out. The rest of the stuff, even the engine, was just an upgrade. The old 5.0 SO would still be ticking away right now if I didn't want more power :burnout: Quote Selected
Biggest reliability issues with T-bird? Reply #7 – April 02, 2009, 12:52:51 AM wiring diagrams located in Electrical tech up to in a sticky called 87EVTMIn honest opinion,my bigges hassel with these cars are brakes up front. A shakey steering column while braking tells you eithera caliper hose is eaten up inside not allowing fluid to bleed back when you get off the brake,,keeping presure on the inner pad.this creates heat, cooks wheel bearing greese, warps rotors and causes calipers to stick.Heater core is pretty much a given although there is an easy way out. Quote Selected
Biggest reliability issues with T-bird? Reply #8 – April 02, 2009, 04:59:05 AM Cougar Cragar you were correct. The connection at the BOO switch was broken. Fixed! Thank you Quote Selected
Biggest reliability issues with T-bird? Reply #9 – April 02, 2009, 05:19:28 AM Quote from: quick50stng;265048My plans are to pressure wash the hell out of the car, outside, engine bay and undercarriage, New battery and all new tune upBeware. I've always been warned about PW under the hood. Been told it could RUIN some electronics etc. Quote Selected
Biggest reliability issues with T-bird? Reply #10 – April 02, 2009, 07:49:24 AM It can be done just have to cover the distributor and top electronics up with plasticand concentrate the water on the bay area and block and try avoiding the top side. Quote Selected
Biggest reliability issues with T-bird? Reply #11 – April 02, 2009, 09:01:00 PM Quote from: ~AC;265447Beware. I've always been warned about PW under the hood. Been told it could RUIN some electronics etc.Expect the body color to come off too. After power washing around the lower engine bay, all I had left was "gray". Then it got sanded and repainted but that shouldn't be any problem. Quote Selected
Biggest reliability issues with T-bird? Reply #12 – April 03, 2009, 12:07:04 AM Quote from: thunderjet302;265351Yep I've had that happen, twice. I finally just replaced the wires. It was a PITA job too as it's a tight space to be in with a soldering iron :hick: The only thing I've had go wrong with my 88 has been the heater core going out. The rest of the stuff, even the engine, was just an upgrade. The old 5.0 SO would still be ticking away right now if I didn't want more power :burnout:Man I know exactly what you're sayin. I replaced the whole switch and wires - what a PITA X2. No room at all. :mad: Quote Selected
Biggest reliability issues with T-bird? Reply #13 – April 03, 2009, 07:48:56 PM Well im about to hop on that wagon. I got the HO cam today along with a set of GT40 heads Quote Selected
Biggest reliability issues with T-bird? Reply #14 – May 02, 2009, 06:18:29 AM Will an HO cam work with SO firing order? If I'm reading my chilton's correctly, they're different orders. Quote Selected
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