Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

General => General Fox T-Bird/Cougar Discussion => Topic started by: BlackCardinal on May 02, 2008, 10:56:40 AM

Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: BlackCardinal on May 02, 2008, 10:56:40 AM
Hey guys! New member here--I've been looking for an 87-88 TC for about a month now, found a smokin' deal on an '86 that I couldn't resist for 800 bucks! After speaking with the owner and viewing the pics, I'm really excited about getting it! I live in Long Beach and it's coming from San Jose. Straight body, original paint (blue), automatic and fully loaded! I was looking for a nice DD that was better on gas (better than my '91 LX 5.0 Mustang). It's supposed to be delivered today but I won't get home from work until late tonight, so, I'll see if I got a good deal or was taken to the cleaners!

Just wanted to drop in and say hello!
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: daminc on May 02, 2008, 11:05:11 AM
Welcome aboard, can't wait for the pics
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: mercury-man on May 02, 2008, 11:05:21 AM
Hey, BlackCardinal :cheers: and welcome to our board. :headbang:
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: BlackCardinal on May 02, 2008, 11:22:57 AM
Hey guys! Thanks for the response! So far this is the only pic I've been going off of--I found the car on Craigslist...I'll take some on Saturday.
(http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j269/Prentie/86TC.jpg)
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: 5.0willgo on May 02, 2008, 02:24:19 PM
Welcome aboard! Sometimes I wish I lived in California for all the rust free cars :(
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: t3skidoo on May 02, 2008, 02:25:54 PM
Looks sweet.  More pics please.
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: BlackCardinal on May 02, 2008, 03:01:24 PM
Quote from: t3skidoo;216795
Looks sweet.  More pics please.


I'll take some pics on Saturday. I just hope it's as sweet as it looks in the photos. It's got 91K miles, premium sound with the EQ and power seats. I plan to find an 8.8" rear out of an 87-88 TC and an overdrive trans...
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: BlackCardinal on May 02, 2008, 03:12:25 PM
I just spoke to my dad, it's being dropped off now! I asked him how it looks and he's telling me it's a super clean car! I wish I didn't work so far from home I'd go check it out! :burnout:
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: vinnietbird on May 02, 2008, 03:13:30 PM
Welcome !!! You'll love it here.
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: BlackCardinal on May 02, 2008, 04:38:22 PM
Thanks! I'm sure I will! I did some searching and this site seems to be the most informative and interesting. I feel pretty good about my purchase, it's been sitting so long, I'm gonna have to give it a major tune up, but I'll know more once I really look at it tomorrow.
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: 1BadBird on May 02, 2008, 07:44:24 PM
:burnout:  Welcome Aboard  :cheers:  :welder:
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: BlackCardinal on May 02, 2008, 08:16:21 PM
Quote from: 1BadBird;216844
:burnout:  Welcome Aboard  :cheers:  :welder:


Thanks! Dude, I just checked out your car...that's gonna be a bada** ride when it's finihsed!
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: daminc on May 02, 2008, 09:48:44 PM
LOL... sometimes we are quite interesting.
The car looks pretty nice from that one pic
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: bhazard on May 02, 2008, 11:49:31 PM
Dont bother with the overdrive auto trans, theyre trash. If you want OD, go 5 speed.
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: BlackCardinal on May 03, 2008, 04:07:07 AM
Well, here it is! The brakes are super spongy and the deck lid looks like it's been repaired, but overall, I think I got a helluva deal!

Yeah, it's got some cooling system issues. As it sat idling, the upper hose got hot while the lower stayed ice cold. It's maybe because it needed to be driven, but I'll find out tomorrow.
(http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j269/Prentie/IMG_0059.jpg)
(http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j269/Prentie/IMG_0065.jpg)
(http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j269/Prentie/IMG_0060.jpg)
It's screaming "Intercool me!"
(http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j269/Prentie/IMG_0069.jpg)
(http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j269/Prentie/IMG_0063.jpg)
I was wrong about the Premium Sound w/ EQ--it's sans EQ. Still sounds good!
(http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j269/Prentie/IMG_0061.jpg)
(http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j269/Prentie/IMG_0066.jpg)
(http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j269/Prentie/IMG_0068.jpg)
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: mercury-man on May 03, 2008, 04:37:45 AM
Well, blackcardinal your right it is a sweet looking ride and again Welcome to :bowdown:  you & your new TC. :birdsmily: :cool:
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: ipsd on May 03, 2008, 09:43:49 AM
Another 4eyed Turbo coupe YES! Glad to have you and Your bird is looking Good. For those brakes check into new front hoses.
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: daminc on May 03, 2008, 10:38:20 AM
Now thats something to work with.
Nice car
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: Romeo2k on May 03, 2008, 12:16:45 PM
Nice Score!!!
Under 100k miles even. :headbang:

Welcome Aboard!
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: BlackCardinal on May 03, 2008, 01:22:29 PM
Thanks guys! I've got a full day ahead of me today with this car! Hopefully I can get it ready to drive on Monday. It idles really smooth! Once I check out the cooling system, I can't wait to get it out on the road.
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: t3skidoo on May 03, 2008, 02:22:08 PM
That car's barely broken in, great score!  Can't wait to see it once you apply a little TLC.
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: BlackCardinal on May 03, 2008, 04:45:14 PM
Okay, so far it needs an ignition switch (already got it) and it appears the water pump is leaking out of the weep hole. I'm also going to change the timing belt (it hasn't been changed since '92). One problem I have is that the fan won't come on. I've jumped it to the battery and it works, so it's either the switch, or the water pump isn't pumping at all. Any suggestions? Is there a relay? I jumped what I THOUGHT was the switch (driver's side next to the fuel injectors), but nothing.
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: t3skidoo on May 03, 2008, 05:43:12 PM
Speaking as the tired voice of experience, the electrical system is the weakest part of these cars.  And it's pretty weak as compared to other cars too.

Soooooo

My suggestion would be to rewired the fan(s) and forward lights (head & fog) with relay kits.  Replace the rear incandecents with LEDs.  There are some places that make generic kits or you can buy the components yourself.  Upgrade the alternator (and related, ie wiring and voltage regulator).

One wierd thing (to me anyway) about the engine fan is that it's tied to the a/c system, so make sure the a/c system is charged and functioning properly.
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: BlackCardinal on May 03, 2008, 10:35:01 PM
Rewiring...ugh...still, that's what's gonna have to happen eventually. At least I got the ignition switch replaced and got to drive it some today. It drives pretty good! I won't have it ready by monday, but I won't have much work to do to it. Thanks for the input!
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: t3skidoo on May 03, 2008, 11:42:30 PM
I *think* that if you do it correctly, you'll just be adding power wires to the lights and and fan, wiring relays to the existing wires and power wires.
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: ipsd on May 04, 2008, 10:39:19 AM
I never could get the factory rad fan to work right in mine. So  I went after market fans ,and controller. They work great.
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: BlackCardinal on May 05, 2008, 12:22:21 AM
Yeah, I'm pretty much there. I didn't have time to work on it today, but wiring it up myself with relays sounds like the way to go. Hey, the fan switch--it that the one on the driver's side? Directly under the upper intake?
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: *MAYHEM* on May 05, 2008, 07:24:12 AM
Nice lookin' bird. Same color as Turbokitty and has a similar problem with the paint. Easy fix though. Just repaint it. :)
 
Ordinarily, I'd point out that the new guy has to bring chips, but seeing as you're from California....
 
How 'bout some granola. :D
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: daminc on May 05, 2008, 07:43:03 AM
Quote from: *MAYHEM*;217266
Nice lookin' bird. Same color as Turbokitty and has a similar problem with the paint. Easy fix though. Just repaint it. :)
 
Ordinarily, I'd point out that the new guy has to bring chips, but seeing as you're from California....
 
How 'bout some granola. :D


Soy is better for you. LOL
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: BlackCardinal on May 05, 2008, 11:19:11 AM
Quote from: *MAYHEM*;217266
Nice lookin' bird. Same color as Turbokitty and has a similar problem with the paint. Easy fix though. Just repaint it. :)
 
Ordinarily, I'd point out that the new guy has to bring chips, but seeing as you're from California....
 
How 'bout some granola. :D


Gee, I was hoping to use my Starbuck's card...:D
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: SR71TC on May 05, 2008, 03:37:21 PM
You know what Cali and a bowl of cereal have in common......They are full of fruits, nuts and flakes....j/k

Very nice car, welcome aboard.

Jason
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: ipsd on May 05, 2008, 09:14:17 PM
The fan temp switch sound be on the under side of the intake. sometimes it is also located in one of the water lines below the intake.
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: BlackCardinal on May 06, 2008, 02:16:05 AM
Found it! Geez, no wonder why my fan didn't work! I've been jumping the wrong wires this whole time! I jumped the wires and the fan kicked right on. So, I'm going to change the switch tomorrow--along with the water pump and timing belt. After that, I should be ready to hit the streets!

I am so ready to put this machine on the road!
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: daboss351 on May 06, 2008, 06:18:21 PM
your a lucky man, thats one sweet clean tc!! my uncle had three in that color, well one was a v6 parts car, and one he blew the 2.3 and put a 350hp 351w in it. I miss his 86 he had though, it was retired due to hitting a deer. I love that color, its my def favorite on four eyes.
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: BlackCardinal on May 08, 2008, 11:48:20 AM
Quote from: daboss351;217530
your a lucky man, thats one sweet clean tc!! my uncle had three in that color, well one was a v6 parts car, and one he blew the 2.3 and put a 350hp 351w in it. I miss his 86 he had though, it was retired due to hitting a deer. I love that color, its my def favorite on four eyes.


You know, the funny thing is, I passed over this car for over a week on CraigsList! Now that I got it, I can't uunderstand why I never picked it! A friend of mine had one the exact same year and color!

I bought my primarily for fuel mileage, but I think once I start bolting parts to it--MPG will be the least of my worries...more like HP, PSI and ET...
Title: New Guy '86 TC
Post by: Haystack on May 08, 2008, 07:22:51 PM
swap in a stick. You get an overdrive, more power, and better fuel economy.