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Topic: The saga continues (Read 2038 times) previous topic - next topic

The saga continues

Last night I was doing a 75 mile freeway cruise, out in the middle of no where, went to downshift for a hill and nothing happened. Milked it about 20 miles (straight freeway near the bonnevile salt flats, no exits and emergency stops only) popped the hood and foundy tv cable had fallen off. Ghetto rigged it with electrical tape and a tip tie, but damage was already done.

Pissed at the slipping trans, I just got it home and placed an order for the brass bushing. Today I had to drive the car for the morning shift to do school lunch at work. While I was pulling up to a light the engine shuts off. I look at the guages, the temp is pegged all the way in the red and steam starts pouring out of the hood. I pop the hood and the fan shroud is broken and the fan is no longer connected to the water pump. The fan clutch didnt fail, my couple week old water pump  came off the pump.

Now I get to do a water pump, 3g conversion and an electric fan/radiator on thanksgiving. Probably gonna start looking for a clutch pedal and just throw the t-5 in while im at it.
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

The saga continues

Reply #1 –
daym!,, if it were'nt for bad luck i'd have  ........................ you know the rest of the song but if not...........


http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=if+it+weren%27t+for+bad+luck+song&view=detail&mid=549700475CB344A38BA6549700475CB344A38BA6&FORM=VIRE

The saga continues

Reply #2 –
Holy !!! That sucks........big. Since we are celebrating Thanksgiving on Saturday, I'm going to go try to fix my brake line. I don't envy your situation. GOOD LUCK!!! keep updated.
'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..

The saga continues

Reply #3 –
Wow on the fan explosion :(

You sure the trans is shot? Literally they can survive that for a little bit as long as you keep constant speed and treat the pedal like it's made of glass. Fluid all dark and burnt?
Try adjusting the cable all the way out? If you tighten it all the way, the extra TV pressure might band-aid you for awhile if there's any friction material left in there.
1987 20th Anniversary Cougar, 302 "5.0" GT-40 heads (F3ZE '93 Cobra) and TMoss Ported H.O. intake, H.O. camshaft
2.5" Duals, no cats, Flowmaster 40s, Richmond 3.73s w/ Trac-Lok, maxed out Baumann shift kit, 3000 RPM Dirty Dog non-lock TC
Aside from the Mustang crinkle headers, still looks like it's only 150 HP...
1988 Black XR7 Trick Flow top end, Tremec 3550
1988 Black XR7 Procharger P600B intercooled, Edelbrock Performer non-RPM heads, GT40 intake AOD, 13 PSI @5000 RPM. 93 octane

The saga continues

Reply #4 –
Got the car home. Swapped in a new water pump, left the fan off. There is a bit of play in the clutch, so I left it off. Car started to overheat as I got home, a whole 10 miles away. One of the heater core hoses is ripped about half way through. Had to buy the $40 water pump because they didnt have anything else.

Fan I still in one peice with no cracks, fan shroud is gone, didnt even bother messing with the old water pump to see if it still turned or how it failed. Radiator has a bunch of marks all over it but no holes.

Gonna throw a new hose on tomorrow and we will see how driveable the trans is still.
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

The saga continues

Reply #5 –
I was wrong, replaced the heater hose and as soon as I put the cap on it sprung multiple leaks. I was ready to give up on the car, but ive changed my mind.
Im gonna troll junkyards for a clutch pedal, throw in a new radiator and fan clutch in it with the t-5. Only way ill get my money out of this car is if I can drive it.
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

The saga continues

Reply #6 –
Oh noes!  I feel your pain.  You wouldn't believe what I've been through with my XR-7 these past few months.  Hope you get yours all straightened out!
1986 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Turbo-charged 5-speed.
Owned 22 years.