Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

General => User Rides => Topic started by: Chris F. on March 03, 2008, 11:03:13 AM

Title: 1988 Thunderbird V8 5.0L 40k Miles, new HO project!
Post by: Chris F. on March 03, 2008, 11:03:13 AM
Well, I have decided to convert to HO. But first my transmission needs to be fixed, and it is in the shop today for that. On the way I was able to take two pictures of the interior, when I get it back I will take more. Paint job is maroon/red, and the interior is the same color.

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Talanasus/015.jpg)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Talanasus/017.jpg)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Talanasus/IMAGE_141.jpg)

Quality of photos are not great right now. They were taken with my phone while driving to the transmission shop.

*New pic of the car, my camera phone sucks in the daylight, picked up a bad glare.

I am planning on buying the HO parts to convert it to a 5.0L HO V8, it only has 40k miles, so I do not want to do too much to it yet. Everything else in the car is pretty much stock, it has the floor shifter as well.
Title: 1988 Thunderbird V8 5.0L 40k Miles, new HO project!
Post by: Kitz Kat on March 03, 2008, 04:54:04 PM
Thats not red! I hope thats your phone that makes it look that way? I think it's kinda purplish pink.Get a spray can,LOL!
Title: 1988 Thunderbird V8 5.0L 40k Miles, new HO project!
Post by: vinnietbird on March 03, 2008, 05:00:21 PM
Get some more pics when you can,and let us know all the details of the car,and what you're plans are.
Title: 1988 Thunderbird V8 5.0L 40k Miles, new HO project!
Post by: Chris F. on March 03, 2008, 05:16:44 PM
Quote from: vinnietbird;207497
Get some more pics when you can,and let us know all the details of the car,and what you're plans are.


I should be able to take more pictures tomorrow when I get it back from the Transmission shop. Transmission had to be rebuilt, $1,650 :(.

@kitzdnm  It is red, the lighting was weird when I was driving so my phone made it look that color.
Title: 1988 Thunderbird V8 5.0L 40k Miles, new HO project!
Post by: jncocowboyx on March 03, 2008, 05:28:22 PM
for that much, you should be getting a pretty nice tranny with a shift kit.
Title: 1988 Thunderbird V8 5.0L 40k Miles, new HO project!
Post by: Chris F. on March 03, 2008, 05:35:19 PM
Quote from: jncocowboyx;207503
for that much, you should be getting a pretty nice tranny with a shift kit.


Well I got two estimates one from Circle D here and houston, and then another called Carter Transmission. Circle D was $1,400 labor then depending on the parts it needs it could go up to $2,000
Title: 1988 Thunderbird V8 5.0L 40k Miles, new HO project!
Post by: jncocowboyx on March 03, 2008, 05:48:37 PM
too bad you ain't in florida. we're rebuilding trans in class.
Title: 1988 Thunderbird V8 5.0L 40k Miles, new HO project!
Post by: xjeffs on March 03, 2008, 06:14:00 PM
You should be able to find a good use AOD pretty cheap.  Of course it seems they all need to be rebuilt under 100k miles.
Title: 1988 Thunderbird V8 5.0L 40k Miles, new HO project!
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on March 03, 2008, 06:52:17 PM
Guess my Ford re-mfg AODE for was the wifes Grand Marquis was a steal at $900 shipped... Of course I had to put it in...
Title: 1988 Thunderbird V8 5.0L 40k Miles, new HO project!
Post by: Chris F. on March 04, 2008, 11:32:09 AM
New picture taken, had the transmission fixed. My camera phone sucks, so I will take more pictures when I get my uncles digital camera and when I vacuum the carpet in the car.
Title: 1988 Thunderbird V8 5.0L 40k Miles, new HO project!
Post by: grutinator on March 04, 2008, 12:07:05 PM
sweet looking bird. what wheels are those? the color looks off, but it looks clean. definatly post some more pictures with a digital camera
Title: 1988 Thunderbird V8 5.0L 40k Miles, new HO project!
Post by: Chris F. on March 04, 2008, 12:08:35 PM
Quote from: grutinator;207614
sweet looking bird. what wheels are those? the color looks off, but it looks clean. definatly post some more pictures with a digital camera


I have no clue what wheels they are, they were already on when my grandfather bought it from one of our neighbors like 8 years ago.
Title: 1988 Thunderbird V8 5.0L 40k Miles, new HO project!
Post by: IRON MIKE on March 04, 2008, 12:36:30 PM
Those wheels were probibly made buy US Wheel, I had some on my 86 Mustang that were black. Anyway,Very nice looking ride.
Title: 1988 Thunderbird V8 5.0L 40k Miles, new HO project!
Post by: shame302 on March 04, 2008, 01:48:57 PM
wow...too bad you didnt just replace the tranny yourself. heck, you could have converted it to a stick for that or stuck a built up aod in there easy.
 
looks like a nice car though. id prob put different wheels on it soon.
Title: 1988 Thunderbird V8 5.0L 40k Miles, new HO project!
Post by: midget28 on March 05, 2008, 12:38:59 AM
sweet looking car i like the wheels and paint myself but im very odd lol
Title: 1988 Thunderbird V8 5.0L 40k Miles, new HO project!
Post by: jcassity on March 05, 2008, 01:24:33 AM
Thats more than just a "NICE" ride for sure.  It looks great!!


To all,,
did anyone happen to notice the effect his camera had on the side shot of the car?  If you look at a glance, the rear of the bird looks like it has a horizontal spoiler like found on those chev lumina's.  I know its a picture quality issue but there seems to be a few lines in the pic that lend more to your imagination,,atleast mine anyway. 

It doesnt sound like a bad idea actually.
Title: 1988 Thunderbird V8 5.0L 40k Miles, new HO project!
Post by: ZondaC12 on March 05, 2008, 09:06:57 AM
YES I see that! Duuuuuude that would be sick.
 
I actully notice that a lot with photos...it seems to happen quite frequently, reflections/shadows add in extra stuff that makes you see things that aren't really there and sometimes it looks good!
 
I do like those lumina z34s too. Nice lookin those and beretta gtz's they got the solid header panel a la TC.
Title: 1988 Thunderbird V8 5.0L 40k Miles, new HO project!
Post by: thunderjet302 on March 05, 2008, 12:19:06 PM
Looks great:D  Just get some new wheels so it doesn't look so redneck :hick: