Updates on the Red 88

Topic: Updates on the Red 88 (Read 2195 times) previous topic - next topic

Updates on the Red 88

June 15, 2022, 08:16:09 PM

Last Fall, I sent the Red 88 XR7 off to a High School for the school year.

They had a lot of fun with my project.

The engine was out of a rusted 87 bought over 10 years ago.
Wire harness, shifter header panel out of the blue parts car that I had.

The engine was one of the most powerful stock 302s that I had ever driven.

I can't confirm that they are H.O. heads but it is a H.O. intake.

When I put the Motor in a few years ago it had issues.

Needless to say, all gone now.

They even talked me into using my prized 88 XR7 correct AOD that has only 60 miles on it.

Schools out and I brought it home yesterday.

My Black one that I have owned for 34 years never had this much power.

It was a fad to put HO heads on these engines in the 90s but I am not sure about this engine.

It may be the ECM as the car uses the one that came with the engine.

All together a fun machine.

The dark 11s are from the red one on a straight acceleration.

Car is not rust free but far from a basket case.

A real fun project so far.

I am going to install the rust free doors that I have and see if there is a market for the car in Ontario, Canada.

I have acquired another project so this one is looking for a new home.

Re: Updates on the Red 88

Reply #1 – June 18, 2022, 07:19:54 PM

My dad always said a new car will always make your other car jealous.

Thursday night, my black 88 Cougar blew the alternator on the way home from work.

I guess she wanted a ride in the trailer too

Re: Updates on the Red 88

Reply #2 – June 20, 2022, 08:59:47 AM

Doh! On the black one getting jealous.

Looking forward to the updates on the red one..

Re: Updates on the Red 88

Reply #3 – June 20, 2022, 07:45:10 PM

Door replacement started !

Re: Updates on the Red 88

Reply #4 – June 22, 2022, 09:13:16 AM

Gotta ask, what nose trim is that up on the shelf behind the Cougar? At least that is what I am assuming it is as it reminds me of a Firebird front nose.

Re: Updates on the Red 88

Reply #5 – June 22, 2022, 09:58:58 AM

I drive my Pontiac friends crazy with my Mercury stuff

My other obsession is,

The Canadian Made Pontiacs of the 60s looked like the US cars but were 100% Chevy Impalas underneath.
6 inches shorter than a Bonneville and about 3 inches shorter than a Catalina.
This one is the original 350 Chev motor with a powerglide (2 speed) transmission. Only about 1000 Canadian convertibles made that year.

Re: Updates on the Red 88

Reply #6 – June 27, 2022, 08:29:14 PM

Left door done,

Re: Updates on the Red 88

Reply #7 – June 27, 2022, 08:33:18 PM

Left door, more of a challenge.

The guts are mangled in the black driver's door,
Everything has to be replaced

Re: Updates on the Red 88

Reply #8 – June 27, 2022, 08:37:26 PM

The window regulator/motor was missing a track and the glass had the plastic clips broken off.

Bought myself a new 1/4 inch pop rivet gun. Works well !

Re: Updates on the Red 88

Reply #9 – June 28, 2022, 09:09:14 AM

Great work on the red car and the Firebird vert is awesome! Have a buddy that has a '73 455 HO car so his knowledge has bled ever so slightly off on me. He would be proud I actually sort of recognized that nose trim.

Any other sheet metal replacement in the works for the Cougar?

Re: Updates on the Red 88

Reply #10 – June 28, 2022, 09:47:45 AM

I have to move both cars today as I'm pretty sure I have better door glass somewhere up in my loft.
I have too much stuff in my loft !
Canadian 87 and 88 Cougars owners should contact me as I know have too much

Re: Updates on the Red 88

Reply #11 – July 17, 2022, 05:23:03 PM

Passed this project on to Brandon today.
I gave him a deal.
Nice to pass this on to a fellow 88 Mercury Cougar enthusiast.
Some of the interior parts on this car actually came from him.
He also has an 88 with parts on it that I had sold to that car's previous owner.

Good bye Old friend.