Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: Drewstang on November 08, 2007, 11:32:11 PM
Post by: Drewstang on November 08, 2007, 11:32:11 PM
I've been looking for a while and I finally found a 85 T-bird close to me for a good price. I picked this jem up for $350 today. 5.0 CFI, AOD, 130k miles, it will need some body work and a headliner, but nothing I can't get from Pull A Part for pretty cheap. I'm going to swap out the CFI for SEFI from a Mustang, so if anyone knows which ECU harness to use I'd like to know. Anyways, here's the pics:
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/DSCF0086.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/DSCF0091.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/DSCF0092.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/DSCF0096.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/DSCF0086.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/DSCF0091.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/DSCF0092.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/DSCF0096.jpg)
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: Carpimp1987 on November 09, 2007, 02:59:24 AM
Post by: Carpimp1987 on November 09, 2007, 02:59:24 AM
The price was not 2 bad hope to see it be takencare of and fixed up soon goodluck man.
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: blu84302 on November 09, 2007, 10:27:10 AM
Post by: blu84302 on November 09, 2007, 10:27:10 AM
Is the fender and header panel the only damage? If so then that's sweet.
Take care of her.
Take care of her.
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: Chuck W on November 09, 2007, 10:37:42 AM
Post by: Chuck W on November 09, 2007, 10:37:42 AM
Looked like it was not long before it would have wound up crushed.
Seems like a good base for a start.
Seems like a good base for a start.
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: mercury-man on November 09, 2007, 10:43:01 AM
Post by: mercury-man on November 09, 2007, 10:43:01 AM
Drewstang ,:cool: another 4 eyed :birdsmily: saved from extinction and nice price also. lol :D
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: tc² on November 09, 2007, 11:11:22 AM
Post by: tc² on November 09, 2007, 11:11:22 AM
The engine/interior don't look too bad at all.
Nice find!
Nice find!
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: 1WLD BRD on November 09, 2007, 11:48:12 AM
Post by: 1WLD BRD on November 09, 2007, 11:48:12 AM
hows the underneath? get a fender and header panel and paint her up, looks like a decent starting point anyways.
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: fordman3 on November 09, 2007, 12:15:29 PM
Post by: fordman3 on November 09, 2007, 12:15:29 PM
drewstang,
We don't live too far away from each other. I'm in Madisonville, zip 42431. I've got a nice condition header panel, bumper cover, and both front fenders from an '86 XR7 if you're interested. I know the header's not technically a perfect match to your Bird, but it would be unique (and it's set up for the foglights that the TC's and XR7's came with). It's dark red with charcoal gray lower two-tone. I could use the $$ and it's not doing me any good right now. Let me know if you'd be interested and we can talk $$. Thanks.
And once again, somebody ELSE found a halfway nice car for a bargain price, and I can still find nothing! Boo!
Fordman3
We don't live too far away from each other. I'm in Madisonville, zip 42431. I've got a nice condition header panel, bumper cover, and both front fenders from an '86 XR7 if you're interested. I know the header's not technically a perfect match to your Bird, but it would be unique (and it's set up for the foglights that the TC's and XR7's came with). It's dark red with charcoal gray lower two-tone. I could use the $$ and it's not doing me any good right now. Let me know if you'd be interested and we can talk $$. Thanks.
And once again, somebody ELSE found a halfway nice car for a bargain price, and I can still find nothing! Boo!
Fordman3
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: cougrrr302 on November 09, 2007, 12:32:02 PM
Post by: cougrrr302 on November 09, 2007, 12:32:02 PM
Very nice for the price, and one more Four Eye that lives. You should put the XR7 front end on it. There was a car on here, Demented2.3T's TC had a Cougar front end, and it looked really nice.
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: DVP on November 09, 2007, 04:27:58 PM
Post by: DVP on November 09, 2007, 04:27:58 PM
Quote from: fordman3;186817
drewstang,
We don't live too far away from each other. I'm in Madisonville, zip 42431. I've got a nice condition header panel, bumper cover, and both front fenders from an '86 XR7 if you're interested. I know the header's not technically a perfect match to your Bird, but it would be unique (and it's set up for the foglights that the TC's and XR7's came with). It's dark red with charcoal gray lower two-tone. I could use the $$ and it's not doing me any good right now. Let me know if you'd be interested and we can talk $$. Thanks.
And once again, somebody ELSE found a halfway nice car for a bargain price, and I can still find nothing! Boo!
Fordman3
if he doesn't want the bumper cover PM me. i think my mom is goin out your way in the next month and i can't find one around here anymore.
It looks like a great start as long as the underbody is good
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: chri85tc on November 09, 2007, 05:03:20 PM
Post by: chri85tc on November 09, 2007, 05:03:20 PM
Nice to see another 85 saved, I am kind of partial to the 85's.
Good luck, and cant wait to see it returned to glory.
Good luck, and cant wait to see it returned to glory.
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: Drewstang on November 09, 2007, 05:37:11 PM
Post by: Drewstang on November 09, 2007, 05:37:11 PM
Thanks for the kind words everyone. The underside looks pretty good. Theres some scaly rust in a couple spots, but nothing terminal. I went to the local Pull A Part and found 3 perfect complete front ends and one full digital cluster. I'm going back tomorrow for the cluster, header panel and bezel, and maybe a fender.
The quarters have rust just behind the wheels, but it has not made it all the way through the metal. I'm pretty sure I can fix it without cutting and welding. The bottom of the driver's door is splitting with rust, but again Pull A Part has a perfect door with a good handle.
Fordman3- I really like the looks of the T-bird front end over the Cougar, but thanks for the offer.
The next step will be to pull of the CFI, drop in a H.O. Mustang engine, locate a 8.8 rear end, and swap in 5 lugs and SN-95 Mustang brakes. Then, a set of Bullitts for crusing. I'm also going to switch to floor shift and get rid of the column shifter. I've built a bunch of Mustangs and I think I'm going to enjoy working on this car and saving it from the crusher. I've got alot of research to do and alot of parts to ad to my Christmas list.
The quarters have rust just behind the wheels, but it has not made it all the way through the metal. I'm pretty sure I can fix it without cutting and welding. The bottom of the driver's door is splitting with rust, but again Pull A Part has a perfect door with a good handle.
Fordman3- I really like the looks of the T-bird front end over the Cougar, but thanks for the offer.
The next step will be to pull of the CFI, drop in a H.O. Mustang engine, locate a 8.8 rear end, and swap in 5 lugs and SN-95 Mustang brakes. Then, a set of Bullitts for crusing. I'm also going to switch to floor shift and get rid of the column shifter. I've built a bunch of Mustangs and I think I'm going to enjoy working on this car and saving it from the crusher. I've got alot of research to do and alot of parts to ad to my Christmas list.
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: Drewstang on November 24, 2007, 05:47:20 PM
Post by: Drewstang on November 24, 2007, 05:47:20 PM
I finally got some time to bring her home today. The aftermarket oil gauge the previous owner installed came back and bit me in the ass. He ran the nylon tube inbetween the exhaust manifold and steering shaft and wrapped it around the shaft once. It melted about 3 miles into the 20 mile drive, and started dumping oil like crazy. 6 miles from home, I was out of oil and shut it off and called a towtruck. But she's home now:
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/DSCF0008.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/DSCF0008.jpg)
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: Drewstang on December 09, 2007, 11:43:19 PM
Post by: Drewstang on December 09, 2007, 11:43:19 PM
I got some work done on her two weeks ago. I found a nearly perfect header panel and bumper at Pull A Part. I also grabbed the fender off the car and a full digital cluster from a V8 Elan. Here's some pics of the body damage repair.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/DSCF0009.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/P1010002.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/P1010003.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/P1010005.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/fenderoff.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/DSCF0009.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/P1010002.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/P1010003.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/P1010005.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/fenderoff.jpg)
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: Drewstang on December 09, 2007, 11:44:49 PM
Post by: Drewstang on December 09, 2007, 11:44:49 PM
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/oldness.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/newfender.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/newbumper.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/newheaderpanel.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/grille.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/newfender.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/newbumper.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/newheaderpanel.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/grille.jpg)
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: Quietleaf on December 10, 2007, 12:19:52 AM
Post by: Quietleaf on December 10, 2007, 12:19:52 AM
To go to the full digital cluster you'll have to drop the tank and change out the fuel sender.
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: Ether947 on December 10, 2007, 06:31:17 AM
Post by: Ether947 on December 10, 2007, 06:31:17 AM
Sweet. Making progress already. :D
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: Drewstang on December 10, 2007, 07:11:12 AM
Post by: Drewstang on December 10, 2007, 07:11:12 AM
Quote from: Quietleaf;191998
To go to the full digital cluster you'll have to drop the tank and change out the fuel sender.
Yup. I'll be changing the sending unit when I drop in the 190lph fuel pump I have for it.
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: blu84302 on December 10, 2007, 09:55:34 AM
Post by: blu84302 on December 10, 2007, 09:55:34 AM
Great job on the repairs! Keep up the good work! And take more pics!
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: ipsd on December 10, 2007, 11:06:16 AM
Post by: ipsd on December 10, 2007, 11:06:16 AM
Looking good! That looks about like my car. The right front washiznit so I got some Junk-yard parts. Guess what mine are both black also. The header and the fender. LOL Is that a black grill or it that the chorme one in the pic? Anyhow keep at it and it will get there.
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: tc² on December 10, 2007, 11:09:18 AM
Post by: tc² on December 10, 2007, 11:09:18 AM
Lookin good!
Now sand it down and hit it with Krylon 1613!
Now sand it down and hit it with Krylon 1613!
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: DVP on December 10, 2007, 04:24:17 PM
Post by: DVP on December 10, 2007, 04:24:17 PM
Rip out that on top of the splash guard, extra weight that you don't need
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: 1WLD BRD on December 10, 2007, 05:06:38 PM
Post by: 1WLD BRD on December 10, 2007, 05:06:38 PM
good work, I see you hide the rad support in the pics though... ;) Is it rotted? you can kind of see it in one pic.... Keep going with the project.
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: Drewstang on December 10, 2007, 08:38:02 PM
Post by: Drewstang on December 10, 2007, 08:38:02 PM
Quote from: 1WLD BRD;192084
good work, I see you hide the rad support in the pics though... ;) Is it rotted? you can kind of see it in one pic.... Keep going with the project.
I didn't mean to hide it, it didn't display with the rest of them. The support is in good shape with a little scaling on the underside where the bumper bolts up. Theres a few more in that photobucket account that I didn't post up.
Quote from: cougar86_89
Rip out that on top of the splash guard, extra weight that you don't need
I plan to when I get some more time to work on it. You mean Ford added parts that weren't needed to these cars? :D
Quote from: tc²
Lookin good!
Now sand it down and hit it with Krylon 1613!
If that is Ultra Flat Black then yeah, thats what its getting.
Quote from: ipsd
Looking good! That looks about like my car. The right front washiznit so I got some Junk-yard parts. Guess what mine are both black also. The header and the fender. LOL Is that a black grill or it that the chorme one in the pic? Anyhow keep at it and it will get there.
Thanks, its just the stock chrome grill. The whole car will be black soon.
Quote from: blu84302
Great job on the repairs! Keep up the good work! And take more pics!
Thanks, I'll be taking pics every step of the way.
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: Drewstang on December 17, 2007, 07:03:03 PM
Post by: Drewstang on December 17, 2007, 07:03:03 PM
I took the A/C brackets, lines, and compressor off today to begin the HO engine swap. I also started taking the CFI lines and vaccum stuff off as well. Not many pics, it was to cold to slow down.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/acgone.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/wiringshiznit.jpg)
Thanks to Cougarman for the parts I got today. I will get some pics of them tomorrow. :D
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/acgone.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/wiringshiznit.jpg)
Thanks to Cougarman for the parts I got today. I will get some pics of them tomorrow. :D
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: Dogcharmer on December 18, 2007, 09:52:34 AM
Post by: Dogcharmer on December 18, 2007, 09:52:34 AM
It looks like you will be busy for a while. Just in case you haven't thought of it yet... you will need the throttle cable, TV cable and bracket from a SEFI car (yours wont reach). I'd get the vacuum tree from a SEFI car too (The SEFI intake will interfere with your vacuum tree). Move your battery and solinoid to the drivers side and relocate the BAP/MAP to the firewall. You'll also need a radiator overflow tank from a SEFI car. That's just the stuff I see right away. I know you'll also need to make some changes to the fuel system from the tank to the engine... I.e. pump, lines, connections to the fuel rails, etc...
I would do all the relocating of stuff when the engine is out of the car if you plan on a rebuild or swap. You might have to drill some holes and it's alot easier with out stuff in the way.
Just keep at it bit by bit and you'll get there. Just make regular forward progress no matter how small to keep it going. If you run out of cash you can always clean or secure wires etc... Good luck with your project...
I would do all the relocating of stuff when the engine is out of the car if you plan on a rebuild or swap. You might have to drill some holes and it's alot easier with out stuff in the way.
Just keep at it bit by bit and you'll get there. Just make regular forward progress no matter how small to keep it going. If you run out of cash you can always clean or secure wires etc... Good luck with your project...
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: Clayton on December 18, 2007, 11:13:30 AM
Post by: Clayton on December 18, 2007, 11:13:30 AM
lookin good.
useless plug... ive got a nice TV cable if ya need one...
useless plug... ive got a nice TV cable if ya need one...
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: blackcougar71 on December 18, 2007, 06:16:03 PM
Post by: blackcougar71 on December 18, 2007, 06:16:03 PM
hey fordman3 i will buy your xr7 front bumper w/foglight if your selling it.
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: Drewstang on December 18, 2007, 06:51:07 PM
Post by: Drewstang on December 18, 2007, 06:51:07 PM
Quote from: 87thunderbirdBlackJack;193395
lookin good.
useless plug... ive got a nice TV cable if ya need one...
I will need one, what do you want for it?
Quote from: Dogcharmer
It looks like you will be busy for a while. Just in case you haven't thought of it yet... you will need the throttle cable, TV cable and bracket from a SEFI car (yours wont reach). I'd get the vacuum tree from a SEFI car too (The SEFI intake will interfere with your vacuum tree). Move your battery and solinoid to the drivers side and relocate the BAP/MAP to the firewall. You'll also need a radiator overflow tank from a SEFI car. That's just the stuff I see right away. I know you'll also need to make some changes to the fuel system from the tank to the engine... I.e. pump, lines, connections to the fuel rails, etc...
I would do all the relocating of stuff when the engine is out of the car if you plan on a rebuild or swap. You might have to drill some holes and it's alot easier with out stuff in the way.
Just keep at it bit by bit and you'll get there. Just make regular forward progress no matter how small to keep it going. If you run out of cash you can always clean or secure wires etc... Good luck with your project...
Thanks for the info, I didn't think about the vaccum tree at all. I'm going to get some fuel lines from a V8 Mustang. I plan to use an electric fan from a Taurus and do the 3G alternator conversion as well. The battery is going into the trunk for weight transfer and to clean up the engine compartment. I've got an overflow from a Mustang and I think it will bolt right up to the electric fan. I've also got the throttle cable from a V8 Mustang and I'm going to switch all the accesories over to Mustang serpentine drive.
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: Drewstang on December 19, 2007, 06:34:00 PM
Post by: Drewstang on December 19, 2007, 06:34:00 PM
I think I'm going to save alot of weight by going with a Mustang accessory drive setup. I never realized how many brackets there was on the front of this thing. CFI is out and SEFI wiring will go in once the engine is pulled and the engine bay cleaned and painted. A few pics of work done today:
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/P1010003-1.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/P1010005-1.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/P1010010.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/p1010006.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/P1010003-2.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/P1010003-1.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/P1010005-1.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/P1010010.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/p1010006.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/P1010003-2.jpg)
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: blackcougar71 on December 19, 2007, 07:46:25 PM
Post by: blackcougar71 on December 19, 2007, 07:46:25 PM
what are you going to do with the trottlebody and all the cfi stuff?
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: Drewstang on December 19, 2007, 08:42:18 PM
Post by: Drewstang on December 19, 2007, 08:42:18 PM
I was going to put it in a box and put it away, but if anyone needs it I'd sell it.
EDIT- This pretty much sums it up how I feel about CFI:
Not family safe-
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/P1010004-2.jpg)
EDIT- This pretty much sums it up how I feel about CFI:
Not family safe-
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/New%20project/P1010004-2.jpg)
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: Drewstang on December 23, 2007, 06:39:31 PM
Post by: Drewstang on December 23, 2007, 06:39:31 PM
I picked up some more parts this week. I found a GT40 Nitrous Express plate on corral for $150 shipped. Now all I need to do is piece the rest of the kit together which should be around $500 or so. I got an even better deal on 94-95 Mustang calipers and brackets, spindles, and new brake hoses for $80. I went to Pull A Part today and found a Mark 8 electric fan and a 3G alternator off a 95 Mustang 3.8 all for $33.42. Pics to come.
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: Drewstang on March 18, 2008, 03:57:52 PM
Post by: Drewstang on March 18, 2008, 03:57:52 PM
I guess I need to update this a little. My wife said she won't drive this so I'm going a different route. I'll be listing the SEFI harness and Auto shifters for sale shortly. I've got a friend with a Ford Racing SEFI harness that needs money and I like that harness because I am more familiar with it. The AOD is going to a friend for his 89 Mustang LX project and the T5Z from my 91 Mustang coupe will be going into this. The 91 5.0 in my 95 Cobra will be coming out this fall and a 351W will be in its place, that means the 91 5.0 with a B cam and GT40's will find its way into the T-bird. I've paused work on the T-bird due to weather and the completion of the Cobra. The Cobra is getting paint soon and once its painted, work on the T-bird will pick back up. I did score a Turbo Coupe grill from the Pull A Part Sunday, and I might go back for a black dash pad and console. :D Anyone need the electric climate control or the trip/ clock?
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: screaming306 on March 19, 2008, 12:04:03 AM
Post by: screaming306 on March 19, 2008, 12:04:03 AM
i started off with a 84 t-bird.....rewired it using an 83 cougar 3.8 carbed wiring harness.
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: Drewstang on March 19, 2008, 01:44:36 PM
Post by: Drewstang on March 19, 2008, 01:44:36 PM
That engine bay looks great. I'm going to stick with EFI because I don't know jack about carbs. Here's a pic of my Cobra project:
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/95%20Cobra/DSCF0001.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Drewstang/95%20Cobra/DSCF0001.jpg)
Title: Finally found a 85 T-bird
Post by: daboss351 on March 19, 2008, 03:08:37 PM
Post by: daboss351 on March 19, 2008, 03:08:37 PM
sweet cobra!