Ford guys...need help with 87 Mustang

[Avatard]

Picked up a 5.0 Mustang for my kid. 1987.

The car has high miles for a car of it's origin and vintage, but was handed down in the same family, so it's been fairly well treated. The cat was still using it as his daily driver.

The body kit looks like ass, and I was wondering how hard it is to remove, and what's left after it's gone.

http://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/1547920495.html

Also, I'm a Chevy guy...what goes bad on this shit?

The Brakes are kinda soft on it, even though the seller said it's just had a new master cylinder. Thinks it may need more bleeding, but pumping didn't seem to raise the pedal.

Its not god awful, but for my kid, I'd rather the brakes be rather crisp. Replace the rubber lines? What's the deal with these things? Am I just used to Chevy brakes?

Anyone have a line on parts?

Any help appreciated...

[G-Rex]

That body kit is the factory stuff I believe. My best friend just gave his wife a '93 5.0. I'll ask him where he's been getting stuff from for ya.

General Ford stuff = throw a spare starter solenoid in the back and a wrench. These things go out regularly. I keep 2-3 in the trunk of my Galaxie. They are on the inside fender, so they are a 5 minutes ordeal to fix if that much.

As for the brakes, I'll go out on a limb and assume you checked the fluid level already? If it's low enough, it would act much in the same way that you describe.

[Avatard]

It's definitely the factory body kit, but 20+ years hasn't been too kind to the plastic. I'd love to pry all that shit the fuck off, and paint the car, but I was wondering what's left if you remove it.

Are they the stock 'Stang body panels underneath, or special ones with reliefs to fit the plastic that will look like something's missing if I take the shit off? Will I have to mig weld up a shitload of holes? If so, can I instead inexpensively get new plastics anywhere?

I'm guessing that 'Stang parts aren't exactly hard to find, this car is rather ubiquitous...hence my reasoning to get it. It could really use a new hatch, since it has some rust on it. Needs the odd plastic interior part here and there too...nothing I'm sure I can't find at a boneyard.

I'm already having a bit of buyer's remorse for having gotten my kid a muscle car, though...and a Ford, at that. She's already sent a '91 Jeep Cherokee to the crusher by failing to keep the shiny side up in the big snow storm we had...

[Avatard]

...Also, does anyone know if that car is carbed or injected? It has the stiffest fucking throttle return spring I've ever seen on a stock "factory" car.

[BobTheBiker]

why feel bad? the 302 smallblock is a freakin BULLETPROOF engine pretty much. those cars really arent bad designs.

long as you keep the oil changed and grease the greasable stuff, you're good.

[TommyHotWheel]

http://www.foxresto.com/
http://forums.corral.net/forums/
Fuel injection started in 1986, so thats a fuelie. There is a Forum and a Resto supply house that I use should get ya started and answer alot of questions.

[Avatard]

I grew up on V8 American muscle. I was just a bowtie guy. I know this is as simple as a rock, and reasonably beefy. I wish it had a bag in it, for my kid's sake, but it's a reasonably stout car, and no doubt I am thankful I made a similar decision in making her first car a Cherokee. When the rubber side was finally placed in contact with the ground again, the wisdom of my choice became apparent...as while there was nary a straight panel left, the structural integrity of a big American car was probably key in her having nothing but a black eye, and a small cut on her hip from where she crawled out of the wreck to show for it all.

The 'Stang is an internally small but reasonably heavy car...not unlike my '94 'Vette which is nearly as long as a Suburban, but has room for little more than a ham sandwich aside from two passengers...there's a lot of car around you, and this is good.

I live where there's a lot of deer, and trees, and fully loaded massive mack dump trucks rolling past to the quarry at ultra-legal speeds...I would feel irresponsible giving her anything small, new, or Asian...airbags notwithstanding. I'd like to see her in another SUV, but she wanted a car.

I also know the value of being able to keep a car running out of AutoZone, and not the dealer. Old muscle cars are cheap to fix, computer not needed.

I think it'll make a good car for her...

[Avatard]

http://www.foxresto.com/
http://forums.corral.net/forums/
Fuel injection started in 1986, so thats a fuelie. There is a Forum and a Resto supply house that I use should get ya started and answer alot of questions.

Thanks!

Edit: Geez, that foxresto link has everything. I can see this resto becoming a real nice father/daughter project this spring. I firmly believe if you build a car up yourself, you'll never wreck it.

Anyone here see "Love the Beast"?

[Homeslice]

I'd say after 23 years on ANY car, you should definitely swap the brake lines for some new ones, preferably steel-braided.....

[101lifts2]

Problems are:

1. Burns oil.
2. Starter and/or fender mounted solenoid.
3. AOD transmission isn't all that great.

Those are pretty hard to work on for a small block V8.

How about a Jeep? I mean this is your daughter, right? Chicks like cute little cars like a Smart or something like that. I'd get her a Cavaliar.

[Adeptus_Minor]

I'd love to pry all that shit the fuck off, and paint the car, but I was wondering what's left if you remove it.


A Mustang LX :wink:

[Avatard]

I think I might just put a full brake job done on it. The car has plenty of GO, it needs full stop available. Rather than mix a bunch of new and old parts, a full compliment of pads and rotors, exchange calipers, and hoses and proportioning valve replacements (I'm assuming rear drums) would make it stop like a champ. I'll get it in the air and see it better tomorrow. I have a hunch it might be that the vacuum assist is sluggish, because it does stop, the pedal just feels like ass.

[Adeptus_Minor]

I think I might just put a full brake job done on it. The car has plenty of GO, it needs full stop available. Rather than mix a bunch of new and old parts, a full compliment of pads and rotors, exchange calipers, and hoses and proportioning valve replacements (I'm assuming rear drums) would make it stop like a champ. I'll get it in the air and see it better tomorrow. I have a hunch it might be that the vacuum assist is sluggish, because it does stop, the pedal just feels like ass.


http://www.wilwood.com/BrakeKitListFront.aspx?make=Ford&model=Mustang&year=1987

Just sayin :D

[Avatard]

How about a Jeep? I mean this is your daughter, right? Chicks like cute little cars like a Smart or something like that. I'd get her a Cavaliar.

I gave my brother a Cavalier wagon. What I like to call a fucking cockroach car (ya can't kill it). Had it for years, he couldn't kill it, so he finally sold it.

As for the Jeep, scroll back...she already had a Cherokee...hell, I even have another '89 I could revive in the driveway, but she wanted a car, so I'm gonna boost it (it needs a head gasket).

[derf]

Bring the car in to get the brakes checked anyway, but my bet is that it is teh stock ford brake feel, chevy brakes have always been kinda on/off and real easy, for brakes a little less, but check it anyway

[pauldun170]

I think there is something with that gen front end where a minor 'kadoosh' can leave the front end un-alignable.

I'd leave the body as is and just work on getting the brakes up to snuff.
Is it an Automatic?
If so it will be as quick as 4 banger camry at this point.

[BobTheBiker]

How about a Jeep? I mean this is your daughter, right? Chicks like cute little cars like a Smart or something like that. I'd get her a Cavaliar.

you're joking right? I wouldnt give my worst enemy a cavalier. those things are jsut total pieces of SHIT to me.

odds are, since its an old car, you're gonna want to do a total rebuild on your brake system. lines, hoses, proportioning valves, calipers etc.

[Avatard]

I think there is something with that gen front end where a minor 'kadoosh' can leave the front end un-alignable.

I'd leave the body as is and just work on getting the brakes up to snuff.
Is it an Automatic?
If so it will be as quick as 4 banger camry at this point.

Ever watch Wheeler Dealer? I kinda went through her previous car, the Cherokee, and attacked all the problems, big and small. If you start with a car that hasn't been hacked at badly, you can normally fix and put right the usual array of niggling problems that besiege an old car from NOS, and spares, with a little dedication.

[karl_1052]

Thanks!

Edit: Geez, that foxresto link has everything. I can see this resto becoming a real nice father/daughter project this spring. I firmly believe if you build a car up yourself, you'll never wreck it.

Anyone here see "Love the Beast"?

Bana wrecked his.

BTW, that car is nice, and can be a handful in winter.
Get her proper winter tires and sandbags in the trunk.

those cars are so simple to work on, I was able to change the water pump on my GT in less than 40 minutes.
for longevity:
Do a complete brake job
Flush the cooling system and install and electric fan(the stock clutch fan is probably close to seizing, or the plastic blades have been broken off)
Change the fluids(including transmission and rear end)
drive the pants off of it.

[TommyHotWheel]

Bana wrecked his.

BTW, that car is nice, and can be a handful in winter.
Get her proper winter tires and sandbags in the trunk.

those cars are so simple to work on, I was able to change the water pump on my GT in less than 40 minutes.
for longevity:
Do a complete brake job
Flush the cooling system and install and electric fan(the stock clutch fan is probably close to seizing, or the plastic blades have been broken off)
Change the fluids(including transmission and rear end)
drive the pants off of it.

An electric fan mod from a Contour is good and a junkyard uprade for a five lug and newer better brakes from an early Ranger is nice too. look for disks for the rear from a Lincoln too....Junkyards are your friend with these cars.

[Avatard]

Bana wrecked his.

All the previous times, when he and his buddies had built out the car, it was fine. Only when he finally paid to have someone else build it out professionally to 600+ hp. did he wreck it. I think it was Leno that said "that's where you screwed up...if you had built it yourself, you'd have never crashed it".

[Avatard]

An electric fan mod from a Contour is good and a junkyard uprade for a five lug and newer better brakes from an early Ranger is nice too. look for disks for the rear from a Lincoln too....Junkyards are your friend with these cars.

I know, Ford used the piss out of the Fox platform.

[BobTheBiker]

its amazing how much of Fords parts line from god only knows how many vehicles cna be swapped onto/into others so easily.

[OneSickPsycho]

This shit makes me want a project car.

[Homeslice]

I know, Ford used the piss out of the Fox platform.
The ride & handling shows :lol:

[TommyHotWheel]

This platform is actually pretty amazing when you think of how long it was used and the different vehicles it was made into. Av, if you need help, I am always online, gimme a holler. Zach, any of the foxes can be bought really cheap and swaps are even cheaper. I got an electric fan and 2 axles plus frint hardware for a 5 lug swap for $15 at a Pick-N-Pull. I can help find almost anything.

[Avatard]

This platform is actually pretty amazing when you think of how long it was used and the different vehicles it was made into.

I'll bite, what was built on a Fox pan?

Av, if you need help, I am always online, gimme a holler.

Thanks!

I got an electric fan and 2 axles plus frint hardware for a 5 lug swap for $15 at a Pick-N-Pull. I can help find almost anything.

I will be tapping your expertise, for sure. I love inexpensive backyard restoration. I'm a cheap bastard.

[Homeslice]

I'll bite, what was built on a Fox pan?


Fairmont :lol:

[TommyHotWheel]

Vehicles using this platform:

1978-1983 Ford Fairmont
1978-1983 Mercury Zephyr
1979-1993 Ford Mustang
1979-1986 Mercury Capri
1980-1988 Ford Thunderbird
1980-1988 Mercury Cougar
1981-1982 Ford Granada
1982-1987 Lincoln Continental
1983-1986 Ford LTD
1984-1992 Lincoln Mark VII

[Adeptus_Minor]

Vehicles using this platform:

1984-1992 Lincoln Mark VII

Oooh yeah.
Though I'm told they were all oil-burners, I loooooved the Mark VII LSC :cool:

[karl_1052]

Oooh yeah.
Though I'm told they were all oil-burners, I loooooved the Mark VII LSC :cool:

???

They used the same 302 as the mustang.

[Adeptus_Minor]

???

They used the same 302 as the mustang.

Not disputing that, but everyone I talked to that had one said they had to add about a quart a month, depending on how much they were driving. :idk:
Don't take it as gospel, this is based on something I heard from a few people ~15 years ago? :whistle:

[BobTheBiker]

I would bet its more related to how theirs were maintained too. as well as oil quality. newer oils are way better quality which has some bearing.