My 84'

Topic: My 84' (Read 5766 times) previous topic - next topic

My 84'

December 15, 2009, 09:37:42 PM

So, this is my first post here, I found this site from google. I was trying to find some information about my car, not too much to be found sadly. I did find this site, and from what I've seen, I like it! So, this is my 1984 Thunderbird Elan. I bought it for 300, I can't drive it yet, since it's not registered, insured, and that thing called a license...I'll get it soon though. Money has been the biggest issue. Nevertheless, I have put at least 300 back into the car for repairs, and with about 300 more, she'll be road ready! :burnout:

I've replaced all the brake lines and hoses, the rear shoes and cylinders, the brake booster (that was fun...) the oil/filter, and I'm gonna give her a good tune up soon. It's an 84, meaning it's 25 years old, so it no longer needs to go through emissions in Connecticut.

I pulled the cats (or what was left of them, There were no pipes left after them!) and I'm gonna get a smog pump delete pulley. I also got it an air filter and 2 lers. I also fixed the tape player. It didn't play tapes, so I pulled it out, opened it up and found a belt had fallen off due to being stretched over time. Simple fix, really. I recharged the AC too, it uses the older type of gas and my dad had a tank of it. Pretty cool stuff.

It still needs the rest of the exhaust system, tires (I want to go with white walls again), and a tune up. Not so high on my priority list is the headliner, paint, hubcaps/rims, headlamps (they have water in them), the passenger side door lock motor, driver side window motor(works but it's in its way out), new speakers (all ped the bed, tons of rattle), and eventually add some more power into this beautiful car. Oh, and the motor for the antenna. I think it might be a gear or something, because when I flip the switch to raise and lower the antenna, I hear the whirring of a motor, but the antenna doesn't rise.

Oh, by the way, does this thing really have only 140 HP? That's just pathetic quite honestly. Why is it so low? Government limiting? Is there anything to let this V8 have to power of what a V8 should have? And don't say swap engines...though I do want to switch it over to manual once I get the money. I was reading a bit, and a T5 from a fox body mustang oughta work just fine, right? It'll just bolt it?

I love my car. The odometer reads 45K, but the service records I have show that it rolled over. Whose idea was it to make a 5 digit odometer? I have records from 1987-1997, and I think it's been in minor front end collision. A new fender, coat of paint, hood alignment, and pinstripe seems like it, eh?

My 84'

Reply #1 – December 15, 2009, 09:45:36 PM

Welcome, All the info you can think of, is here at your fingertips.

My 84'

Reply #2 – December 15, 2009, 09:48:56 PM

Welcome! Looks like a solid foundation to make whatever you want out of it. My vote would be for white letter tires instead of whitewalls.

My 84'

Reply #3 – December 15, 2009, 09:51:48 PM

Heh, my dad said the same thing. I think I'll go with white letters then :D

My 84'

Reply #4 – December 15, 2009, 09:53:47 PM

I had white letters on my car back in the day and really liked them. White walls are for old dudes...lol. (no offense old dudes).

My 84'

Reply #5 – December 15, 2009, 09:56:25 PM

Welcome aboard and thanks for your T-bird Elan Photos.

My 84'

Reply #6 – December 15, 2009, 10:05:03 PM

Quote from: 50tbrd88;302744

I had white letters on my car back in the day and really liked them. White walls are for old dudes...lol. (no offense old dudes).

Hey now,
lol

My 84'

Reply #7 – December 15, 2009, 10:13:00 PM

oh the sarcasm lol Welcome and make yourself at home

My 84'

Reply #8 – December 15, 2009, 10:18:28 PM

forget the smog deleate pulley. Its a waste of money, you can just run a shorter belt.
yea that motor is LOW power. its a CFI motor, they pretty much suck. I BELIEVE that should be a e6 head motor so thats part of the problem. You can do a HO swap to it,not sure about on the harness what needs to be changedm but get the top end and cam from a mustang gt, or lincoln mark VII and swap it on. That with msutang headers and duel exhaust will net you around 225 at the motor. Yes t-5 from the mustang will bolt in. Good luck with the car!!

My 84'

Reply #9 – December 15, 2009, 10:23:16 PM

You have a real nice start, to a good project.the car looks to be pretty solid.......................good luck with it.

My 84'

Reply #10 – December 15, 2009, 11:39:12 PM

Welcome, your car looks solid! Have fun with it.

My 84'

Reply #11 – December 16, 2009, 04:57:42 AM

Great Car!

For the option experts~What's with an '84 having Electros? i thought they were Heritage only?
Also the seats look like Heritage style...
First time i've seen that style insert on the front emblem (black border w/ white or silver middle).

Maybe an end of the '83 year heritage turned elan at the factory? Or maybe its my first time seeing an '84 elan and they all look like this?

Just curious.

My 84'

Reply #12 – December 16, 2009, 06:30:14 AM

83 was the last year for Heritage name 84 it became Elan. I noticed the emblem also, I have a few of them but never seen that one.

To the o/p nice car, welcome to the board its a great site and go with the white letter. My sons car is your car but a 83. Not the best pic but heres one where you can see how it will look with white letters

My 84'

Reply #13 – December 16, 2009, 10:09:09 AM

also if you have your heart set on a smog delete pulley I have one. These cars are great for building power easy as they have a great platform. I would do the rear end and 5 speed swap then do the motor. That way you will be happier with the end result, and can really enjoy a proper 5.0!

My 84'

Reply #14 – December 16, 2009, 12:29:08 PM

Quote from: Dansbirds;302821

83 was the last year for Heritage name 84 it became Elan. I noticed the emblem also, I have a few of them but never seen that one.

To the o/p nice car, welcome to the board its a great site and go with the white letter. My sons car is your car but a 83. Not the best pic but heres one where you can see how it will look with white letters

You are my hero...look at all those bird's.