Things to watch for buying 88 TC September 05, 2009, 08:22:53 PM Lookin at this car, 220000km all stock except he said he changed something with the intake to reduce lag... haven't looked at it yet (250km away) He said he did the intake, exhaust and valve cover gaskets, didn't mention the head gasket though, I'll check on that. He bought it last year for a winter car and doesn't need it anymore. He says the seat covers are on to protect them because he didn't want to get them dirty, I'll disrobe them when I look at it.It's exceptionally clean for this area, and the first one for sale in about a year. A friend is contemplating buying my 87 sprint which would give me the cash to pick it up, I will check out the turbo for play and the floors and strut towers for rot but what else do I need to watch for? I've been outta the t-bird game for too long to remember ThanksScott Quote Selected
Things to watch for buying 88 TC Reply #1 – September 06, 2009, 01:10:02 AM first off I would ditch the tiny air cleaner and reinstall the air box or a cold air intake. as for rust areas I wouldnt know where to start we dont really have the rust problem here. Quote Selected
Things to watch for buying 88 TC Reply #2 – September 06, 2009, 08:19:15 AM Check the passenger frame rail, beside the turbo. They tend to rust out there. :D Quote Selected
Things to watch for buying 88 TC Reply #3 – September 06, 2009, 09:58:58 AM Regarding rust areas, the exterior should be relatively easy to check out. For me, in addition to what's already been mentioned, there is one key area that is really quick to check out and almost never gets fixed in quickie paint jobs. That would be the inside door bottoms. Check where the lip wraps around the lower door edge, behind the rubber gasket. If those areas are clean, it's usually a keeper. Disclaimer: Even if that area isn't clean, it could still be a keeper, that's just an easy quick check. Good luck!! Quote Selected
Things to watch for buying 88 TC Reply #4 – September 06, 2009, 10:12:18 AM This is a high mileage car and most likely wore out; would need a lot of work and the price would have to reflect this.TED Quote Selected
Things to watch for buying 88 TC Reply #5 – September 06, 2009, 10:22:32 AM Quote from: FLSTCI71;290113Regarding rust areas, the exterior should be relatively easy to check out. For me, in addition to what's already been mentioned, there is one key area that is really quick to check out and almost never gets fixed in quickie paint jobs. That would be the inside door bottoms. Check where the lip wraps around the lower door edge, behind the rubber gasket. If those areas are clean, it's usually a keeper. Disclaimer: Even if that area isn't clean, it could still be a keeper, that's just an easy quick check. Good luck!!X2 for the doors. I think that's the first place they rust if they don't rust anywhere else. Quote Selected
Things to watch for buying 88 TC Reply #6 – September 06, 2009, 10:49:27 AM Quote from: Cad-T-Bird 500;290117This is a high mileage car and most likely wore out; would need a lot of work and the price would have to reflect this.TEDits not a high mileage car. it only has about 136,701 miles. Quote Selected
Things to watch for buying 88 TC Reply #7 – September 06, 2009, 11:16:27 AM The seam where the rocker is welded onto the quarter, between the door and rear wheel opening, is a bad place for rust (and a difficult place to fix) Quote Selected
Things to watch for buying 88 TC Reply #8 – September 06, 2009, 12:22:58 PM Quote from: 88turbo;290125its not a high mileage car. it only has about 136,701 miles.I would consider this high mileage especially for a American Turbo car. How long do you expect these to last in perfect shape? At what point do you say it is high mleage? 150k miles, 175, 200?In my way of thinking any car over 100k is high mileage.Not that it cannot be restored and made into a very nice car but it would take a lot of work and money.Looking at that engine I would say it missed some maintenance appointments. This car needs some love.TED Quote Selected
Things to watch for buying 88 TC Reply #9 – September 06, 2009, 12:32:59 PM With the fender lips rusted, that's probably just the tip of the iceberg... Would be a parts car around here... Quote Selected
Things to watch for buying 88 TC Reply #10 – September 06, 2009, 12:56:32 PM bodywise, this site has some good info at where to look for rust and suchhttp://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/foxthundercats/foxhunter.htmi cant remeber who it belongs to though... *EDITED BY THUNDER CHICKEN (LINK FIXED, I no longer own the foxthundercats.com domain name)* Quote Selected
Things to watch for buying 88 TC Reply #11 – September 06, 2009, 03:33:22 PM He's gonna send me some more pics of the underside, door bottoms, inside trunk, seats etc. Doesn't look like I'll have time to go look at it this weekend now so pics will have to do. The mileage isn't that high in my mind, My 87 Sprint has 412000, my 97 ranger had 490000 when I sold it last year, my 94 f150 4x4 has 317000. As long as you can keep the bodies solid the rest is just maintenance.And if the body is gone I'll just swap the drivetrain into my 82 :burnout:Appreciate all the helpScott Quote Selected
Things to watch for buying 88 TC Reply #12 – September 06, 2009, 06:12:22 PM Also Watch for smoke on start up, +1 on changing that air cleaner. Drive it and check to make sure you get smooth boost on acceleration (no Jerk, sputter). Good luck. High Mileage is subjective, I have 130 k on mine and she runs just fine. But then again taken care of properly. Quote Selected
Things to watch for buying 88 TC Reply #13 – September 07, 2009, 12:34:12 AM Engine running.I have an air box and K&N off my old 86 TC, should fit fine right? Quote Selected
Things to watch for buying 88 TC Reply #14 – September 07, 2009, 09:19:48 AM Quote from: tbirdscott;290201I have an air box and K&N off my old 86 TC, should fit fine right?The '86 will have a smaller VAM, so you may have an issue if you don't have the smaller inlet tube as well. Quote Selected
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