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Topic: 88 Cougar LS 5.0 - No longer for sale (Read 879 times) previous topic - next topic

88 Cougar LS 5.0 - No longer for sale

I haven't been around in a couple years, but sadly I have to part with my beloved Cougar.  I have been trying to avoid this moment for a while now, but can't avoid it any longer.  It's a black 1988 Cougar LS with the 5.0 V8.  I am the second owner and have had it since 2001. 

The good: I've did a lot of little upgrades to it over the years.  It has the H.O. intake manifold, Mustang Turbine Rims, body color mirrors, Taurus heater panel mod, Autometer Tach mounted on the column, XR7 steering wheel, 3G alternator, nice 200W Pioneer CD player with 300W Pioneer 6x9's in the back and 200W Pioneer 6 1/2's in the doors. 

The bad: It's got about 200,000 miles on it and needs a little work.  Things I know are bad are the battery, power steering pump, a small crack in the windshield, A/C, and cruise control.  It hasn't really been driven regularly in 3 years.  It will start (with a new battery) and is drivable but I wouldn't call it road worthy at this point.  So it's either a fixer-upper or a parts car.

The body is generally in nice shape, no accidents that I am aware of.  There's a little bit of rust around the wheel wells and bottom of the doors but it's not rusted out by any means. I replaced the heater core right before I stopped using it.  I also have lots of extra parts upgrades for it: Turbo Couple springs, sway bars, and door panels, pair of Mustang shorty headers, and various extra parts.  I also have all the original Ford repair manuals, a Haynes manual, and lots of receipts/repair records.

No longer for sale  I really want it to go to a Fox Body lover (even if it's used for a parts car) and not someone who is going to drive it into the ground and send it to the crusher.  Located in Richmond, VA.

Pics to follow later tonight.

Edit for: Lower price and followup posts below.
Foxless :(

88 Cougar LS 5.0 - No longer for sale

Reply #1
Couple pics.
Foxless :(

88 Cougar LS 5.0 - No longer for sale

Reply #2
If only I was closer.
1987 TC

88 Cougar LS 5.0 - No longer for sale

Reply #3
how does it run when started? any knocks or ticks? smoke?
1971 Camaro Blown 640ci
1988 T-Top Mustang
1980 Mustang coupe
1988 Thunderbird TurboCoupe
And a purple mini van! :burnout:

Previous Thunderbirds:
1988 Sport

88 Cougar LS 5.0 - No longer for sale

Reply #4
Some interior pics.  Seats and interior is in really nice shape.  Odometer says 101k but it's really 201k in case you ever wondered what your digital dash would say when you got there.

X

X

X
Foxless :(

88 Cougar LS 5.0 - No longer for sale

Reply #5
More Pics.  Notice the faux wood trim around the radio isn't attached.  It still needs to be trimmed a little to fit around the Taurus heater panel, never got around to it.  Also started the dome light upgrade, never finished it either.

X

X

X
Foxless :(

88 Cougar LS 5.0 - No longer for sale

Reply #6
Some videos to answer some questions.  How does it run?  It starts up and does the standard 1500 rpm warm up revs for about 15 seconds then drops down to 800 rpm for a nice smooth idle.  No smoke in the exhaust (it was 30 degrees outside so what you see in the video is just moisture).  It has never burned oil, slow leak though, probably around the valve cover gaskets - about 1 quart every 3000 miles.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1566428/P1020005.avi

Bad news: After it warmed up smoke or steam was rising up from the hood.  I'm not sure what it is.  It didn't smell like oil burning off of an exhaust manifold.  It could be a coolant leak onto the exhaust?  :dunno: It's coming from the area of the transmission though. :confused: Never had any problems before though so I don't know. 

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1566428/P1020008.avi

In light of that unknown I'm lowering the asking price to $400.  I hate to do it, but I really can't keep it anymore and could use the cash.  I'd probably part it out if I had the time, but I don't.
Foxless :(

88 Cougar LS 5.0 - No longer for sale

Reply #7
When my 88 XR7 heater core was bad it would fill the box and then flow out of the AC drain onto the exhaust on the pass side)obviously)
 Hopefully it is a hose.If it were a little closer and you thought it would drive I would be brave enough for a road trip.
Pimp smacking smart azzes on the streets since 1970

88 Cougar LS 5.0 - No longer for sale

Reply #8
The power steering pump is bad... does it work, leak, etc?

88 Cougar LS 5.0 - No longer for sale

Reply #9
Quote from: jpc647;305513
The power steering pump is bad... does it work, leak, etc?


If you put power steering fluid in it will work temporarily, but it will whine really bad.  Then all the fluid will have leaked out in a couple minutes.
Foxless :(

88 Cougar LS 5.0 - No longer for sale

Reply #10
I really wish you were closer.
'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..

88 Cougar LS 5.0 - No longer for sale

Reply #11
Quote from: vinnietbird;305526
I really wish you were closer.


Yea, tell me about it.  Sounds fairly solid for the price.
Mike

88 Cougar LS 5.0 - No longer for sale

Reply #12
So apparently I am way too attached to this car.  I couldn't even sell it to a fellow thunderbird owner that offered to buy it from me.  He was going to get some parts off of it then, junk of it.  But I just couldn't do it. :( 
I need to carve out some time and find some cash to get it roadworthy again.  I guess you guys can't get rid of me so easy.:burnout:
Foxless :(

88 Cougar LS 5.0 - No longer for sale

Reply #13
If you were closer I'd junk my bird and pull parts off it and keep your cat.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com