Print Page - 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 29, 2009, 12:28:32 PM

Hey guys. I've been doing this build for a while, but thought I'd relate some progress.

The car is a real nice 88TC I bought in pieces. Dash out, engine, trans, fuel tank, most everything off the car except the rear end and trunk lid. I towed it home with MANY boxes of parts and it has sat here for a few years.

Recently I bought a 4R70W OD trans for it and an Explorer engine for a donor. The engine ended up needing too much, so I went with a rebuilt 87 'stang long block, using the accessories and intake from the Explorer.

Picked up a Holset 351VGT turbo and a set of BBK shorties and went to work.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 29, 2009, 12:31:52 PM

Chuck's mounts and a shot of the turbo and rear of the car:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 29, 2009, 12:35:29 PM

Prepping pan for turbo drains, checking bottom end, and bolting on transmission. I had to swap the transmission rear extension for one off an AOD to accept my driveshaft.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 29, 2009, 12:37:44 PM

Swung in the engine and checked fit of the Explorer radiator and NPR IC.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 29, 2009, 12:40:28 PM

I didn't have the correct trans crossmember so I modified the Tbird one to fit. The exhaust will be a single 3" coming down the passenger side.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 29, 2009, 12:42:48 PM

Next I found a spot for the BIG honkin' turbo, and made a cut or three.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 29, 2009, 12:45:04 PM

Then started on the hotside fab. I had a lot of problems getting any kind of decent welds, so don't give me too much grief!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 29, 2009, 12:46:56 PM

More hotside fab.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 29, 2009, 12:48:58 PM

More fab shots, and the turbo brace. I'm going to reinforce the brace a bit more.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 29, 2009, 12:50:36 PM

Now the downpipe.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 29, 2009, 12:52:34 PM

Add a 3" v-band for spark plug access and complete the pipe past the starter area.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 29, 2009, 12:54:20 PM

Add in the wastegate piping.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 29, 2009, 12:56:28 PM

And finish weld the pipes.

This is where I am now. What do you guys think?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Beau on May 29, 2009, 02:05:16 PM

Make me one too? lol j/k

Looks good, and sweet that's a big-assed turbo! lol

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 86T-bird on May 29, 2009, 02:11:07 PM

Now that's a ton of engineering and fabrication! Great project!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: jangus on May 29, 2009, 02:18:17 PM

Sweet resurrection of a TC. I like it. A V-8, yet still technically a TurboCoupe.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 29, 2009, 02:39:10 PM

Thanks a lot guys! I have this posted up on Turboforums, but there's so many projects over there it's kind of lost. It really belongs over here.

FordTruckFreeek,
I can't believe you'd say that after seeing my welding! The turbine housing is so big to house the adjustable sleeve that varies the turbine A/R. My neighbor and I both have one of these turbos. He put his on his Ford 2.3 turbo BMW. That's him holding stuff up in the pics. He has been helping a lot on this.

86T-bird, It's really not just another swap/turbo project since I'm using the largely untried VGT Holset and the electronic transmission. Not to mention keeping the Explorer accessories.b There really is a lot of first-time (I've seen it) engineering.

jangus, I am DEFINITELY keeping all the turbocoupe badging as-is. It truly will be a TC still.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 29, 2009, 03:23:13 PM

Good things about doing this:

1. Turbo was cheap. 150.00 shipped to me, and it looks to have only a few thousand miles.
2. 4R70W is latest version of AOD. Supports 450HP stone stock. Overdrive for highway mpg's. 3.8 version bolts right up, including torque converter. Cheap and easy to source.
3. Explorer engine already has EDIS wheel, coil packs, 65mm TB, good intake, 130 amp alternator, 134A AC compressor, and correct flywheel.
4. Although pipe and v-bands aren't cheap, a turbo and Megasquirt is cheaper to make 450 HP with than trying to get it N/A.
5. Fuel system is adequate in stock form with just a 255 lph pump in the tank. I will be making custom lines to go from the lines on the body to the engine.

The bad stuff:
1. Need aftermarket computer for transmission. $450.00. Still cheaper than a built AOD.
2. Weight! Intercooler, pipe, turbo, all add lbs. All in the nose. :(
3. Heat! Gotta keep it in check. Pipe wrap and heat shield will be used for that on starter, alternator, etc. I'm going to try to take advantage of the TC hood scoops, too.
4. Engine management. I'm a Megasquirt guy, so that's my choice for this project, too. I'll use EDIS spark and brown tops for now. They should see me into the block splitting HP range.
5. Complexity. Lots of systems working together, lots of custom wiring. I'm not afraid!
6. Custom fab. Every thing is custom. I have to make TB plates so I can flip the intake over to the driver side, custom power steering and AC lines have to be made, custom engine mounts (Thanks, Chuck!), exhaust, transmission shifter, blah, blah, blah. Hope it's worth it in the end.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on May 29, 2009, 03:39:57 PM

Holy exhaust system, Batman!

I'm planning a "similar" project on the Scorpio (single on the V6).

Looks like a fun project.

I wish I had a car-guy neighbor. Then again...

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 29, 2009, 04:03:54 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;274952

Holy exhaust system, Batman!

I'm planning a "similar" project on the Scorpio (single on the V6).

Looks like a fun project.

I wish I had a car-guy neighbor. Then again...

The coldside will be MUCH easier. One advantage to a single turbo system over duals. I have the downpipe done to where it'll be just 1/2 day to complete it.

The Scorpio should be a cool project. Will the headers swap and/or flip on that engine?

Walt is a great neighbor. His young family keeps him busy enough that we don't get as much time together goofing off as we would elsewise. It was 3 years after he moved in before I knew he was a gearhead!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Haystack on May 29, 2009, 08:42:28 PM

The crown vics used a drivers side intake. May be able to use some brackets off of that motor. Might save you alittle bit of time.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bob on May 29, 2009, 09:14:02 PM

Nice project, lots of luck getting her finished... Looking forward to seeing more posts!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Dougy_Fresh on May 29, 2009, 09:28:38 PM

holy . i'm in love.

what could of those turbos off of? or is it not a factory item off something?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 29, 2009, 09:36:40 PM

Thanks for the info Haystack. I am going to try to use the stock TC throttle cable and cruise control. If I use a 90 degree ell off the intake and angle it down a touch, I will be able to weld on a couple attach points and use stock 2.3 stuff. The Explorer throttle body pulls from the front, so I am going to braze a piece cut from a 2.3 linkage on top of the existing linkage and locate it where I want. The reason is that I have a slew of 2.3 parts here, and will have spares. I have a friend making me two plates that will bolt to the intake and to the throttle body. I'll weld the 3" ell between them.

The nice part is it will be a straight, short run into the IC from there. The BOV will locate between the TB and the IC in that run. I'll take pics of the fab when the plates are done (hopefully any day).

Thanks, Bob. It helps knowing you guys take an interest. Especially when things seem overwhelming. I've completed big projects before, but I seem to bite off a little more every time!

Next on the list will be getting the intake side done, and mounting the NPR IC, Explorer radiator, Taurus fan, and TC AC condenser. I will also be mounting a largish transmission cooler with fan, and a power steering fluid cooler. (I have an old Merkur transmission cooler that looks perfect for the job, so why not?)

I also want to paint and wrap the hot side while it is off. Fuel system, subframe connectors and run the rest of the exhaust are near the top, too.

Keep the suggestions coming, I appreciate it!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 29, 2009, 10:02:00 PM

Quote from: Dougy_Fresh;274998

holy . i'm in love.

what could of those turbos off of? or is it not a factory item off something?

LOL, I think I'm going to love it. I loved my previous two TC's. One 5 speed, one auto that I bought for my daughter. She was just learning to drive, and hated the visibility, so I sold it for her Saturn SL1, which she adores and takes good care of.

The turbo is from a 6.7 Dodge cummins truck.

Walt has done some experimenting with it on his BMW, and it is a strange bird. The 'sweet spot' for the gate is much smaller than we thought. Too tight (where you'd think to get quick spool) and it chokes the engine with backpressure. So much so it's like a car with a clogged cat converter that barely runs. Too loose and the spool is late. When it comes on, however it has a vertical boost build. 30 psi right NOW! He has it set pretty well right now, but the range of acceptable operation is only about .300 travel on the arm! I expect with my 5.0 giving twice the exhaust pulses to work the turbine I'll see somewhat more range, but I see myself locking down the sleeve in one position and tuning fuel and spark maps for whatever that is.

Ideally I'd like to experiment with different sleeve positions and graph backpressure at different places. Then fab a device to move the arm between 2 stops so as to be able to select street/strip with the premium switch on the dash, and have two tunes available in megasquirt that go with each. :burnout:

That's definitely down the road. First is to just get it running up and down the street this year.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 12, 2009, 08:18:11 AM

Hey guys! Just wanted to let you all know where I am right now on this. Had a busy Summer and the project has just been sitting. I got the intake plates cut and in hand, so I'm ready to begin cold side work.

I am bringing in all the Tbird parts from the outside lean-to beside the garage so I can get to it this Winter. Once I have the garage re-arranged it's go time! I expect to have it running early next year. Updates to follow...

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Beau on November 12, 2009, 11:23:38 AM

Awesome...can't wait to see more pics too :D

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 50tbrd88 on November 12, 2009, 11:32:16 AM

Keep us updated.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on November 12, 2009, 11:37:39 AM

WOW, great project... Guess I better be careful choosing which silver TCs to pick on ...

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 08, 2010, 11:38:49 AM

Got back on the TC a little:

1. epoxied/strengthened theheater core outlets. Cleaned out heater box and AC evaporator. Heater ready to install.

2. Fuel tank cleaned and painted (POR 15) new pump and sock ready to install

3. Ran into issues on fuel rail. Stock rail with FPR won't fit under flipped intake. :(

Solution was to buy BBK FPR and $150.00 of stainless line and adapters to attach it to the stock rail. Then tap and plug the outlet for the stock FPR.

(see attachment for details on some interesting fittings)

The BBK (and most universal FPR's) returns from the supply side, so it routes from the FPR back into the body return line.

Now to get the subs welded on and install the tank, filter, etc.

Then take apart the hotside, paint and wrap it, then on to the rad/IC/condenser, ps cooler and trans cooler mountings. All that needs done before I can fab the cold side.

I'm feeling motivated finally to get this running, and have a little time to play this week, so maybe I can get over the hump here.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: cougarman on March 08, 2010, 11:57:51 AM

Awesome.:burnout:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 08, 2010, 08:46:16 PM

Quote from: cougarman;313185

Awesome.:burnout:

One day it will be!

I probably could have sourced a rail from a Crown Vic or truck or something, but I figured I'd bite the bullet and go with a universal FPR. I was going to have to buy a lot of the fittings and stuff anyway, and an adjustable FPR (Ford specific) was gonna cost 70 beans anyway, plus the cost of a rail and shipping, so this only ends up 20 or 30 bucks more.

One more thing off the list.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: pegasus on March 09, 2010, 02:25:59 PM

if this set up was a woman it would be mid 90s cindy crawford!

Title: Injectors in
Post by: flylear45 on March 09, 2010, 03:00:11 PM

Modded rail for 7/16x20 plug. Trimmed off old fpr mounting. Painted injectors, installed to rail and plopped it in.

Had to mod the oil fill by cutting down the original neck and using part of the Explorer piece.

Moving on....

Title: injectors and intake
Post by: flylear45 on March 09, 2010, 03:12:00 PM

Painted and installed

Title: last ones
Post by: flylear45 on March 09, 2010, 03:13:57 PM

Oil cap mod and clearance views

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: CoogarXR on March 09, 2010, 05:29:11 PM

Quote from: pegasus;313333

if this set up was a woman it would be mid 90s cindy crawford!

Just not when she was singing, lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orxmkiH4HUw (http://"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orxmkiH4HUw")

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 09, 2010, 05:38:20 PM

Quote from: CoogarXR;313358

Just not when she was singing, lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orxmkiH4HUw (http://"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orxmkiH4HUw")

LOL Spoken for truth!

Just as a tip for y'all, The injector rails are SO easy to do if you lightly smear some Vaseline on all the o-rings, then put the injectors into the rail, then push it into the intake. No drama.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on March 10, 2010, 09:02:54 AM

Cool build.
Thanks for posting !

Title: new filter screen for pcv
Post by: flylear45 on March 10, 2010, 08:59:42 PM

Yeah, it needed changed! $3.50 from NAPA. I wonder how many are out there looking like this right now??

This lives under the PCV grommet at the back of the intake. Jam some long needlenose pliers into the mesh screen and keep yanking until it comes out.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 11, 2010, 07:52:43 AM

Ran into a snag trying to mount the tank. Can't find the filler tube gasket for the tank. Got one coming from latemodelrestoration.com for 17.00 shipped. Ford is getting 32.00 for them right now.

Hopefully it'll be here by the weekend.

LRS-9072A 1 10.00 10.00
79-97 MUSTANG FUEL FILLER NECK GROMMET

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 15, 2010, 09:49:49 PM

Ripped into the Explorer wiring harness to start on an engine harness for the 'bird. I thought I'd use the Mustang harness, but the connectors are different on the throttle body and IAC, plus the Explorer already has all the wires in it for EDIS. It's the best solution in the end.

Tank gasket showed up, so progress imminent.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 17, 2010, 11:36:59 AM

Explorer harness is stripped down to wires I will use, and all labeled for splicing into the MS harness. I also got out my 4R70W harness and matched the Ford wires to the wires on the Baumann. Just need to dig up the EDIS wiring diagram from a 4.6 Crown Vic and I can make the engine harness.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 23, 2010, 06:57:51 PM

Well, changed out my headbolts for ARP studs yesterday after getting some advice from a trusted source. He said I'd be sorry if I didn't do it, so it's done.

Had to pull the hotside off again for access to the bolts, no biggy since it needs painted and wrapped anyway. Taking the PS hoses up to NAPA Thurs. to get a custom line made up. Gotta make a -10 turbo drain line yet. It is going to be a challenge I think, but will be do-able.

Major points of the wiring brainteaser are: changing out the integrated relay unit for separate relays and re-routing power to/from those instead of through the harness. Rear mounting the battery and fuel pump relay. Integrating the 4R70W harness into the main wiring and to the Baumann computer, changing to MS with EDIS spark control, rewiring the AC WOT cutout and fan relays, re-wiring headlamp circuit with relays, wiring trunk for carpc and new amp, installing OD Mustang shifter with it's wiring, adapting to the 4G Explorer alternator without overstressing the original wires, and keeping all original TC functions intact; cruise control, emission control, etc.

This can be done.

Title: piccies
Post by: flylear45 on March 25, 2010, 11:56:07 AM

Power steering solution. Joined the Tbird and Explorer lines with a 3/8" flare union. We'll see if it holds up to the pressure. Gas tank with POR 15 on seams and rust-pr0ne areas.

Title: Head studs
Post by: flylear45 on March 25, 2010, 08:09:36 PM

Took longer than I thought to do, but now I'll probably feel like trying 15 psi.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 27, 2010, 04:16:14 PM

Just a little update:

Welded in some Summit Mustang subframe connectors and got an aluminum sealed battery box mounted in the trunk. Found the harness for the mirror mounted autodim sensor and plugged that in. I'm going to pull the headliner out and run the harness up, and get a Gentex autodim mirror with compass and temp sensor harness in there while I'm at it. I'll run wires for an Andrea microphone up to the driver's visor, too.

Got the harness made up for the 4R70W to connect to the Baumann and the car's harness. Started fitting the Mustang shifter. It'll need some fab to look OK, but nothing too bad I think. I intend to wire the map selector from the Baumann to the premium switch. It'll allow for a track tune on the tranny by clicking a button. I also got all the fittings to run new steel lines to the rad from the tranny. I'm just going to bend my own, and plumb in a cooler. I'm going to delete the fog lights, and use one hole for tranny cooler air, the other to route onto the alternator since it is close to the exhaust piping.

I have the electrics wiring all sketched out on paper now, Edis and engine harness complete and installed, using relays for headlight circuits under dash, fuel pump relay in trunk. Next is to wire the Weatherpak plugs to connect the engine harness to Megasquirt and wire in the trunk fuse panel and run the battery cables up.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on November 27, 2010, 05:53:36 PM

Dude! You are building my car! I have the exact same plans! Except my TC is blue and I will probably go with a B&G or Ponydown single turbo kit.

VERY NICE build. I will be subscribing.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 50tbrd88 on November 27, 2010, 06:13:16 PM

Glad to hear that you are still at it. This car will be so sweet when done!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 27, 2010, 08:49:01 PM

I REALLY got sidetracked with a bunch of other stuff that kept me off the car for 8 months. When my wife just got a new Honda CRV it got me truly motivated. She wanted me to get a new car, but Isaid I'd rather concentrate on getting the 'bird done.

It took a week of going over my notes to get my head around what I have, and now I'm back. Hopefully with you guy's help I'll get it done before Spring.

Shredder, I would have gone with a B&G, except for the fact that I wanted to use the Holset. After making the exhaust for my TR7, the Tbird wasn't too tough. I just needed to get used to having glasses on under the welding mask. There is an easier way of doing the trans mount. Ask me if you decide to use the 4R!

50brd88, I hope mine looks as good as yours when it's done! My painter isn't doing overall jobs any more, so I'll have to shoot this myself. I'm just going to go with a stock base/clear silver from Summit and take what I get. PPG is too expensive for me.

Stay tuned!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Dougy_Fresh on November 27, 2010, 10:04:16 PM

danget, when i saw there were posts in this, i was hoping to see videos of it running :(

i cannot wait to see this thing done and burning up the street!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 50tbrd88 on November 27, 2010, 10:52:52 PM

Quote from: flylear45;343436

50brd88, I hope mine looks as good as yours when it's done! My painter isn't doing overall jobs any more, so I'll have to shoot this myself. I'm just going to go with a stock base/clear silver from Summit and take what I get. PPG is too expensive for me.

Stay tuned!

I know 1st hand how long it takes to build a car to how you want it. I've been working on mine since 2004 or 2005 and its still not done. lol. These cars are getting old and it seems there is always something to do.

I had a neighbor guy who is a body man by trade paint my car in his home garage in his spare time. It turned out great and was way cheaper than paying a shop to do it. I have done some body work in the past but figured as much as I cherish this car, I better let a pro paint it for me. So far I've done all of the mechanicals myself or with the help of friends, though.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 28, 2010, 05:06:43 AM

Quote from: Dougy_Fresh;343450

danget, when i saw there were posts in this, i was hoping to see videos of it running :(

i cannot wait to see this thing done and burning up the street!

Me, too! Now that the battery box is mounted I can get the fuel tank in and get the fuel lines flushed. One step at a time.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 28, 2010, 05:24:14 AM

Quote from: 50tbrd88;343465

I know 1st hand how long it takes to build a car to how you want it. I've been working on mine since 2004 or 2005 and its still not done. lol. These cars are getting old and it seems there is always something to do.

Part of the delay was that I kept changing my mind on things and was reluctant to finalize the wiring. I figured I'd just shut down the waffling by buying the carpc stuff. Now I have everything here except the USB hub and 5v auxiliary power supply, so I know what I need for power and grounds.

I have recently decided to tear out the headliner and re-do it, which lead to wanting to install a fancy rearview mirror. I'm going to lock down the design right here and go with it, though. It's almost a relief in a way. My old boss had a saying that "perfection can be the enemy of good enough", and I was getting paralyzed by trying to foresee everything. It's time to just get it put together and sort out my errors when I find them.

As far as the paint, I've painted a number of cars in the past and can still do it. I just don't like to any more. My guy Frank always did a nice job on stuff I sent him, but if he can't do it I'll just bite the bullet. The car only has one dent in the driver's door to fix, and absolutely no rust repair to do, so it'll be pretty easy, really. I'm hoping to get it done in 2 weeks from when I start.

I won't be doing jambs or engine bay, but the best hood and nose I have are black, so I'll be shooting the backsides of those. I got a clean front left fender to replace the dented one that's on the car, and it has too much paint on it, so I'll be stripping it before it gets shot. Aside from that it'll be mostly just a scuff and squirt.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 28, 2010, 06:43:50 AM

OK, some piccies.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 28, 2010, 06:52:54 AM

Summit Mustang sub's. Hammered flatter they fit fine. I'll be making some seat braces today or Wed. The welds suck, I know. I am having trouble with my old Lincoln. It may be time to get a new one.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 28, 2010, 06:54:30 AM

New shifter

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 28, 2010, 06:56:36 AM

Some of the wires ready to be spliced, and the engine/ EDIS harnesses.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 28, 2010, 06:57:54 AM

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 28, 2010, 07:06:43 AM

Baumann stub harness mated to Tbird and 4r70 wires, and the completed, wrapped hotside.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on November 28, 2010, 08:11:02 AM

Very nice flylear! I am jealous as to how far along you are.

I do plan on running the 4R70W. I already have one from an explorer 2WD. I plan to use the new Baumann optishift. Probably about the same as the original, but in a smaller package. Please let me know how the trans tuning and shifting turns out!

Keep up the great work!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 28, 2010, 08:19:28 AM

I'll do that for sure, Shredder. I just picked up a Gentex mirror with compass and temp and a used temp probe off evilbay.:cheers:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: t.birdsc on November 28, 2010, 08:46:23 AM

Lots of time and effort there! Can't wait to see the finished product! I hope to run a 4r70w someday in the bird. Keep it up!

Mike

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 16, 2010, 06:33:03 AM

Update:

Got the engine bay harness all loomed. Looks pretty good so far. I have about 10 wires under the dash to hook up t finish the MS harness and to tie in the tranny computer harness. I'm also using the reverse light 12v wire to signal the in-dash monitor to switch to a back-up camera (future mod), and to kill the autodim on the mirror.

I plan to get that done today, and get the shifter finalized. Once those things are done I can pull the headliner and run the harness for the new Gentex mirror. Soon I'll be ready to install the heater box and dashboard!

Funny story: I had the heater box all ready to go with a epoxy re-inforced heater core, but thought I'd better spin the blower motor to see if it sounded strong before I installed it. So, I run a couple wires to my shop battery and ....... the thing makes an awful racket and starts spewing insulation and all over the place! Turns out a mouse had made a home in the blower cage and it was packed full in there. I yanked the motor and changed it with a good one I had around. Took an hour to get the junk out of the heater box. Sure glad I checked it!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on December 16, 2010, 08:49:42 AM

Funny story about the heater box. Mice like those things for some reason! So glad you checked it. That would be NO fun pulling the dash and keater box out again - especially if you had the A/C hooked up.

What other "features" are you planning to have? Backup camera, autodim mirror, compass, outside temp... Are you planning ABS, keyless entry, radar detector, NAV, DVD player, Car PC?

I'm dreaming about my wiring diagram for much of the same stuff you are planning. Keep up the great work and the updates!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 16, 2010, 09:57:17 AM

Quote from: The Shredder;345893

Funny story about the heater box. Mice like those things for some reason! So glad you checked it. That would be NO fun pulling the dash and keater box out again - especially if you had the A/C hooked up.

What other "features" are you planning to have? Backup camera, autodim mirror, compass, outside temp... Are you planning ABS, keyless entry, radar detector, NAV, DVD player, Car PC?

I'm dreaming about my wiring diagram for much of the same stuff you are planning. Keep up the great work and the updates!

Yeah, I would have been one angry dude if I hadn't checked it first!

As far as the 'features' go, aside from what you mentioned, it'll keep the stock brakes with ABS.

CarPC based on an Intel Atom and a 7" touchscreen with console mounted touchpad.

Ride control will be locked to 'firm' in the rear, and I'll be able to switch the front to 'soft' for the drag strip via a switch that will also switch the tranny to a second map for hard shifts.

No radar detector, I go 10 mph over on the highway max. No tickets in 18 years.

Cruise control retained (Helps in the ticket department as well!)

No keyless as in factory keyless, but I'm adding a Directed remote setup to lock/unlock doors and trunk, and am using the lighted door locks.

Nav will be through the carPC with Garmin software probably, I haven't decided. I can mirror my phone on the 7" screen and it has Google maps for now. I will be mounting the GPS receiver while I have the headliner out.

No DVD player. I hate dealing with the disks in the car. I have a 500 GB hard drive with all my music plus an HD radio with AM/FM through the carPC. (I have 4 TB of storage in the house I am transferring all my DVD's to so I don't have to look for DVD cases. I just got 2 Seagate Freeagent+ units that can stream my files to the bedroom and gameroom buttstuffog TV's and do Netfix streaming. Merry Christmas to me!)

I plan to keep the A/C. It'll be using the Explorer compressor, so I'll be making some custom lines to mate it to the Tbird stuff. That'll be last on the list, however.

Getting a plan from the beginning is really important if you want it all to just WORK and be neat and organized. There's a ton of extra wiring on this project. Grounds are ultra, ultra important. All the computers need to share the same lug on the block if possible, including the wideband and the tranny computer. (The servo grounds are isolated near the tranny, however.) I have a stack of paper with sketches of my circuit diagrams, and my EVTM is full of notes on the system diagrams. I'd never keep track of it all otherwise.

I'm running a 2 AWG ground cable from the trunk battery to the starter/ block area, then a 4AWG from block to intake, 4AWG from block to frame and body, 2 10ga's from the block into the main harness. Then a pair of 10ga from the driver's side block to the frame and fender well where the EDIS grounds. There are also 10ga wires from the block to the A/C compressor mount, the alternator mount, and for the fan's negative.

The battery posts have a second set of 4 AWG taps for power to the trunk mounted computer and fuel pump, and ground to the body/frame back there. I'll also run braided straps from the exhaust to body, block to front frame, and from engine to transmission.

Power comes through a 6 AWG from the alternator through tandem 12ga fusible links to the hot side of the starter relay (same as Explorer), a 4AWG from the relay to starter hot, and 2AWG from there back to the battery. I'm fusing the battery + cable with a 175 amp Contour fuse in the trunk to give protection on both ends. That way a short on the cable can't burn the car.

That's the basic stuff anyway!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 16, 2010, 10:04:26 AM

Just to be 'real', I do have my stretch of deserted road out here I use for 'tuning runs'. I will occasionally exceed that 10 mph over thing then. LOL Don't want anyone to get the wrong idea!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on December 17, 2010, 10:50:02 PM

Maybe I should just BUY your car from you when you are finished! :) This is almost exactly what I have planned on doing. But I'm not sure if I'll do the CarPC. I'm interested to know how you will mount the screen in the center dash stack. I have been looking at the Double DIN DVD, NAV, etc. units and just wondering how to make it look good.

Keep up the great work!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 20, 2010, 08:14:59 PM

Thanks, but I'll be keeping it for a while I hope!

I got a bunch of parts in and more ordered. I have a Stinger single 3" exhaust coming to tie in with my downpipe. I'll put on a Summit cat and ler to round it out. Picked up a 3" Al pipe with a 34mm BOV combo and some more relays and junk to finish up the electrics. Got an electric fuel pressure gage to mount in place of the clock along with an overdrive cancel led and an led and switch for the wideband.

I haven't even touched on the final fuel system stuff other than to replace the entire tank harness with a good one, but it's almost time to get on that.

I'll have to yank off the accessory brackets to blast and paint them before final assembly time. Still have to mount the rad, IC and condenser, and run the tranny lines but I picked up line, hardware, and everything to do it. I did get the trans fill tube in. It came up right into the downpipe area, so I bent it, cut off the mount bracket, and rewelded it to catch a different bolt. Looks factory I think.

I had my battery cables run in through the interior but didn't like it so I'm gonna re-do them under the car next to the pax subframe. Harness is all done at this point except for the relays for the fan and the final connections once the dash harness comes through. All the grounds are made up and most are bolted on. I blasted and painted the throttle cable steel parts since they looked like .

Blasted and painted the heater pipes and got new hoses for 'em. Picked up the last of the fittings for the Holset oil lines, just need a length of -4 and to modify the oil log. I may have to notch the frame a bit to get a straight run on the -10 oil drain. I won't put a 90 on it because I've ruined one turbo from a drain restriction. That part of the frame rail can stand to have a section cut back and notched with no ill effects I believe.

Oh, I also have decided to run the turbo with no water cooling. It'll allow me to hack the center section up enough to get the turbo clocked properly for the drain angle. The cooling was largely due to the variable vane electronics and sleeve anyway. I'm not using either, so screw it!

I decided to mount the Baumann under the pax seat, and the MS in the kick panel. It's a bit tight to get both computers in the kick panel. I picked up a capacitor for the line in to MS and it's in the kick also.

I was reading up on using MS for boost control, and I believe it will control the old BCS, or I can use the EGR solenoid off the Explorer engine. I'm running a wire for it just in case. I'll use a bleeder valve for now. It will be controlling the high speed on the fan. Maybe high and low if I can use the EDIS IDM wire to trigger my tach. That remains to be seen. It wouldn't work in my TR7, but there are differences in the EDIS boxes over the years. If it won't work I might use it to fire a relay to trigger the tach, or use MS tach out off a spare output if that fails. The tachs can be a pain when using EDIS.

I have a few days of work , then some time off, so I hope to get the dash in around Christmas.

I'd sure like to be firing it up by Feb. 1.

Pictures coming when I post up next time.

OH, to answer your question Shredder, the display I'm using comes with a headrest mount that it snaps into. It is only an inch and a half deep or so, and almost perfectly fits in the place of the head unit and eq. It's only a matter of tpuppies the steel bar that runs behind the panel and tpuppies back the plastic enough to get the mounting shroud in and secured with a couple of steel straps right to the plastic surround. It's actually gonna be easier than I first thought to do it.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 23, 2010, 07:50:36 AM

I'm irritated. I had a friend come over to help put in the dash last night, but it didn't happen. I don't have the gaskets for in between the heater box and the firewall.

sigh.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 23, 2010, 10:21:40 AM

Great, I found another box of parts and 2 of the seals. Too bad I won't have any help around for a while!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: SirChirpAlot on December 25, 2010, 03:57:01 PM

Nice little build you have going.
V8 Turbo Coupe's should have come factory.
I have a T6 that i'm going to be slaping on my 460 in a few months.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 26, 2010, 07:28:10 AM

Quote from: SirChirpAlot;347058

Nice little build you have going.
V8 Turbo Coupe's should have come factory.
I have a T6 that i'm going to be slaping on my 460 in a few months.

Thanks!

I guess Ford always thought of turbos as being part of a fuel efficiency strategy for 4 cylinders. I do wonder why manufacturers didn't turbo/supercharge V8's more than they did.

A T6 460 will be one bad boy! Take some pics of that project for us!

I'm trying to get all the instrumentation to work without adding too many extra gauges. The Ebay FP gage showed up, and looks nice for 50 bucks. I forgot to include the wires for it in the harness, so have to do that before I go any farther.

On a whim I bought this on Ebay:

I'm going to see how it'll look in place of the ammeter in the cluster.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 31, 2010, 10:57:47 AM

Pictorial update:

Got a 3" Stinger exhaust.

Made a place for the FP gauge in the clock housing. I like it. The rectangular places at the bottom of the gauge will get LED's for OD deselected indication, and for a water injection fluid low light.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 31, 2010, 11:00:13 AM

I decided to go with a Dakota Digital fan controller for simplicity's sake. That meant I needed a matching fan control sending unit and a place to mount it. The thermostat water neck seemed as good a place as any, so drilled and I tapped it for 3/8-18 NPT.

The fan controller is mounted in-car according to docs, that means running a few more wires in to the cabin

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 31, 2010, 11:03:12 AM

Just some random stuff in the camera.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 31, 2010, 11:07:37 AM

Now gonna run to Summit for the turbo feed fittings and PTFE hose, a 3"cat, 3" ler, and clamps, the DD controller with a sending unit, and a gasket.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Kitz Kat on January 01, 2011, 04:44:07 AM

Nice job, I did notice is the hole big enough for turbo,seems like it would hit when the engine flexes? Can't wait to see it finished.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 01, 2011, 06:45:17 AM

Quote from: Kitz Kat;347924

Nice job, I did notice is the hole big enough for turbo,seems like it would hit when the engine flexes? Can't wait to see it finished.

Thanks, I'll check that out for sure.

Made up the mirror harness yesterday. Never went to Summit 'cause they didn't have everything in stock. Just ordered for delivery. With gas prices what they are, a 12.95 shipping/handling fee isn't too bad!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 07, 2011, 05:19:39 AM

The turbo hole looks to be OK given that that side of the engine will want to rock down (if I have it right). I'll be checking it closely when I re-install the turbo Kitz Kat. Thanks for the heads up.

Got my Summit parts in. Wired the harness for the fan controller. I just need a good weather-tight 12 ga connector to carry the juice to the fan. Ran the new cable from starter to solenoid. Installed the new water elbow with a new t-stat and the Dakota Digital sender.

Just got the turbo blanket in and tested the fit. Looks NIIIICE! I don't think the black coloring will last long, though. All I care about is if it keeps the alternator alive. Looks are secondary.

I picked up a Motorsport 90 degree adapter to mount the oil filter, because the stock setup would hit the flipped header on the passenger side. Fits good with a stubby filter.

Most of the guys are going with a T off the stock oil log for the turbo feed line. I decided to go a little different route and picked up a 3 way air separator from HF for 2 bucks. It's anodized blue aluminum with four 1/4" NPT holes in it. I'll run -4 PTFE from the block to the 3-way, then use that for the oil pressure (gauge) sender and on to the turbo with more -4 braided line. I need to get the intake tube fabbed before I start cutting the line.

I dissected both the Ebay GM volt meter and an old T-coupe ammeter. I ended up putting the Ford ammeter plastic face over the GM gauge and using the stock luminescent surround to try to keep the night time appearance the same. I cut the clear plastic with a hole saw to slip the GM gauge inside the Ford plastic. Next I'll run two wires out the back of the cluster and solder them to the circuit traces for the volt meter power and ground. To finish it off I'll just silicone the whole thing into the cluster.

The gauge is all glued up and drying on the bench right now.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on January 07, 2011, 08:39:09 AM

Quote from: Kitz Kat;347924

Nice job, I did notice is the hole big enough for turbo,seems like it would hit when the engine flexes? Can't wait to see it finished.

The engine's not going to be moving much. ;)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 07, 2011, 11:59:43 AM

Quote from: Chuck W;348729

The engine's not going to be moving much. ;)

:) I'd guess you are right.

Some pics of the gauge mod and the new dashtop cover.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 07, 2011, 12:02:02 PM

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Kitz Kat on January 07, 2011, 07:27:57 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;348729

The engine's not going to be moving much. ;)

I see your mounts, I didn't the first time I looked at the pics.That makes a big difference.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: jcassity on January 08, 2011, 03:06:20 AM

one of my favorite threads,, cant wait to hear its running!

where did the oil filter adaptor come from?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 08, 2011, 07:08:19 AM

Quote from: jcassity;348822

one of my favorite threads,, cant wait to hear its running!

where did the oil filter adaptor come from?

Thanks, it really helps knowing people are watching. I got the adapter at Summit. They are getting expensive, but I missed a couple on Ebay and got tired of waiting.

I pulled the front accessory mounts to blast and paint. Got 'em back on this morning.

Bolted on the upper intake. Hopefully it is on to stay. Installed a TC PCV valve and a secondary check valve in the PCV line. Re-routed some vacuum lines under the intake since it is flipped.

Got the monitor mount installed in the center stack. It fits without any metal tpuppies at all. Just needed to grind some plastic.

After work today I'll try to get the driver's header bolted on for good, and start on the intake elbow fab. That and the turbo oil lines are the last of the big stuff. (I'm thinking the frame will need notched to get the turbo drain right.)

To do list:

1. fab intake elbow and throttle cable attachments
2. mount radiator, condenser, intercooler, and fan
3. mount trans cooler and PS cooler
4. bend and install trans lines, radiator hoses, and IC hoses
5. wire and install fan relays
6. wrap and seal wire bundle at firewall
7. build and mount MS CPU
8. mount Baumann CPU
9. attach trans harness and shift cable at trans
10. blow out/clean fuel lines, install tank
11. make lines for FPR and mount
12. put new yoke on driveshaft, check u-joints and install
13. install heater and dash
14. finish up last of the engine compartment wiring
15. mount shifter and wiring for OD switch and led
16. finish up battery cabling
17. grind turbo housing to clock it properly
18. install turbo oil lines
19. bolt on alternator and put on fan belt
20. blow out brake lines, install master cylinder and fresh fluid
21. Bolt on exhaust (minus catalytic converter)

At that point I should be about ready to load software, fill trans and engine with fluids, hook up the battery, and try to start it for the first time. Once I have a runner I can get on to stage 2.

1. re-wire headlight circuit with relays under dash
2. install remote door lock electronics
3. mount GPS antenna
4. install carpc hardware and DC power regulators
5. install speakers and amp
6. install HD AM/FM radio
7. install wideband O2

That's probably all I'll want to do before paint. I have to change the LH front fender and fix a dent in the door, then scuff and spray. Not going for anything great.

Then it's on to carpet, interior, and putting the outside back together.

I'd sure like to drive it this Summer!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bob on January 08, 2011, 08:23:56 AM

Looking good, keep the pics and progress coming

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on January 08, 2011, 10:44:04 AM

dear god thats a lot of ferggen wires.:shoothead:

What shifter is that? It looks like it came from a mustang?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 08, 2011, 03:35:50 PM

Quote from: Bob;348837

Looking good, keep the pics and progress coming

Will do! Thanks for checking in on me.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 08, 2011, 03:44:20 PM

Quote from: sarjxxx;348849

dear god thats a lot of ferggen wires.:shoothead:

What shifter is that? It looks like it came from a mustang?

Wires? What wires? :evilgrin:

Seriously, it's not too bad if you break it down component by component. ( I say that now, but hopefully it all works when I'm done.)

Yes, good eye! The shifter is from a 2000'ish Mustang. I like the stock look, and the TC shifter has the wrong pattern. This one also has the OD cancel button built in. I just need a led on the dash somewhere. Recently I have been thinking about just re-labeling the 'firm ride' led in my tach and using it, since I won't have functioning ride control anyway. Haven't decided on that yet.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on January 08, 2011, 08:06:58 PM

have you thought about the shifter from a 94-97 bird? the ones that came with an 4R70W stock. I think they are the same shifter handle but IMO the gear selector panel looks waaaayyyyy better. Its more flat, like the one for ours.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 09, 2011, 06:19:53 AM

Wow that looks great! I like it much more than what I have.

Time to go shopping.

Thanks a lot Steve!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: jcassity on January 09, 2011, 01:08:38 PM

i guess this solution also solves the problems getting the turbo to drain oil back down.

nice work

might as well get yourself a big ass air horn,, drive it off the turbo,,lol

heck ,, i wonder if you could use that to keep an airtank full in the trunk. im not sure how much psi could be robbed from it ,,just a thought.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 10, 2011, 07:30:13 AM

Quote from: jcassity;348963

i guess this solution also solves the problems getting the turbo to drain oil back down.

nice work

might as well get yourself a big ass air horn,, drive it off the turbo,,lol

heck ,, i wonder if you could use that to keep an airtank full in the trunk. im not sure how much psi could be robbed from it ,,just a thought.

Sorry, I'm not following you about the oil drainback comment. What exactly are you referring to?

The issue I foresee is due to where I had to locate the turbo. There just weren't a lot of options given the size of the thing. It ends up with the drain exit from the turbo being right on top of the frame rail. So, in order to get a nice , smooth, straight run downhill into the oil pan fitting I may need to cut a notch out of the frame.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 13, 2011, 06:41:13 AM

Just a little update. I've been putting the MS together. I have about 2 more hours and it'll be done today.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 13, 2011, 10:16:31 PM

Got called in to work, but got the 'squirt done except for a 750 ohm resistor I need for the EDIS output side mod. I gotta run to the store for a good connector to wire in the fan anyway. Not many more parts left to buy, just assembly from here on......

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on January 13, 2011, 10:35:45 PM

oh man no more parts to buy. I bet you're extatic lol

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on January 14, 2011, 01:05:16 AM

Oh boy, oh boy. This is where it gets REALLY exciting! As if I haven't been holding my breath every day to see progress on this thread. Keep the updates coming!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 14, 2011, 06:13:20 AM

Quote from: sarjxxx;349643

oh man no more parts to buy. I bet you're extatic lol

Yeah. I'm pretty happy I have the bulk of the stuff here, now. I'm sure there will be some things that pop up, but if I keep a good pace I should be hearing it fire up at least in a few weeks.

I'm going to be sitting in a hotel in Camarillo, California a few days next week, so I'm going to take my stack of receipts and add up the damage so far.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 14, 2011, 06:47:07 AM

Quote from: The Shredder;349666

Oh boy, oh boy. This is where it gets REALLY exciting! As if I haven't been holding my breath every day to see progress on this thread. Keep the updates coming!

I am getting out to the garage every morning I can before 5:00 AM to get some uninterrupted time on it.

My daughter's '01 Saturn started acting up last month and we ended up trading it on a 2011 Versa SL hatchback. (Early college graduation present.) Pretty cool little car, reminds me of my old VW GTI's I had in the 80's. Now with 2 new cars in the family I really want to get mine running.

A buddy was over to do brakes on his Kia, and he helped me put in the heater box. I ended up pulling it, because it is closer to the kick panel than I remembered, and I didn't have room enough to finish installing the electronics. Now that I've done it once I can do it alone easily, though.

Once Radio Shack opens I'll run out for the resistor I need, close up the Megasquirt and get it mounted along with the Dakota Digital fan control and the remote door lock stuff. Then the heater can go back in.

The Dakota has a neat feature for turning the fan to high speed when the A/C is on, so I ran a wire back for that off the low pressure cutout switch.

I'll also wire in a relay in the compressor circuit that is normally closed to act as a WOT cutout switch. I'm thinking I will either ground the relay with MS, or just use a Hobbs switch that is referenced to , say, 5 psi of boost. When that point is reached it will turn off A/C and can also activate a (future) water injection system.:burnout:

Megasquirt V2.2 with EDIS mods, IAC transistor mounted to case top, and flyback board

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Kitz Kat on January 14, 2011, 04:34:36 PM

The cut off switch for the ac , Isn't that what the control does? Thats how mine works. Nice megasquirt, you need it running to play with that!!, just kiddin ya, Nice build and keeping it watchable here.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 15, 2011, 05:37:45 AM

Quote from: Kitz Kat;349711

The cut off switch for the ac , Isn't that what the control does? Thats how mine works. Nice megasquirt, you need it running to play with that!!, just kiddin ya, Nice build and keeping it watchable here.

Ya, you're a funny man.

At the track I'll turn it off, but I'm a soft old guy and it'll be on otherwise.

Megasquirt is mounted. I couldn't find a suitable resistor at Radio Harf, so I put a couple in series to get real close to 750 ohm. It's a pullup resistor to strengthen the voltage signal to the EDIS for ignition. The TR7 works with a 1Kohm so I'm sure the I cobbed up will work. Everything checks on the bench with the Stimulator.

I teed off the boost gage line for MS MAP signal.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 16, 2011, 07:53:39 AM

I lied about not buying any more parts. I want to start off with good brakes and suspension, so I sent in an order to Rockauto for:

2 reman front calipers
2 reman rear calipers
2 rear rotors
reman 2.5 turn rack
2 new outer tie rod ends
rack bushings set
spark plugs (EDIS style)
serpentine belt
20 new ball lug nuts

I'll wait and see on the front rotors and brake hoses, but will probably pick a set of those up when I get there. The hoses can go bad on the inside and constrict flow with age.

My play money is drying up fast, because I decided to get a new LC-1 rather than use the DIY-wideband that I built years ago but never installed in anything. I trust the Innovate stuff, and the DIY is untested. I'll probably just sell off the DIY unit for the cost of the sensor to someone.

I'll get some pics up of the mounted electronics in a little bit. Working on mounting/ wiring the remote lock unit and connecting wires to the DD fan control at the moment.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 16, 2011, 02:28:54 PM

OK, tidied up the bundles, just have a few stragglers left for the mirror and for the wideband (when it gets here). I also left a few (red) ignition and (yellow) unfused 12v leads for future stuff.

MS is on left, Dakota Digital controller below it facing up, fusebox wired to ignition to supply power to everything, and hidden in front of MS is an AXXis noise filter feeding power to MS. Control relay on top right.

I think it turned out pretty good. The remote door lock control ends up better in the driver's side, since all the wires I need are over there.

Picture 2 is of the bundles as they enter the firewall. The wires out of the bundle are spares for future possibilities, so I don't have to mess with the waterproofing. I'll tidy those up after I get the boost control and wideband installed.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: SirChirpAlot on January 16, 2011, 03:12:40 PM

Your build seems to be moving along well.
All i have done to mine is clear some snow off and start it now and then.
(http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/4/594/4309/38984654016_medium.jpg)

But i took a pic of my turbo as well.
(http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/4/594/4309/38984654011_medium.jpg)

I have been thinking of going the MegaSquirt way when i turbo my BB so i would like to hear how your's works out.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 16, 2011, 07:00:10 PM

Quote from: SirChirpAlot;349902

Your build seems to be moving along well.
All i have done to mine is clear some snow off and start it now and then.
(http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/4/594/4309/38984654016_medium.jpg)

But i took a pic of my turbo as well.
(http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/4/594/4309/38984654011_medium.jpg)

I have been thinking of going the MegaSquirt way when i turbo my BB so i would like to hear how your's works out.

Thanks, man. It's hard to get motivated sometimes in the Winter months. Somehow I usually get my best work done when it's cold out.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on January 16, 2011, 08:08:44 PM

Quote from: SirChirpAlot;349902

...But i took a pic of my turbo as well...

Now thats being productive!:hick::giggle:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 18, 2011, 12:05:32 AM

For anyone interested I'll detail the circuit for WOT I decided on.

The MS will be set up to send a ground signal at a set boost point, say 2-5 psi positive. That signal is wired to trigger 2 relays, 1 for A/C compressor clutch and 1 for water injection. The A/C relay is wired with terminal 30 connected to 87a so if the relay is activated the circuit is interrupted.(normally closed) Relay 2 is connected 30 to 87, so water injection will be activated at that point. (normally open)

I'm kinda pleased I could figure a way to use one output to control two separate functions. Just need to verify that MS can sink the current from 2 relays without additional modding.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 22, 2011, 01:36:53 AM

Got back from Camarillo and a couple rounds of golf in the perfect weather. Now it's snow and the teens again. Oh, well.

I unpacked the shifter from poppop (thanks!) and tried it in the car. No good at all. I like the look of it, but the shape and size don't work. I took apart all three shifters I have here, the 2000 Mustang, 1994' ish Thunderbird, and A4LD shifter from a TC, trying to get some concoction that would work out. Came up with nothing for my efforts.

Here's what I am thinking now. Use the Mustang shifter. It has great feel, the correct cable, and fits the sheet metal with amost no additional mods. Remove the oval shaped plastic around the shifter that has the shift indicator. Instead, just use a 5-speed leather shift boot. I'll lose the shift position indicator, but it'll fit and take little to no modding to get it functional, so I can move on. Then, maybe in the future I can put an indicator in beside the shift boot to make it more stock'ish.

Any thoughts?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on January 22, 2011, 01:43:39 AM

Thats a bummer man!:(

But if you can make a way to get rid of that mustang indicator plate like you were saying, that would be great. I think the mustang and bird shifters are the same its the indicators that are different... I don't know what you figured out though. But if you can get rid of that plate, thats what was wrong. That big bubbly thing just didnt' fit inside there. I'm sure you'll figure out something cool.;)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 22, 2011, 11:56:41 AM

Quote from: sarjxxx;350459

Thats a bummer man!:(

But if you can make a way to get rid of that mustang indicator plate like you were saying, that would be great. I think the mustang and bird shifters are the same its the indicators that are different... I don't know what you figured out though. But if you can get rid of that plate, thats what was wrong. That big bubbly thing just didnt' fit inside there. I'm sure you'll figure out something cool.;)

The late model Tbird shifter is a large, long unit and the cable has the wrong end for my tranny. The faceplate can't easily be modified to fit my plastic because it is too narrow and too long.

Here's what all 3 look like taken down to bare.

First is the late tbird one:

Next the Mustang:

And the A4ld:

You can see the early TC and Mustang mount in pretty much the same, although some light fab is required since the mounting spacing for the big bolts is a little different.

You'll have to trust me that the plastic won't work very well, I didn't take photos of everything I tried.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 22, 2011, 12:02:03 PM

OK, here's what the original looks like:

And here's what I came up with. I removed the rubber seal from the boot, cut the boot open enough to clear the fatter Mustang shifter, then re-sewed and super glued the leather back up. Will this look hokey on an auto shift car do you think?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bruce M on January 22, 2011, 04:37:48 PM

I think it look fairly stock. It looks good.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on January 22, 2011, 04:47:47 PM

Yeah it seems like a descent trade off. Just need to clean that boot off. It doesn't quite match color wise. Other than that it should work. It just seems so odd to me that the shifter that's actally designed for that transmission won't fit right. I'm not saying you did anything wrong, its just unfortunate.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 22, 2011, 04:57:30 PM

Yeah I was surprised it didn't work out on the Tbird one. There were some changes along the way on that tranny, and the console design is just a bit awkward for making it fit to boot. No biggy, part of the process.

Well, that's 3 for and 1 against. My wife doesn't care for it much. I think I'll run with this for now and keep my eye out for a cleaner solution down the road. I need to get this bolted in and wired up to press on with the assembly.

BTW, I think some shoe polish will help the old boot look better. I was really dried out and sorry looking. The plastic needs attention, too.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 23, 2011, 08:53:24 AM

Never mind. I'm back to square 1.

The boot doesn't have enough flex in it when it's fixed to the console, so I have to ditch this idea. I may just get an ugly rubber floor shift boot to get it going while I search for a better solution. I don't want to hold off on this any more.

I'm the type that can't stop thinking about a problem until it's solved, so I need to press on.

EDIT:

I took the late Tbird plastic and cut the hell out of it so it pokes up through the console. If I can figure a way to attach the inner plastic to the shifter and come up with a way to get the indicator to work it may suffice. I'll need to put a piece of rubber with a slit in it to cover the gap around the shiftt lever since I had to kill the stock parts to get this far.

One other issue will be to come up with a way to finish off the gap. Maybe recover both the armrest and the console in leather? Either that or some kind of z shaped flashing or something.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on January 23, 2011, 04:24:20 PM

hmmmm.... you nkow what I was thinking.... have you ever seen on a lot of column shifted cars, how there is a type of "brush like" insert in the opening where the shifter moves up and down through the opening? If you could find something like that in a JY and get it to fit in there where your shifter is... it really wouldn't look bad. It would be pretty cool I think. I remember one car that I've seen that in specifically was my old Frontier.

Just a thought.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: CoogarXR on January 23, 2011, 05:25:38 PM

You could also make a plexiglass plate to fit in the original rectangle hole. Back-paint it black and mask off the oval where the shift indicator is (so it shows through). Have a slot cut for the shift lever, and do the brush thing mentioned above (or rubber flaps). You would end up with a black shiny plate that has the shift indicator shining through. Kinda like this, and put the brushes in the shifter slot:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 23, 2011, 06:29:22 PM

Those are good ideas. Thanks, guys.

I welded a plate on the tunnel cover and drilled holes for the shifter mount. Made a couple brackets to attach the indicator plate for now.

Watching football the rest of the night.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 23, 2011, 06:41:58 PM

What might be pretty cool, is that the MLPS sensor works on resistance. if the resistance is a certain amount, then the trans sees itself in a certain gear. I could tap that wire, read the resistance and have a different LED light up under 1, 2, D, N, R, P to show the gear. I could mount that anywhere. Then just cover the whole plastic piece, right over the big hole, with vinyl or leather and have the brush deal around the shift slot.

Thanks for giving me some new ideas!

Title: Installing LC-1
Post by: flylear45 on January 24, 2011, 07:14:42 AM

Opened the wideband box and started the install. First, I put the momentary switch and LED in the modified clock gage. Next is to mount the unit itself and attach the wires. I already have the grounds ready, just need to hook to switched power and an buttstuffog output to the Megasquirt O2 wire, plus the wire for the switch.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 29, 2011, 09:36:46 AM

Had to order a couple diodes and transistors to finalize Megasquirt. I need the stuff so I can pre-wire all the outputs inside for future use. Then all I have to do is hook up the appropriate wire and turn on the feature in the software to get going. The MS is going to be too hard to get to once the dash is in. Not impossible, but a pain.

Secondly, I have decided to just run the shocks in firm and remove the PRC. Negligible gain if any from keeping it for softening the fronts for drag racing, according to info from the TF boys. apparently the front end comes down too hard causing the tires to loose traction. I can now use the firm ride LED for the OD deselected light, and use the space in the deck area for an amp or something instead of the PRC computer.

On a side note, it's a great day to be inside the garage. Total weather outside.

I got started on the intake cold side fab. Once I post this I need to get the brake unit in place to check clearance. Thought I'd toss up a couple pics first.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 29, 2011, 09:39:49 AM

First look at what the intake pipe will be. There are some potential issues.....

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on January 29, 2011, 01:05:12 PM

are you using an SO intake or is that just an HO turned around?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 29, 2011, 02:56:46 PM

Quote from: sarjxxx;351135

are you using an SO intake or is that just an HO turned around?

1998 Exploder flipped end for end. Luckily it mates up to the lower either way.

I mounted up the brake unit, and sure enough I can't use a simple 90 out of the intake. The reason I want to remote mount the throttle body is to gain plenum volume and to allow the stock TC cables to work. I have spares for them.

Here's what i have at the end of the morning session:

From here, 1 short section of pipe plus two 45 degree silicone sections plus the blow off valve pipe should get it done.

The pipe has to angle down and back from the manifold to clear the AC compressor.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bob on January 29, 2011, 04:24:16 PM

Looking good :)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 30, 2011, 06:57:32 AM

Thanks, Bob!

The Digikey order arrived. Now I can wire the last 3 output circuits into MS and screw it down for good. I already used 1 output for EDIS SAW signal. The 3 remaining will be available for Tach output to my gauge, in case the EDIS IDM won't work, and 2 for PWM Water/Meth injection/ AC WOT cutout.

Feb 1 is almost here, and I have a lot of work left before the engine can start. I need to pick up the pace to get it on the road early this year. I'm keeping a week of vacation in my pocket to possibly use for the paint.

I realized last night that the AC piping will need to share space where the intake is being routed, so I'm gonna hang the compressor before I start to weld up the piping today.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 30, 2011, 08:57:06 AM

It didn't take long to find that the A/C lines can't be made to work with this packaging. After a search I did find an outfit that has adapter fittings that come straight out the back of the compressor. If I use that and some 90 degree fittings with new hoses I should be OK. I will have to have the high pressure line made up, and splice the suction line from the condenser to the pump. I can use a stock liquid line.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 30, 2011, 09:00:01 AM

Total cost to have the A/C built should be under $200.00 including freon, providing the crimping fees are reasonable. If I have to buy a crimping tool, it'll be $200.00 for that alone. ( I do my own charging here at the shop.)

Here's what the fittings and tool look like:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 30, 2011, 11:48:15 AM

Welded on a 5" extension, cleaned up the fit at the intake, then welded on the pipes.

Here's a test fit on the TB. Tight, but should be OK.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: SirChirpAlot on January 30, 2011, 12:20:58 PM

comming along realy good.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 30, 2011, 02:07:00 PM

Quote from: SirChirpAlot;351225

comming along realy good.

Thanks, appreciate the kind words!

Welded on the studs to hold the throttle cable bracket, after installing the pedal to check travel. Cut a piece off a Merkur throttle shaft and welded it onto the Explorer throttle body so it worked the right direction.

It works!!! :rollin:

I am welding the plates onto the pipe from the inside, then gonna use good epoxy as a fillet around the outside of the joints. I'll use epoxy to smooth the weld on the bracket studs, too. Should look and work fine.

To do list as of today:

1. fab intake elbow and throttle cable attachments done
2. mount radiator, condenser, intercooler, and fan
3. mount trans cooler and PS cooler
4. bend and install trans lines, radiator hoses, and IC hoses
5. wire and install fan relays done
6. wrap and seal wire bundle at firewall done
7. build and mount MS CPU done
8. mount Baumann CPU
9. attach trans harness and shift cable at trans
10. blow out/clean fuel lines, install tank
11. make lines for FPR and mount
12. put new yoke on driveshaft, check u-joints and install
13. install heater and dash
14. finish up last of the engine compartment wiring
15. mount shifter and wiring for OD switch and led done
16. finish up battery cabling
17. grind turbo housing to clock it properly
18. install turbo oil lines
19. bolt on alternator and put on fan belt
20. blow out brake lines, install master cylinder and fresh fluid
21. Bolt on exhaust (minus catalytic converter)

At that point I should be about ready to load software, fill trans and engine with fluids, hook up the battery, and try to start it for the first time. Once I have a runner I can get on to stage 2.

1. re-wire headlight circuit with relays under dash
2. install remote door lock electronics
3. mount GPS antenna
4. install carpc hardware and DC power regulators
5. install speakers and amp
6. install HD AM/FM radio
7. install wideband O2 done

Last pics of the day:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 31, 2011, 09:24:17 AM

Made the 3 circuits for MS additional outputs.

The relay is just wired to use the coil (85 and 86 terminals) to give a strong enough pulse to fire the dash tachometer. Our tachos are fired by the negative side of the coil.

On the right is the transistor, diode , and resistor for the PWM water injection, next to it is the transistor, diode , and resistor for the water injection pump activation. PWM water injection takes 2 outputs from Megasquirt. The far left circuit is required for the tach relay trigger.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on January 31, 2011, 11:00:22 AM

Coming along nicely, Jim.

I need to get back on finishing the MS for my project.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 31, 2011, 11:34:27 AM

Quote from: Chuck W;351342

Coming along nicely, Jim.

I need to get back on finishing the MS for my project.

Thanks, Chuck. I just keep plugging away!

If you think I can be of any help, I'd be happy to try.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 31, 2011, 07:28:38 PM

OK, I want to get opinions; am I including too much detail, enough, or not enough.

I've been recording the build for myself, really, but I want to keep it interesting for you guys.

Comments?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on January 31, 2011, 07:39:22 PM

The more the better!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on January 31, 2011, 08:12:57 PM

Quote from: flylear45;351345

Thanks, Chuck. I just keep plugging away!

If you think I can be of any help, I'd be happy to try.

Thanks. My main hang-up was waiting on some more parts for the coil driver portion. Then I just got side-tracked on other things. It should just be a matter of getting back to it.

Quote from: flylear45;351367

OK, I want to get opinions; am I including too much detail, enough, or not enough.

I've been recording the build for myself, really, but I want to keep it interesting for you guys.

Comments?

IMO, it's nice to see a detailed build that has some substance to it, as well as some custom stuff. It shows how to make things work the way you want them to, instead of just bolting on parts. I say keep on keepin' on.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: SirChirpAlot on January 31, 2011, 08:14:15 PM

You can never add to much.
But your making us all look bad. Take a break LOL

I always come in here frist to see what you have added

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 1WLD BRD on January 31, 2011, 08:38:39 PM

I am in the midst of putting an eaton M90 on the driverside of my 5.0L in my Stang, and was going to turn the intake around as well. this helps tremendously. I may have missed it, but what size pipe are you running behind the throttle body?

The more details the better man and pics to go along with it....

AWESOME build.... just need some better welds LOL

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 01, 2011, 06:27:04 AM

Quote from: 1WLD BRD;351385

I am in the midst of putting an eaton M90 on the driverside of my 5.0L in my Stang, and was going to turn the intake around as well. this helps tremendously. I may have missed it, but what size pipe are you running behind the throttle body?

The more details the better man and pics to go along with it....

AWESOME build.... just need some better welds LOL

I know, the welding is a weak part of my 'skill set'. I was having a LOT of trouble on the early part of the build, but I took the ground cable off the welder and cleaned everything recently. That helped a lot. The bead on the intake pipe I am actually pretty pleased with. I haven't leak tested it, but I think it's tight. Before I hit the ground clamp with a file, the welder would act like there wasn't enough heat even on settings I never had to use before. Major difference now, and I can use the settings I'm used to using again. I'm going to go back and re-do the subframe welds now that it's fixed.

My Lincoln MIG is about 22 years old now, she just needed some TLC. It got worse gradually over time, so I really didn't 'get' what the problem was until it got really bad. I was actually looking at new welders. Not any more, thankfully.

As for the pipe, it's just 3" exhaust pipe. Mandrel bent. I get all that from Columbia River (I think it's called) a TF site sponsor. If you page back you'll see that flipping had some problems that came with it. Mainly having to spend money on a remote FPR and the work to make the new lines. Somebody suggested using F150 or Crown Vic fuel rails to avoid the hassle. You might look into that . I wasn't expecting to spend as much on the fuel side as I did, and mostly because of the flipped intake. It also hit the oil fill tube on the Mustang valve cover. Simple mod on that, though.

I think it'll be worth the effort in the end. The cold side is going to be very simple and direct with the driver side exit. Once I am satisfied with the build I may take off the pipe and have someone make it up in aluminum one day. This sucker is HEAVY!

That will be down the road, though. Maybe when I upgrade to an aluminum head 351?:evilgrin:

Quote

IMO, it's nice to see a detailed build that has some substance to it, as well as some custom stuff. It shows how to make things work the way you want them to, instead of just bolting on parts. I say keep on keepin' on.

OK Chuck, good to hear! I just didn't want to be babbling on and using BW if it wasn't pertinent. I was hoping that walking through the process, including the dead ends and mistakes, might be helpful to someone. I know I go back on the build thread for the turbo TR7 to remember how I did things when I have to work on it. Keeping this log will help me out that way when I (ever) finish this car.

The biggest advice I can give anyone doing major mods is to keep a couple of folders, one for receipts and one for all the documentation on parts, including every scribbled note to yourself. My EVTSM is full of penciled in changes to circuits with wire colors and splice locations for future reference. It's too easy to forget otherwise. The picture log can be a life-saver, too!

OK, back to work. Gotta weld in the bungs for the IAT in the intake pipe and for the O2 sensor in the downpipe. It's time to clean out and flush the fuel lines with solvent and permanently mount the rad, IC, and AC condenser.

Need to keep whittling away on the punch list!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 01, 2011, 07:48:54 PM

Went back and forth today on whether or not to stay with the original AC condenser. I tried the Explorer radiator, NPR IC, and condenser stack a couple of ways, but I think the stock condenser really only fits best when it's at the front of the stack. What might work better is to use a mid 90's Ranger/ Explorer condenser that's narrower and has outlets on each side of the rad. That would make running the lines a lot simpler. I'd really like the IC at the front of the stack if possible. Maybe that's not too important, though.

I really need more info on the Explorer condenser to find out if it has #6 and #8 AC fittings. If so, I'd prefer it at this point. The Tbird is too wide and the fittings may interfere with the turbo outlet. I may just order a condenser to get one here to trial fit it.

I did pick up some 18mm spark plug extenders from NAPA and cut them down to use as bungs. (They are 1/2 the price of a true bung and work just as well.) The radiator and fan will work real well together with the fan on it's side. Attaching it won't be too big a problem.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on February 01, 2011, 08:49:14 PM

I would keep the IC in front if possible. If it was me I would want as much cool air as possible to hit that thing with no blow-by warm air from the rad or condenser.

....Have you considered mounting it at the bottom in front of everything where there's more room, behind the lower front air louvers in the bumper cover? And maybe fabbing up some kind of shroud which directs incoming air directly to it from the louvers?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 03, 2011, 09:14:50 AM

Quote from: sarjxxx;351509

I would keep the IC in front if possible. If it was me I would want as much cool air as possible to hit that thing with no blow-by warm air from the rad or condenser.

....Have you considered mounting it at the bottom in front of everything where there's more room, behind the lower front air louvers in the bumper cover? And maybe fabbing up some kind of shroud which directs incoming air directly to it from the louvers?

Agreed, front would be ideal. I don't know about moving it down. Remember it's a pretty big piece, and it would complicate the radiator shrouding.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on February 03, 2011, 09:29:42 AM

Yeah, I think until you find out more info on that Explorer condenser, I'd hold off.

At speed, and when it matters the most, you may not notice a difference in all actuality, but who knows. It's going to get heat soak from the rad and condenser at idle and low speeds anyway, so, even with the IC up front, you're still going to need to get moving for the IC to actually start to do it's job. On a hot day, power's gonna suck anyway. On a cool, turbo-friendly day, the AC condenser being up front won't matter.

There's really no way to know what is actually happening unless you try it both ways, and record the inlet and outlet temps from the IC...which is a bunch of extra work for what might account for a few extra hp.

I guess what I'm getting at is, I doubt the AC condenser up front will be that much of an issue. As long as the IC is on front of the radiator, I would just go with what packages best.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 03, 2011, 05:51:25 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;351690

Yeah, I think until you find out more info on that Explorer condenser, I'd hold off.

At speed, and when it matters the most, you may not notice a difference in all actuality, but who knows. It's going to get heat soak from the rad and condenser at idle and low speeds anyway, so, even with the IC up front, you're still going to need to get moving for the IC to actually start to do it's job. On a hot day, power's gonna suck anyway. On a cool, turbo-friendly day, the AC condenser being up front won't matter.

There's really no way to know what is actually happening unless you try it both ways, and record the inlet and outlet temps from the IC...which is a bunch of extra work for what might account for a few extra hp.

I guess what I'm getting at is, I doubt the AC condenser up front will be that much of an issue. As long as the IC is on front of the radiator, I would just go with what packages best.

Just what I'm thinking. This will be 99.9% of the time a cruiser for daily driving. Hell, I'm thinking to leave the AC on when I'm staging and let the WOT switch handle taking it off! If I can get over 425 HP with this combo I'll be satisfied, even if it isn't optimized for HP. I am dreaming up the next version, though.

If I find I am working this setup real hard to get my goals, I can always ice down the IC before a track run and turn off the AC.

Can't wait to go from theory to testing!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on February 03, 2011, 07:01:46 PM

Oh yeah, that is a monster. oh well, n/m. What I was thinking of will definitely not work:p

I was thinking of something more around the size of what I plan on using for my setup:

http://store.max-redline.com/servlet/-strse-141/Detail

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: SirChirpAlot on February 03, 2011, 07:40:45 PM

I made a tubular rad support that drops my rad a inch and half. I have had no probs with ground clearence.

Just an idea

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 04, 2011, 06:51:02 AM

Quote from: SirChirpAlot;351737

I made a tubular rad support that drops my rad a inch and half. I have had no probs with ground clearence.

Just an idea

I actually thought about that, but I think it'll work out this way. Looking at it with a fresh mind, I believe I can make the stock condenser work. I will probably end up making a new liquid line (as well as the rest of the AC lines). I can't see how a stock line will ever clear the turbo and hot pipes otherwise. I'll probably end up making a custom hose with a new expansion tube to the condenser, running it low on the frame rail and straight up to a 90 at the condenser inlet. I know it's a lot of futzing around, but I really like AC in a hardtop.

On a different note, I placed an order to siliconeintakesystems:

2 x    3.0" Silicone Straight Coupler, Blue    $13.98
2 x    3.0" Silicone 45° Elbow, Blue    $33.98
8 x    T-Bolt Clamp for 3.0" Silicone Parts    $20.80
1 x    Stainless Steel Joiner with Water Injection/Probe Taps, 3.0"    $9.99

That should finish off the cold side plumbing. The joiner is a pretty nice little piece that is well worth the money against the time and materials it'd take to make something similar. I got all my silicone from this guy for my last build and it is a great value.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 04, 2011, 07:07:27 AM

Quote from: sarjxxx;351729

Oh yeah, that is a monster. oh well, n/m. What I was thinking of will definitely not work:p

I was thinking of something more around the size of what I plan on using for my setup:

http://store.max-redline.com/servlet/-strse-141/Detail

Gotcha. Looks like a good choice for a twin turbo. They act as a heat sink, so the more heat they can absorb, the longer your charge temps stay low. On a balls-out drag run you will overpower your IC's ability to rid the heat, so having more mass helps stave off the inevitable temperature rise until after the stripe.

Keeping head gaskets intact has SO much to do with keeping the intake charge cool. A good tune is mandatory as well, of course.

I am not yet a member of the head gasket club, even though I've been into turbo cars since the late 90's. Mostly due to caution (and some luck too, I suppose). This car may ruin my record, though. I understand stock heads are pr0ne to lifting on the 5.0 even with everything else 'right'. The budget just doesn't allow for aluminum heads right now.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 04, 2011, 03:53:51 PM

I did get info on the Ranger/Explorer condensers. They end up a bit tall to end up in a good spot I think. The stock Tbird one measures roughly
22 1/2 x 15 x1 1/2

The problem is that i need the condenser inlet/ outlets roughly in the center to work really well.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 04, 2011, 04:29:07 PM

Here's the rad and IC with permanent mountings. Fan is just hanging in place yet. I may just fit the condenser here and go with it, making a plastic shield along the bottom and sealing the sides to the IC and rad.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 05, 2011, 05:00:00 AM

Here's a pic or two of the charge tube with the epoxy applied. Needs a paint job yet, but I'm thinking I'll be welding brackets on it for both the PS reservoir and the FP regulator. I trial fit both of those last night, and it looks like the reservoir can fit in front of the tube next to the coil packs, and the regulator fits nicely in the space behind the tube.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 05, 2011, 05:06:51 AM

Here's a couple views of the side of the stack from the front.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 05, 2011, 05:09:06 AM

My nose is buried in a foot of ice. Can you guys tell from these pictures if I'll have trouble with the distance the condenser sticks out in front? I seem to remember a brace or something that needs to go there.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on February 05, 2011, 10:09:03 AM

It'll be close. I think there is a center support or something in there for the nose. At least there is on the 4-eyes. Not sure about the aeros.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 05, 2011, 11:24:55 AM

That's what I recall, Chuck. Been a few years since I had my TC, I'm having trouble picturing it.

Well, if there is interference I have more room between the fan and pulleys to move the rad forward a bit. Sure seems to like to fit where it is, though!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Kitz Kat on February 05, 2011, 11:31:29 AM

There's a brace,I think you will clear though. I would measure mine but I can't get to it yet in the garage. I need to bring a loader home to move the snow.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 05, 2011, 03:07:33 PM

Quote from: Kitz Kat;351929

There's a brace,I think you will clear though. I would measure mine but I can't get to it yet in the garage. I need to bring a loader home to move the snow.

No problem. I was born in Washington, PA. Not too far from there.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: gumby on February 05, 2011, 06:00:15 PM

There is a brace. At the top it runs from the core support to the nose, and IIRC it will taper closer to your stack on its run to the bottom attaching point on the core support.

I cut mine apart and am only running the top portion where it attaches to the nose in order to run my IC layin flat in the bumper.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 05, 2011, 07:05:43 PM

Quote from: gumby;351959

There is a brace. At the top it runs from the core support to the nose, and IIRC it will taper closer to your stack on its run to the bottom attaching point on the core support.

I cut mine apart and am only running the top portion where it attaches to the nose in order to run my IC layin flat in the bumper.

Thanks, man. Appreciate the help. I may just concentrate on keeping the IC and rad as they are and finishing up to where I can start the engine. After that, when it comes to bolting on the nose, I can decide to change out the condenser or not.

Love this list!:D

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Kitz Kat on February 06, 2011, 10:38:53 AM

I cleaned up a bit,at least I got the door open. I took a few pics so you can see, it probably be tight on the bottom. Like gumby said you may be able to trim it off.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 06, 2011, 01:53:46 PM

Very helpful Kitz Kat. Thanks a lot for going to the trouble.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 07, 2011, 09:19:40 AM

I'm taking a bit of a chance and ordered the 1990 ranger style condenser. It is a more modern design and is the one that fit the radiator I'm using originally. I'll try to fit it between the IC and the radiator, moving the rad forward a touch if I have to in order to get it in.

That should keep everything behind the nose brace.

BTW, got the Spectra branded condenser from Ebay for 56.00 shipped (pretty reasonable IMO), and I imagine I can resell it if it won't work.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 08, 2011, 08:19:20 PM

Well I screwed up. I unpacked my nice, new silicone parts and found that the IC has 2.75" outlets, not 3"!!!

I'm an idiot for not measuring them carefully. Oh well, it's not the end of the world, but I need a 2.75 to 3" adapter now, plus some 2.75" clamps. I also measured (carefully) the turbo outlet and it is 2.75" also. Need to get the elbow for that, now. I'm not totally sure a 45 will make it work at this point after holding up what I have. I'm going to wait until I can bolt on the turbo again to order anything else.

Don't tell my wife.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 10, 2011, 04:41:09 PM

Spent some time re-forming the oil dipstick. I'll need to fool around once the header is on to get the hold-down to fit right.

Mounted the FPR and started making the hoses. Just 1 more fitting to assemble on it now, and put in the plugs on the regulator. Then I can paint the bracket and tighten everything down.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 10, 2011, 04:44:03 PM

Stuck on the silicone to check the angles. It's gonna work OK I think!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 10, 2011, 04:55:38 PM

What color should I paint the intake tube? Black, silver, blue? I'm not going with any red except the fittings.

I'm leaning toward silver, myself.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on February 10, 2011, 09:52:24 PM

Silver is definitely the color I would paint it.

flylear, did you wire up your Gentex mirror sensors? What did that entail? What model mirror did you get?

Thanks, keep up the great work!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on February 10, 2011, 10:09:24 PM

SILVER.

Been following. Can't wait to see it running. Looks like your finally getting close.:D

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 11, 2011, 09:04:12 AM

Quote from: The Shredder;352565

Silver is definitely the color I would paint it.

flylear, did you wire up your Gentex mirror sensors? What did that entail? What model mirror did you get?

Thanks, keep up the great work!

Thanks for the input. I think keeping it silver will look pretty good. It's not a 'show bay' but I want it to look nice.

Here's the bay on the TR7 from photobucket:

(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj177/flylear45/NVE00001.png)

And another with the Tbird in the background.

The Gentex is a GEN-177 from a Chevy Silverado. It has autodim, autodim cancel on backup, temp readout and built in compass. The Ebay harness never showed up, so I made my own. Here's the documentation I used:

I just bought a used temp sensor and pigtail off Ebay and ran wires for it. Nothing else is installed yet.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 11, 2011, 09:18:51 AM

Quote from: sarjxxx;352568

SILVER.

Been following. Can't wait to see it running. Looks like your finally getting close.:D

Yeah, silver.

Closer every day!

I got the Ranger condenser in hand last night. I'll fiddle with that this morning. (Slept in until 8:00). I like the outlets on opposite sides of the rad for less AC hose, but the outlets will most certainly need to be re-bent to clear the IC outlets.

Title: I think I got it!
Post by: flylear45 on February 11, 2011, 12:41:40 PM

OK, got down to it and think it's a go.

1. I removed all the brackets and braces from the top of the new condenser.
2. Bent the #8 line up and over the top of the core.
3. Put a bender on the #6 line and curled it down under the IC inlet.
4. bent the top IC brackets more forward to clearance the top of the radiator a bit and allow the condenser more room at the top.
5. Add 1/4" rubber spacers to the bottom of the IC
6. make new bottom mounts for radiator pins out of light angle, spacing in toward engine about 1/2"
7. Add rubber spacers to radiator top mount, or possibly make new brackets on top to allow rad to drop 1/4". Not sure on that, but I'm going to try to finish it all up tonight.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 11, 2011, 12:46:49 PM

How the new bend and the pipe mod work on the #8 line.

The IC more upright and a bit forward from before.

The new stack

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on February 11, 2011, 01:04:55 PM

Looks like it will work to me.

(Man, I wish I had a bigger garage, so I could make some decent headway over the winter.)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 11, 2011, 04:15:55 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;352628

Looks like it will work to me.

(Man, I wish I had a bigger garage, so I could make some decent headway over the winter.)

Yeah, the garage pretty much kicks ass. 32x40, finished, with a ton of lights, cable TV and ethernet. No bathroom, but running cold water.

I sold my Porsche to build this sucker when I was about your age! It's something I don't regret, even though it costs to keep the heat on and extra money on the electric bill.

Even though I loved the 951, this thing was worth the trade.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bruce M on February 11, 2011, 09:30:03 PM

Powder coat silver.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bruce M on February 11, 2011, 09:33:16 PM

Nicely done, the new setup looks great.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 11, 2011, 09:42:01 PM

Thanks, Bruce! I have a HF powder coat setup here I never got out of the box. Maybe after I get this done I'll go back and do things over in powdercoat. It seems like we all like the silver!

The day ended with the rad mounts welded on the bottom, and the condenser lower mount pads in place. I used the old top rubber from the TC rad hold-downs trimmed down a bit for that. I then used some round rubber Triumph TR6 radiator pads on the lower pin pads, worked great! (I've got a -ton of old Triumph stuff around here).

Ran out of steam before I got the condenser top mountings made, and still have to make and weld on new top radiator mount brackets. They are going to be straight-forward bits, pretty simple. I am finally happy with this setup, though.

I have Med-Air CPR/AED/ First aid training tomorrow, so not sure if I'll be able to get this finished Saturday or not. Before it gets screwed down the last time I'll be cleaning and painting the IC. I'm tired of looking at it all crusty.

The real downside to this configuration is the loss of area on the condenser. I may see the AC unable to keep up on really hot days. It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make, I guess, in order to get the IC I want.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 12, 2011, 05:30:31 PM

OK, all done with the mounting, and here are the final pics of the results.

Braces on the #6 AC pipes and the rad mounts

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 12, 2011, 05:36:23 PM

And a shot of the #8 line brace.

Ready to mount the fan and run the tranny lines, now. Can also get the trans cooler and PS cooler mounted as well.

I'm thinking I'll delete the fog lights and use the holes for airflow to the coolers. Sound reasonable?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on February 12, 2011, 09:03:49 PM

is that just a generic hold down clamp like you buy at the hardware store for pipes and stuff?

geezus your gonna have a bilion coolers under there. Why don't you add an oil cooler too while youre at it?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 13, 2011, 05:27:04 AM

Quote from: sarjxxx;352765

is that just a generic hold down clamp like you buy at the hardware store for pipes and stuff?

geezus your gonna have a bilion coolers under there. Why don't you add an oil cooler too while youre at it?

No, I was actually able to re-work the original clamps by relocating them to new places on the mountings. It looks pretty clean and stock. Supporting the outlets should help keep the tubes from failing from vibration down the road.

I didn't have a better spacer for the top rad mounts so I just used two 3/8" nuts. I drilled out new holes in the shroud and used captive nut plates there. It's all really solid. I'm very pleased with it.

As for coolers, I really want to keep temps down in the tranny since it'll be a daily driver. Heat is the #1 killer of an automatic box. I'll start with the radiator cooler and go into an air cooler before returning into the trans. The Baumann computer has an internal trans temp sensor readout, so I can see if I need more cooling once I get it running.

As you guys know, the Ford PS system can be noisy. :mad: I have an old Merkur trans cooler that I'll use to keep the fluid cool to try to make it stay quieter longer between oil changes. The only way I kept my old 'birds quite was to run a little Lucas in the fluid and change it every year or two.

If I end up needing an oil cooler, I'll add it later. I wasn't aware that 5.0's had trouble with oil temps. This is my first one, so maybe I am missing something?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 13, 2011, 08:30:48 AM

Fan mounting moving along well today. I drilled a couple holes in the top plastic and used some rubber spacers to take up the distance.

The fan shroud hung down about 2" too far past the bottom of the rad, so I made a block plate from some door bottom repair metal I had here. 16" x 2 1/4" . Drilled holes to match the rad and some captive nut plates, and it's a keeper. Gotta pull the fan to glue the foam down permanently, paint the plate and hook up the wiring. The top plastic sticks up too high as well, so I'll trim that down flush with the rad top.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 13, 2011, 08:35:41 AM

One more a little from the side from underneath.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 13, 2011, 10:04:10 AM

Ran a wire wheel over the IC to knock off the corrosion and gave it a quick, light coat of BBQ black. Glued on the foam to the shroud to protect the radiator from scuffing. Still need to add a thick piece at the top.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on February 13, 2011, 11:35:56 AM

Wow. That space is getting cramped lol.

No I wasn't saying the 5.0's had oil cooling problems, just saying thats the only thing left to cool, why not add one while your at it you know? I was kinda joking, but still, I'm a fan of keeping the engine cool too. Definitely can't hurt anything, . And I know what you mean about heat killing and AOD, thats what murdered my last one. After I get this new one in, I'm definitely adding a second in-line fan-cooled cooler.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 13, 2011, 12:25:06 PM

Quote from: sarjxxx;352813

Wow. That space is getting cramped lol.

No I wasn't saying the 5.0's had oil cooling problems, just saying thats the only thing left to cool, why not add one while your at it you know? I was kinda joking, but still, I'm a fan of keeping the engine cool too. Definitely can't hurt anything, . And I know what you mean about heat killing and AOD, thats what murdered my last one. After I get this new one in, I'm definitely adding a second in-line fan-cooled cooler.

I may need more cooling. I wouldn't be surprised at all with the extra heat from the turbo induction. I'm going with what I have right now. I'm already over budget and behind schedule this year. Thanks for the suggestion though!

Yes the bay is tightening up for sure. I'm right now going over the order in which I need to assemble everything so I can get to things.

The AOD's can definitely live longer when kept at a lower temperature. With you being in a warmer climate, I think you are wise to add a tranny cooler. Good plan IMHO.

Well, I think I'm going to have to angle the coil bracket down in front to get hood clearance. It looks OK now, but with the plug wires on I fear it'll be too close. I'll cut a wedge out of the front of the brackets and re-weld them. That should give me what I need. I remember having a problem with plug wires arcing against the hood of the TR7 because they were too close to it.

I'm almost done welding on the PS reservoir brackets. I'd like to get those done so I can paint the intake tube, and finish the FPR lines before I quit for the day.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 13, 2011, 01:28:13 PM

PS reservoir. Used a section of 87 'bird hose with a nice bend in it. Should do the job.

Dressed the brackets with a file,painted the intake tube and FPR bracket. I also sanded, buffed and clear-coated the 5.0L intake badge.

That's all for today!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on February 13, 2011, 05:07:10 PM

Coming along very nicely. Thanks for the updates!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 13, 2011, 07:29:49 PM

Quote from: The Shredder;352846

Coming along very nicely. Thanks for the updates!

Thanks!

I had a really good day today with everything just falling in place. I'm having fun now! :banana:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: cougarman on February 14, 2011, 04:46:42 AM

Awesome build, keep up the good work!!!! :bowdown::bowdown:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 14, 2011, 05:13:42 AM

Quote from: cougarman;352886

Awesome build, keep up the good work!!!! :bowdown::bowdown:

The inspiration from you and the rest of the gang really helps, thank you!:cheers:

To revised do list as of today:

1. mount trans cooler and PS cooler
2. bend and install trans lines
3. install radiator hoses and IC hoses
4. mount Baumann CPU
5. attach trans harness and shift cable at trans
6. blow out/clean fuel lines, install tank
7. put new yoke on driveshaft, check u-joints and install
8. install heater and dash
9. finish up last of the engine compartment wiring
10. finish up battery cabling
11. grind turbo housing to clock it properly
12. install turbo oil lines
13. bolt on alternator and put on fan belt
14. blow out brake lines, install master cylinder and fresh fluid
15. Bolt on exhaust (minus catalytic converter)

At that point I should be about ready to load software, fill trans and engine with fluids, hook up the battery, and try to start it for the first time. Once I have a runner I can get on to stage 2.

1. re-wire headlight circuit with relays under dash
2. install remote door lock electronics
3. mount GPS antenna
4. install carpc hardware and DC power regulators
5. install speakers and amp
6. install HD AM/FM radio

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on February 14, 2011, 09:01:43 AM

Oh boy, oh boy. It is getting exciting! Hopefully you can carve out some evenings this week to make progress on your to do list.

I wish I lived closer - more hands make light work. Plus I could pick up on a few tips since I'm doing a similar build. I hope to get started next month.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 14, 2011, 07:11:38 PM

Quote from: The Shredder;352895

Oh boy, oh boy. It is getting exciting! Hopefully you can carve out some evenings this week to make progress on your to do list.

I wish I lived closer - more hands make light work. Plus I could pick up on a few tips since I'm doing a similar build. I hope to get started next month.

I'm chipping away. I've finished big projects before, and I feel like I am over the hump on this one. the only fab work left is to work out the turbo drain and AC lines. Definitely not a problem to get done.

Ya it's too bad you aren't closer. The last time my neighbor was over was before his 3rd kid was born. Family takes precedent, and I respect him for keeping his priorities in line. Still, it's more fun to share. That's why this list is so important to me.

Anyway, when you get going on yours I'll be glad to help any way I can.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 15, 2011, 08:50:45 AM

I thinking about buying a larger tranny cooler.

I picked this one off the Summit bargain table a few years ago for cheap, but it's a bit on the small side. I can get a new 1 1/2" thick cooler for about 75.00, plus add a 7" fan to it for another 20.00 that I'd wire in with the rad fan, or to a trans oil temp sensor.

I could then just use this one for the PS cooler.

Summit is only 20 minutes away.......

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: cougarman on February 15, 2011, 09:06:13 AM

20Min. to Summit Racing, cool.:D We used to have a Ramchargers around this area, but they closed all their stores. :punchballs:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 15, 2011, 10:07:54 AM

Quote from: cougarman;352994

20Min. to Summit Racing, cool.:D We used to have a Ramchargers around this area, but they closed all their stores. :punchballs:

Yeah, it's pretty handy. Eats up my paycheck, though!

I have a choice of this:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DER-13751/?rtype=10

or this:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BMM-70266/

Here is Dirty Dog's recommended cooler, and my choices are bigger.

http://www.dirtydogperformance.com/transmission-rebuild-kits-and-parts/transmission-cooler/prod_63.html

I'm thinking I'll get the Derale.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on February 15, 2011, 10:09:48 AM

I'd go with Derale over B&M, personally.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 15, 2011, 10:18:39 AM

Quote from: Chuck W;352997

I'd go with Derale over B&M, personally.

Checked my account balance, and I'm off to Summit. ;)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 15, 2011, 01:18:27 PM

Back from the store with an empty wallet, but I'm happy with what I got. I ended up getting a Derale 13960 kit with fan, shroud, and thermostat. It's thicker than the cores I was considering and is rated at 30,000 GVW +. Double what the small cooler I have is rated at.

I also was talked into a set of Percy's split-lock fasteners by the counter guy. He said he's used Stage 8 and these, and wouldn't think of using anything else. He convinced me.

Nice self contained unit. I was concerned about mounting on the other core mentioned above. This ends up being almost 1 3/4" thick.... a full inch more than the one I had.

I should have cleaned the dust, but this shows the thickness of the two cores. All the black on the new unit is core width.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on February 15, 2011, 01:41:17 PM

Well, aren't you the suggestible one.

That's a nice-looking cooler unit. What did that set you back?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 15, 2011, 02:11:38 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;353009

Well, aren't you the suggestible one.

That's a nice-looking cooler unit. What did that set you back?

I can make my own decisions.... well I usually can make them..... I don't know, can I make my own decisions? Tell me what I should think!:mullet:

These bolts are pretty slick, actually. There are no fiddly clips or eared lock tabs to fit. Just tighten them down and torque the center allen bolts and you are done. I wasn't seeing how the Stage 8's would fit all the header tubes properly. If I was going to spend money on something, these looked to be the ticket.

The kit was $230.00. :shakehead I was able to cash in 25.00 of Summit discounts, though.
The core by itself lists for $150 ish. This came with fittings, thermostat, 10' of correct hose, 8" fan, and shroud. Best of all it's ready to fit in. I could have used the thinner core, bought a fan, fittings, and thermostat and saved some money, but I'd have been making a shroud and brackets. This core is almost 1/2 inch thicker than the one I was going to get, too.

Plus, I'd hate to buy something for $175.00 and wish later I'd got the better core.

With using lockup on the 4R70w this most certainly ought to do the trick.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 15, 2011, 11:08:33 PM

I went out back and dug out the TC nose and lower bumper. Took measurements back and forth between the car and the nose. End result is........ I'm not sure where I'll be mounting this.

It appears that the 'best' spot is underneath the battery area facing in towards the engine bay. That may not give it the coolest air, but it seems to be the most likely choice. I wasn't planning to test fit the nose, but I think it might be prudent to do so before I cut a bunch of hose. I may be able to JUST squeeze it in next to the core support.

I have all Friday on standby and it's supposed to be warm, so hopefully I can get the car moved around to let me test fit things once to be sure what I want to do.

I wish a Dirty Dog billet converter was in the budget right now. I'd like to have that sucker in and not have to set a 5200 rpm fuel cut rev limit. Oh well. I'll stick to the plan and get it on the road before I make that move.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 17, 2011, 12:27:36 PM

Trimmed the plastic down at the top of the radiator fan shroud and finished sealing it off with foam.

Got into modding the coil bracket next. It turned out pretty good after lots of tpuppies and bending. Mounts them lower, further back, and angled down in front a bit. Should give hood clearance now. I hope so, because it's as close to the fuel rails as I care to get.

Title: 98 explorer injectors
Post by: flylear45 on February 17, 2011, 12:29:25 PM

These came off the explorer engine.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 20, 2011, 05:17:45 PM

Well, where am I?

Ground and painted the coil bracket. Working on the oil feed for the turbo right now. I came up with a location for it and put fittings on the first line from the block. Just need to weld up the bracket that will locate it. Can't make the second line until the turbo is mounted. I like working with the TFE nylon line. I hope it doesn't leak on me!

Finished off the FPR lines and tightened it all down. Painted the charge pipe and screwed in the IAT sensor to the bung.

Need to pull the fuel filter and clean the lines, then install the battery cables, fuel line connections, and fuel tank. Then it's time to bolt on the headers and finish the turbo oil drain.

Title: major screwup #1
Post by: flylear45 on February 23, 2011, 07:19:38 AM

I messed up laying out the crossover it seems. I went to test fit things now that the rad is in, and I'm awfully close to the fan shroud. I'm pretty sure the heat will melt it if I don't re-work the crossover to stay closer to the swaybar. Darn.:punchballs:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on February 23, 2011, 04:30:35 PM

Just get a thinner fan/shroud?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: bigbada1 on February 23, 2011, 05:14:33 PM

Dam that thins looks like it sits close to the damper too is it going to melt the belt once you shut the engine off and the belt just sits there that close to the crossover?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 23, 2011, 07:35:23 PM

Fixed it. Went to Summit and bought a 2 1/2" J pipe and cut into the crossover. Moved it down and back by adding a pie shaped section of mandrel bend to the driver's side, then cut off the merge and made a new one on the passenger side header. That took about 4 hours. :wtf:

Should be enough air gap to keep things from melting now. I split the available room between the v-belt and the fan shroud.

Pics to come later. The camera has been eating up batteries, and I ran out.

I think I know what happened. When I mocked up the crossover initially, I had the radiator higher and closer to the front of the car. I never checked again after I altered the rad package. :hick:

At least I was able to save the flex section and the V-bands. The error only cost $20.00 for a new piece of pipe and a day of work.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 23, 2011, 08:53:08 PM

Got some AA's and here's the pics of today's work.

Just have to re-weld the v-bands, re-paint and wrap.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on February 23, 2011, 10:08:18 PM

You make me wish I had a welder:p

You're definitely getting there huh? Gonna be able to fire it up soon? And hope it doesn't blow up....

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 24, 2011, 06:36:53 AM

Quote from: sarjxxx;353763

You make me wish I had a welder:p

You're definitely getting there huh? Gonna be able to fire it up soon? And hope it doesn't blow up....

I have a buddy (now the Chief Pilot at work) who worked for me when I had a British car restoration business. He traded working for me for my labor and parts for a TR6 he was rebuilding. Anyway, I always would tell him that next to my wife and kids, I loved my welder best. It has become a long-standing joke with us. I'll say I love a car or something and he'll ask"Do you love it as much as your welder?".

If you are going to have a serious shop, get a GOOD welder and you won't ever regret it. (Mine is working MUCH better now. I'm actually glad I re-did the merge, all those welds were so nasty.)

If I wasn't so busy at work the next week and a half I'd be firing it up soon. I won't be able to get it running this month, though.

I am feeling a bit nervous about the whole thing. I changed SO many things. I never had a Ford V8 before. The engine was rebuilt by someone else. The tranny is a junkyard piece. All the Megasquirt stuff. The Baumann tranny computer and new harness I made. The Holset 351VGT is an unknown. The car was a basket case, condition of the rear end is unknown. The starter and alternator are used parts from Ebay. The ignition system is a mish-mash of 4.6 and Explorer parts. The power steering is a mix of Explorer and Tbird. The list of potential issues goes on and on and on.

I was just talking to my wife last night about being a little jittery about the project, especially after screwing up on the crossover. That was a bit of a humbling experience. She was very suppportive, and reminded me how well the TR7 turned out. I just needed a pep talk I guess. I suppose that if you think too negatively you can't finish a big project.

The plan right now is to keep knocking things off the list methodically, and when I get there, I get there.

While I had the headers on I fit the turbo and marked the frame to clearance for the turbo drain line. I have a few hours today to work on that and finish up the crossover. I also found I need to re-route the wire bundle for the LC-1, it ends up too close to a header tube for my liking.

I made a new mounting for Megasquirt so I can get it out more easily, once I get that back in the heater/ dash can go in. Then there are about 3 wires to splice into the dash harness, some trunk wiring for the new fuel pump relay, and the main wiring will be ready for the start.

I still have to come up with the water hoses to connect the radiator. I'm gonna look at metal jacket ones since the hoses may come close to the exhaust pipes in a couple spots.

I'm going to use a pressure pot to prime the oil system, and I am considering starting it without the turbo on it at first. That way I can purge the exhaust of any debris that could damage the turbo. Once it has run a few minutes I'll feel better about putting it back on.

Before any of that, though, I have to get the tranny lines made up and mount the coolers. I yanked out the nose the other day, and have the support hanging on the car now. I want to mount the lower bumper/ valence to get a good spot for the coolers.

Plenty left to do.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 24, 2011, 12:22:10 PM

OK these are for thewestie:

Orange on the right is the ground wire for the trans speed sensor, and the third from the right is the signal.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: cougarman on February 24, 2011, 12:32:30 PM

Awesome!! :bowdown:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Haystack on February 24, 2011, 12:39:18 PM

Just keep moving at your own pace, and get it finished when its ready. It looks good so far. Good luck.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on February 24, 2011, 12:46:45 PM

Thanks Flylear the car is coming along nice don't let set back get you down. I did my whole swap with the car in the air put tires on it and took it for a spin and dented the sh@* out of my oil pan the geometry was totally different with weight on the wheels and the sway bar hit it had to cut and re thread the sway bar end links.
I Had planed on spending the day and tomorrow working on that but a pesky electrical fire on the hot water heater in my basp00get that set the polystyrene insulation on fire and soot-ed up the whole house, has a clean up of epic proportions under way. :(
At least I have insurance and no one was hurt. The Ins co. Said go to a hotel Is there a four season in Worcester"?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 24, 2011, 01:41:07 PM

Quote from: thewestie;353820

Thanks Flylear the car is coming along nice don't let set back get you down. I did my whole swap with the car in the air put tires on it and took it for a spin and dented the sh@* out of my oil pan the geometry was totally different with weight on the wheels and the sway bar hit it had to cut and re thread the sway bar end links.
I Had planed on spending the day and tomorrow working on that but a pesky electrical fire on the hot water heater in my basp00get that set the polystyrene insulation on fire and soot-ed up the whole house, has a clean up of epic proportions under way. :(
At least I have insurance and no one was hurt. The Ins co. Said go to a hotel Is there a four season in Worcester"?

, that stinks!:yuck: (Sorry, no pun intended.)

We go into Woostah quite a bit. Nice place.

Hope you get things back to normal soon!

Hey, thanks all you guys for the kind words. I'm still rolling along. Cut a notch out of the frame and welded, painted, wrapped the headers and downpipe today. Gotta get some injectors shipped out on the way to work now.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: hypostang on February 24, 2011, 03:13:46 PM

Quote from: flylear45;353824

We go into Woostah quite a bit. Nice place.

It's pr0nounced "WISTAH " ..lol

For The Westie ...
I think the Courtyard by Marriot on Grove Street is the closest thing to a Four Seasons :)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on February 25, 2011, 06:14:23 PM

You probably fly right over my house, once in a while a particularly low plane on final will get my attention. Let me Know next time you have a layover Ill treat ya to a meal.
Hoping to get the seats and carpet out tomorrow and look at getting the speedo working I'm sure Ill have more questions for you Thanks again.
(http://http://maps.google.com/maps?rlz=1T4ACAW_enUS309US309&q=save%20satellite%20pictures%20of%20my%20house&um=1&hl=en&biw=763&bih=400&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=il)

Tried to post a google map satellite pic to see if you recognized my house but its one more thing I need to learn :)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 25, 2011, 06:24:00 PM

Quote from: hypostang;353829

It's pr0nounced "WISTAH " ..lol

LOL Yeah, and I've been to Loovul Tennessee, too.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: hypostang on February 25, 2011, 06:28:47 PM

Quote from: flylear45;353947

LOL Yeah, and I've been to Loovul Tennessee, too.

Right next to Merville where I moved when I left Wistah ..lol

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 25, 2011, 06:30:34 PM

Quote from: thewestie;353945

You probably fly right over my house, once in a while a particularly low plane on final will get my attention. Let me Know next time you have a layover Ill treat ya to a meal.
Hoping to get the seats and carpet out tomorrow and look at getting the speedo working I'm sure Ill have more questions for you Thanks again.

How about if I let you know and I treat?
Hope my info helped. I like to share what I've learned with anyone who is interested.

The speedo circuit is real simple because it generates it's own "power". All you do is hook up the wires to the harness and it should work. I'll be here if you need more. Be advised that the sender has polarity. That means you have to hook the wires the right way or it won't work. You can't F it up by doing it wrong, though. Try it one way, and if it fails to work, switch 'em.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 25, 2011, 06:31:58 PM

Quote from: hypostang;353949

right next to merville where i moved when i left wistah ..lol

roflol

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 25, 2011, 06:40:38 PM

I usually have a pretty 'easy' job. Today's weather really kicked my butt mentally. I don't even feel like working on the car. I got to the point today where I just didn't want to have to make another big decision. Managing a 15 million dollar asset can be a bitch! Especially with the pressure of toting the top execs on a py day, telling them they can't do what they want to do.

BUT, I wouldn't love to fly after 25 years if it was always easy.

And, it's nice to get the pat on the back at the end of the day from the Chairman and my boss, telling me he knows I did all I could do.

Yeah. I like to make the hard decisions.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on February 25, 2011, 09:52:16 PM

Sometimes I wish I made the hard decisions. I need more $

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 26, 2011, 06:34:09 PM

Tried and tried to get the intercooler silicone to fit today. No way it would work without modding the intercooler or turbo cover.

SOOOO, I moved the intercooler forward again to allow me an extra coupling to get it plumbed. Now I just have to modify the cover brace and make new intercooler mounts and I think it'll work out. Third time is the charm!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 26, 2011, 07:37:53 PM

Here's the latest mock-up with the painted charge pipe, the line and fitting for the turbo oiling/ oil pressure gauge, and the charge pipe silicone installed.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on February 26, 2011, 08:15:30 PM

Pretty. You know your cars gonna probably be just as scary with street tires as that code red mustang? Can I go for a ride? :hick:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on February 26, 2011, 08:35:09 PM

seems to me that this would have all been so much easier had you just dithched the ac like I plan to keep mine:hick:

But then again where's the fun in that?:p

I can't believe your still sane after all this re-plumbing...

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bruce M on February 26, 2011, 10:49:05 PM

There is nothing cooler than blowing the doors off some chevy with the A/C on.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 27, 2011, 08:22:41 AM

Quote from: thewestie;354075

Pretty. You know your cars gonna probably be just as scary with street tires as that code red mustang? Can I go for a ride? :hick:

No, this will be less than 1/2 as scary if I get the HP output I hope for. The 5.0 blocks split around 500, so I'm shooting for 400-450. Sure, I'd take you for a spin if you want to. The turbo TR7 is a hoot, too.

Quote from: sarjxxx;354079

seems to me that this would have all been so much easier had you just dithched the ac like I plan to keep mine:hick:

But then again where's the fun in that?:p

I can't believe your still sane after all this re-plumbing...

I am just stubborn, not smart. ;) I already gave up ride control, I'm not giving up on A/C.

Quote from: Bruce M;354097

There is nothing cooler than blowing the doors off some chevy with the A/C on.

This should be a 'sleeper'. They won't know what just happened. :) Beaten up by a Granpa car.

I just priced out the paint recently. Looks like to get enough base/clear in the factory silver, plus hardeners, reducers, and such will be around $400.00. I could save $100.00 if I went with a generic silver, but I'd rather stay stock.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bruce M on February 27, 2011, 08:32:41 AM

Quote from: flylear45;354107

No, this will be less than 1/2 as scary if I get the HP output I hope for. The 5.0 blocks split around 500, so I'm shooting for 400-450. Sure, I'd take you for a spin if you want to. The turbo TR7 is a hoot, too.QUOTE]
They now make valley girdles for the 5.0 that adds a lot of strength, that and the main girdles keep the block from twisting.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 27, 2011, 08:49:06 AM

Yeah, I've seen them. Unfortunately they don't always do much. Check out the carnage sometime over at Turboforums.

I'm just gonna stay conservative on this one until I can build an aluminum head 351. Then maybe go a little crazy.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bruce M on February 27, 2011, 01:45:01 PM

My friend at The Head Shop just built a 408 for some guy thats running a turbo and NOS, but he used a Dart block. He's shooting for about 750+ HP. Oh and it's going in a Lighting. You turbo guys are crazy!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 27, 2011, 04:06:42 PM

Sounds good. Nobody has split a Dart block that I ever heard of.:iagree:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 01, 2011, 07:56:25 PM

Quote from: CoogarXR;350636

You could also make a plexiglass plate to fit in the original rectangle hole. Back-paint it black and mask off the oval where the shift indicator is (so it shows through). Have a slot cut for the shift lever, and do the brush thing mentioned above (or rubber flaps). You would end up with a black shiny plate that has the shift indicator shining through. Kinda like this, and put the brushes in the shifter slot:

You know, the more I think about it the more I like this idea. If I just attach a light to the shift handle along with a red pointer, and mark the places where each detent rests, I could end up with a pretty nice looking plate that can be sized to fit the console pretty well.

Woohoo!

>5,000 views!

Now I have to finish it. LOL

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 05, 2011, 02:53:22 PM

Fitting up the nose for the first time. I may be able to get a filter on the turbo with a couple of elbows and some cutting of the metal radiator shroud behind the headlight.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 05, 2011, 02:54:25 PM

Two more:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on March 05, 2011, 10:38:16 PM

oh so that's what your car looks like with a front end lol. You getting close to being able to bolt it up for good it looks like?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 05, 2011, 10:44:51 PM

I made some marks to hack out some of the fiberglass bumper support, and cut the stock metal front support to clear the intercooler.

The plan is to make a bracket that bolts to the trans cooler and use it to function as the center part of the nose brace. It'll tie into the bumper support and then back down to the lower radiator cowl. I plan to cut out parts of the the lower bumper to get better air flow over the tranny cooler.

Hope to get it done tomorrow before my daughter's clarinet recital at U of Akron tomorrow night, maybe stop by Summit on the way home for a couple of fittings to make the hose routing work..

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on March 05, 2011, 10:46:46 PM

Quote from: flylear45;354625

Hope to get it done tomorrow before my daughter's clarinet recital at U of Akron tomorrow night, maybe stop by Summit on the way home for a couple of fittings to make the hose routing work..

Good luck... as I've stated before, things rarely go according to plan:(

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 05, 2011, 10:54:43 PM

Quote from: sarjxxx;354620

oh so that's what your car looks like with a front end lol. You getting close to being able to bolt it up for good it looks like?

Getting closer. I have to get a final position on the tranny cooler to knock off the trans lines. Getting the nose on for a test fit was required to do that. It is cool to see it this way, even though it is only temporary. Once I have the cooler mounted it will be part of the sub-structure, so I can just slide the front cover back on over it all.

I am going to have hack up the front valence pretty bad to get a air filter on the turbo. I can't see any way around it. This car will never go back I'm afraid. I tried to keep the mods reversible, but the turbo is just too freakin' big.

I kinda wish I hadn't gone with this Holset, but what's done is done at this stage.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 05, 2011, 11:02:16 PM

Quote from: sarjxxx;354626

Good luck... as I've stated before, things rarely go according to plan:(

Yea, every time I think I'm getting really close to just bolting it all together I come up against another challenge. It really is getting there, though.

I could just make it work, or I can make it work for years to come. I'm trying to make this thing stand up to some abuse for the long haul, and still be fun to drive every day.

If you go through the build threads on Turbomustangs, now the Turboforums, you'll see the difference in the two ways to do a build.

So far the turbo TR7 has been reliable, fast and fun for 3 years. I expect the same from this car.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on March 05, 2011, 11:02:21 PM

You say maybe stop by summit. Like walk in and buy stuff no mail and wait 3 days?
That's gotta blow a harbor freight store out of the water.

Signed So Jealous

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 05, 2011, 11:10:39 PM

Oh, BTW. I had a scare recently. The scratches you see in on the nose in the last picture? Those are from a SNOWPLOW!

I was away on a trip recently when it snowed like crazy. Our guy came over and cleaned our driveway. ( I am grateful for that.)

I went out to look at the nose for something after I came home, and IT WAS GONE!

I found it in a pile of snow beside the garage where he had pushed it along with the snow. LUCKILY it wasn't damaged too bad. Just a scratch. That is the only upper I have, so it would have been a major setback if it had been cracked.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 05, 2011, 11:18:21 PM

Quote from: thewestie;354629

You say maybe stop by summit. Like walk in and buy stuff no mail and wait 3 days?
That's gotta blow a harbor freight store out of the water.

Signed So Jealous

It takes a while when you go in unless you pre-order and skip the wait at the counter. It is a three step deal there. Order parts, pay for parts, pick up parts. Minimum of 30 minutes, closer to 45. By ordering on the phone I can be in and out in 20 minutes, no less than 15.

I gotta get my wife to agree to it, because I'm broke right now. Burned through my allowance early this month.

You know I'm still tempted to just get it all together and drive it ugly for a year. Paint it next year. Maybe even leave the old duct tape on the fenders for a true sleeper effect. Is that sick?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on March 05, 2011, 11:36:43 PM

No I Did it didn't start my build till august was promised help and use of a lift from a bud and was two weeked to death. Kept promising two weeks we'll do both are cars and help each other next thing the summers almost over Aug 1 pulled turbo motor and two weeks later I was driving it. Two 13 hour a day in the sun on my back weeks. Just waned to hear it run. His car still a pile of parts in the corner. I got to drive mine for a couple of months. The first cruse night this 10 year old pointed at me as I was going in and loudly announced to me that's a junkyard car. Well when I pushed in the clutch and touched the rev limiter a 6G's It turned some heads Its back apart now but hopefully redo a few things and go for paint in April and with any luck burn a set of tires rite of it in the summer nationals.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on March 07, 2011, 12:19:16 AM

Quote from: flylear45;354628

I could just make it work, or I can make it work for years to come. I'm trying to make this thing stand up to some abuse for the long haul, and still be fun to drive every day.

I understand exactly what you mean. When I was DD'ing my cougar everything I did to it was a "get it done asap" kinda job ya know cause I had to be able to drive it but now that it sits I can take my time and do it right. That was part of that big giant rewiring project I did a few months back. I had to go in and get rid of all the old py junk wiring I had put in in a hurry and on the cheap, then I went back and installed everything the right way, with the right parts. Makes things a whole lot easier when you take your time and do it right the first time.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 07, 2011, 07:43:53 AM

True. You ought to see my truck. It's got a bunch of on-the-fly repairs done to it. I really need to give it some attention this Summer. Like you say, when you need to use it, it's hard sometimes to do the job right and get to work the next day.

Liz's recital went well last night at Akron. She played 2 pieces solo, one classical and 1 contemporary, and a duet with a junior clarinet player. It was a really nice evening. A clarinet sounds so nice in a concert hall. She has been practicing 1-1/2 to 3 hours a day to get ready, and it showed in her performance.

She has dual majors, writing and music performance. She recently wrote another short story I really like about a very young terminal cancer patient, written from the perspective of her older sister. I think she has about 4 stories now that are publishable material.

OK, enough bragging on my daughter. Gotta go chop up my car some more.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on March 07, 2011, 08:35:24 AM

That is great about your daughter's performance. And good to see a proud papa bragging about her. My daughter will be in college before I know it. Thanks for sharing.

Jon

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 07, 2011, 09:02:25 AM

Quote from: The Shredder;354749

That is great about your daughter's performance. And good to see a proud papa bragging about her. My daughter will be in college before I know it. Thanks for sharing.

Jon

Here's her and her mom.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 08, 2011, 11:57:12 AM

Busy with work. I chopped up the bumper support to allow more airflow past the trans cooler and got the lower mount on it done. Ground off paint to get ready to weld on the intercooler mounts and fiddled with the silicone connections a bit more. I will also move the top of the rad 1/4" forward to get a bit more fan to engine clearance. Just need to trim the bumper cover for airflow, finish the top cooler mounts, tie in to the radiator support for strength, and plumb in the cooler now. Just about have this knocked out.

Hope the air filter isn't too big of a pain.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 09, 2011, 05:07:56 AM

Browsing yesterday in hotel, found a possible air filter solution. I will probably have to hack the nose brace to the radiator support off in order to fit it, but I think the shortness of it will work.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/KNN-RU-2510/

Title: latest pics of nose work
Post by: flylear45 on March 09, 2011, 07:00:20 AM

I have to clean up a bit, it's getting too messy in here! :toilet:

As you can see from the first pic, I fit the new fender. The old one isn't terrible, but this one is almost perfect. I'll pull it again to strip it and cut in the inside paint. Next will be the I/C brackets and the top cooler mounts.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: pegasus on March 09, 2011, 11:12:05 AM

cool

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Kitz Kat on March 09, 2011, 01:49:44 PM

I doubt you will need any drop springs for it.lol

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: jejdavis on March 09, 2011, 08:16:56 PM

Wow!
looks like i joined the right forum!
this looks like an awesome job. Will have to keep watching to see the final project!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bruce M on March 09, 2011, 08:49:56 PM

What are you doing with the 2.3?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on March 09, 2011, 10:13:41 PM

geez its a wonder you haven't lost half your car in there

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 09, 2011, 11:26:08 PM

Quote from: pegasus;354929

cool

Thanks, It's getting there.

Quote from: Kitz Kat;354936

I doubt you will need any drop springs for it.lol

Once I start bolting on bumpers and such, it'll be sitting down a lot more.

Quote from: Bruce M;354971

What are you doing with the 2.3?

That's a spare engine for my TR7.

Quote from: sarjxxx;354986

geez its a wonder you haven't lost half your car in there

It looks worse than it is. I have those shelf units against the back wall full of TR parts from when I restored them, except for 1 unit with 2.3 bits. I have 2 complete cars, a TR6 and a TR250 yet to put together. I have a lean-to in back with more Triumph parts. Two units are devoted to the Tbird and one to the TR7. I have 2 units you can't see that have all my new parts waiting to install. There is another set of sturdy wood shelves with 3 engines and 4 transmissions on it for various cars. I have a bay full of 12 boxes of parts for the Tbird I got from the original owner. The picture is taken over top of that. Usually where the sandblaster and rolling tray sits I keep my son's Daytona. I moved it to bring in the Tbird nose.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 09, 2011, 11:33:25 PM

Quote from: jejdavis;354960

Wow!
looks like i joined the right forum!
this looks like an awesome job. Will have to keep watching to see the final project!

Thanks, man. I hope it gives you some entertainment. We are getting busy at work, but we did just hire a couple more pilots. (Of course part of my position is to help train them, so my benefit is still a ways off.)

If I get some time I should be starting up without the turbo in a week or two, barring new 'issues'. I REALLY want to be driving it this Summer. It all depends on the work schedule.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on March 10, 2011, 03:41:13 PM

Quote from: flylear45;355007

If I get some time I should be starting up without the turbo in a week or two, barring new 'issues'. I REALLY want to be driving it this Summer. It all depends on the work schedule.

And how are you going to exhaust the engine w/o the turbo hooked up? Don't your pipes run through it? or are you just gonna run the open headers just to make sure its all in working order?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 10, 2011, 06:20:06 PM

Quote from: sarjxxx;355045

And how are you going to exhaust the engine w/o the turbo hooked up? Don't your pipes run through it? or are you just gonna run the open headers just to make sure its all in working order?

Yep, that's the plan. Just run the headers and crossover pipe. I'll just run it for a few minutes to get the initial break-in run, then bolt the turbo and exhaust on.

I don't want to blow crud through the turbine wheel on the first start..

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on March 10, 2011, 11:30:56 PM

Quote from: flylear45;355059

I don't want to blow crud through the turbine wheel on the first start..

For real.

I hope you got some earplugs if you plan on starting that thing up while in the garage cause I'm sure you know its gonna be [size=8]LOUD[/size]:evilgrin:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 11, 2011, 01:29:06 AM

I've actually thought about that. LOL I may rig a flex pipe to a ler. Or I may go for the stock car sound. Either way, a video will be in order!

BTW how's this for irony? I played golf today in Tucson. It was their nicest day this Winter they said. 80 degrees and just a light breeze. ( Went 2 over on the back nine with a double bogey on a 345 yd. downhill, downwind par 4 that I nearly drove on the green. Chunked the first chip and 3 putted. DOH! I did birdie the number one handicap 440 yd. par 4 from a drive and a wedge to 6 feet on the previous hole.)

Then we came back to Cleveland in a snowstorm on an approach to minimums and I actually was completely out of control 4 times on the drive home. It was 25 mph at BEST the last 10 miles. The WORST conditions I've driven in in at least a decade.

WHY do I live here again?:hick:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on March 11, 2011, 01:38:12 AM

Why does ANYBODY live in the north? :yuck:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 11, 2011, 01:41:41 AM

Spoken for truth.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 11, 2011, 01:54:26 AM

Hey, if you want to see some skill displayed in flying, watch this:

http://www.aircraftowner.com/videos/view/piper-cub-tight-landing_1873.html

This is what a Cub can do.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on March 11, 2011, 10:28:02 PM

I'd like to think I live in the north for the seasons. Other than that I'm sick of the cold. My Mom has a house in Charlotte and a local contractor told me that a Yankee like me would not fair to well trying to get work in my trade if I did it would be no where the pay I'm used to

:dunno:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 12, 2011, 06:10:00 AM

Yeah, I suppose bitching about Winter is just what we do up here. I do enjoy the other 3 seasons a lot. I hate the sticky heat that comes with southern climates, so Summer wouldn't be as enjoyable for me down South.

I fabbed the cooler brackets twice yesterday before I got what I wanted. I'll be pulling it back off to paint it this morning, and getting the sheet metal cut back for the filter that arrived from Summit yesterday. I ought to get the tranny lines bent and installed this weekend. I'm just about ready to start bolting it all together for the start.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 13, 2011, 09:09:17 PM

Well, I had a lot of things get in my way this weekend, but got a few things knocked out.

Biggest to me was getting the sheet metal trimmed out for the filter. It actually fits pretty well, I just lost the brace behind the headlight on that side.

I have all the fittings here now for the coolers, got them when I exchanged the -10 drain line Summit sent for the correct one. The first one didn't have the steel braid on it. Installed the turbo after grinding it down so it would clock to have the drain perpendicular to the ground.

The clearancing I did on the frame worked out, too.

Just maybe I'll be starting it next week.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 13, 2011, 09:13:59 PM

I cut out the bumper cover to let air through the holes already in the upper nose brace. They are rough yet, I'll smooth it out before it goes on for good.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on March 13, 2011, 09:14:26 PM

Alright! Some progress is good. The filter on the turbo looks good. I guess you could have run a flat filter on the turbo inlet, but the K&N you have is probably better and will protect that turbo.

Can't wait to hear it run.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 13, 2011, 09:40:24 PM

Quote from: The Shredder;355338

Alright! Some progress is good. The filter on the turbo looks good. I guess you could have run a flat filter on the turbo inlet, but the K&N you have is probably better and will protect that turbo.

Can't wait to hear it run.

All I could find were screens or foam filters, either of which I wouldn't use on a street car. The 4" turbo inlet was a bit of a challenge.

I'm getting antsy now. I can see things getting close.

Our Whirlpool washing machine is acting up (again). Looks like I'll be working on it one day this week. Nothing ticks a woman off like not being able to use the washer!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 15, 2011, 08:04:14 PM

Made up the turbo drain line. What a pain. The angle was JUST a bit off at the pan and it hit the header. Had to find a way to bend the pan fitting a bit to get it to work. Looks good now, though. I had to assemble the line 3 times to get the length just right, and the turbo and header had to come off each time.

The Earl's line is way better quality than Summit brand. I'll be using it from now on.

Fabbed up a new brace for the turbo. The old one attached to a header stud, and the ARP fasteners don't have enough thread to do it that way. I like the new one better anyway.

Put a piece of 1,000 degree heatshield on the firewall near the downpipe turn. Insurance against a melted firewall soundproof mat. Relocated the wideband wires away from hot stuff.

Battery cables and transmission/ PS lines on Thursday.

Title: Pics of the day
Post by: flylear45 on March 15, 2011, 08:17:14 PM

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on March 15, 2011, 11:03:07 PM

Thats a shiny header!:cool:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 16, 2011, 06:57:31 AM

Quote from: sarjxxx;355498

Thats a shiny header!:cool:

Yeah, they are kinda purty. They fit up well, too. If they seal as good as they look, I'll be a BBK header fan for life.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 16, 2011, 09:12:57 AM

Well, payday came and I ordered some parts. I got a new set of headlamps coming from Bowen-Scarff dealership in WA. I also got a set of Ebay torque box reinforcement plates on the way. $65.00 shipped for top and bottom seemed pretty good on those.

The headlight availability is starting to concern me, so I just bit the bullet on them. I still need to get front rotors and wheel bearings, and last tires, AC stuff, and paint.

Hopefully I'll have enough cash left for the paint this month. I'd like to get the front bumper and fender cut in so I can mount them permanently.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on March 16, 2011, 04:44:46 PM

Quote from: flylear45;355517

Yeah, they are kinda purty. They fit up well, too. If they seal as good as they look, I'll be a BBK header fan for life.

I'm running the 351w swap BBK header and they seal nice I had a problem with header bolts backing out and with 3 loose they didn't leak till I had 4 loose. I got the passenger side out and will be using a remflex gasket with split locking bolts like the ones you've gone with. The drivers side I think I'll just replace the bolts. The line lock and brake lines are really tight. Wish I knew about locking header bolts last year

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 16, 2011, 07:26:09 PM

Quote from: thewestie;355568

I'm running the 351w swap BBK header and they seal nice I had a problem with header bolts backing out and with 3 loose they didn't leak till I had 4 loose. I got the passenger side out and will be using a remflex gasket with split locking bolts like the ones you've gone with. The drivers side I think I'll just replace the bolts. The line lock and brake lines are really tight. Wish I knew about locking header bolts last year

Being the paranoid type that I am, I have a set of copper gaskets to try out on the headers when I'm bolting them on for good.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 18, 2011, 06:44:55 PM

Got my tranny hard lines all done. All that's left is to attach the rubber lines and wire the cooler fan.

Working on the battery cables now.

My upper and lower torque box re-inforcements showed up this afternoon. I'm thinking I may wait until after the start up to do those.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 18, 2011, 11:29:01 PM

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 18, 2011, 11:34:48 PM

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on March 19, 2011, 12:00:10 AM

I'm beginning to become wrought with antition.... and its YOUR CAR.:wtf:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 19, 2011, 07:14:52 AM

Quote from: sarjxxx;355802

I'm beginning to become wrought with antition.... and its YOUR CAR.:wtf:

I'm pretty excited, too. If I don't get it started tomorrow it's going to be a while before I have any time.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on March 20, 2011, 08:52:32 AM

Holding my breath!!!!!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 20, 2011, 11:54:35 AM

Not happening today. I got sick yesterday and my daughter is sick today. I'm dragging but will get as far as I can.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: t.birdsc on March 20, 2011, 12:32:07 PM

Hope you both get better and when you do an engine running vid or even cranking would be cool.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 20, 2011, 02:23:25 PM

I plan to vid from the very first try at a start. You'll know if it starts or not.

Liz is keeping food down. I just have a headache left. Thanks for the thoughts, I think it's a pesky virus. We all went to the Cleveland Natural History Museum yesterday to see a mammal exhibit and see the planetarium show. ( We have really nice museums in this town.) I felt like the whole time, and got little done when I got back.

I did manage to get the trans cooler wiring done and the passenger side hot stuff is all bolted down, and the IC bolted in with the connections done. Working on the driver's side now.

Those Percy's header bolts are pretty cool!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 20, 2011, 05:47:48 PM

Got the driver's hot side all bolted down along with the AC compressor and alternator. Went to install my new serpentine belt, and found it was too short. I had saved the old one, and it fit perfectly, so Rockauto evidently sent the wrong one.

The good news is that everything looks pretty good at this point. I am happy with clearances and fit. All I need is some time to get it done.

1. mount trans cooler DONE and PS cooler
2. bend and install trans lines DONE
3. install radiator hoses and IC hoses
4. mount Baumann CPU
5. attach trans harness and shift cable at trans
6. blow out/clean fuel lines, install tank
7. put new yoke on driveshaft, check u-joints and install
8. install heater and dash
9. finish up last of the engine compartment wiring DONE
10. finish up battery cabling
11. grind turbo housing to clock it properly DONE
12. install turbo oil lines DONE
13. bolt on alternator and put on fan belt DONE
14. blow out brake lines, install master cylinder and fresh fluid
15. Bolt on exhaust (minus catalytic converter)

At that point I should be about ready to load software, fill trans and engine with fluids, hook up the battery, and try to start it for the first time. Once I have a runner I can get on to stage 2.

1. re-wire headlight circuit with relays under dash
2. install remote door lock electronics
3. mount GPS antenna
4. install carpc hardware and DC power regulators
5. install speakers and amp
6. install HD AM/FM radio

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: jridenour31 on March 21, 2011, 12:12:32 AM

I FINALLY finished reading all of this. All I can say is wow, I'm glad I'm taking the easy way out. Luckily I have a very loose definition of street car. Looks good.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 26, 2011, 09:18:20 AM

Quote from: jridenour31;355978

I FINALLY finished reading all of this. All I can say is wow, I'm glad I'm taking the easy way out. Luckily I have a very loose definition of street car. Looks good.

Thanks. It's coming along. I wish I'd gotten more done up to now, since the schedule is nuts right now. I'm in the garage today and can make some more progress. I was in Orange County all last week.

Like you said, I haven't done too much the easy way. LOL In a lot of ways it's more time consuming to make a true street car. I can't wait to get to installing all the carpc stuff.

Title: Today's pics
Post by: flylear45 on March 26, 2011, 05:28:24 PM

Ran plug wires, worked on heater hoses, mounted PS cooler and lines.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 26, 2011, 05:36:13 PM

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on March 26, 2011, 10:02:51 PM

Wow

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 26, 2011, 11:51:48 PM

My son is going to help install the dash tomorrow. I'm getting the feeling that nothing can stop me now.

The plug wires are a mish-mash of stuff I had here. One day I'll order a set of Magnecore wires, but that day isn't today. I may need to alter the PS cooler if I get interference with the nose, but it looked to be OK. I wasted a bunch of time looking for the poly O-rings for the PS pump side line connection. Can't locate them. I'll have to get them before I can fill the system. I expect the seals on the lines at the rack to leak, and if they do I'll be changing them out and replacing the rack. I just want to hear some noise and see what else is wrong first.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 28, 2011, 09:26:01 AM

Well, I tracked down some O-rings at Advance for 3.00. Now I'll probably find the first set. Anyway, all the hoses are on and tight except the heater core ones.

I found universal (ugly) hoses that fit for now at Autozone. I expect I'll need stainless steel hoses at least on the bottom for heat. These will get it running and were affordable enough.

Once I fit the nose I hated the version 1 PS cooler. I wasn't going to get to the bolts on the marker lights and it just didn't fit like I wanted. Soooo, I broke out the Derale tranny cooler I was originally going to use for the transmission and mounted it. I like it MUCH better, and it will be more effective to boot.

After I take my son out to practice for his driving test we're going to work on the dash.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 28, 2011, 09:27:35 AM

At this point the punch list is:

1. Attach shifter cable to trans
2. Finish battery cabling and FP relay in trunk
3. install heater and dash
4. install fuel tank and add a few gallons of petrol
5. put new yoke on driveshaft and install it
6. Put fuses in all the circuits
7. Attach downpipe
8. Finish wiring I need to tie in to dash
9. prime engine oil system
10. Add water to cooling system
11. fill PS system
12. fill transmission
13. Plug off all vacuum lines for now except to Megasquirt and FP regulator
14. Initialize the Baumann and Megasquirt computers
15. Hook up battery and see what happens

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on March 28, 2011, 09:48:32 AM

Yeah, those hoses sure are ugly. :p I would worry about that lower one though, in the long run.

Perhaps you can find some appropriately-sized tubing and make a lower hose that's connected at the end with a couple silicone couplers.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 28, 2011, 02:00:34 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;356566

Yeah, those hoses sure are ugly. :p I would worry about that lower one though, in the long run.

Perhaps you can find some appropriately-sized tubing and make a lower hose that's connected at the end with a couple silicone couplers.

That's a good idea. It isn't shown well in the photo, but the hose actually fits the space as well as if it was custom made. Pretty much maximizes the distance available without drooping too much.

Plug wires and hoses on the future buy list.

My boy has a trombone lesson now, so looking to get some stuff done before he gets back. Last night he had a 'Tricking' event in Hinckley, OH. Some guys from Toledo showed up to show off. Here's him doing his thing until 1:42, then it's random buds of his from Tricker House. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn0pIq4bCu0 If you saw the recent TRON movie, the black opponent on the game grid was a tricker.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on March 28, 2011, 03:27:20 PM

That's Quite impressive. I hope you got your licks in when he was young. If he integrates some Brazilian jujitsu he would score well at that as well. I Know I wouldn't want to tangle with him

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bruce M on March 28, 2011, 04:15:58 PM

Looks like capolaro. spelling? He's pretty bad.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 28, 2011, 04:41:14 PM

When he first started doing it last year, I wasn't too sure about it. I was certain he'd hurt himself and miss some golf matches. It's been really good for his physique and his confidence, though, and it gets him off the computer. LOL He edited and saved the video last night in an hour or two. I think he enjoys that part as much as the rest.

If he tried all that flippidy on me in a scuffle he'd be in trouble. (I'm way meaner than him even though I'm old and fat.) I don't think it has any real martial art fighting merit, it's just for show. The last guy on his video is great, BTW. You should see him with a jumprope. It's incredible. He does tricking while he's jumping rope so fast it's just a blur. Pretty cool IMHO.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Kitz Kat on March 28, 2011, 04:58:23 PM

I look everyday for the post "It's a runner"

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 28, 2011, 05:21:55 PM

Quote from: Kitz Kat;356603

I look everyday for the post "It's a runner"

I'm thinking Thursday or Friday you'll get your wish.:bowdown:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on March 28, 2011, 05:36:26 PM

Quote from: flylear45;356564

Quote from: Chuck W;356566

Yeah, those hoses sure are ugly. :p

No Way!! Those two are AWESOME!! Hit that thing with some interior detail shine like armor all and it'll shine like magic. That thing is badass looking LOL

Oh, btw, random question do you plan to put a heat shield on that turbo?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 28, 2011, 07:58:38 PM

Quote from: sarjxxx;356612

No Way!! Those two are AWESOME!! Hit that thing with some interior detail shine like armor all and it'll shine like magic. That thing is badass looking LOL

Oh, btw, random question do you plan to put a heat shield on that turbo?

First pic on post #299 shows the turbo blanket I got for it.

We'll see how it all works together, then maybe a little spit-shine will be in order. It'll get all dusty when I start the paint process, anyway.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on March 28, 2011, 08:21:10 PM

Oh yeah I see but I was kinda thinking more like for the intake side too

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bruce M on March 28, 2011, 08:22:59 PM

He's got fighting merit. Capoeira is no joke, I seen some pretty sweet kicks in there. And beleave it or not capoeira kicks are VERY powerful.[video=youtube;e0KfQE2-ZqA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0KfQE2-ZqA[/video]
Your son has skill. I see a lot of capoeira influance.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on March 28, 2011, 08:47:32 PM

Its fun stuff. I tried doing some parkour back in high school. I was getting into it could do some cool stuff till I tried to learn to backflip off of walls, after about the 18th time I landed on my head I gave that up lol. I can run and jump and climb but that flippy kicky stuff just doesn't work with me. Its fun to watch though. He's pretty good. I love what that one kid did at the end too. That superman thing. That was awesome.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 30, 2011, 01:07:32 PM

Quote from: sarjxxx;356628

Oh yeah I see but I was kinda thinking more like for the intake side too

Well, the cold side doesn't give off much heat. A blanket keeps the turbine side insulated from the rest.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on March 30, 2011, 04:44:30 PM

No I meant like a shield to try to keep as much hot air from entering the intake... For CAI purposes. Although I realize the turbine heats the intake air up enough that it almost really doesn't matter but still....

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 30, 2011, 10:42:30 PM

Quote from: sarjxxx;356752

No I meant like a shield to try to keep as much hot air from entering the intake... For CAI purposes. Although I realize the turbine heats the intake air up enough that it almost really doesn't matter but still....

Oh, I see.

Well, I think that since the filter sticks through the front of the car so far, it'll mostly get air coming in through the front from below the nose. that's my thinking anyway.

A shroud around the filter might help a bit, but I probably won't go to the trouble.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 30, 2011, 11:05:05 PM

Quote from: Bruce M;356629

He's got fighting merit. Capoeira is no joke, I seen some pretty sweet kicks in there. And beleave it or not capoeira kicks are VERY powerful.
Your son has skill. I see a lot of capoeira influance.

Thanks, man. I'll pass that on. He'll be pleased to hear the compliment.

I expect he'll be going to college on either a golf, music, or academic scholarship. He's a 4.0 Honor's student and can beat me at golf. He has been winning tournaments since he was 8. His trombone playing is as good as the golf (he's probably better than his sister who has a full ride in music performance.) Tricking is all his own thing, and I'm just as proud of that. Mostly because it has helped change him into a man. I got real lucky in the kid department.

I love the sound of the contact he makes on this 21 second vid. VERY pure. He's left-handed and I had him learn golf righty. Sort of a reverse Phil Mickelson thing to keep his dominant side forward. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6IMLLnYIW8

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 31, 2011, 07:59:22 PM

LJ and I got the dash in, now to hook up everything required to get it running.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on March 31, 2011, 08:39:11 PM

I was hoping for a start video. I'm exited for you. goodluck

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on March 31, 2011, 10:32:43 PM

Lookin like this weekend's gonna do it?

Are you still going to dry run it or are you going to try it with the turbo hooked up?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 01, 2011, 05:51:56 AM

I'm thinking I'll leave the turbo on at this point, but leave the crossover off for the first couple minutes of break-in run. Then connect it up after that.

As long as I don't run into too many hitches, yes, this weekend is the goal. LJ has his driver's test this morning, and Liz has is performing with a full orchestra Saturday. I'll be there for those things, but should still have enough time to get 'er done.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 01, 2011, 06:31:41 PM

Got battery cables run up into trunk, finished all the underhood wiring including A/C and mirror temp sensor mounting.. Installed driveshaft.

Tomorrow is cleaning out fuel system and installing tank, installing shifter cable, soldering ends on the battery cables and wiring in the fuel pump relay. Then have to bolt up steering column and connect plugs on ignition circuit, install dash cluster, and load up initial tunes in computers.

Then I can add fluids, prime oil system and give it a go.

BTW, Johnny passed his driving test. Watch out for a clean white 89 Daytona.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on April 01, 2011, 11:28:09 PM

Quote from: flylear45;356951

Tomorrow is cleaning out fuel system and installing tank...

Good luck. I'd rather reinstall my transmission again. I hate the fuel tank supports on our cars.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 02, 2011, 08:15:33 PM

Ended up helping my bosses son with his Prelude this morning. Took most of my day away, but I did get the shifter all mounted and the cable connected and adjusted, along with making a new gasket for the throttle body and attaching all the cold air pipe.

Just the connectors under the dash, installing the steering column, and finishing up the fuel system and stuff in the trunk tomorrow.

I'm thinking tomorrow is the day.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on April 02, 2011, 10:03:34 PM

Shut the phone off. That thing always rings the most when I need to get things done.
Good luck.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 03, 2011, 06:39:46 AM

Quote from: thewestie;357032

Shut the phone off. That thing always rings the most when I need to get things done.
Good luck.

Ain't that the truth. The kid is nice, but I think he's in over his head on the Prelude. He wants to turbo it, but has no real tools or experience. I've been trying to talk him into staying NA,but he's stubborn.With the stuff he has at his disposal he should just be doing bolt-on mods if any.

I was young once, too. Nobody could tell me anything I didn't want to hear then, either.

I like to help out co-workers and friends with car stuff. Anyone who wants to help themselves and isn't afraid to get dirty is welcome in the shop.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on April 03, 2011, 10:19:18 AM

Same rules in my shop. My problem is a good buddy will inevitably try to reinvent the wheel on a project I'm working on or over tighten the s&*t out of it and break it.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 04, 2011, 10:44:55 PM

Well, a total disaster so far.

Megasquirt won't communicate. Pulled it out and won't work on the bench either. Going to take some time to troubleshoot.

Fuel pump won't run, not even when I jumper the relay at the wires leading right to the pump. Gotta drop the tank to see what's up with that. It's a new pump.

Ignition is buggered, starter is on when key is in run. Tried two switches, both act the same.

Starter won't engage, just clicks at both solenoids. Battery is fresh.

I'm sure there's more, but I need to walk away for a while.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on April 04, 2011, 11:03:07 PM

Bummer. Sorry to hear that. You have a good attitude take break and step back it will all come together.
This from the guy who threw a hissy fit in my garage today thankfully by myself. On another note I have a brand new aftermarket starter solenoid that runs the starter in the run position? It needs a whack once in a while. Ill probably get a new one from ford.
Good luck

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on April 04, 2011, 11:12:11 PM

Sucks, Jim.

Hopefully you can get your ducks lined up soon, and get this things started.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 05, 2011, 07:55:01 AM

Quote from: thewestie;357222

Bummer. Sorry to hear that. You have a good attitude take break and step back it will all come together.
This from the guy who threw a hissy fit in my garage today thankfully by myself. On another note I have a brand new aftermarket starter solenoid that runs the starter in the run position? It needs a whack once in a while. Ill probably get a new one from ford.
Good luck

Quote from: Chuck W;357223

Sucks, Jim.

Hopefully you can get your ducks lined up soon, and get this things started.

Thanks, guys.

Pretty frustrating day. We lost power for 1/2 the day first off. I had to twiddle my thumbs for 4 hours that I could have been doing something. Then to have so many issues. It's way worse than the TR7 was initially. So little works that I can hardly know where to start.

Bench testing one of the ignition switches shows it to be OK, so I'm thinking I mis-wired something somewhere that backfed into MS and messed it up. Probably the same circuit that is feeding the starter wire. I'll start with that theory and work forward.

I pulled the cover off the MS, but don't see any burned traces or anything out of the ordinary. It just won't connect to the computer.

So, 4 things on the short list.

1. Find the mis-wired circuit(s)
2. Troubleshoot and fix megasquirt
3. Troubleshoot/ Replace starter
4. Troubleshoot/ replace fuel pump

I never got to checking the Baumann computer. I'll pull it and bench test it now. I SURE hope it didn't take a hit also.

Sigh.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on April 05, 2011, 08:26:36 AM

I'm so sorry to hear it. I'm sure it is disheartening... Take your time. I know you are anxious to hear that thing run (and so are we).

The wiring issue is probably something simple - once you find the problem. Take your time to research and investigate. You have been so methodical and patient thus far - Don't stop!

I sure do wish I lived closer - this is the time you need help - at least moral support.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 05, 2011, 11:26:35 AM

Quote from: The Shredder;357255

I'm so sorry to hear it. I'm sure it is disheartening... Take your time. I know you are anxious to hear that thing run (and so are we).

The wiring issue is probably something simple - once you find the problem. Take your time to research and investigate. You have been so methodical and patient thus far - Don't stop!

I sure do wish I lived closer - this is the time you need help - at least moral support.

I appreciate that. It'd be fun having another helper.

Well, after working on the MS for a while I got it back up and running. :D The hardware all checked out so I re-flashed the processor. That took care of the comm issue.

Now to find the wiring problems before I try to attach it again.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on April 05, 2011, 12:12:54 PM

Glad to hear one issue is tackled.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 05, 2011, 03:05:55 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;357275

Glad to hear one issue is tackled.

Got the fuel pump. It was the impact cutout. The button was in, but no continuity.

3 down. Starter appears to be NFG. I'm not sure about what is wrong in the harness. It's a toughy.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on April 05, 2011, 04:12:40 PM

Well at least you're getting there! Like everyone said, just take your time and go easy with it. You'll find problems much easier when your calm than when you're all fired up. I know cause I always get fired up at like that! lol.

Just remember you're already past the time you intended to start it up and you're never going to make it now, so just sit back, and don't be in a hurry. It makes it a lot easier. I know when I get fired up it's cause I want something done in a hurry and can't figure it out and it drives me nuts. When you don't care how long it take you, it makes things so much easier lol.

Good luck buddy.(http://forums.tccoa.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 05, 2011, 04:27:25 PM

Thanks Steve.

2 steps forward one step back. Fuel line leaking at fitting. Looks like I got one the wrong size, somehow. -6 to 5/16" feed line to regulator. Gotta check my receipts to see if I ordered wrong or what.

EDIT

Yep, ordered a 3/8". DOH!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: jridenour31 on April 08, 2011, 12:36:32 AM

I definitely agree about taking your time and not getting fired up. I have a pretty bad temper and it doesn't take much to set me off. Once that happens I can't get anything done. I had a hell of a time dropping my motor in today, the mounts just weren't cooperating. You just have to take a step back and clear your head. You're getting there, keep it up.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 08, 2011, 01:13:12 AM

Thanks for checking in on me jridenour31. I know I can get this figured out. The frustration comes from wanting to drive it soon. That and my son is starting to show an interest. Plus I'm into the Masters crunch (at work) that I knew was coming, so I can't work on it right now.

I'm just cooling it until I get time again, and working on my golf game. It's all I can do right now. I may take my last week of vacation early to get this sorted out and then get the paint job underway.

This is gonna be a kick-ass car, but it's a HUGE project that isn't going to play nice, apparently. I will overcome in the end. I know I can do this!

I have to say, the support I have received from you all has really been a huge help.

Thank you very much.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on April 08, 2011, 08:32:42 AM

Quote from: flylear45;357469

Thanks for checking in on me jridenour31. I know I can get this figured out. The frustration comes from wanting to drive it soon. That and my son is starting to show an interest. Plus I'm into the Masters crunch (at work) that I knew was coming, so I can't work on it right now.

I'm just cooling it until I get time again, and working on my golf game. It's all I can do right now. I may take my last week of vacation early to get this sorted out and then get the paint job underway.

This is gonna be a kick-ass car, but it's a HUGE project that isn't going to play nice, apparently. I will overcome in the end. I know I can do this!

I have to say, the support I have received from you all has really been a huge help.

Thank you very much.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that you will get it sorted out. You know what you're doing and you have a plan. You just need the time to get back to it, which is a frustration in itself.

Keep pressing, you'll be cruising soon.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Kitz Kat on April 08, 2011, 01:29:40 PM

Give up golf and look at how much more time you have for the car! Kidding you, It will work out. It's a hell of a project your doing there will be snags.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 11, 2011, 03:34:39 AM

Quote from: Kitz Kat;357501

Give up golf and look at how much more time you have for the car! Kidding you, It will work out. It's a hell of a project your doing there will be snags.

Truly, golf will be getting in the way soon. I did all my practice on the road this week. I wasn't here to do anything anyway.

I have 4 passions in life, and try to feed them all as much as I can.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 13, 2011, 06:08:08 AM

Doing brakes on my son's Daytona today, and replacing the hatch struts so he can start driving it to school. It'll be nice not to have to run him to band, weight lifting, and golf practices.

I've been using the Daytona a lot myself, but now the TR7 will be my daily again and it needs some TLC. It's due for an oil change and general inspection, plus I need to fab a cold air intake for cabin air. Right now it is sucking engine bay air and it smells a bit when the heater is running and the car is closed up. I need to make a metal box with 2 2" flexible hoses attached to run into the fender well area to get fresh air so I don't smell like the inside of an exhaust pipe when I get to work.

A friend has a new starter that may work for me on the the 'bird, and hopefully I can get over to his place and pick it up later today.

I have to cut and flare the fuel lines for tube nut fittings, then the fuel system will be repaired and ready. Then I can jump back into the wiring problem and try for a start again.

Grass is growing, taxes are due, and I have a honey-do list 10 items deep. This time of year sucks for getting garage time.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on April 13, 2011, 07:38:21 PM

I'm just happy that your still going it will happen. I look for your post daily.
My car is supposed to be going for paint Friday and its still in pieces. Lucky the body guys busy with little stuff and I wont loose the spot for a couple of weeks.
I could decide to not seed the lawn fix the bushes the backhoe riped out forget the three oil changes and ball joints. And the clean up from the fire is still going etc etc etc.
Man spring is tough to get fun stuff done

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 13, 2011, 08:47:55 PM

Quote from: thewestie;357972

I'm just happy that your still going it will happen. I look for your post daily.
My car is supposed to be going for paint Friday and its still in pieces. Lucky the body guys busy with little stuff and I wont loose the spot for a couple of weeks.
I could decide to not seed the lawn fix the bushes the backhoe riped out forget the three oil changes and ball joints. And the clean up from the fire is still going etc etc etc.
Man spring is tough to get fun stuff done

Cool, hope you get done in time to get the paint job. LOL, Spring means a lot of work for us northern guys!

I did pick up the starter today. Worked a small while on the Tbird, but just checking connectors and going over the wiring diagram to get a clue where to start .

The Daytona was a piece of cake. The rear brakes are a breeze on it, and it is as clean as a 1 year old car, so no drama with rusted . Hope the boy keeps it nice while he has it. It's a pretty cool little car.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on April 13, 2011, 09:55:05 PM

Post up pics of the Daytona! What year? I had an 1984 Daytona turbo for a little while. I loved that car!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 20thanniver-ls on April 13, 2011, 10:55:29 PM

Quote from: The Shredder;357980

Post up pics of the Daytona! What year? I had an 1984 Daytona turbo for a little while. I loved that car!

I almost had an '88 Shelby Daytona with the turbo motor as my first car, but the thing poured out oil like a SOB, so I stayed away, but it was an awesome car.

And X2 on the pics......

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 14, 2011, 08:11:57 AM

Quote from: 20thanniver-ls;357988

I almost had an '88 Shelby Daytona with the turbo motor as my first car, but the thing poured out oil like a SOB, so I stayed away, but it was an awesome car.

And X2 on the pics......

It's a white/silver 1989 SE 2.5 NA automatic with grey cloth interior. A real dog off the line, but cruises nice and gets decent mileage. I bought it from our Director of Maintenance who bought it new and treated it like a pet. He never drove it in winter, and it only had 53,000 miles when I got it last year. Super clean and the interior is spotless. Even has the color keyed Daytona floor mats in good condition! It seriously looks a year old top to bottom.

It's optioned funny. It has ground effects and spoiler, 4 wheel discs, 15 inch alloys, A/C and power mirrors, but no cruise, power locks or power windows. It's a nice car for John. Looks cool and is unusual, has the hatchback for his trombone and golf bag. Has an airbag and wasn't too expensive in case he gets in a fender-bender. I'm not a big Dodge fan, but this was a deal I couldn't pass up. If he takes care of it it'll get him through college easily.

I'll get a pic or two up later. Can't find any right now, and I have to go help out my brother. His Suburban needs to go to the shop for a brake issue and he needs a lift.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 18, 2011, 04:14:36 PM

Started to troubleshoot the wiring. Found a mis-wire on the transmission stub harness. I had swapped the red/lb and another wire. Just have to change those and I think the starter circuit is fixed.

I still want to check some other circuits before I try to plug Megasquirt in again. I hope to be able to swap starters with the one I got from a buddy tonight. It'd be nice to at least crank it over.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on April 18, 2011, 09:56:52 PM

ahhhhh.....the plot thickens.....

...actually, in this case, I guess it thins...ehh idk wrong phrase for the situation.

Anyway here's hoping for success:D

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 19, 2011, 05:21:53 AM

Quote from: sarjxxx;358336

ahhhhh.....the plot thickens.....

...actually, in this case, I guess it thins...ehh idk wrong phrase for the situation.

Anyway here's hoping for success:D

Swapped the wires and fixed a bad pin on the 501 connector. Starter relay circuit is OK now.

Mailed in my checks to the Govt's. I have a couple days this week to hopefully get back to where I (thought ) I was.

Coming into ORH today westie. Won't be staying long, though.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on April 19, 2011, 12:41:34 PM

I got the day off to. The 111 chop house is only 15 minuets away surf and turf is always a good bet there. Well it looks like ill stick to working in the car and buy the end of the week I can hopefully have it ready to ship. Good luck getting yours ready to fire up

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 19, 2011, 05:51:52 PM

Quote from: thewestie;358355

I got the day off to. The 111 chop house is only 15 minuets away surf and turf is always a good bet there. Well it looks like ill stick to working in the car and buy the end of the week I can hopefully have it ready to ship. Good luck getting yours ready to fire up

Yeah, sorry it didn't work out this time. I ended up flying with a new hire, and I gave him a chance to do a couple landings before we even got to eat. Had to grab something quick and get back.

I'll get this sucker going real soon. Just need to have a minute or two without something else coming up.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on April 19, 2011, 05:54:17 PM

I hear Worcester is fun to fly in and out of with the drop off. Maybe next time?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 20, 2011, 06:10:54 AM

Quote from: thewestie;358377

I hear Worcester is fun to fly in and out of with the drop off. Maybe next time?

Hopefully! :D

OK, I didn't like what I was getting from my battery, so I pulled the one from the TR7.

Got it cranking fine. Now to get the fuel lines done and try the computer again. One weird issue is the speedo is bouncing during cranking. I gotta look at the VSS wires to see if they are right.

Title: IT RUNS......... for a minute
Post by: flylear45 on April 20, 2011, 09:47:36 PM

Long day. I'll recap it.

First I hooked up the Baumann and loaded a beginning tune and set the initialization parameters. Checked the shifter positions against the software readout and all appeared normal. Good news there.

Then I split the engine wiring harnesses apart enough to check ALL the pinouts on Megasquirt, and verify circuits through the connectors. The only thing I didn't do was pull the intake to check the injector plugs underneath.

Everything checked out but MS wasn't connecting again. Hmm. Pulled MS out and it bench tested OK. :mad:

The FP relay was acting really weird, staying on after the ignition was off, so I replaced the (new) relay with another. Problem solved. Went on to look at fuses for MS power. They looked fine, but I wasn't getting power to pin 28 at the computer itself. I checked the MS fuse with a multimeter, and found it to be blown where it wasn't showing visually. Replaced fuse (probably blown from wonky FP relay) and I had connection at last! All the odd clicks and things were gone with ignition on, and it finally was acting normal.

Then I got under the car and fixed the fuel line connections, but had a brain fart and hooked return to feed and feed to return. Turned the key.....No leaks, but no fire. :confused: Checked coils and had good spark which lead me to the mixed up fuel lines.

By this time all I had was 20 minutes left until I had to take my son to his concert performance with CYWS up at Cleveland State, but I figured I give it one last try.

She turned over twice and fired up! It only ran for a couple of seconds a couple of times before I had to quit to get cleaned up. I got good oil pressure and just one hint of a minor fuel leak at the back of the engine somewhere. The oil pressure sender is also weeping, but I expected that since it appeared to be loose.

I am too beat to go on tonight, but tomorrow I'll get the fuel pressure gauge wired in so I can set base fuel pressure and begin to get it tuned enough to keep running at idle.

Plus I owe you guys a video!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on April 20, 2011, 10:16:20 PM

Excellent! Glad you finally got it fired up!

I mixed up the fuel lines on my old Ranger 2.3T swap. Aggravating.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on April 20, 2011, 10:17:08 PM

[SIZE="7"][/SIZE]Yea cant wait for video

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on April 20, 2011, 11:11:20 PM

Hazah!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 86T-bird on April 21, 2011, 01:36:44 PM

Congrats on getting it to fire! It had to be one of the more satisfying moments!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 22, 2011, 08:33:04 AM

Thanks guys!

Yesterday wasn't what I'd hoped for. I have something wrong that's keeping the car from 'catching' and running. I ran the battery down twice yesterday cranking and trying settings up and down with REQD FUEL and CRANKING SETTINGS.

Those are the only two fueling parameters to tune at this stage. I'm not quite sure what the problem is. After sleeping on it, I'm going to try to datalog the start process and take a video to show you all what it's doing.

I THINK it might be either a bad EDIS module, loss of VR signal, or a Megasquirt issue.

I've gone over the software setup many times, checked for spark at both coilpacks, checked the firing order and plug wire connections.

I'm hoping the datalog points to something because I'm a bit puzzled right now.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 22, 2011, 10:14:17 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roiOkn0VV4I

PW2 isn't an issue. That's only for dual table. All header tubes have heat in them, so it's getting fuel and spark to all.

It just won't stay running.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 22, 2011, 02:15:49 PM

I can't find anything wrong. I need to pull the upper intake to explore a fuel leak, so I'll check the valve lash. Maybe the valves are too tight.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on April 22, 2011, 02:35:44 PM

To me it sounds like your losing spark when you let of the key?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: hypostang on April 22, 2011, 04:51:58 PM

Quote from: thewestie;358544

To me it sounds like your losing spark when you let of the key?

Thats what it sounded like to me too .

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 22, 2011, 06:05:24 PM

In that video, yes it sounds like it. At times it will run for a few seconds afterwards before it stalls.

I yanked the upper and fixed the fuel leak, and got a new oil pressure sender to fix the oil leak. Pulled all the plugs out.

4,7,8,1 and 6 were black, sooty, and fouled looking.

2, 3, 5 looked like they were perfect, or maybe hadn't even seen fuel.

2, 3, 5, and 7 are on the same injector bank. 6, 8, 1, and 4 on the other.

The worst news is that there is a lot of frothy oil coming from the turbo. Signs of a bad seal I think. We'll see on that. I do have a restrictor fitting to put in the oil feed to the turbo.

I tested continuity on the injector connectors. Checked out fine.

Something is wrong, I just don't know what yet. I'll not be happy until I check the valve lash. I've about had it for today.

EDIT

I intend to pick up a noid light to test the injector harness and see if MS is outputting to the injectors properly. I also want to see why the idle valve doesn't seem to be operating.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Blown306Cougar on April 22, 2011, 07:13:02 PM

Quote from: flylear45;358555

In that video, yes it sounds like it. At times it will run for a few seconds afterwards before it stalls.

I yanked the upper and fixed the fuel leak, and got a new oil pressure sender to fix the oil leak. Pulled all the plugs out.

4,7,8,1 and 6 were black, sooty, and fouled looking.

2, 3, 5 looked like they were perfect, or maybe hadn't even seen fuel.

2, 3, 5, and 7 are on the same injector bank. 6, 8, 1, and 4 on the other.

The worst news is that there is a lot of frothy oil coming from the turbo. Signs of a bad seal I think. We'll see on that. I do have a restrictor fitting to put in the oil feed to the turbo.

I tested continuity on the injector connectors. Checked out fine.

Something is wrong, I just don't know what yet. I'll not be happy until I check the valve lash. I've about had it for today.

EDIT

I intend to pick up a noid light to test the injector harness and see if MS is outputting to the injectors properly. I also want to see why the idle valve doesn't seem to be operating.

it sounded like it fired on the first two trys the fuel table might be to fat on the start cycle did you try and start the car with the throttle wide open and feather the throttle to see if you can keep it running

my cougar had a hard time to continue running on the first start up. had a fat tune for the blower and the victor Jr intake..

Nick

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Blown306Cougar on April 22, 2011, 07:31:17 PM

oh one other question when you wired the ignition circuit did you make sure it was tied into the ignition circuit that is still powered when in start position.. there are two ignition circuits. one is power with ignition on and off while in start position and the other is power with ignition on and on while in start position.. i figured you would know this but might have overlooked it

Nick

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bruce M on April 22, 2011, 10:26:33 PM

How about timing?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 23, 2011, 08:51:14 AM

Quote from: Blown306Cougar;358559

it sounded like it fired on the first two trys the fuel table might be to fat on the start cycle did you try and start the car with the throttle wide open and feather the throttle to see if you can keep it running

my cougar had a hard time to continue running on the first start up. had a fat tune for the blower and the victor Jr intake..

Nick

Actually it seems to only be running on puddled fuel from the start prime. That after looking at the datalogs and lots of tries. I tried it the way you suggest.

Quote from: Blown306Cougar;358562

oh one other question when you wired the ignition circuit did you make sure it was tied into the ignition circuit that is still powered when in start position.. there are two ignition circuits. one is power with ignition on and off while in start position and the other is power with ignition on and on while in start position.. i figured you would know this but might have overlooked it

Nick

Yeah, I'm coming off the Gr/R wire from the ignition, and I tested it and MS power with a test light while cranking and in run. It's powered during both.

Quote from: Bruce M;358571

How about timing?

I checked the cam timing before I put on the front cover. I could have the lash too tight, though.
I'm going to test the injector electrics with a noid light first thing, and do a compression test. If the readings are low, then I'll be re-setting the valve lash.

As far as ignition timing, it is set in a fixed spot by the location of the VR sensor to the toothed crank wheel. If the EDIS control module is bad it could throw off the timing, though. MS sends it's signal to the EDIS and EDIS does the timing from there. I have a new (used) EDIS coming soon from Ebay. If the compression is good I will suspect it is (part of) the problem.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bruce M on April 23, 2011, 11:05:42 AM

I dont think it would start if the valves were tight. When yours started it sounded good while it ran. I didnt hear a miss.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: SirChirpAlot on April 23, 2011, 01:01:46 PM

I havent been around for a wile but its nice to see your coming along with this and hope the little bugs dont keep you down to much.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on April 23, 2011, 09:02:56 PM

One question. Why did you choose to use the EDIS module and not just do the direct coil control?

Not saying that has anything to do with it, but I know that as soon as it was sorted out that you could do things without that extra module, that is how most were doing it.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 24, 2011, 04:55:23 AM

Quote from: Bruce M;358585

I dont think it would start if the valves were tight. When yours started it sounded good while it ran. I didnt hear a miss.

It didn't stay running long in the vid, but you can hear it chugging and it sounds like it was running on 4 or 5 cylinders when it does.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 24, 2011, 04:58:36 AM

Quote from: SirChirpAlot;358589

I havent been around for a wile but its nice to see your coming along with this and hope the little bugs dont keep you down to much.

Thanks, man. It's coming, just more bugs than I expected. It's still fun, though. I know I'll get it worked out in the end. Hopefully I'll find enough time this week to get it running so I can start on paint next weekend. Hard to say for sure at this point, though.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 24, 2011, 05:07:17 AM

Quote from: Chuck W;358616

One question. Why did you choose to use the EDIS module and not just do the direct coil control?

Not saying that has anything to do with it, but I know that as soon as it was sorted out that you could do things without that extra module, that is how most were doing it.

Good question. Way back in 2001 when I built my first Megasquirt I ordered a spare board in case I f'ed up on the assembly. Then a buddy gave me a MS1 processor, so I had those things laying around. I acquired other components over time to assemble this computer. Since it's a V2.2 board I can't really do the coil control. All the necessary components for that do come on the V3 and later boards.

I use the EDIS-4 module on the TR7 and it works well for me. Like you say, it has limitations if you want to do spark cut or launch control.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 24, 2011, 06:13:17 AM

Ah, I found something at last! First I ohm checked the injectors. All check out at 3 ohms on the button. Power wires all good to the injectors, and continuity in the loom checked.

Then hooked an buttstuffog meter between the injector ground and 12v. No swing on injectors 2,3,5, and 7. The computer isn't grounding injector bank 2. I'll look at the MS and the flyback board to see what is going on and try it again. I'll do a quick compression test to look for tight valves before I button up the upper intake once I sort the injector issue out. This might be the problem guys.

Title: Ta-dah!!!!
Post by: flylear45 on April 24, 2011, 11:19:31 AM

Alrighty then!

This is sooooo strange. I could not for the life of me find a single hardware problem with the Megasquirt, but it WAS acting strangely on the stim.

Compression check A-OK on all cylinders, BTW.

I re-downloaded the s19 file and re-flashed Megasquirt (again). This time I started with the .msq supplied with the 29y4 code and just made my hardware changes to it.

Checked it on the stim and it looked OK.

Then I decided to re-wire the fuel pump relay, and guys I think this was causing ALL the trouble.

I was using constant 12v to feed both 12v sides of the relay and when I'd connect the battery with the ignition off, the relay would click constantly. I THINK it was finding a ground through MS and corrupting the firmware when that happened.

I cut the pulldown 12v wire and ran it up to the fuse panel that supplies SWITCHED 12v to everything else, and the clicking was gone.

Checked that MS was grounding all injectors and that problem was gone. Bolted her back together and .............

I'll post a link to a vid of the results. :popcorn:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: hypostang on April 24, 2011, 11:22:05 AM

I'll wait right here:drink:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 24, 2011, 11:28:32 AM

Okey dokey.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOqHvscPK2w

Happy Easter!!!!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on April 24, 2011, 11:30:14 AM

Cool, glad you at least found a direction. Sounds like a good lead.

On the direct control with the V2.2 board, they actually do have a procedure for the V2.2 board using some extra VB921's. That's the route I'm going on the V6 in the Scorpio. It does have a V3.0 board, but there are also directions for building the same set up on the V2.2. It would take 4 VB921's for the V8 (wasted spark).

Anyway, just an FYI.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 24, 2011, 11:34:20 AM

Quote from: Chuck W;358647

Cool, glad you at least found a direction. Sounds like a good lead.

On the direct control with the V2.2 board, they actually do have a procedure for the V2.2 board using some extra VB921's. That's the route I'm going on the V6 in the Scorpio. It does have a V3.0 board, but there are also directions for building the same set up on the V2.2. It would take 4 VB921's for the V8 (wasted spark).

Anyway, just an FYI.

Thanks, I wasn't aware of that option for the 2.2 board.

Yes, the lead was a good one!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: hypostang on April 24, 2011, 11:53:53 AM

Awesome , congrats man

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on April 24, 2011, 12:24:52 PM

Awesome Dude.I'm wicked impresses at you trouble shooting skills and the patience to follow through. After watching you I know my speedo will work again well if I ever get it back in the car?

Happy Easter to you and yours and everyone here.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on April 24, 2011, 02:21:54 PM

Quote from: flylear45;358648

Thanks, I wasn't aware of that option for the 2.2 board.

Yes, the lead was a good one!

Heh, I must've been typing REALLY slowly. I thought I was replying to your 6:13AM post, and you guys got 2-3 posts (and a vid) in before I finished my post. :hick:

Great to see you got it sorted out and fired!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on April 24, 2011, 07:40:50 PM

Sweet:D

So what's next? try to sort out the tune and then try to run it with the turbo?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on April 24, 2011, 07:43:34 PM

Congratulations flylear! Exciting to see the video too. Thanks for sharing. Will you use the automatic logging/tuning software to fine-tune the fuel tables?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 24, 2011, 10:30:28 PM

Quote from: hypostang;358650

Awesome , congrats man

Thanks, this does feel pretty good right now.

Quote from: thewestie;358653

Awesome Dude.I'm wicked impresses at you trouble shooting skills and the patience to follow through. After watching you I know my speedo will work again well if I ever get it back in the car?

Happy Easter to you and yours and everyone here.

Thanks, I was sure barking up the wrong tree a couple of times here lately. I heard the relay acting up right away, and should have done something with it sooner. Live and learn.

Quote from: Chuck W;358660

Heh, I must've been typing REALLY slowly. I thought I was replying to your 6:13AM post, and you guys got 2-3 posts (and a vid) in before I finished my post. :hick:

Great to see you got it sorted out and fired!

That was kinda funny. We had a couple quick hits on you, Chuck! If you and the guys were closer the beers would be on me today!

Quote from: sarjxxx;358669

Sweet:D

So what's next? try to sort out the tune and then try to run it with the turbo?

Thanks, Steve!

Actually the turbo is on it now. I had so much trouble getting the cold side on I just said screw it and left it on. I ran a lot of oil through it and left the wastegate off. It seems OK except it was spewing some oil at first out the turbine exhaust. That leak seems to have settled down since I tried to start it the first time. I'm hoping it's not a bad seal and that it just needs to bed in a bit

I'm not too concerned with much tuning until I get it roadworthy. There isn't much tuning you can do without putting a load on the engine. I will try to get the idle valve working right, and fine tune the basic VE and spark tables from the generic Chevy SB tables that came loaded with the firmware.

For instance the VE table in there now only goes up to 100 kpa since it was made for a NA engine. (normal atmospheric pressure at the surface is about 93 kpa or so) I'll want to expand the table up to 250 kpa and adjust the cells to make a smooth map. Just little junk like that to get it to match my setup better.

Plan is to get the exhaust on (minus cat until I get it tuned and the oil is gone from the exhaust), get all the gauges working, work on getting the brake system refreshed and working properly, and remove the rest of the trim, door handles, and mirrors so I can start the paint job. I'd love to get it in paint in a couple of weeks. I may take a vacation week to do that now that it is running good.

Quote from: The Shredder;358670

Congratulations flylear! Exciting to see the video too. Thanks for sharing. Will you use the automatic logging/tuning software to fine-tune the fuel tables?

Thanks Shredder! WOOT! I couldn't wait to get the video up to show all you guys that have been following along the last couple years that I'm not a complete lunatic.

I may try using Tuner Studio on this car. I never tried it before, but guys really seem to like it. I used the auto-tune feature in Megatune a little on the TR7, but I liked to datalog and use Megalogviewer to tweak the tables better. The new tuning software may change my mind on that.

Thanks to all for helping me get over the hump on this one. I really feel like it's gonna be much simpler from here.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 25, 2011, 08:36:51 PM

Ran it as few more minutes today. It's making huge billowing clouds of oil smoke. sigh.

I am running out of hope that the turbo seal will start to do it's job.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 26, 2011, 01:03:48 PM

Just when hope is almost gone for the turbo. I got it.

Fixed two issues.

First of all, the oil smoke was just unbelievable. It looked like the garage was on fire last night. All coming from oil burning on the inside of the hot exhaust as it exited the turbo.

I did two things. First I pulled the oil feed line to the turbo and carefully blew compressed air through it, hoping there was some debris interfering with the oil discharge. When I did, I noticed a major restriction to ANY air escaping the crankcase.

Got me thinking that I haven't made up a fill tube breather line yet, so I cracked the oil fill cap a few turns and ran the engine again. After the residual oil burned off, I was back in business! Crankcase pressure was stopping oil from draining back from the turbo and causing it to get past the seal.

Next was a severe intake leak. I could not idle the car down under 1700 rpm's and it was obvious I was trying to tune around extra air. I knew the IAC wasn't buzzing, so I yanked it and sure enough it was passing a LOT of air. Totally FUBAR.

Until I get a new one it is just gasketed off.

Car idles great and is taking throttle like a champ.

Now to get on the gauges and brakes, and get the dash stuff all finalized. I'm still fighting a wee bit of an oil leak around the Harbor Freight oil tee. I may end up ditching it for a brass tee.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on April 26, 2011, 03:45:42 PM

You the man:headbang:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on April 26, 2011, 04:13:18 PM

YEAH!! You're on you're way now:D

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 26, 2011, 05:42:52 PM

:rollin:

Got some tach output at the dash, but the circuit board I built appears to have an intermittent short in it so the tach is reading off. I'll just build it again. I did the same thing on the TR7 and it's been good for years. It might just be the transistor, but I won't even mess with trying to fix it. Those parts are real cheap, and i think I even have it all here.

Water temp seems to be riding high, like 200-205. I'm going to change thermostats to see if this one is bad.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bruce M on April 26, 2011, 08:56:01 PM

200-205 isn't that high, especially with a big f-ing turbo. I think the stock T-stats are 195. Maybe you need a bigger fan.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 26, 2011, 10:42:15 PM

Quote from: Bruce M;358775

200-205 isn't that high, especially with a big f-ing turbo. I think the stock T-stats are 195. Maybe you need a bigger fan.

I think you are right on Bruce.

The sensor is in the hottest part of the engine, too. I think I'll wait on doing anything with it.

Thanks

When the fan comes on the temp drops immediately to 197'ish.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on April 27, 2011, 03:32:44 PM

You know, just a thought.... since your running all 3, (cond. rad. int.) you might want to consider adding a pusher on there too. If it can fit... I mean I'm just saying. I'm sure the airflow is somewhat inhibited among all those components at once you know....:dunno:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 27, 2011, 06:17:32 PM

Quote from: sarjxxx;358792

You know, just a thought.... since your running all 3, (cond. rad. int.) you might want to consider adding a pusher on there too. If it can fit... I mean I'm just saying. I'm sure the airflow is somewhat inhibited among all those components at once you know....:dunno:

Thanks, Steve. I may need a pusher to run when A/C is on to get airflow when idling in traffic.

I was just nervous about the numbers I was seeing, but in fact they are pretty much in line with what I SHOULD see based on the fact that I have a 195 thermostat. I was used to seeing it a little lower, but that was on different combos. I will be keeping a close eye on it for sure. The fan really doesn't run much now, so the rad seems to be adequate for present temps and conditions.

I haven't added the wideband in yet since I wanted to burn off the initial oil and other residue. I didn't want to foul a relatively expensive sensor just to start since the AFR's aren't really critical at this stage.

I took my last available week of vacation, so I'll have next week and the week after to get the dash sorted, brakes done, and try to get it in paint. Oh, and get some stuff done around the house so I can keep the better half happy!

BTW, I set the park brake and put the car in reverse and drive to see if it engaged the gears. That also works OK (while static). Looks promising that I may have gotten a good trans.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 27, 2011, 06:23:29 PM

Oh, hey......I want to report an apparent success on the PS mod. The TC rack and Explorer pump appear to be playing nice with each other, and it is DEAD quiet!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on April 27, 2011, 10:39:15 PM

ooooooh lucky. A quiet PS pump AND a working transmission. Wow if the couple of startup problems are all you're going to have on this build then you're gonna fly through it;) Of course we all know that's never the case....:(

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 28, 2011, 05:07:14 AM

Quote from: sarjxxx;358838

ooooooh lucky. A quiet PS pump AND a working transmission. Wow if the couple of startup problems are all you're going to have on this build then you're gonna fly through it;) Of course we all know that's never the case....:(

Yeah, the problems I have antited haven't all come to be, but some of the surprises have been the most challenging. I have a new set of PS lines here I thought I'd need, and a new rack. I'll just keep them as spares until I need them I guess.

I had to put the battery back in the TR7, so I am going to get a new one today. I ordered a set of Gabriel air shocks for the back from Rockauto for 25.00 on closeout. They have a couple sets left at that price as of yesterday.

I'll order the front struts and the paint this week, too.

Are the quad shocks still available anywhere?

EDIT:

Found these http://www.summitracing.com/parts/KYB-KG4521/Application/?query=Year|1998|Make|FORD|Model|MUSTANG&prefilter=1

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 29, 2011, 07:00:06 AM

Well, I hit my credit card for the first time on this build. $613.00 for paint and materials with shipping. Going with TCP Global base/clear over high build primer. Also bought a 1.3 mm tip HVLP gun to try for clear, and some tape, a can of spray dye for the dash cap, and some paper.

Tires will be the next big dollar hit. Hopefully I can save enough to pay for that out of my allowance. I still have to buy the front struts and front brake rotors and wheel bearings, too. I picked up a brand new battery and a few more quarts of Mercron V last night and burned up a $100.00 bill.

At least it's getting close to being driveable now.

My TR7 has a front wheel bearing making noise. I noticed it yesterday coming home from work. A buddy and I have modified the front hubs to take a larger front bearing, and he finished machining my spare hubs a few days ago, luckily. I can go get those and the new brake setup as well. It's based on dual piston calipers instead of the floating caliper setup I have on it now. I've had lots of trouble with shimmy with them, and wanted to make a change. I'll be modifying the front struts a bit to relocate the lower spring perch a little lower so I can get my ride height down an inch or so. I'm out of adjustment presently.

Anyway, back to the Tbird. I am going to build up a new tach signal generator circuit and get it installed, then find the issue with the coolant and fuel level gauges before I start on the brakes. I'm intending to have the brakes all done by the end of the weekend so I can take it for a short ride down the road and back.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 29, 2011, 03:06:55 PM

Well, a couple more things off the list.

1. Got the temp gauge to read out. Isolated a bad sending unit, and AZ had one in stock. Works like it should, now. $7 fix.

2. Tach readout. Before I rebuilt my circuit I stuck on the V8 tach I had here and it worked.

I SHOULD have been able to make it read 1/2 the rpm's by selecting 1/2 speed in Megatune at the tacho input pulldown, but it didn't work. I checked over my MS real quick and it was wired right. Got into the settings, and on a whim tried to DE-SELECT the output 2 (went from RPM to OFF) in the output menu. That seems to have fixed it and the 4 cyl. tach is silky smooth and right on what MS says for RPM. :confused:

I won't argue with it, I'll just make a note and press on. Now I can use the stock boost gauge which is inside the tach. :D One area the Megamanual is weak in is the tach. There are so many possibilities it's hard to document it all.

3. Got the GM voltmeter hooked up and reading right. I'm pulling power from the back of the tach and grounding on the IVR ground. It shows at 1/2 the scale at 12.4 (key on engine off) and at 3/4 scale when the alternator is charging. Pretty slick if I do say so myself!

All that's left on the instruments is to figure out why the fuel gauge isn't working. It acts like it's not getting a ground. I'll try to run a separate ground to the harness near the tank and see what happens.

Pretty good day all in all.

EDIT: Thinking about it in hindsight, it all makes sense. MS is probably giving the chance to use output 2 in the outputs menu in a different way and in addition to the tacho output, so I was sending the signals twice to my poor tach circuit. It was confused! In my mind I was setting the type of output coming from output 2 and going to the tacho pin. Just wasn't so.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on April 29, 2011, 04:54:04 PM

Very productive day. You are knocking out the bugs left and right! I'm excited for you.

On 3. what do you mean by 1/2 scale and 3/4 scale? Do you mean that the gauge was reading at about 1/2 with KOEO and 3/4 with the engine running (alt charging)? Or do you have the gauge really change overall scale when engine is running?

I want to modify my gauge cluster to include a voltmeter instead of the ammeter for sure.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 29, 2011, 05:54:57 PM

Quote from: The Shredder;358991

Very productive day. You are knocking out the bugs left and right! I'm excited for you.

On 3. what do you mean by 1/2 scale and 3/4 scale? Do you mean that the gauge was reading at about 1/2 with KOEO and 3/4 with the engine running (alt charging)? Or do you have the gauge really change overall scale when engine is running?

I want to modify my gauge cluster to include a voltmeter instead of the ammeter for sure.

Key off engine off the needle is buried down. When I turn the key on with engine off it rises to where the amp meter always reads; dead center. Once the alternator comes on line the needle rises further to about 3/4 scale up from the bottom, to the hash mark between center and full scale. So, middle=12v, and 3/4 = 13.5v. Pretty easy to glance at and see if things are normal for conditions.

I couldn't find where anyone had documented doing a voltmeter mod (in the stock gauge face), so I kind of hacked this one up myself.

The car is in nice shape, and the wiring is un-molested aside from my mods, so troubleshooting is pretty straight forward on this 'normal' stuff.

The ABS might be a challenge if it needs work. Hopefully it will be in decent shape as well. I have 3 or 4 master units around here, so I should be able to fix what ever it needs.

Gotta get the fuel gauge going first off.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Loaded87IROC on April 29, 2011, 07:16:18 PM

I'm glad to see everything working out on this project!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 29, 2011, 08:13:39 PM

Quote from: Loaded87IROC;358997

I'm glad to see everything working out on this project!

I appreciate the support!

Looks like I have just a tad over 1/4 tank of gas.
:banana:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 30, 2011, 08:44:38 PM

Just an update on the Rockauto Gabriel air shock deal. They arrived today without the fittings and lines. It's still a good deal, but the kit to replace the missing parts is $15.00, so the total is closer to $40.00 plus some shipping after all is said and done. Call it $50.00, but it is still a good savings from the $80.00 regular price.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 01, 2011, 09:21:58 AM

Changed plugs on the engine harness so I could use an older model IAC from an 88 TC instead of the Explorer part. It bolted up fine to the throttle body and appears to be working. I'll need to play with the MS settings to get it dialed in, but I can definitely control idle speed now.

That's pretty much the last item on the engine control and indication side of things.

Now it's time to start on the brakes and suspension.

1. Change out all the rubber lines with new ones, cleaning out the hard lines as I go.
2. Install new calipers, rotors and pads as required.
3. install new struts, strut mounts and shocks
4. Install master and hook up it's wiring
5. bleed system
6. install rear suspension mount reinforcement plates

While it's in the air I will probably go ahead and work on the exhaust, too. Right now the downpipe is too long to remove from the car after the heater box was installed. It hits the A/C outlet too much to get by, and won't come out the bottom.

I'm hoping I can shorten it's length a bit to be able to pull it if I need to. Then I'll work from the back of the car forward with the Stinger pipes and piece in the last bit using a flex section to mate to the downpipe.

I'll also have to weld in an O2 sensor bung to the v-banded section in the bay so I can get the wideband reading into Megasquirt for tuning.

At that point, maybe Monday or Tuesday, I can take it out under it's own power for the first time, then wash it down so I can start the paint job prep. I'd REALLY like to be spraying color by Sunday. A couple of people have offered to help sand, so it may be possible.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 01, 2011, 10:35:25 PM

As it often happens on weekends I needed to get some cs done. It actually stopped raining long enough to cut grass and lay down some bug killer on the yard.

Instead of starting the brakes I ended up getting the big dent out of the driver's door about 99% with a custom sized block of 2x4 and a deadblow along with a piece of pipe as a drift. i really thought that was going to take more effort to get close, but it's about ready for a light skim of filler. Luckily the entire dent is below the hip line. I really thought I'd be spending hours to get it this good.

Front rotors will be shipped Monday, and front struts and rear shock fitting kit will be here Tuesday or Wed.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 04, 2011, 05:05:41 AM

Struts are here. Front rotors and bearings due today.

Lower battle boxes bolted in ready to be stitch welded. I took a washer and cut it in half to extend the Mustang bottom side plates down, then made the hole. I think it'll be fine. I'll add some weld to the lower as well.

Getting back under the car after coffee to attack the upper torque box reinforcements, mount the rear shocks, and re-do the brakes.

Anyone have tips on how to properly remove the aluminum trim from the rear window? I'd hate to bend it up getting it off. It's nice and straight now, and I'd like to mask it off, but there's a hint of surface rust under a corner of it that I'd like to prep with it off.

Looks like I will be coming off vacation to work a trip for my boss. His son enlisted and is going to the Middle East, so he wants to see him off. Let's all wish Paulie good fortune while he's serving so he'll come back safe and sound.

EDIT: Looks like I need one of the tools in this thread http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?3921-Is-this-the-correct-window-molding-removal-tool&highlight=window+moulding

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 04, 2011, 06:09:49 AM

Just placed an order to these guys in Ohio for tools to remove window and side moldings.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on May 04, 2011, 02:40:13 PM

Good luck I just had safelite do mine the front was easy and the back was a nightmare. The last guy went nuts with the urethane and now I need mouldings had to pry them off :(

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on May 04, 2011, 02:55:10 PM

I keep pressing Checkout but it won't do anything ....arrrr....:screwy:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 04, 2011, 03:34:42 PM

Quote from: sarjxxx;359363

I keep pressing Checkout but it won't do anything ....arrrr....:screwy:

You have to hit the refresh button on your browser, then try again.:evilgrin:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 04, 2011, 03:37:10 PM

Phone has been killing me, and the heat pump repairman finally showed up to work on our unit.

Just getting back on the uppers. The holes really don't line up with anything on these.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on May 04, 2011, 03:57:53 PM

Oh, now it works:p

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 04, 2011, 08:41:08 PM

Quote from: sarjxxx;359368

Oh, now it works:p

Yeah, probably with my credit card! :beatyoass:

Had to run to the hardware store for longer 1/2" bolts for the uppers. Finally got two in on one side. 6" long is what it took. The kit came with 4"

Slipping behind on my schedule. Bearings and rotors came, BUT..... one rotor was a 10" non ABS unit.:mad:

Rockauto took care of a refund, but the rotors now are due in two days. All I got done today was the rear shocks and 1/2 way done on the upper reinforcements.

I did find a decent set of 1/4 windows in my stash. With some elbow grease and some bumper filler they should come out pretty nice.

What are you guys using to re-coat rubber parts like this? I'm thinking skim with 3M 2-part bumper filler and sand, then ??? Satin black enamel with a flex additive?

I can't decide what would be a proper material to use as a topcoat. Whatever it is I'd like to use it on the rubber side moldings as well.

EDIT: Looks like just a gloss enamel with flex additive would be best on the side moldings and bumper strips on the nose and rear bumper. Satin on the 1/4 windows.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 04, 2011, 08:46:23 PM

Quote from: thewestie;359361

Good luck I just had safelite do mine the front was easy and the back was a nightmare. The last guy went nuts with the urethane and now I need mouldings had to pry them off :(

Ewww. I hope mine aren't all glued on. It looks untouched so maybe I'll get lucky.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 06, 2011, 04:50:29 AM

Paint will be here the 7th, front rotors not until the 9th. Looks like I'll just finish up the back end with new stuff, put on the front struts and bleed out the brake system with the old front brakes and rotors for now.

I should be able to set up the paint booth and start body work this weekend. Just have to pull the 'bird side emblems, door handles and locks, 1/4 windows and the windshield/ rear window moldings and I can get to sanding.

I need to run to the rental store for a stump grinder to chew down 8 stumps from trees I took down last year. Hopefully that doesn't take all day, since I'll need the truck to get some stuff home from my daughter's dorm. She'll be all done with school for this semester after today. Kept her 4.0 going so far with dual majors. Took 22 hrs this semester, too.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 07, 2011, 03:51:01 PM

Got the battle boxes welded and painted, just need a little seam sealer around the edges to be completed. All the stock rear suspension bushings still seem pretty good so I'm just going to leave them alone.

One day I may go to the CHE adjustables.

Paint and molding tools showed up today. Hopefully I'll get to use it next week.

Just need to finish up the brakes and exhaust so I can get it back down off the jackstands and take it down the road and back.

EDIT: I see we hit the 10,000 view mark recently!

Title: Daytona pics
Post by: flylear45 on May 08, 2011, 08:21:44 AM

For those that asked, here it is. It needs a bath, as you can see. It may stop raining long enough to wash it this week.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 09, 2011, 06:44:53 PM

Front rotor box showed up. I've been doing yard work ALL day, so I haven't even checked 'em yet. I'm too sore and tired to even work on it any today.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on May 09, 2011, 06:52:08 PM

Quote from: flylear45;359519

EDIT: I see we hit the 10,000 view mark recently!

I think this thread would be better suited for the user rides forum. You know just cause it's kinda expanded to cover the whole project at this point. Plus you'd probably get even more views lol

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on May 09, 2011, 08:43:57 PM

Quote from: flylear45;359542

For those that asked, here it is. It needs a bath, as you can see. It may stop raining long enough to wash it this week.

Nice Daytona! I really like the color combination too. It looks like its in great shape. Good score.

You could swap in a 2.2l turbo for some fun in that thing. :)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 11, 2011, 04:57:37 AM

Quote from: The Shredder;359658

Nice Daytona! I really like the color combination too. It looks like its in great shape. Good score.

You could swap in a 2.2l turbo for some fun in that thing. :)

Yeah, it's a nice little car. You'd never guess it was a Northern states automobile.

I want to change struts/shocks and tires on it, and the A/C needs a little freon. Otherwise it is in excellent shape.

I like the fact it is a dog. It's my son's car. LOL

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 11, 2011, 05:09:18 AM

Quote from: sarjxxx;359646

I think this thread would be better suited for the user rides forum. You know just cause it's kinda expanded to cover the whole project at this point. Plus you'd probably get even more views lol

You have a point. It is much more than the engine/ trans swap. Wherever the mods want it is fine with me. I'm just happy to be here.

I am amazed at how much this gets viewed, actually. It should be fun once I get to putting in the computer and tying everything together. That might be kinda interesting for people.

This week has turned into a lot of hard labor in our yard. My wife is having some relatives in this coming weekend and I wanted to do some things to make the house look good for her. It was a drag at first, but I got into it after I got started. I'm super sore and stiff right now, but am going to get back on the car to see what I can get done.

I am thrilled with how clean and rust free this 'bird is. I want to undercoat it with Waxoil once I get it road ready since I plan to drive it in all but the worst snow.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 11, 2011, 05:09:48 AM

Quote from: sarjxxx;359646

I think this thread would be better suited for the user rides forum. You know just cause it's kinda expanded to cover the whole project at this point. Plus you'd probably get even more views lol

You have a point. It is much more than the engine/ trans swap. Wherever the mods want it is fine with me. I'm just happy to be here.

I am amazed at how much this gets viewed, actually. It should be fun once I get to putting in the computer and tying everything together. That might be kinda interesting for people.

This week has turned into a lot of hard labor in our yard. My wife is having some relatives in this coming weekend and I wanted to do some things to make the house look good for her. It was a drag at first, but I got into it after I got started. I'm super sore and stiff right now, but am going to get back on the car to see what I can get done.

I am amazed at how clean and rust free this 'bird is. I want to undercoat it with Waxoil once I get it road ready since I plan to drive it in all but the worst snow.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 13, 2011, 08:54:20 PM

Got the brake master mounted with some help from my daughter. Ended up having to take off the intake charge pipe to get it back in. I couldn't find the brake light switch in the boxes 'o parts, so I ordered a new one from NAPA. I missed their closing time by 10 minutes tonight to pick it up after work. Tomorrow I'll get it and try to start bleeding out the lines.

I spent close to 2 hours fitting the Stinger 3" exhaust so far. It's a nice piece, don't get me wrong. It is just really tight to get in perfect position so it won't make noise. The TR7 took a month of fiddling and changing mounting points to get just right, but I made that up myself. It's a real bonus to start with Shannon's stuff right off the bat. The pipes are thick wall and have nice bends. I'll be tpuppies the center pipe quite a bit to get in a cat and a flex section. That's all that's left to do on it.

I'm really, REALLY hoping to be taking it for a ride soon.

It was kind of a disappointing 2 weeks of vacation as far as the car was concerned (minus 4 days I had to work during) except for the fact that the yard looks great and we have a working heat pump. Wifey is happy, so the universe is in alignment. That makes future golf and garage time easier for her to swallow. I have to keep priorities in line. It'll get done soon enough.

I've decided to go with mono silver, painting the side moldings completely in body color (except the lettering in the turbocoupe emblems). That will save time and be nicer looking to my eye. I'll get on the paint in my spare time once the car is proven to be moving and stopping on it's own.

I'll get up some pics tomorrow.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Kitz Kat on May 15, 2011, 12:47:54 PM

It came a long way! Congrats.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 15, 2011, 04:30:08 PM

Quote from: Kitz Kat;359956

It came a long way! Congrats.

Thanks, bud!

Here's a few pics of the latest round of effort.

I made another mistake when I picked which cluster to use. I grabbed a 1986 TC cluster because it had the 24 psi boost gauge. I then glued my volt meter in to that cluster.

The problem is that is isn't wired right for the BRAKE warning light. The brake warning on an 86 comes in on the same pin, but is displayed on a different place in the annunciator. The 86 gage cover doesn't have an anti-skid light spot at all. The fix was to use a 87-88 gage cover and re-locate the bulb by soldering a couple wires to a bulb holder. I then cut off the check engine bulb holder and used it for the anti-skid light. (The hole is bigger on the later clusters for the anti-skid light.)

Then I spent 1 1/2 hrs. polishing the plastic face with a headlight cleaning disk. It came out near perfect.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 15, 2011, 04:37:20 PM

The rear E-brake cable was pretty well rusted to the old calipers and took some soaking and pounding to get free. Once that was done I got the calipers mounted and got the column and master bolted down tight.

Got some help from Liz's boyfriend to bleed the brakes. Luckily all the power brake system is working fine so far, and we got the rears all bled out. I had one fitting leak where the rebuilder used a thread repair insert to fix the caliper banjo fitting and it needed to be dressed with a file to seal. Otherwise it went pretty well.

I got out the vacuum tree and ran all the vacuum lines to the BOV and the wastegate, and redid the cruise control directly into the tree through a check valve. I'll add a vacuum can to the cruise later if I end up needing it.

I had to work on some plugged up gutter drains on the house most of today, so I didn't get the front brakes and struts done yet.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 18, 2011, 08:42:42 PM

Well, I'm back from a 3 day trip and ready to make some progress tomorrow. I need front grease seals for the inner bearings and I can be ready to bleed the front brakes tomorrow. The new struts will go on as well.

I'll get the exhaust done including the LC-1 sensor, and be ready for initial tuning. Me thinks a vid will be in the waiting tomorrow's eve.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 50tbrd88 on May 18, 2011, 09:44:42 PM

You are getting there man. Your dash in the pic above is about as torn down as you can get!!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 19, 2011, 07:11:27 AM

Quote from: 50tbrd88;360198

You are getting there man. Your dash in the pic above is about as torn down as you can get!!

Yep, she's pretty stripped out! It's all bolted in now, though. I am going to be modding the switch panel for
1. A PC power over-ride switch, and
2. A street/strip switch for boost control and transmission tune control

I figure to use the firm ride and antenna switch locations for them. We'll see when I get there.

I gotta try to get this exhaust done so I can get the car off jack stands. I've decided to call for a windshield while I'm in the body work stage so I don't risk paint damage afterward. This one has a star in it and a wiper mark.

I thought I might get some love for that speedo! :shakeass:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on May 19, 2011, 08:40:47 AM

"I thought I might get some love for that speedo"
Im lovin it, and still amazed

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 19, 2011, 09:32:41 AM

Quote from: thewestie;360233

"I thought I might get some love for that speedo"
Im lovin it, and still amazed

He-he. It came with the car in the boxes of stuff that came with it.

The car and all the booty was only $700.00, but I'll have 10 times that in it when I get done.:screwy:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on May 19, 2011, 03:56:13 PM

I know the feeling

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 19, 2011, 09:23:59 PM

Well, it was another good news, bad news kind of day on the old 'bird.

AZ only had one grease seal for the front rotors (the other one 'in stock' was mislabeled), so I went ahead and just bled out the calipers that were on it after I finished the exhaust.

I ended up tpuppies both ends of the center pipe and taking some off the axle pipe as well to fit my stuff. I made up some brackets to bolt the Summit to the stock hanger and made 2 other hangers for the tailpipe and front of the ler. I still want to get a hanger on the pipe near the tranny, but that will wait until I am ready for the cat.

It quit raining (for a while) so I spent 4 hours on the tractor in second gear with fresh blades slogging through the tall grass. It has to quit raining soon or I'm going to go nuts already.

After that I tightened the driveshaft bolts, aired up the tires, put in the computers, and took her out. All I really wanted to know was if the tranny was going to shift, and it did! It was a herky-jerky maiden cruise, but she went down the road a few hundred yards and came back with out incident. I was getting some smoke and water out the tailpipe at first, but it seems to be OK after running a spell.

Now the bad news:

I have a trans fluid leak, looks to be a fitting on the tranny lines right at the transmission. Hopefully just an annoyance rather than a real issue. It's just a drip-drip kind of thing. Those lines took forever to make so I hope I don't have to re-do one.

I took a bucket and started to wash off some of the decade of crud on the roof and found it is just full of little dents, possibly very light hail damage. It's not the end of the world, but it's gonna take a lot longer to do body work with having to skim the roof.

The alternator wasn't charging by the time I got back to the garage. I didn't see when it quit exactly, but all I am reading is battery voltage on the gauge. It was a junkyard unit so I didn't expect much. It was a drag though, since it WAS charging at first.

So, all in all........ some progress I guess. Just hard to be too excited with the extra popping up.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on May 19, 2011, 09:50:28 PM

I just keep smiling at the good stuff and tell myself it could be worse. Ive got the whole car striped and the roof deck lid hood and header panel in primer. Now I'm taking off to N.C to bring back moms stuff, wish I knew how to fly :) could shorten the trip a little

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 19, 2011, 10:00:08 PM

Quote from: thewestie;360307

I just keep smiling at the good stuff and tell myself it could be worse. Ive got the whole car striped and the roof deck lid hood and header panel in primer. Now I'm taking off to N.C to bring back moms stuff, wish I knew how to fly :) could shorten the trip a little

Sounds like you are making good progress! You'll be in paint before you know it.

Drive safe, now... and have a good trip.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on May 19, 2011, 10:11:55 PM

Thanks I'm sure your progress will amaze me when I get home

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on May 19, 2011, 10:15:26 PM

That wasn't bad news!!!! It started, drove and shifted! I can't wait to get to that point again.

Look at the bright side, at least it is not leaking from the front seal of the trans. :)

Must have video!!!! And more pictures.

Thanks for your help on my build thread.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 19, 2011, 10:29:33 PM

Quote from: The Shredder;360314

That wasn't bad news!!!! It started, drove and shifted! I can't wait to get to that point again.

Look at the bright side, at least it is not leaking from the front seal of the trans. :)

Must have video!!!! And more pictures.

Thanks for your help on my build thread.

Everyone was gone, and it was getting dark and starting to sprinkle, so I just went for it without the camera. Sorry about that!

Yes, you are right. It's not too bad. I just hate to have to re-do my work. I was real careful on those darn fittings. I'll have to drop the front of the exhaust to get in there. Just a bit of a bummer is all.

The alternator is worrisome since it is RIGHT in the heat of the exhaust. I couldn't figure a way to get it any better than it is, though. Hopefully it was just a bad one from the get-go, and didn't die from heat. I have a spare, so I'll autopsy this one.

And you are most welcome.:cheers:

Title: New video of how it's running.
Post by: flylear45 on May 20, 2011, 12:31:06 PM

I put the lappy on to see what the alternator was reading. Turns out it is FINE! The problem is that when I put the gauge face on it just touches the volt meter needle and holds it back from reading true. I can fix that.

Next I got into the timing and fuel tables a bit to make it more Ford friendly. Got a nice idle. I found I had to bump timing for when the trans is engaged from idle to keep it smooth. Took it down the road again, and the jerkiness was much improved. I'm about ready to call it time for paint.

Punch list for pre-paint:

1. Fix oil leak at tee
2. Fix trans leak
3. Re-torque header bolts
4. Tidy up engine bay
5. Reroute battery cables (too near ler)
6. Bolt in battery and solder on battery clamps

Here's a little clip of it running with the exhaust on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQJ7WZDGXsw

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on May 20, 2011, 06:36:15 PM

What's that really loud whistling sound that starts at about 1:01 in? Maybe something's wrong with your camera:cool:

Brother you're almost there, that is if you can remember how to put your interior back together;)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 20, 2011, 07:39:38 PM

Quote from: sarjxxx;360358

What's that really loud whistling sound that starts at about 1:01 in? Maybe something's wrong with your camera:cool:

Brother you're almost there, that is if you can remember how to put your interior back together;)

Kind of funny, when the BOV let off the first time I jumped a little bit!:rollin:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on May 20, 2011, 11:42:13 PM

Oh cool. Thanks for the video! That is sweet. The car seems to be running well. Is your tach reading 2X because it was originally from a 4 cylinder? I think there is a cool cats article about changing it over to a v8 tach.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 21, 2011, 06:20:27 AM

Thanks for the info, Shredder.

There is a provision in Megasquirt for running my tach output at 1/2 speed that I've been trying to get to work. I had it working, now it isn't. If I can't get it I'll probably do a resistor swap on the tach.

I forgot to add to my punch list the front struts and brakes. I kind of hate to do it since the alignment and brakes feel pretty good right now. Steering sensitivity feels good as well. I was concerned about that.

Did you guys like my toolbox seat? :pbb:

EDIT:

I just looked into Megatune and the output pin I'm using for tacho was turned on to RPM again. It has to be OFF for it to work right. I changed it, so I expect the tach will read right now. I must have burned in an old tune with that setting when I made my last changes. I'll wipe all my old tunes out of memory so that won't happen again.

Title: Vacation... YAY!
Post by: flylear45 on June 05, 2011, 09:46:24 AM

I haven't done much on the Tbird lately. We've had the first stretch of nice weather and I've been playing and working on the house a bit.

I did get a new GPS receiver puck for the car, and got it configured and running on the garage PC. Works really well, and was $40.00 off Ebay. 5 MHZ update speed and lightning fast satellite acquisition even in the house.

I retired my trusty old ATT Tilt 8925 smartphone and got a new Inspire 4g (4.3" screen!) to tether to the car. Been playing with it a lot the last day or so to get accustomed to Android and get it set up the way I want.

These phones are great for pilots, 'cause we can look at live radar anytime, and even download charts for emergency use in the pen 15pit. Not to mention the text weather capability, flight planning, logbook, and wifi hotspotting for remote location PC use. I'm lucky the company supplies me with such awesome tech.

More and more execs want to communicate by texting, so it is a benefit there as well.

Anyway, on to the plan for the next 2 weeks.

I still need to fix the voltmeter rubbing the cluster face, weld in an O2 bung, and rework one of the tranny lines. Once I fix those I'll be tearing the car apart the rest of the way and getting on the body work, getting a windshield installed, and aiming for paint maybe this coming weekend.

I can't wait to start putting it together and installing the PC stuff. It's gonna be so cool! I am going to order an Andrea Superbeam mic for the phone/ PC voice controls. Otherwise the hardware is pretty much here. I want to price the solid state hard drives to possibly use in the car to negate vibration issues. It'll work with or without one, though.

Pics should start coming early next week.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on June 14, 2011, 09:20:38 PM

Vacation winding down and I have hardly touched the Tbird. I did get the Superbeam mic., and hooked it up on the garage PC to play with it. It really does well for voice recognition it seems. I'll have to see how it does in the car environment.

I have had to do a major tune up on the old Ford 8N since it quit on me last week. New plug wires (cut to fit) and a total dizzy and carb rebuild has her purring again. Gotta love old tech! She's been faithful to me for almost 20 years now.

Just got done with the first coat of stain on the deck. Had to pressure wash off some peeling stain first, so it was an all day job. I should wrap that project up tomorrow. It was a color change, so a lot of time involved.

The TR7 now has the modded front hubs and all new wheel bearings. I played with the after-start tune and it's starting and running better than ever. I also cleaned the O2 sensor and it came back to life for me. I missed the wideband while it was gone.

It also needed a new fuel pump. This is the 3rd one since I built the car. The first was an old used pump, but the last 2 were Carter pumps from NAPA that I only got a year each from. I said screw that! This time I went with Bosch. It is so quiet I can hardly hear it running. The last two were obnoxiously loud. It has a lifetime warranty I'm hoping to never use. Got it from Advance online. It was $118, but I got 15% off plus a $50.00 coupon for my next purchase. I changed the pre-filter and the main fuel filter as well, so she's good to go for a long while.

My son's Daytona had the A/C quit. It was R-12, so since it was empty I changed over to a modern refrigerant. I'm trying ES12 and I love this stuff! I bought a 50 lb. container and I'll be using it in the Tbird. It is so efficient and runs at a lower pressure than even R12. I am a convert.

There's still a chance I'll get some quality time in on the 'bird this week.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on June 15, 2011, 11:35:51 PM

Good luck I hope the weather holds up for the projects if it rains you can always work on the bird

Title: project on hold
Post by: flylear45 on June 17, 2011, 08:18:56 AM

Bad news. I've noticed water exiting the tailpipe and was hoping it wasn't a problem, BUT........ I pulled the rad cap and found goo.

So I'm just gonna rip off the heads and go with some aluminum aftermarket ones. This will take a while since I need to save up for them first.

Pretty depressing.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on June 17, 2011, 10:12:49 AM

Ugh! Bummer news.

You positive it's HG's? I don't remember if you'd had the intakes off, and I know you haven't really run the engine all that much. I'm sure you've thought about all of that, but just wanted to ask.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 86T-bird on June 17, 2011, 11:10:07 AM

Just something to consider if you would like to delay the purchase of new heads: With stock heads and the turbo, you'll be at the limit of the block. Add a good set of aftermarket heads and you'll need to focus on how to limit the power to what it'd put out with stock heads...

You may be better served by buying a good set of head gaskets & studs and make sure the heads are flat.

The work you've put in is amazing and I know I'm not the only one who's enjoyed the chronicle. I'd hate to see you get snagged here and get pulled in another direction. I know it's happened to me (not that I'd listen...).

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on June 17, 2011, 04:29:19 PM

Quote from: flylear45;361615

Bad news. I've noticed water exiting the tailpipe and was hoping it wasn't a problem, BUT........ I pulled the rad cap and found goo.

So I'm just gonna rip off the heads and go with some aluminum aftermarket ones. This will take a while since I need to save up for them first.

Pretty depressing.

Oh wtf man... I thought you were running with a 5.0 not a 3.8???:rollin:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 88CougarGT on June 17, 2011, 04:59:52 PM

You have put any serious boost to that engine yet have you? What caused the HGs to go?

I would check your block for flatness before cranking on a new set of heads only to find out it was warped block to begin with.

A head gasket set is only $81. Least that way you could be driving it while building funds those heads. (that and I want to see running now :beatyoass:)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on June 17, 2011, 06:48:44 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;361616

Ugh! Bummer news.

You positive it's HG's? I don't remember if you'd had the intakes off, and I know you haven't really run the engine all that much. I'm sure you've thought about all of that, but just wanted to ask.

Chuck,

No not POSITIVE yet. I may be missing something. I didn't bolt on the heads myself. That was done before I got the engine in 'rebuilt' condition.

I checked out the lower end and cam timing, all seemed well. I did do something that may have contributed. I changed to head studs after the intake was on. I pulled and replaced one bolt at a time. Maybe that caused the leak condition.

At this point in time I can't go forward until I back up, though.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on June 17, 2011, 06:54:33 PM

Quote from: 86T-bird;361619

Just something to consider if you would like to delay the purchase of new heads: With stock heads and the turbo, you'll be at the limit of the block. Add a good set of aftermarket heads and you'll need to focus on how to limit the power to what it'd put out with stock heads...

You may be better served by buying a good set of head gaskets & studs and make sure the heads are flat.

The work you've put in is amazing and I know I'm not the only one who's enjoyed the chronicle. I'd hate to see you get snagged here and get pulled in another direction. I know it's happened to me (not that I'd listen...).

True statement about the power capability. I have always planned to go to aftermarket heads. I'll be able to run lower boost to reach my goals with good heads. I just wanted to run it this way for a year first.

I am still mulling over what to do. I suppose I won't really know until I yank the heads. I have an extra set here rebuilt with valves and springs that a friend gave me in trade for my used GT40P heads. I'll check them for straightness and possibly go that route as a quicker solution.

I appreciate your input.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on June 17, 2011, 06:55:28 PM

Quote from: sarjxxx;361631

Oh wtf man... I thought you were running with a 5.0 not a 3.8???:rollin:

The only thing I have that runs is my trusty 2.3. LOL

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on June 17, 2011, 07:00:47 PM

Quote from: 88CougarGT;361634

You have put any serious boost to that engine yet have you? What caused the HGs to go?

I would check your block for flatness before cranking on a new set of heads only to find out it was warped block to begin with.

A head gasket set is only $81. Least that way you could be driving it while building funds those heads. (that and I want to see running now :beatyoass:)

Nope. It hasn't seen an ounce of boost.

Good advice. I'll for sure check out the block and head surface really well when the heads come off.

I noticed the water out the tailpipe a few runs ago and have been dreading that there is a real problem here. It is one reason I've been dragging my feet a bit lately. It makes me a bit sick to think of undoing so much. I'll need to get it torn down soon, though. I will need to know what is up.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on June 21, 2011, 09:44:06 PM

I haven't cracked into the head issue yet, but pulled out the hood and tried to see if it fit. It will work if i cut back the inlet on the pass. side scoop after removing all the sound deadener and plastic from the turbo air inlet.

I also have enough clearance to go with TFS TW 170 heads in the future with a 3/8" spacer on the upper intake. That was why the hood went on now.

I feel better about a stop-gap solution at this point.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on June 21, 2011, 10:20:42 PM

Even if the repair is temporary it will be nice to see it run
:burnout:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on June 22, 2011, 02:25:58 PM

flylear, so sorry to hear that you might have HG issues. Bummer!!!!! Was the goo just on the Radiator cap? How does the oil look?

I have been dragging my feet too. Probably because it is too hot to work on the car right now.

But don't loose heart! I'm counting on you to finish this thing. :)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on June 22, 2011, 09:36:55 PM

Thanks for the support westie. I'll keep at it. Just taking a 'breather' right now.

Don't worry, Shredder! I got a confidence little boost recently from an unexpected source.

A customer from my TR6 restoration days called up out of the blue. I haven't talked to him in 10 years at least. Did him a REAL nice Pimento red TR6 back in '95. He says to expect a call from a guy in Austin, TX who bought the car. Said he got an offer he couldn't refuse and the car is sold.

Well, the new owner calls last night. He wanted to thank me for building such a nice car! He said the paint is an 8 out of 10 after all these years, and he drove it 27 hrs. from Michigan to Texas without a hiccup. I went back into my old photo albums of all the cars I've done, and after a while I was feeling better about knocking this project out as well!

I just needed to step away for a bit is all.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on June 24, 2011, 02:32:56 PM

Well congratulations on having TWO happy TR6 owners! That was a nice shot in the proverbial arm. Pls share pictures of the TR6 if you have some.

If you do have HG issues, just use your ready to run E7 heads for now. Many guys have made great HP with a turbo on those heads. Obviously, the more intake volume under the valve is better, but with boost, you will be surpised.

As you know, I plan to build my TC in stages, so I can at least DRIVE it for a little while between stages - to work out bugs and such. With how in-depth your build is, I'd recommend the same approach. But nice Aluminum heads would be nice! :)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on June 24, 2011, 04:19:33 PM

Yeah, that was the plan. Run it at low boost for a year, then new heads and a good converter next year.

I just hate doing the heads twice. The bloody gaskets are a century note.

I have an old ATV and a snowblower here that I got ready to sell. If I can get a decent buck for them I may do the head upgrade now. The parts bill from Summit will be $1750.00 plus tax.

In the mean time I'll start dis-assembling the engine.

Title: Here we go (again)
Post by: flylear45 on July 11, 2011, 05:16:27 PM

Had some time to rip apart the top of the engine.

I found 3 things so far that have to be fixed.

1. The intake is leaking (there's a carbon trail visible from underneath). This is coming from an inadequate seal on the EGR passage where the intake meets the handmade tube. I will epoxy the hole shut on the upper intake and it should be OK.

2. All 8 cylinders were leaking exhaust at the header. This due to the gasket not sealing on the flipped headers at the head. The gasket crossed the port above the header and wasn't sealing. I think bolting them up without the copper gasket will fix it.

3. The oil drain for the turbo shows signs of getting too hot where it comes near the header outlet. I intend to make a solid line to go around the header, and cover it in a heat shield. That should do the trick with any luck.

I'm not sure of where the water was leaving from, which is a bit worrisome. It would have been nice to see a definite 'smoking gun'.

I am not going to send off the heads, just bolt it all back up with new gaskets.

All the surfaces are cleaned up and I am hoping to have it back together soon.

I have seriously considered just sping the turbo for now and getting it running N/A. All it would take is a set of headers and some pipe for the exhaust.

In the end I decided to press on and hope to beat the gremlins down one at a time until I get it right.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on July 11, 2011, 07:44:26 PM

Glad to see your back into it. Good luck

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on July 14, 2011, 04:46:24 AM

Quote from: thewestie;363231

Glad to see your back into it. Good luck

Thanks, westie.

I picked up some stuff at the hardware store yesterday to make a new drain line with. Gonna try to get the heads back on today.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on July 17, 2011, 02:49:42 PM

Keep pressing on! I plan to go N/A for a while before going to the turbo setup, but you are 99% there with your turbo setup. So just keep going. Every little bit counts.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on July 17, 2011, 03:35:36 PM

Quote from: The Shredder;363566

Keep pressing on! I plan to go N/A for a while before going to the turbo setup, but you are 99% there with your turbo setup. So just keep going. Every little bit counts.

Yeah, I am too close to go the other way now.

Started to get the engine back together. Heads are back on and torqued down. I want to address fabbing new power steering hose and re-bending the trans cooler lines at this point in time before it gets too crowded in the bay again.

I am a bit leery of the union I used on the PS line. It isn't really up to the pressure and I think it will fail eventually. I have a new Tbird hose that I can have a shop crimp my Explorer hose end on to make a neat, correct hose.

One of the the trans lines is leaking at the tranny, so now is a good time to fix it and make both hoses route better up front.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on July 24, 2011, 09:28:45 AM

Here's a little detail about the changes I'm making, and why.

The burnt turbo drain line fix and pics of the leaking header gaskets.

I didn't get pictures of the intake EGR port leak, but I hopefully fixed it with a new gasket and some high temp sealant.

Here's the drain hose, trying to show the discolored and damaged outer braid after just a few minutes run time. I decided to run steel pipe past this area and shorten the flex section.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on July 24, 2011, 09:31:02 AM

Next is the solid pipe coming up past the header and beside the accessory bracket.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on July 24, 2011, 09:35:13 AM

Here's the gasket and header leak. See the carbon on the bottom of the gasket and header where it wasn't sealing? Both sides were identical.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on July 24, 2011, 09:58:15 AM

Have you thought of using some high-temp copper rtv on re-install? All I've ever heard about the stuff is that it's header gasket magic.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on July 24, 2011, 10:37:16 AM

Quote from: sarjxxx;363929

Have you thought of using some high-temp copper rtv on re-install? All I've ever heard about the stuff is that it's header gasket magic.

Yeah, Steve.

I used it on the intake leak and will use it on the headers without a gasket. Just smear on the sealant and bolt it up.

The ridge on the gasket was crossing through the port instead of surrounding it, so it was keeping the header from sealing. I think it'll be fine even without the RTV, but I'm going to use some anyway.

Title: Continuing to fix issues
Post by: flylear45 on July 29, 2011, 01:05:49 PM

I finished up the v2.0 transmission lines using -6 braided line and fittings connected to hard lines that run past the exhaust down-pipe.

I used compression fittings on the hard lines, a hose nipple on the radiator in line, and a 90 on the cooler out line.

Hope it is leak-free now!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on July 29, 2011, 01:08:29 PM

Title: turbo exhaust
Post by: flylear45 on July 29, 2011, 01:10:10 PM

A couple under car shots of the exhaust pipe.

Title: turbo adjuster tab
Post by: flylear45 on July 29, 2011, 01:12:33 PM

I made up a simple tab to lock down the turbo sleeve once I get it where I want it.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on August 07, 2011, 08:32:05 AM

Got all back together and fired up again on Friday.

The good news is that the car is totally sealed now. No leaks of any kind. I'm really happy about that.

I am having trouble with the way it runs, however. I had it running great the first day excepting the cold start, which takes some time to get tuned. Then when I went out to fire it yesterday I couldn't even keep it running.

I charged the battery overnight and got some fresh gas to mess with it again today. I may just flush out the laptop of all Megasquirt files, re-flash the firmware, and start from scratch on the control side of things. It SEEMS like a computer issue but I'm not sure yet.

I'll keep you posted.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bruce M on August 07, 2011, 09:23:50 AM

Good luck.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on August 08, 2011, 08:31:53 AM

OOPS!

It was just getting too low on gas. Megasquirt can't fix that little problem. :hick:

It's running fine now, well enough that I'm going to stop doing mechanical and start on paint.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: cougarman on August 08, 2011, 08:57:13 AM

Awesome!!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on August 08, 2011, 12:41:26 PM

Quote from: flylear45;364774

OOPS!

It was just getting too low on gas. Megasquirt can't fix that little problem. :hick:

It's running fine now, well enough that I'm going to stop doing mechanical and start on paint.

There's *gotta* be something in the Extra code that allows for spontaneous fuel production... :hick:

Glad to hear it's sorted and running well, and keeping all fluids and extraneous gases contained.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on August 08, 2011, 11:23:39 PM

You still may get yours on the road before me Good luck

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 87merc on August 09, 2011, 05:26:42 AM

Hats off to you my friend, you have done an excellent job.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on August 09, 2011, 03:59:39 PM

Congratulations! I'm glad it is sealed and seems to be running well mechanically. I guess it is a LOT less work just putting it back together and not fabricating everything along the way. The megasquirt tuning should be fun, cuz you can get instant gratification by little tweaks in the settings.

I still haven't run mine long enough to ensure there are no mechanical issues.

Good luck on the paint!!! That is the one thing I haven't tried to tackle myself. I still have to do that, but hope to drive it a little while to work out the bugs.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on August 09, 2011, 07:29:21 PM

Thanks guys!

Yeah, it was easier to fix the stuff than to be building it from scratch. I am not looking forward to the paint. There are a mess of door dings and small dents to fix. The body is great for an old car, but it will take time to get it straightened out.

At least I didn't try too long to get it to run while it was out of gas. My gauge is off a little, so I'll have to be careful after she's running.

I'm messing with closed loop idle at the moment, trying to get it to idle without surging, and yet not stall when I put it in gear. If I have too much trouble with it I may just get a MS2 processor. They say that closed loop idle is way easier to get right on MS2. I haven't ever tried it to know for sure.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on August 12, 2011, 09:02:27 AM

I futzed around with the idle settings some more, and actually have it to where I can cold start it and put it in gear without it stalling.

There is still some slight surging at times. It isn't anything I can't live with as is, and I bet I can tune it better over time. The closed loop idle settings are a bit complicated for me to fully understand and I need more practice and experimenting.

I've had it up and down the road a few more times. Tranny seems excellent and is shifting fine using the canned tune from Baumann. I've had it up to about 60 so far. No boost yet until I get more tuning done on the N/A part of the map. It would be fun even without the extra HP, but we know how that goes. Never enough!

Today I'm setting up and cleaning the paint booth, then stripping the rest of the emblems and trim off the car. There's a small amount of sandblasting I want to do, then I can start sanding and filling dents.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on August 12, 2011, 09:48:25 AM

Excellent! I hear you on fiddling with some of the finer-grade tuning. My cold-start is about 90% (It'll start on the first try most of the time, idle @ 1800-2000, then idle down as it warms up, with a minimal amount of surging), but that last 10% is gonna be a PITA to get.

Good to hear you have most of the mechanical stuff sorted now, and can get to the cosmetic stuff. I'd be itching to much to drive it at this point, and have to throw it together and enjoy it a bit before I spent the time making it pretty.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thunderjet302 on August 12, 2011, 11:31:35 AM

I may have missed this some where but are you still running the E7 heads?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on August 12, 2011, 12:58:19 PM

Awesome! You actually drove it!!!!!!! I'm so jealous. Congratulations!

Good to hear the idle issues are getting better. Also glad to hear the tranny is shifting well as I'm considering the Baumann opti-shift and want to make sure it is drivable.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on August 12, 2011, 01:22:31 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;365036

Excellent! I hear you on fiddling with some of the finer-grade tuning. My cold-start is about 90% (It'll start on the first try most of the time, idle @ 1800-2000, then idle down as it warms up, with a minimal amount of surging), but that last 10% is gonna be a PITA to get.

Good to hear you have most of the mechanical stuff sorted now, and can get to the cosmetic stuff. I'd be itching to much to drive it at this point, and have to throw it together and enjoy it a bit before I spent the time making it pretty.

You don't know how close I came to bolting it together enough to get it driveable!

It is just so much closer to being fully stripped down for paint that I have to do it now.

I'm pretty pleased that MS1 is idling as good as it is already. I will really need it to work with the big fan and A/C with an automatic.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on August 12, 2011, 01:24:07 PM

Quote from: thunderjet302;365039

I may have missed this some where but are you still running the E7 heads?

Yep, stayed with the E7's for now. The Twisted Wedge heads will be next year.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on August 12, 2011, 01:28:37 PM

Quote from: The Shredder;365043

Awesome! You actually drove it!!!!!!! I'm so jealous. Congratulations!

Good to hear the idle issues are getting better. Also glad to hear the tranny is shifting well as I'm considering the Baumann opti-shift and want to make sure it is drivable.

Thanks, mang!

I am pretty impressed so far with the Baumann. It makes sense to me to go 4R70W. I may look for another as a spare.

There's no driving it now. All the trim and side glass is gone. Door handles and locks, too.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bruce M on August 12, 2011, 04:45:15 PM

I thought you had gt40 heads.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on August 12, 2011, 06:01:16 PM

What this ain't road worthy a plate and some hand signals I'm good to go.
Well maybe your rite Flylear waiting till its painted and back together is the thing to do. I glad your back on track cant wait to see it done.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on August 13, 2011, 05:28:55 AM

Quote from: Bruce M;365050

I thought you had gt40 heads.

The engine I bought had GT40P heads, but I couldn't use them because of the plug angle. The plugshiznit my flipped headers. I traded them to a friend and he is using them on his TVR V8 swap.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on August 13, 2011, 05:34:47 AM

Yours is coming right along Westie. Looks like it's just about ready to spray.

I'm going to yank my headliner and remove the strips over the quarter windows, then mine is officially stripped down. I am hoping for cooler weather so the body work isn't too miserable.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on August 13, 2011, 06:20:47 AM

Yea its getting there. You said remove the strips on the rear quarter glass. Do you mean the black molding? Mine were all cracked and attached to the glass I just body worked them. I taped up the glass sprayed 5 or 6 coats of primer and sanded smooth I'm gonna use the same trim black as the handles and mirrors to finnish them.
Good luck with the cooler weather.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on August 14, 2011, 11:43:12 AM

No, I was talking about the fill strips above the quarter windows on the roof. I think they are removable.

I am going to do a similar deal as you on the rubber attached to the quarter windows. I'm going to try to skim on urethane bumper repair epoxy as a filler, then sand 'em and spray satin black.

I'll let you know if it works or not.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on August 15, 2011, 09:49:25 AM

Here's a pic of the strip roof trim piece removed and laying on the roof upside down.

The tools I bought for removing the windshield/rear window trim and side moldings worked pretty well. The back was a bitch due to butyl on the trim holding it in place.

With some time, care, and effort it came off and will be re-usable. I'll need new clips for the w/s and back window trim. Most were pretty rusted.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on August 15, 2011, 09:56:56 AM

Thanks for sharing the pictures. It is a LOT of work to paint a car. So great to see how much effort and time you are putting into your thunderbird. It is motivation to the rest of us to keep going on our projects too.

I'd love to know the details on what works best for you on the bodywork, priming and painting mixtures. I assume you will do base/clear?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on August 15, 2011, 11:23:44 AM

Wish I knew those came off its to late now next time.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: fordguy545 on August 15, 2011, 06:37:55 PM

The guy that came in to put a windshield in my dads ranger couldnt even figure out how that rear trim worked. Now I see its pretty easy just like the front window. Kicking myself now. Oh well.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on August 16, 2011, 06:02:54 AM

Dropped the sides on the booth after some heavy-duty cleaning. Everything is ready to start sanding.

The deal on the back strips is that they end up glued on by the butyl rubber sealer. It is real hard to get them off without bending them.

Using a base/clear in original silver, Shredder. I tend to just mix by what's recommended on the label.

I won't be stripping the paint, just sanding down what's there 'till it's smooth. Then I'll do the bodywork/ dent fill. Then a few coats of high build sanded down to 400# and a final epoxy sealer coat before spraying color and clear.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on August 16, 2011, 07:21:12 AM

Envious of the room. I could use space like that. Then again, I could REALLY get myself into trouble if I had that much room to work in. :hick:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on August 17, 2011, 09:21:46 AM

Quote from: Chuck W;365249

Envious of the room. I could use space like that. Then again, I could REALLY get myself into trouble if I had that much room to work in. :hick:

I kind of went nuts right after I built th garage and got covered up in projects. There will be a lot more room once I get the Tbird together. All the boxes of stuff will get sorted and either stowed away for spares or sold off.

I have 2 Triumphs to put together, a 1968 TR250 and a 1974 TR6. Everything is here for the TR6 except new bumpers, including a gallon of enamel paint! Once those are done the garage will be able to hold the truck and 2 Triumphs. I'll sell off either the 250 or the 6 and keep the other along with the turbo TR7.

SO, yeah....... I know what you are talking about. LOL

BTW, if I had it to do over I'd use silver tarps for the booth sidewalls ...... they'd reflect more light. It is a bit too dark with the blue ones.

Title: Progress pics 8-22
Post by: flylear45 on August 22, 2011, 09:16:01 AM

Not a lot to show, just some removal of adhesive and general sanding. I'm just using a D/A sander with 150 grit (held flat) to help show the dents and remove the outer skin of paint and . Had a couple small surface rust spots from ses and such that I hit with 80 grit.

Sandblasted the fender lip on the passenger fender to get rid of a little scale. Very light rust, no holes or even close to holing through.

I have to get all the glue off the sides yet. Nose and front bumper are done, back bumper and hood are up next. Should be starting with filler soon.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 06, 2011, 08:45:34 AM

2 rounds of filler on the roof and one on the trunk lid. Starting to get her smooth a little at a time. I'll be working on the driver's door dent next. That's about the worst on the car, and it's under the trim strip (luckily).

For Shredder since you asked,

I will use any good quality filler underneath (I'm using Bondo on this), but am adamant about using Evercoat Ultra-fill Polyester filler as a last skim coat. It sands so nice with a 180 block without clogging, and doesn't pop back through in later years. One other important point is to let the solvents in your primers flash out for a couple of days before topcoating. Overnight at least if you are in a hurry.

I've also found that air tools are only good for pre-filler prep and rough shaping. If you don't want to see it later you have to use a block and hand sand. Then it's up to training your hands and eyes to see the high and low spots come up as you are sanding. Sand with LIGHT pressure. You have to let the paper do the cutting. If you press, the metal flexes and you see the repair.

Likewise, if you aren't stripping all the paint off, when DA sanding you want to keep the tool flat to the work. If you angle it and cut with the edge you will see the line later. (You can actually make your job worse with a DA than if you don't use one if you don't follow that advice.)

Also, don't put a rag over the opening in the solvent can and 'slosh' it so the solvent touching the rag can be swept back into the container. Doing that contaminates the solvent with whatever was on the rag. Instead, pour the solvent out over the rag held under the spout. If you get any silicones in the solvent it can end up under your paint and make you sad.

Every body man has their own ways, and these are just a couple 'rules' I follow.

I'm sure the pros can add what methods they prefer or correct me if they think I'm wrong.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on September 06, 2011, 11:43:34 AM

flylear, Thanks for the details on the filler you are using and the techniques. Keep up the great work!

I'm a complete beginner on body work. But I have had 3 cars repainted, so I know how much work goes into it.

When you speak of DA sanding, is that with the orbital sander? I have seen sanding done with a variety of tools, but it seems most people like the durabond sanding blocks with adjustable flexabilities. And always sand at 45 degree angles?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Silent-Er@sEr on September 06, 2011, 09:34:33 PM

Da is a Dual action Orbital sander

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 07, 2011, 05:11:50 AM

Quote from: The Shredder;366870

flylear, Thanks for the details on the filler you are using and the techniques. Keep up the great work!

I'm a complete beginner on body work. But I have had 3 cars repainted, so I know how much work goes into it.

When you speak of DA sanding, is that with the orbital sander? I have seen sanding done with a variety of tools, but it seems most people like the durabond sanding blocks with adjustable flexabilities. And always sand at 45 degree angles?

I like those Dura-blocks as well.

I sure wish my paint guy was doing this instead of me. I really didn't want to do another paint job. But, I'm ready to start on it again today.

Maybe I should keep track of my hours. Then again.......Maybe not.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: daminc on September 07, 2011, 09:13:09 AM

Dura-blocks are real nice.. wish I had them in the 80s...
I like using Slick-Sand on the panels myself...takes the place of doing a lot of skimming....I had to shoot my entire car with it, to get all the panels perfectly flat

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: vinnietbird on September 07, 2011, 09:17:20 AM

I'm going to start buying my body work supplies soon. It's almost time to start getting the Sport ready for paint. I have the sanding blocks at the top of my list.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: daminc on September 07, 2011, 09:22:25 AM

great job BTW...I love this part of the project....

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 07, 2011, 11:44:32 AM

Quote from: daminc;366956

Dura-blocks are real nice.. wish I had them in the 80s...
I like using Slick-Sand on the panels myself...takes the place of doing a lot of skimming....I had to shoot my entire car with it, to get all the panels perfectly flat

That's a product I haven't tried. Thanks for the tip. I'm not shooting for as nice a job as yours. I am going to be driving this all over, so I won't bother getting it perfect. Just want to fix everything I can find and call it good. Being silver it should be pretty forgiving.

I'm using a 2k high build primer right now and it clogs 320 dry paper pretty quickly. I wish I hadn't bought a gallon.

Trunk lid has one last tiny ding to fix that showed up while sanding primer. I moved on to sanding the roof now.

I got the rear bumper cover and driver's fender sanded down and ready for filler this morning while the primer dried.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 07, 2011, 11:46:12 AM

Quote from: vinnietbird;366958

I'm going to start buying my body work supplies soon. It's almost time to start getting the Sport ready for paint. I have the sanding blocks at the top of my list.

Good choice! Too bad this paint stuff is so pricey.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 07, 2011, 11:50:51 AM

Quote from: daminc;366961

great job BTW...I love this part of the project....

You certainly have more patience for it than I do! This is the part I look forward to the least. I'm just gonna try to keep my head down and plug at it every day I can until I get it in paint. At least there isn't any rust repair to tackle.

I went back and looked at your build as I was planning how to manage this job. It was a big help!

Title: sanding
Post by: flylear45 on September 08, 2011, 06:22:01 AM

Had to get a paint stripe off the red fender.

Blocking the roof after 2 fills and 2k primer

Bumper needs 2 spots filled with urethane epoxy

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 08, 2011, 12:08:55 PM

1 roll 180 board paper

1 roll 320 board paper

100 6" 180 disks

1 can SEM trim paint

1 6" Dura-block

1 can SEM guide coat

-----------------------------

$150.00 :mad:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on September 08, 2011, 12:56:32 PM

I guess it is better than paying $3,000-$5,000 for the paint job though!

In the picture of your rear bumper cover, are you planning to epoxy the wavy parts about 6"-12" from either end? My rear bumper covers have some waves on top by the license plate area. I'm not sure what to do about those.

Are you keeping the red stripe or going monochrome color?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 08, 2011, 01:35:12 PM

Quote from: The Shredder;367073

I guess it is better than paying $3,000-$5,000 for the paint job though!

In the picture of your rear bumper cover, are you planning to epoxy the wavy parts about 6"-12" from either end? My rear bumper covers have some waves on top by the license plate area. I'm not sure what to do about those.

Are you keeping the red stripe or going monochrome color?

Yeah, I'll have about $750.00 in materials. I'd have paid my guy Frank gladly, though. 'If' he still did over-all jobs that is.

I'm not going to address the waves in the back cover. I'll take what I get on that. The urethane epoxy is for a couple of gouges in the cover, one on each corner.

Depending on where your issue is, you may be able to stuff something between the cover and the support to make it look better.

I'm going mono, baby. All silver with just the black around the windows and black door handles.

I'll be painting the side moldings all silver, too. I may black out all the emblems except the front bird to boot. If not, they will need to be re-chromed. I doubt I'll be willing to spend what that'd cost.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 09, 2011, 07:25:22 AM

I spent all day yesterday on the car. The hood is ready for primer, and I'm hoping it'll be pretty straight after blocking. That went well. I fully expected it to take a full day, but it looks really good after a couple of hours invested between it and the passenger side.

I need one more application on the roof, then I'm going to call it done. It may not be perfect, but it should be fine.

Trunk lid is ready to go after priming one last time, and both rear quarters are in shape.

I took an hour and removed the last of the adhesive left from the trim. What a hassle! That has been the worst job of all so far, but it is behind me now.

I got the first rough coat of Bondo on the drivers door dent last night. Today I'll start blocking it with 40 grit and re-coating with filler until I get the shape close. Then once I feel it's nearly perfect I'll hit it with a coat of the Ultra-fill and 180 block it for primer.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 09, 2011, 07:37:31 AM

I did get a nasty surprise under the paint on the passenger door. I knew that the paint looked different on that side of the car. It looked like a re-spray, so I was expecting some kind of a repair.

It looks to me like the rear quarter was replaced with a factory panel and the passenger door has had a repair down the center for nearly the entire thing. The work was done decently, so I'm not disappointed too much. It will mean more time to get the door right, since I sanded out enough of the old work to be sure of how it was done. I also ground out by the sail panel where the quarter was joined.

Not the worst news, but a little extra time for sure. I was thinking I might get to spraying color this weekend before I found that. Now that won't happen for sure.

I'm thinking next week some time at this point. I want to set up an appointment for the windshield before paint.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on September 09, 2011, 10:05:54 AM

Bummer! So sorry your car has some repair. It looks like they replaced the whole quarter panel and merged it at the lower sail panel? And it was a red quarter panel?

The quarter panel repair does look decent though. I guess you could find another door if you had too.

But if you are not going for a show queen, go with what you have! I'm sure when you are done, it will look beautiful - just more work.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 09, 2011, 10:35:02 AM

Quote from: The Shredder;367147

Bummer! So sorry your car has some repair. It looks like they replaced the whole quarter panel and merged it at the lower sail panel? And it was a red quarter panel?

The quarter panel repair does look decent though. I guess you could find another door if you had too.

But if you are not going for a show queen, go with what you have! I'm sure when you are done, it will look beautiful - just more work.

No worries. I expected something to be there. I'm happy enough with what I found.

The red fender is one that I bought, that's for the drivers side. The back passengers quarter has what I think is factory black primer underneath. It is different from the rest of the car in how it was painted.

The paint on that side was faded and pitting, not so anywhere else on the car. It had to have been a collision repair. I'm guessing it happened early in the car's life and was possibly repaired at a dealership. At least they used the right parts and techniques. The paint was just not as good as the rest.

The door will be fine. It isn't rusty and a little filler won't bother me at all. It looks like it was kind of creased in. Pretty easy to fill and get straight. I couldn't tell it was there when I bought it, so I should be able to do as good given some time.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 14, 2011, 07:19:58 PM

Working and sanding. Sanding and working.

Not much to show you on progress, but it's there.

At this stage,

The roof is done, trunk lid done, rear quarters done.

Hood at 90%, drivers door 80%. Ft and rear bumpers and header panel nearly ready.

Pax door just begun, ft. fenders barely begun. Still hoping to be doing some spraying this weekend.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on September 14, 2011, 10:29:19 PM

Just think of all that alone time you'll get :)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 15, 2011, 10:57:16 AM

Quote from: thewestie;367686

Just think of all that alone time you'll get :)

Yeah, plenty of all-alone time when paint prep starts!

New outer door handles showed up in the mail, as well as a used Mustang GT shifter to take a look at once I get done with paint. I've started to think that moving the OD switch off the shifter is no big deal at all.

Had a dummy shaft gear fail on the TR7 on the way to work. Cleaned off a couple of teeth. With Winter getting close I'll just park it until Spring. I'll have to drop the front crossmember to get to the oil pump to change it out, along with replacing the aux shaft and gear that failed. :shoothead

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 50tbrd88 on September 15, 2011, 04:37:17 PM

Make sure to post of plenty of pics when the color starts going on.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on September 15, 2011, 05:48:11 PM

the perils of driving the oldest car to work. Sorry to hear it failed on you.

Is the paint Titanium Frost?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 16, 2011, 04:30:16 AM

Quote from: 50tbrd88;367717

Make sure to post of plenty of pics when the color starts going on.

Will do!

Quote from: The Shredder;367726

the perils of driving the oldest car to work. Sorry to hear it failed on you.

Is the paint Titanium Frost?

Thanks. It was the engine from the Tbird, so it has some miles on it. I should have been checking the gear wear as a matter of regular maintenance. It was time to tear things apart and really look it over anyway. I've just driven it for 3 years now with an oil change every now and again.

The paint code was for Silver Poly #14.

I spent all day sanding yesterday. Mostly blocking and filling little stuff while working on the drivers door dent and the pax sail panel. I'm hoping to have those done this morning. I think I've found and filled all the little door dings and such.

I'll have to decide how to tackle masking the door jambs, and how I'll handle the paint process. The jambs aren't bad so I may spray the outside of the car only. I may do the roof, hood, and trunk lid separately from the body, nose, and front fenders. That'll keep the trash out of the clear better, and be easier to manage the air hose, but I risk a color mis-match shooting at different times. I doubt it will be an issue.

If I do that I can shoot the parts of the jambs that would get paint and lower backs of the doors while I do the roof, then mask it off and shut the doors for the outer body spray.

We'll see.....

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: TOM Renzo on September 16, 2011, 05:42:41 AM

Here is my Firebird getting splashed with color. This is how you mask a car for paint properly. Hope this helps.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c209/tfalconier/DSCF0281.jpg

Here it is finished

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c209/tfalconier/IMG_0402.jpg

We always paint parts off the car when possible. Especially the doors hood trunk lids bumper covers ETC. It is easier and you can see you work better and control the gun and overlap passes.

Also remember to mix your paint all at once and shoot as much of the parts as possible all at once. We have a booth so we can do it at our leisure. But lacking a booth you have environmental differences to deal with. Good luck.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c209/tfalconier/IMG_0800.jpg

One other thing!!!

SILVER without a doubt is one of the hardest colors to paint. If you do not have experience shooting it practice on an old hood or door before shooting the car. Once again SILVER is a BITCH plain and simple. If you need tips on painting JR is the master. Just PM him if you need info. He even splashes water . We are changing over to WATER and the stuff is GREAT. Good Luck

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 16, 2011, 06:11:40 AM

Quote from: TOM Renzo;367787

Here is my Firebird getting splashed with color. This is how you mask a car for paint properly. Hope this helps.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c209/tfalconier/DSCF0281.jpg

Here it is finished

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c209/tfalconier/IMG_0402.jpg

We always paint parts off the car when possible. Especially the doors hood trunk lids bumper covers ETC. It is easier and you can see you work better and control the gun and overlap passes.

Also remember to mix your paint all at once and shoot as much of the parts as possible all at once. We have a booth so we can do it at our leisure. But lacking a booth you have environmental differences to deal with. Good luck.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c209/tfalconier/IMG_0800.jpg

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking.

The Firebird looks nice. That finished picture isn't a good example pic, though. The fender looks a different shade there. I'm sure it's just an illusion, but it almost illustrates why you should paint the car as a single assembled unit.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 16, 2011, 08:30:14 AM

Thanks Tom. I have some experience, and silver is a bugger to be sure. Base/ clear silver is at least better than single-stage. That is REAL hard to get even! That's why I wish I could paint it all at once. It ends up being an issue of my available space.

I'm just kind of thinking out loud on this. I got up too early. LOL

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: TOM Renzo on September 16, 2011, 11:45:41 AM

You are correct the car is not a different color. It is a bad photo. I really should get rid of that photo.

Title: Pics from the days labor
Post by: flylear45 on September 16, 2011, 08:41:24 PM

A couple progress pics.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: cougrrr302 on September 16, 2011, 09:35:30 PM

Looking good! As long as you mix all the paint at once it doesn't affect when you spray it, as long as it is properly mixed. Silver is only hard when it is made up of a bunch of aluminum flake. The simpler the paint formula, the easier it is to spray and match. The only colors I have had real issue with are GM Blacks, Chrysler red/maroon and my Cougar. GM has at least 15 different formulas for a solid black, most require a drop or two of either yellow, blue or red, and they all look different when comparing paint chips or painted panels. The easiest way to make sure you don't have problems with dirt in the base or clear is make sure you wet the floor down and have one open airway(doorway) with a fan pulling air out of that opening, but allowing airflow only through the fan, not above, below or around. It helps alot when painting outside of a booth.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: cougrrr302 on September 16, 2011, 09:38:24 PM

Quote from: flylear45;367788

The fender looks a different shade there.QUOTE]

The doors will look that way also, they aren't sheet metal, the are a composite material, most GM bumpers are that way, the paint can match perfectly and look completely different. The '04-06 Grand Prix's are the worst for that problem as well as any Cobalt.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 17, 2011, 06:39:28 AM

Quote from: cougrrr302;367845

The easiest way to make sure you don't have problems with dirt in the base or clear is make sure you wet the floor down and have one open airway(doorway) with a fan pulling air out of that opening, but allowing airflow only through the fan, not above, below or around. It helps alot when painting outside of a booth.

Thanks for the tips!

I do wet down the floor and walls before spraying. It makes a difference for sure.

My fan is set up to blow into the 'booth' through a filter, then I leave a small space under the door. I set it so the booth walls are 'puffed out' so I am higher pressure in than out.

That seems to work pretty well for my makeshift setup. The biggest benefit is that it allows me to pump in warm shop air when it is cold out. I run through a bunch of fuel oil when I paint in the winter, though! I try to get my painting done in Spring and Fall.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 17, 2011, 10:21:02 AM

Spent almost 4 hrs blocking with 320 on a long block this morning. Sanded flat all the primer from yesterday.

I found a few more imperfections to fill, but so far, so good.

At this point I'd estimate I have about 6-8 hours of bodywork and blocking left before the sealer coat of epoxy.

I made a statement earlier about not liking the 2k high build primer, but that turned out to be a bad roll of sand paper instead of the primer. As far as workability goes, I like it just fine.

This ends up being the same paint Summit sells under it's own name.

I can't wait to get this part done already.:brick:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: TOM Renzo on September 18, 2011, 06:45:18 AM

EDIT-

Tom,
Thanks

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 18, 2011, 10:47:51 PM

I had to take the day off. The fingers on my left hand are getting really sore from me sanding off the skin. I should go commit a crime left-handed since I have no prints to leave. LOL

I keep knocking paint nibs off the sandpaper with my fingers. Pretty dumb I know. I will be taking a couple days to mend before getting back on it.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on September 19, 2011, 01:55:46 PM

Take a couple Alieve and get back to it! :)

Ouch! I hope you heal quickly.

How did the doors turn out?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 19, 2011, 06:14:40 PM

Thanks, Shredder (I think) ;)

Driver's door is looking good. I just started on the pax side before I noticed I was wounded.

I had a couple long days in the 'office' recently so it turns out to have happened at a good time.

I'm feeling good now, so tomorrow I'll get back on it.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: daminc on September 19, 2011, 07:40:39 PM

I think it's time for more pics......

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: daminc on September 19, 2011, 07:41:58 PM

Are you using a guide coat for your blocking?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 20, 2011, 08:03:52 AM

Quote from: daminc;367978

Are you using a guide coat for your blocking?

Yes. This is the method I've been using:

I spray and block a coat of high-build with 320 after I think I have the bodywork at 100%. That usually shows a couple of spots that need a light smear of ultra-fill. Then I prime again and use a guide coat with 320. If I break through the primer while sanding, prime again.

Title: Pictorial update: 23rd of September
Post by: flylear45 on September 23, 2011, 06:42:27 PM

There's a few days left in the month, and I'm hoping to see color on it soon.

Hood, roof, trunk lid, driver's door, upper valence, driver's sail and quarter, passenger's r. quarter all done.

Passenger door in process. I just did a big (thin) smear to hopefully get the last of the waves and low spots.

I also mixed a batch of flexible epoxy for the bumper repair. There was some left over so I used it on a side window to see how it will work.

The front fenders look pretty nice, so they will be quick. I have a couple dents filled and smoothed just to use up extra filler when I have it.

I'm pretty pleased with how it is looking. Can't wait to get to squirting some color!

Title: Pictorial update: 23rd of September
Post by: flylear45 on September 23, 2011, 06:46:21 PM

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 23, 2011, 08:17:17 PM

Sanded the flexible epoxy on the window and it's looking good, so went with a full coat over the whole thing.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on September 23, 2011, 11:13:19 PM

Yes. Looking very good. Man, what a LOT of work. Great progress!

I was definitely wondering what to do with the 1/4 window trim. I hope it turns out well.

Thanks for the update.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 24, 2011, 01:31:28 PM

Quote from: The Shredder;368289

Yes. Looking very good. Man, what a LOT of work. Great progress!

I was definitely wondering what to do with the 1/4 window trim. I hope it turns out well.

Thanks for the update.

It looks like the window trim is getting a nice smooth texture. I'll keep taking progress pics of it.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 24, 2011, 07:38:20 PM

Not happy with using the bumper repair stuff on the side windows. It seemed like it was working, but it needs primed with hi-build to be usable.

I'm gonna re-do this one since it looks like a**.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 26, 2011, 01:54:04 PM

Maybe I was a bit too quick to give up on the window repair. I sanded it again and used just a bit more filler and it looks pretty good after paint this time.

I am still working on getting the passenger door flat.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 26, 2011, 01:58:25 PM

Got sanding on the filler in the back bumper cover. Just need to flatten the big smear on the top side and I can primer it.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on September 26, 2011, 07:34:31 PM

Wow. That 1/4 window frame did come out better! Did you just sand down the bumper putty you added and paint it?

The bumper looks fantastic too. I suppose you have to include some paint additive to make it pliable on the plastic parts (front and rear bumper covers)? Also, does the 2K primer have to have the additive, or you using some other primer on the plastic parts?

Thanks for sharing.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on September 26, 2011, 07:34:48 PM

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 27, 2011, 07:47:24 AM

Quote from: The Shredder;368488

Wow. That 1/4 window frame did come out better! Did you just sand down the bumper putty you added and paint it?

The bumper looks fantastic too. I suppose you have to include some paint additive to make it pliable on the plastic parts (front and rear bumper covers)? Also, does the 2K primer have to have the additive, or you using some other primer on the plastic parts?

Thanks for sharing.

Yep, just sanded it down, used a little bit more 3M epoxy to fill some pinholes and re-sprayed it with SEM trim paint. It's amazing how much better it looks now, isn't it?

I'm actually debating right now what to use. I may start a thread to ask for guidance. I used flex additive in the past on the Porsche bumper and it came out nice. You'll get people who swear that you have to use it, and others who believe just as strongly that you don't.

My initial thought is to use epoxy basecoat followed by as much 2k as needed for flattening. Wet sand with 400 and shoot, adding flex additive to base and clear.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 28, 2011, 07:15:31 AM

Here's what she looks like this morning.

Driver's door ready for paint after a final prime and sand.

Rear bumper looking good in primer before sanding.

Passengers door getting nice above the turn, just need some filler above the hip line in a few places.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on September 28, 2011, 06:34:20 PM

Everything looks great! It's hard to tell in the photos that everything is straight. But it looks good from here. :)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 28, 2011, 06:55:21 PM

Quote from: The Shredder;368677

Everything looks great! It's hard to tell in the photos that everything is straight. But it looks good from here. :)

I know.

It's kind of hard to post progress pics when I have to have my face 10 inches from my work and catch the light correctly to see what I'm working on.

here's the thing. If I show a pic like the drivers door and it has a uniform color, then it's probably pretty straight.

On the other hand, the door on the passengers side has been blocked the same way as door #1, yet has bondo, metal, (high) and dark spots (low) showing. I need to re-smear the dark spots and block sand until I think I am close to flat. Then I'll prime it once more and block sand until it is truly flat enough to continue on to something else.

The passenger door is injured in a couple places down it's length. That makes it more work than the drivers door.

Bumper work looks pretty good, if I say so myself. :D

The issue now is deciding where to call it quits and get paint on it. I am not doing a Jerry job where I won't settle for less than perfect. I just want to end up with a nice presentable job that will not embarrass me, yet not spend so much detail time that I won't want to park up near the front door at Walgreen's.

Durable and good looking.

Like me.:rollin:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 347Thunder on September 28, 2011, 07:02:33 PM

on those high spots on the door you need to just tap them a little with a body hammer, then you dont have to use as much filler.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 28, 2011, 07:49:06 PM

Quote from: 347Thunder;368682

on those high spots on the door you need to just tap them a little with a body hammer, then you dont have to use as much filler.

Thanks.

I am going to slap a couple of those a bit. I had more highs like that under the door handle that I whacked in a touch.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 50tbrd88 on September 28, 2011, 08:19:08 PM

Nice work so far man. This car is going to be killer when finished! I should have painted/restored all the trim around the windows, etc when my neighbor guy painted my car for me a couple of years ago. What you did there will make a huge difference once everything is done...its the little details that make the car!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 347Thunder on September 28, 2011, 08:31:26 PM

Quote from: flylear45;368684

Thanks.

I am going to slap a couple of those a bit. I had more highs like that under the door handle that I whacked in a touch.

yeah, around the door handles get pretty hairy sometimes, some of those you have to get close enough, because if you get too much mud around the lock you cant get the clip on and that really sucks during reassembly :punchballs:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 28, 2011, 09:12:53 PM

Quote from: 50tbrd88;368693

Nice work so far man. This car is going to be killer when finished! I should have painted/restored all the trim around the windows, etc when my neighbor guy painted my car for me a couple of years ago. What you did there will make a huge difference once everything is done...its the little details that make the car!

I appreciate the kind words.

I've been thinking about what to do on that trim for a while now. I sure hope what I did holds up and looks good for a while. I still have the other side to do. I figure when I get sick of sanding again I'll do it.

Evercoat has a flowable putty in a tube thats supposed to be for bumpers and plastic trim. It might be worth a try also. Or like other guys have done, use several coats of a thick flexible primer. :dunno:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 347Thunder on September 29, 2011, 07:47:32 AM

the flexible paint/ primer don't do !!!! the trick is put your paint on as thin as possible to keep it from cracking, I used flex agent on my bumper and you saw how it cracked.LOL looking good now your coming down the home stretch, just....a....little.....more

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 29, 2011, 08:29:37 AM

Quote from: 347Thunder;368743

the flexible paint/ primer don't do !!!! the trick is put your paint on as thin as possible to keep it from cracking, I used flex agent on my bumper and you saw how it cracked.LOL looking good now your coming down the home stretch, just....a....little.....more

Good advice. I'll be sanding down the bumper pretty good. Just 2 wet coats of primer.

Your bumper cracked and so did your bumper support!! LOL Seriously, thanks for the support. Your car looks fantastic. Mine isn't going to be as smooth since it looks like you sanded and buffed the clear flat.

What did you use to put your outer door handles back on? Big rivets or some other kind of hardware?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on September 29, 2011, 09:20:01 AM

On my 92 mustang door handles, I used 1/4-20 (or 5/16 - I can't remember) stainless allen-head bolts with stainless washer and lock nuts on the back side. It looks good in my opinion.

Are you going with body color door handles or trim black?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 29, 2011, 09:49:25 AM

Quote from: The Shredder;368748

On my 92 mustang door handles, I used 1/4-20 (or 5/16 - I can't remember) stainless allen-head bolts with stainless washer and lock nuts on the back side. It looks good in my opinion.

Are you going with body color door handles or trim black?

Thanks Shredder.

I got some new black handles from Ebay. I was thinking of something similar. Maybe some flattened head star bit bolts or something. Stainless is a good idea, too. I'm going to treat and paint the metal on the handle so it won't rust as fast.

I just ordered tires for my pickup truck. Prices for tires are silly right now.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: cougarman on September 29, 2011, 09:53:51 AM

Quote from: The Shredder;368748

On my 92 mustang door handles, I used 1/4-20 (or 5/16 - I can't remember) stainless allen-head bolts with stainless washer and lock nuts on the back side. It looks good in my opinion.

Are you going with body color door handles or trim black?

I bolted my new handles on also, works great.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 347Thunder on September 29, 2011, 11:11:33 AM

Quote from: flylear45;368745

Good advice. I'll be sanding down the bumper pretty good. Just 2 wet coats of primer.

Your bumper cracked and so did your bumper support!! LOL Seriously, thanks for the support. Your car looks fantastic. Mine isn't going to be as smooth since it looks like you sanded and buffed the clear flat.

What did you use to put your outer door handles back on? Big rivets or some other kind of hardware?

I drilled out the holes to 3/8 and installed riv nut 1/4x20 with socket head cap screws

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 29, 2011, 11:48:49 AM

There's an idea!

I do have a rivnut tool kicking around the shop. Triumph's use them in some places.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on September 29, 2011, 11:58:52 AM

I just bolted my handles on as well, with stainless fasteners.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 30, 2011, 10:03:27 AM

Quote from: Chuck W;368769

I just bolted my handles on as well, with stainless fasteners.

Sounds like the way to go. No problem with them loosening, then. I'll definitely get nylock nuts if I don't use the rivnuts.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on September 30, 2011, 11:16:10 AM

A pic...
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/jdschrader/Mustang%20Vert/MustangDoorHandle2.jpg)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 30, 2011, 03:26:35 PM

Wow..... that paint looks nice. Got some pics of the rest of the car?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on September 30, 2011, 04:17:13 PM

Quote from: flylear45;368842

Sounds like the way to go. No problem with them loosening, then. I'll definitely get nylock nuts if I don't use the rivnuts.

No issues. Used nyloc nuts.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: cougarman on September 30, 2011, 04:28:17 PM

Quote from: flylear45;368881

Wow..... that paint looks nice. Got some pics of the rest of the car?

X2 Great paint.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on September 30, 2011, 08:08:08 PM

It is a 1992 Mustang Convertible in Titanium Frost...
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/jdschrader/Mustang%20Vert/92Mustang007.jpg)

(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/jdschrader/Mustang%20Vert/92Mustang001.jpg)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: cougarman on September 30, 2011, 08:51:12 PM

Sharp car!!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 01, 2011, 07:35:15 PM

Super sharp 'stang Shredder. Understated and squeaky clean. Very very nice.

Title: October progress pics
Post by: flylear45 on October 04, 2011, 10:11:03 AM

I've been buying parts for the K1500 since the TR is broken. Got 2 new fenders, a grille, and all new shocks and steering parts. I also got new front hubs and CV axles on the way. While I'm waiting on parts to show up I got some more sanding done on the Tbird.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on October 04, 2011, 04:29:35 PM

Awesome! Updates. Just so you know, I log on everyday just hoping for more pictures...

The fenders and passenger door looks fabulous!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 04, 2011, 04:58:12 PM

That's why I try to post a little something whenever I can.

Right now I am sick and tired of sanding, but have a good bit of time this week to get it nearer to spraying.

I found a couple more things in the roof and filled them, and a dent or two in both of the fenders while blocking them out. Those are also worked up pretty nicely now, and I'm ready for another coat of primer.

The 3M filler worked outstanding on the bumpers. Those look great IMHO.

I picked up a quart of Omni epoxy for the sealer coat, maybe I'll be ready for some of that tomorrow night.

:rollin:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 05, 2011, 09:42:17 AM

I'm finally satisfied with the passenger door, and I'm down to the final smear of filler. (I found one last ding in a fender when blocking the last primer coat)

I plan to unwrap the car, back it out into the driveway to blow it out and clean it real well. While it's out I'll get the fenders, nose, and bumpers in sealer. Of course this all depends on getting them sanded to where I like them today.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 05, 2011, 04:42:58 PM

I'm done for today. It got hot out again and I tired out faster than I expected.
Here's all I got for you. Had to throw in a shot of my oldest Ford.:giggle:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on October 05, 2011, 04:46:52 PM

looks like a bed ass tractor

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 05, 2011, 07:15:48 PM

Quote from: thewestie;369273

looks like a bed ass tractor

I love the old girl. The 8N was the first thing I bought with the bank money meant for building the house.

Still doing her job after outlasting a new (in 1991) Woods mower and putting in my 3 acre yard and my neighbor's 2 acre yard. She's tough as nails, she is.

You can't buy that quality any more. :(

Title: Paint process begun
Post by: flylear45 on October 06, 2011, 04:04:07 PM

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 06, 2011, 04:05:22 PM

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 06, 2011, 04:07:36 PM

Here are some shots from earlier in the day that I want to show. Sorry but they are out of sequence!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 06, 2011, 05:38:28 PM

Got the clear on those pieces.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 06, 2011, 05:39:40 PM

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on October 06, 2011, 06:56:56 PM

Oh boy, Oh boy!!!! It is coming together!

Alright, tell me the process now... You sprayed a final primer coat. Let mostly dry. Spray color coat. Let mostly dry. Spray many coats of clear?

Are there sanding steps along the way? It looks like you sanded part of the header panel after color before clear.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 06, 2011, 07:24:25 PM

No, unfortunately I got some pics out of order. I was posting while waiting in between coats.

I waited 24 hrs after the last 2k primer before spraying any sealer. I found a hundred small pinholes from rock chips in the upper header, so I applied 1 last coat of polyester filler. I sanded that down, took everything smooth with 180 followed by 320 dry paper, then applied a sealer coat of 2 parts MP170 epoxy to 1 part activator to 1/4 of the reducer for the paint for extra flow. 1 coat only of that.

I let that dry for 45 minutes and then shot the color, 2 coats ( to be sure of even coverage) with no sanding in between. Then I followed with 2 wet coats of clear. I let the 1st clear coat dry for 15 minutes before applying the second.

This isn't a show job. I'd be sanding for another month if I wanted it to be perfect. I am shooting for something I'll be proud to have done without spending too much time on it.

My philosophy is: I can get it in color in a day, I can get it pretty nice in a week, or near perfect in 2 months.

This was always going to be a pretty nice job. So far I'm very pleased. I got a little dry on the fenders, probably because I didn't want to deal with runs and I'm a bit out of practice. It'll look just fine, though. Very little dirt in anything.

Now to get the body done, as well as the hood and side moldings.

I'm happy!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 50tbrd88 on October 06, 2011, 08:07:00 PM

Car is coming along nicely!

On a side note...is that a JD 110 I see lurking in the background and a tiller in the foreground to go along with it? I love me some old JD lawn tractors...wish I could find a tiller for my 112.

(http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=27968&d=1317931616)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: cougarman on October 06, 2011, 08:20:39 PM

Looking good!!! Keep up the great work.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 06, 2011, 09:12:25 PM

Quote from: 50tbrd88;369394

Car is coming along nicely!

On a side note...is that a JD 110 I see lurking in the background and a tiller in the foreground to go along with it? I love me some old JD lawn tractors...wish I could find a tiller for my 112.

Why yes it is! That tractor was bought new in 1968 by my grandfather, William Franks. My father used it after Granpap couldn't anymore, until the mower rusted out and the engine was beyond repair. I ended up with it and just couldn't part with it, so I re-engined it last year, welded the heck out of the mower deck, and my wife and son now use it to cut grass. I'm proud to still have Grandpap's old Deere. It's gonna get a paint job next year!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 06, 2011, 09:14:47 PM

Quote from: cougarman;369398

Looking good!!! Keep up the great work.

Thanks man. Appreciate the love!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thunderjet302 on October 07, 2011, 12:25:44 PM

It's looking great!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on October 07, 2011, 12:41:10 PM

Keep hammering away!

Looks good.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: stangman_1987 on October 07, 2011, 12:58:53 PM

Very nice.. I wish i had the patience for that. She's gonna be a beauty.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 07, 2011, 07:44:34 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;369446

Keep hammering away!

Looks good.

Thanks Chuck. So far so good.

Hey, what color is your 83?

I have to say I'm a bit disappointed in the silver poly. It seems like shiny primer in some light. I was hoping for more 'pop'. I am wishing I had gone for a custom silver as I'm looking at this now. It'll be fine, but just not as 'shagy' as I had thought going in.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 07, 2011, 07:47:04 PM

Quote from: thunderjet302;369441

It's looking great!

Thanks! Yours is looking good in the new pics. I can't wait to be driving mine. Maybe in a month or so. Depends on work and how much life interferes. LOL

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 07, 2011, 07:57:28 PM

Quote from: stangman_1987;369447

Very nice.. I wish i had the patience for that. She's gonna be a beauty.

Thank you stangman. This part seems to crawl along. I have a stretch of fantastic weather to get it in color and I'll try to make the best of it. It'd be awesome to be assembling it next week!

Yesterday was such a long day. I was out here on the car at 5:30 AM and went in after cleaning the gun around 6:00 PM IIRC.

Plus I helped my brother fix his diesel Suburban. Had to cut and flare a buggered brake line. A shop wanted to charge him $1500.00 for a new ABS unit.

I fixed it for...............FREE!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 08, 2011, 08:08:33 AM

Had to make a paycheck. Back on it today.

Started out by cleaning on the jambs getting ready to mask off for body paint. I saw some cracked up sealer on the body, so I chipped it out and repaired it with a little seam sealer. I don't want any leaks. I also added a little sealer and brushed it out on the trunk gutter.

The pictures make it look nasty, but once painted over it'll look OEM.

Gotta finish re-taping and get my plan for how to tackle the remaining work.

Option 1 is to do the roof, body, backs of doors and trunk jamb first.

Then mask that stuff off tomorrow and paint the hood, trunk lid, and doors.

That will leave one more round of painting for the side moldings and other little stuff.

Option 2 would be to paint the outsides of the doors and the trunk lid with the main body and roof today.

Then tomorrow mask off and spray hood, door backs and trunk jamb. The remainder at a later time.

I'll mull it over while I mask the windows.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on October 08, 2011, 05:22:36 PM

The powers to be in my state banned the 3m brushable seam sealer. I used some under the car and was going strong for about an hour with no fresh air and I think I know why its baned.:crazy:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 09, 2011, 05:37:25 AM

Quote from: thewestie;369533

The powers to be in my state banned the 3m brushable seam sealer. I used some under the car and was going strong for about an hour with no fresh air and I think I know why its baned.:crazy:

Yeah, really!

It is STRONG smelling stuff. I've used it for years on Triumphs because it looks a lot like the factory brushed sealer. I've had this can for a long time.

I didn't spray yesterday, just cleaned, re-taped, and went over the panels with 320 one more time. I removed the trunk lid to make it easier to spray the jamb.

I'm gonna try to get more color on it today.

Title: Roof in paint
Post by: flylear45 on October 09, 2011, 09:24:59 AM

I couldn't decide on a way to go around the car and have good access to the roof, so I decided to just mask off and spray it by itself.

I was afraid I would stripe the color if I tried to lean out too far.

After 3 hours today:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: sarjxxx on October 09, 2011, 10:38:34 AM

Quote from: flylear45;369497

Started out by cleaning on the jambs getting ready to mask off for body paint. I saw some cracked up sealer on the body, so I chipped it out and repaired it with a little seam sealer. I don't want any leaks. I also added a little sealer and brushed it out on the trunk gutter.

Good idea. Good to get that out of the way now, before its too late and you gotta paint it again. I need to do something about my trunk. Prolly gonna end up doing the whole seam cause I can't actually figure out WHERE the leak is.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on October 09, 2011, 08:20:41 PM

roof looks mint

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on October 10, 2011, 01:04:36 AM

flylear, the paint looks great! I like the silver! Is it the factory silver or some other blend?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 10, 2011, 07:59:08 AM

Quote from: sarjxxx;369625

Good idea. Good to get that out of the way now, before its too late and you gotta paint it again. I need to do something about my trunk. Prolly gonna end up doing the whole seam cause I can't actually figure out WHERE the leak is.

Thanks.

My first bird leaked into the rear seat footwell from somewhere and it drove me crazy. I'm hoping to avoid that kind of thing, since my cars will sit at the airport for a week at a time outside.

Quote from: thewestie;369652

roof looks mint

It came out nice. I put an extra wet coat on it so I could sand and buff it.

I used a new gun with the clear and it puked something out into the paint, but I am sure after a little 1200 and a buff pad it'll be up to the standard.

Did you end up getting window clips from those guys in PA?

Quote from: The Shredder;369663

flylear, the paint looks great! I like the silver! Is it the factory silver or some other blend?

Thanks! It looks good in sunlight. It's supposed to be the factory mix from code 14. That was what was on the door frame sticker.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on October 10, 2011, 05:47:37 PM

(Clips) I called and they never heard of the part # The women said take a pic and email it to her and she'd match something up. I also went to a local glass co and got some that were close. Still searching though.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 14, 2011, 08:27:42 PM

That's really strange, because I sent them pics first off. Oh well. I'll be contacting them soon it seems.

I got paint on the body today. I am whipped. Started at 7:00 and put in a solid 12 on her today.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: cougarman on October 14, 2011, 08:29:22 PM

Looking good!!!

Title: set 2
Post by: flylear45 on October 14, 2011, 08:30:43 PM

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 14, 2011, 08:41:29 PM

Thanks cougarman. I got a run in front of the fuel door somehow. I think it's because I filled the gun about then and forgot where I left off exactly. I should have re-filled after going past the trunk. No biggy. I'll sand and buff it and it'll be fine. Otherwise it is looking decent.

Today was windy and there is more trash in the paint than last time. I wasn't going to wait for a better day. At least it quit raining!

The parts left to paint are the top of the trunk and hood, the fuel door and the side trim strips. It's getting closer to being able to start to put it together finally!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on October 14, 2011, 09:27:49 PM

Looks great, keep me posted on the clips I still need to sand and paint the trim but want to get them on before its time to put it away.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 15, 2011, 06:42:21 AM

Quote from: thewestie;370144

Looks great, keep me posted on the clips I still need to sand and paint the trim but want to get them on before its time to put it away.

Will do!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: cougarman on October 15, 2011, 08:20:15 AM

Quote from: flylear45;370141

Thanks cougarman. I got a run in front of the fuel door somehow. I think it's because I filled the gun about then and forgot where I left off exactly. I should have re-filled after going past the trunk. No biggy. I'll sand and buff it and it'll be fine. Otherwise it is looking decent.

Today was windy and there is more trash in the paint than last time. I wasn't going to wait for a better day. At least it quit raining!

The parts left to paint are the top of the trunk and hood, the fuel door and the side trim strips. It's getting closer to being able to start to put it together finally!

Yea, I got a couple quarter panel runs, the hose kept snagging on stuff...lol. Just in the clearcoat though.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 15, 2011, 11:41:16 AM

Spent this morning sanding clear and buffing. I was surprised how nice it sands with 1200 after just drying overnight. The 1200 marks come right out with a single pass on the buffer, too.

Got 3/4 of the body done. I caught myself feeling pen 15y so I'm taking a break before I get careless and burn an edge.

The run in the quarter is 99.2 % gone. At this point I may just leave it alone. I am afraid I'll break through the clear if I keep going, and it looks pretty good.

There are a few places where bugs (tiny gnats) got in the clear, and some dirt that won't completely sand out. All in all it is looking very acceptable!

Just have the drivers door to buff out and I can put the wheels back on it , pull off the paper and drive it into the front garage so I can get the last of this stuff in paint.

:rollin:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 15, 2011, 09:20:33 PM

Well..... I had to make a late night run to Summit. I didn't get enough clear to finish everything. Of course I didn't figure this out until an hour or so ago. :punchballs:

Hopefully this clear matches mine OK. We'll see!

I just got the first coat of clear on the hood, trunklid, fuel door, NACA scoops, and roof strips. Just have to wait a few more minutes to get the second coat on. Tomorrow I'll do the side moldings and be done with painting!

EDIT:

Finished the clear

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 347Thunder on October 15, 2011, 11:09:00 PM

ooo this is my favorite part of the build, keep it coming I can't wait to paint my car

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 16, 2011, 07:28:12 AM

Quote from: 347Thunder;370235

ooo this is my favorite part of the build, keep it coming I can't wait to paint my car

Your car looks fantastic. I just hope my junk will look presentable after all this!

I am pretty happy with the paint job so far. I haven't seen any body work that shows and I don't see any dings or waves that I missed. Usually there is something that shows up after clearing. I'm glad I took the extra time to really make it right.

I may have waited too long to sand and buff the fenders and rear cover where it is dry. If the clear is too hard I'll hit them with 600 and 1000 wet, then re-clear them.

First off today will be to get the hood and trunk buffed and to try to get the side moldings done.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on October 16, 2011, 09:36:07 AM

It's coming along nicely. Nice work.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 16, 2011, 10:29:33 AM

Quote from: Chuck W;370263

It's coming along nicely. Nice work.

Thank you, sir!

I bolted on the first piece! I wanted to be sure that the fuel door was a good match, so I put it on.

I am now officially re-assembling the car. :banana:

Hood and trunk came out REALLY nice after a scuff and buff. I intend to get those back on today with the help of my son. In the meantime I rounded up all the moldings so I can prep them for paint.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 16, 2011, 05:59:33 PM

Got the hood and trunk lid on, and had to set the fenders and upper nose in place just to get a feel for it.

Nice to see everything one color!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on October 16, 2011, 06:39:09 PM

Niiiiiiiiice

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on October 16, 2011, 08:17:38 PM

flylear! I have been out of town for a few days and this is what I have to come back too!!!! I'm really excited for you. The paint looks amazing!

The hood and trunk look smooth as glass. You can see the wrinkle reflection of the tarp walls in the standalone trunk picture.

Simply beautiful! Wonderful job.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 17, 2011, 07:40:58 AM

Quote from: The Shredder;370297

flylear! I have been out of town for a few days and this is what I have to come back too!!!! I'm really excited for you. The paint looks amazing!

The hood and trunk look smooth as glass. You can see the wrinkle reflection of the tarp walls in the standalone trunk picture.

Simply beautiful! Wonderful job.

I knew you'd like it. LOL It has some texture to the clear, I haven't sanded it absolutely flat. I just took out any dirt pips and took down the couple of dry spots I noticed.

That kind of finish is what I have been after. I would have block sanded the primer one more time with 600 if I was serious about getting a dead flat final product. For this project I just wanted the bodywork straight and a paint job with good prep that addressed any rusty areas. Mission accomplished!

I've had my head down on this for so long that it is almost a shock to be at this point. Hopefully I can get some road time in this year before the weather turns py. I'm thinking of getting a pair of snow tires and mounting them on some spare snowflakes so I can drive it on all but the worst days. I plan to use some good undercoating on the undercarriage to stave off the corrosion. I plan to USE this sucker!

It will take longer to assemble than I'd like since the car came to me in boxes. Not only are there parts from this car, but from 2-3 other TC's the PO took apart plus some JY parts he acquired. I'll be wasting time searching for hardware and parts hiding in this mass of stacked boxes. (Example, I spent 45 minutes rounding up 2 hood hinges and 5 bolts yesterday to mount the hood.) Once I go through the parts a couple of times I'll start to remember what is where and it should go faster. At least a lot of the stuff is bagged and labelled.

The other challenge is that I didn't take it all apart to know how it goes together. I do have the Ford shop manuals and EVTM to guide me, but studying everything as I do it takes some time.

At least it'll be nice to shift gears from the painting. MAN I am sick of sanding!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on October 17, 2011, 08:24:17 AM

It's going to be a fun car to have as a nice driver. I just can't bring myself to drive mine again on nasty roads. Winters have killed 2 Foxes for me around here, and the '83 could've gone that way as well had I not stopped using it in the winter.

Too bad you're not closer, I could help you turn wrenches and you could help me fix body panels. :p

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 17, 2011, 08:36:19 AM

Quote from: Chuck W;370332

It's going to be a fun car to have as a nice driver. I just can't bring myself to drive mine again on nasty roads. Winters have killed 2 Foxes for me around here, and the '83 could've gone that way as well had I not stopped using it in the winter.

Too bad you're not closer, I could help you turn wrenches and you could help me fix body panels. :p

Salt is a bitch to be sure. I am hoping to get 6 good years out of it. This car (and the TR7) are what I will have instead of a new car.

Yeah, there's you and a bunch of others on here I'd like to hang with in the garage. It'd be lots more fun than working alone all the time. :cheers:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 18, 2011, 11:05:40 PM

I ended up sanding and buffing a lot more than I originally thought I would. I just kept wanting it to look better and better. At last it is completed. It looks pretty fine at this point. I did burn an edge with the buffer under the drivers side mirror, but it isn't bad and it's at least in a place that won't be too noticeable.

Otherwise I cleaned, lubed and installed the trunk lock and sandblasted, painted and installed the emergency hood latch. Next is to unbolt the fenders to finish behind them before the final fit and install.

In sunshine the car looks and feels like it was dipped in plastic. Pretty cool.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on October 19, 2011, 10:43:23 AM

COMPLETED! Really?! Is it ever really completed? :) Oh, your paint job is completed. NO MORE SANDING!!!! So in that sense it IS completed. Congratulations!

Now the fun begins... Putting things back together is not all bad. At least you see progress quicker.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 19, 2011, 08:39:19 PM

Quote from: The Shredder;370566

COMPLETED! Really?! Is it ever really completed? :) Oh, your paint job is completed. NO MORE SANDING!!!! So in that sense it IS completed. Congratulations!

Now the fun begins... Putting things back together is not all bad. At least you see progress quicker.

OK, yeah. You got me.:shakeass:

I am just happy to be done freaking sanding already. :D

Well, except for the quarter windows and side moldings, that is. I am also going to tape off for spraying the chip-guard stuff on below the side moldings.

I need to undercoat as well, so I won't be getting it put back together tomorrow.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 23, 2011, 09:31:51 PM

I worked a bit on her today. I thought I had a set of nice taillights, but in truth I have 3 nice passengers side ones. :shakehead

I took apart the two driver's side lights and made one good one with the parts. I didn't go so far as to pry off the louvers. It is a bit dirty in there, so maybe I'll yank them apart one day in the future when I get a spare. I didn't want to risk breaking my only good piece, so I didn't go any farther.

I also took some time fitting the trunk lid and hood up nicely, after which I rounded up all the rubber seals. I picked the best door seals out and put those on.

Same way with the side mirrors. The driver's side mirror I was originally going to use had lots of scratches in the glass part, so I went into the spare parts to get a nice one. It took an hour to clean and detail the mirrors, but they look like new.

I also finished the other quarter window outer rubber trim. I ended up sanding and painting 3 times to get the desired finish. While I was at it I touched up a couple of spots on the first one. They came out pretty nice in the end.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on October 25, 2011, 01:16:28 PM

Exciting to have the 1/4 windows done and looking nice, mirrors, taillights, hood, trunk. You will be done with the exterior in no time!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 26, 2011, 05:21:23 AM

Had to replace the other wheel bearing on the Chevy and get new tires on.

I rounded up a matching lock set for doors and ignition. Had to swap out the ignition in the car with another column to do it. Went everywhere looking for some outer door hardware and struck out. I ended up buying it at Fastenal, but had to get 50 bolts. :mad: I'll use them eventually I guess.

Planning a few hours of assembly time today.

In the meantime:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: cougarman on October 26, 2011, 08:33:45 AM

Very nice!! :D

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on October 26, 2011, 08:36:16 AM

Groovy. :)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on October 26, 2011, 09:34:08 AM

So it looks like you have the rear of the car wrapped up. Exciting! The taillights, bumper cover and trunk w/lock looks great.

And it looks like you have the door window trim, channels and mirrors on! You have the hood lined up and on too. Are the front fenders permanently on?

You are getting so close to having the exterior wrapped up. I hope you have a productive day.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 27, 2011, 05:51:43 AM

Quote from: The Shredder;371197

So it looks like you have the rear of the car wrapped up. Exciting! The taillights, bumper cover and trunk w/lock looks great.

And it looks like you have the door window trim, channels and mirrors on! You have the hood lined up and on too. Are the front fenders permanently on?

You are getting so close to having the exterior wrapped up. I hope you have a productive day.

Well, not quite all that. The rear bumper cover is just hanging there, I still have to bolt on the support.

The window trim is mostly on, but I am wanting to pick up some gooey sealer to use in the channel of the seals when I put them on for good. Likewise, I ran out of strip caulk and still need to seal and remount the quarter windows.

I am going to pull the fenders off today to finish up the front suspension work.
There's a broken sway bar link to replace, and I have new struts and strut mounts to install. I have a new set of sway bar bushings to install too.

(I am not a fan of poly bushings, and am staying with OEM quality rubber. I have used poly on some of my cars in the past and found that they wore out too fast and ruined the ride in some cases.)

I'll leave the passenger side inner fender off until I set the turbocharger turbine sleeve where I want it. I need to do some full throttle blasts to get it set right.

Possibly I could cut an access panel into the inner fender panel so I can get to it easily later on. I'll see how hard it is to install the plastic and decide.

I worked on the doors a bit before work yesterday. I wanted to test the power locks and windows before I went too far. The locks wouldn't work at first. :(

I was getting a faint click on one relay but little else. Looked at the schematic and saw that the Bl/W wires weren't powered. Ended up being the connecter at the fuse panel wasn't fully snapped in.

Similarly I wasn't getting the fuel door or trunk release to work, and that was resolved by securing the connecters on the pasengers side kick panel area.

Once those issues were sorted I did get one door lock installed. I'm about to mount the door handles and the other lock.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 27, 2011, 05:55:23 AM

Quote from: cougarman;371190

Very nice!! :D

Thank you cougarman!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 27, 2011, 05:58:31 AM

Quote from: Chuck W;371192

Groovy. :)

:)

Boy, your 83 has a great look. Wheels, ride height, rear scoops. It all works really well together.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 27, 2011, 04:42:31 PM

Door handles are on. Quarter windows in for good, as are the door seals and kick plates.

I really like the capscrews I got from Fastenal. They worked great. I just had to open up the holes slightly in the handle and the door to pass the 5/16" stud size.

Passed my FAA physical, so I guess I'm healthy. :roxor:

Worked on blacking out the side bird emblems and rear badges. Mounted it all and I like the look.

Should I black out the front bird? It is still in nice shape, but I I'm not sure. I left the birds in the taillights chrome. :confused:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on October 27, 2011, 06:26:26 PM

Looking Great you should be driving it soon. Some full throttle runs sound like a blast in that :)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on October 27, 2011, 08:37:11 PM

ooooh. i like the blacked out look! I'd keep the front bird chrome to match the taillights. Man the car is coming together!

I'm so glad you are healthy! That way you can finish your project. :)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 28, 2011, 07:19:46 AM

Quote from: thewestie;371283

Looking Great you should be driving it soon. Some full throttle runs sound like a blast in that :)

Thanks man! It's going to be great fun when I can finally do some real tuning to see what this combo has in it. Maybe in a couple weeks if all goes to plan.

HEY....... I got an email from the place with the rear window trim clips. I was going to order some today. Should I get some for you and send them to you? They are $1.00 each just so you know.

Quote from: The Shredder;371288

ooooh. i like the blacked out look! I'd keep the front bird chrome to match the taillights. Man the car is coming together!

I'm so glad you are healthy! That way you can finish your project. :)

Yeah, I really like the black on the car. I was hoping the bird emblems would still look OK without any contrast in the wings, but I think it works just fine on this silver car.

I am leaning towards a chrome nose bird as well. I can always black it out later if I want to.

I stopped at Jo Ann Fabrics to get headliner. Turns out they only stock black, dark blue and tan. :barf: Gonna place an order today for some light gray material online.

It's time to get that new windshield in. I don't want to have the windshield guy stain/rip the headliner so I want to get it done first.

Well, it's time to fire up the bead cabinet and clean up the windshield and r. window trim for paint.

I will be driving this car some time in November. Probably before Thanksgiving I would say.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on October 28, 2011, 07:29:16 AM

Yea Ill take as many it takes plus a couple extra for dropping and losing one

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 28, 2011, 07:41:41 AM

Quote from: thewestie;371283

Looking Great you should be driving it soon. Some full throttle runs sound like a blast in that :)

Quote from: thewestie;371320

Yea Ill take as many it takes plus a couple extra for dropping and losing one

OK will do. I think mine takes 16. I'll count again and order for us.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on October 28, 2011, 08:50:53 AM

Quote from: flylear45;371319

I stopped at Jo Ann Fabrics to get headliner. Turns out they only stock black, dark blue and tan. :barf: Gonna place an order today for some light gray material online.

I have decent luck with THESE GUYS (http://www.yourautotrim.com/) for the headliner stuff. I've bought stuff for 3-4 cars, and it's always quick. Their adhesive works pretty well, too.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 28, 2011, 03:49:38 PM

Thanks Chuck.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 28, 2011, 05:57:20 PM

Clips are ordered thewestie.

The reason they didn't know about that number when you called is that it may be from a different supplier than usual. I think you have to ask for Jeff.

I ended up working on fitting the passenger door for a LONG time today. I eventually got it to fit pretty decently. All the black trim is now done. Got the wiper motor and transmission cleaned up and installed. Installed the washer bottle and hoses.

After I worked on the door I found that the Megasquirt wasn't working right. While I was pounding on the hinge I ruined the capacitor I had hard mounted right behind the hinge. :(

It took me a little while to figure out what was wrong. I kept blowing fuses for MS and it checked out on the bench, so the problem had to be in between the power and the computer.

I just bypassed the darn thing for now and it's working fine. I'll see if I get any spikes or resets by datalogging. If it acts OK I'll just keep using it like this.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on October 28, 2011, 11:55:13 PM

Quote from: flylear45;371353

Clips are ordered thewestie.

Great let me know What I owe ya and we'll PM the info. And your trouble shooting skills still amaze me. I have to walk away from problems a few times before I get it

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 29, 2011, 12:10:12 PM

Quote from: thewestie;371389

Great let me know What I owe ya and we'll PM the info. And your trouble shooting skills still amaze me. I have to walk away from problems a few times before I get it

Will do. I'll wait and see how much shipping costs, then let you know.

Thanks, I actually like trouble shooting as long as I don't have a time constraint. Some things take me longer to figure out than others.

Title: End of month progress pics
Post by: flylear45 on October 31, 2011, 05:14:11 AM

Here we are at the end of October. 2011.

I guess if I hadn't had to pull the heads off I'd be a bit farther along, but it is what it is.

I got the fenders, nose, and hood all fit and tightened down. I bought some cheap fog lights at Wally World and want to get those on next while I finish up the lower valance and air dam.

I cleaned up a decent set of headlights and put all the lights in the nose.

It's just about time to begin the dash assembly with all the switches and the car computer stuff. Soon I can see what all works and what doesn't with lights and such.

I ordered new headliner and it should be coming soon.

My present plan is to go ahead and start putting the interior together up to the top of the dash. I'll leave the dash cap, headliner and upper plastic trim off until I get the windshield in. I'm leaving off the windshield trim as well.

This way I can drive the car to the windshield shop instead of getting the mobile service. Once I have new glass I can finish up the interior.

So, the punch list is: (no particular order)

1. lay wiring for car pc
2. finish front valence, horns, and fog lights
3. assemble dash
4. carpet
5. seats
6. door panels
7. install remote door and trunk locks
8. clean a set of snowflakes to get some tires mounted on (winter rims)
9. check diff fluid level
10. change oil and filter
11. install pc and connect to Megasquirt and tranny computers for in-car tuning

I can then go get the title and plates taken care of and be able to drive and tune the car.

Final to-do's after that will be painting and installing the side moldings and inner fender splash shields, mounting the voice command microphone, installing an amp for the sound system, wiring in the HD radio, installing the gentex rearview mirror, making up a coolant overflow bottle, tpuppies out the trunk, mounting an evap canister, and finishing off the center console with some custom ideas I have ;).

Here's what she looks like as of right now.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on October 31, 2011, 11:12:10 AM

It is great to see full car pictures. It really shows off well. The fit and finish is very good. Man that is a LOT of work to get to this point. But your hard work is paying off.

I think your game plan is solid. I hope the front windshield goes in well. Is it cracked or scratched or something?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on October 31, 2011, 12:04:01 PM

Looks really nice so far.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: cougarman on October 31, 2011, 01:21:25 PM

Looks awesome!! :bowdown:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Carl on October 31, 2011, 02:53:33 PM

That silver looks good!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 31, 2011, 09:22:02 PM

Quote from: The Shredder;371596

It is great to see full car pictures. It really shows off well. The fit and finish is very good. Man that is a LOT of work to get to this point. But your hard work is paying off.

I think your game plan is solid. I hope the front windshield goes in well. Is it cracked or scratched or something?

It isn't HORRIBLE, but it has a big wiper mark right in front of the driver seat, and 2 stars as well. Since the windshield is still relatively inexpensive and I have all the trim off, I figured I may as well just get it done. It makes a car seem new when you look out of fresh glass, don't you think?

Quote from: cougarman;371608

Looks awesome!! :bowdown:

Quote from: Carl;371618

That silver looks good!

Thanks guys! It is coming along well at this point. You all have been a big help so far in helping me keep the faith that I'd get done.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 31, 2011, 09:24:47 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;371602

Looks really nice so far.

Thanks.

And thanks for the occasional 'morale booster' when I needed it!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 01, 2011, 06:43:57 PM

MILESTONE ALERT!

20,000+ views.

I am amazed by the interest, but grateful for the support. You can all come over for a ride and a hamburger on the grill once I get her done!

:bowdown::cheers:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on November 01, 2011, 06:55:56 PM

Awesome can you pic me up on top of the hill in Worcester?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 02, 2011, 08:08:03 PM

Dude! Not an airplane ride!
LOL

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on November 03, 2011, 12:10:30 PM

Quote from: flylear45;371697

I am amazed by the interest, but grateful for the support. You can all come over for a ride and a hamburger on the grille once I get her done!

No surprise here. You are doing a great job at documenting the progress on a well-executed project. It's good to see someone getting something done on such a big scale task like this.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on November 03, 2011, 08:09:03 PM

Quote from: flylear45;371782

Dude! Not an airplane ride!
LOL

I need a ride to get the ride in the bird, man :rollin:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 03, 2011, 08:43:39 PM

Quote from: thewestie;371903

I need a ride to get the ride in the bird, man :rollin:

Just drive that most awesome TC of yours my man!

You need to get some miles on it to dry the paint.

I just got back after a week on the road. Hope to get some progress on the 'birdy the next few days.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on November 04, 2011, 06:55:06 AM

A road trip could be in order when the weather gets warmer or Ill have to finish the heat gets cold after a while.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thunderjet302 on November 04, 2011, 02:28:44 PM

Looking great! Are you going to keep the Snowflakes?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 04, 2011, 04:56:03 PM

Quote from: thunderjet302;371952

Looking great! Are you going to keep the Snowflakes?

Thanks!

Right now I'm thinking the 'flakes will be my 'winter wheels'.

I'll be looking to get some staggered 8-9" chrome or some black with polished lip 17's next spring.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on November 04, 2011, 08:30:09 PM

I was thinking black with a polished lip but haven't found any I like. Have you found a pair that caught your eye yet?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 05, 2011, 05:37:09 AM

Here's a couple that are interesting:

2007 style http://customerpics.americanmuscle.com/profiles/21660.html

SC style http://customerpics.americanmuscle.com/view/sku/10078.php

Title: CarPC video
Post by: flylear45 on November 05, 2011, 01:27:33 PM

Made a little moving picture showing the carpc working on 12V.

http://s272.photobucket.com/albums/jj177/flylear45/Thunderbird%20videos/?action=view¤t=carpcvideo.mp4

Now that it's bench tested I can start to install it.

The monitor, PC and a 5V power supply all start up when the ignition is turned on, UNLESS I override it with a switch on the dash. Kind of a master switch.

When the master is turned off or the ignition is switched off, it waits for 30 seconds then powers off the PC and goes to deep standby. If the battery voltage then drops below 11V it goes hardoff.

The power supply also has a time delay for bringing on the audio amp. It all seems to work fine at this point.

I picked up a Sony 600w 4 channel amp and a pair of 4 way 6 1/2" door speakers yesterday and modded the switch panel for 2 extra switches in place of the antenna and premium switches.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 07, 2011, 08:24:54 AM

Spent a LOT of time repairing the drivers door panel. I drilled out all the rivets and re-did them using washers for reinforcement. I also had to make a couple of brackets to replace broken ones at the front of the armrest.

The end results were worth the effort, though.

I put in a pair of Sony 4-way speakers in the doors for sound. For now I'll hook up the factory rears and these. Eventually I'd like to get a sub to replace the rears.

I just spent the morning sorting through all my boxes and consolidating. I have gone from 20 boxes down to 7.

Now it's time to get the dash put back together and get the rear wiring done for the amp and PC supply and grounds. While I'm at it I want to put the headlights and foglights on a relay. Now is also the time to get the remote door lock unit in.

Gotta run to radio Shack for a microphone extension cord for the Andrea mic., then mount that, the GPS antenna, and the LAN antenna.

I also need to find a spot to mount the HD radio so it doesn't get interference. I expect that will go behind the dash where the old radio was. This is just a box, there isn't a head unit to deal with.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 347Thunder on November 07, 2011, 09:29:33 AM

soon it will go vroom!!!!! vroom!!!!!!!:burnout: and boom!!!!!!!! boom!!!!!!!!!:mullet:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on November 07, 2011, 12:32:40 PM

Very nice door panels. I'm jealous of how nice they are and turned out. It sounds like you made them durable for the long haul too. It will be nice to check off the doors as complete!

Good luck on the wiring! It sounds like you still have a lot of that to do. If you have any issues, call Vinnie - he loves that sort of thing.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 08, 2011, 05:39:25 AM

Quote from: 347Thunder;372222

soon it will go vroom!!!!! vroom!!!!!!!:burnout: and boom!!!!!!!! boom!!!!!!!!!:mullet:

LOL I'm not a music nut by any means. The TR7 doesn't even have a radio or speakers yet. I want this one to sound 1/2 decent, though.

BTW, my son blew out the Daytona speakers the first week he had it. I'm not po'ed though. I figure 23 year old speakers were pretty close to death anyway. His car has to wait until my car is on the road.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 08, 2011, 05:54:58 AM

Quote from: The Shredder;372232

Very nice door panels. I'm jealous of how nice they are and turned out. It sounds like you made them durable for the long haul too. It will be nice to check off the doors as complete!

Good luck on the wiring! It sounds like you still have a lot of that to do. If you have any issues, call Vinnie - he loves that sort of thing.

Thanks, they look better than I ever had hoped! They have been wrapped up in bags ever since I got this car, and I never even looked at them until I pulled them out to install.

Changing out the rivets that hold on the attachments made a HUGE difference in how solid the armrest feels. The front attachments I fixed with strips of 18g metal that I riveted through the armrest. The rivets are in very inconspicuous places, and should last.

Poor Vinnie. If I was closer I'd be over giving him a hand. I need to have my hands on wiring stuff. I need to have test gear in hand to check things while I think. I'm not a good internet troubleshooter I'm afraid.

I spent an hour tracing and fixing an issue with the passenger door switch. I wish I'd done it before I installed the dash! Once that was sorted out I started to scratch my head over the speaker wiring. To shorten the story, it turns out that the PO must have swapped body harnesses at some point. I removed an amp from the rear seat area, but the front speaker wire harness wasn't back there!

The fix was to run new wires up to the dash and splice in to the radio connecter. Not a big deal, but I spent an hour looking for wiring that wasn't there!

I got the OD cancel switch and light wired in and ran the wires for the switch panel and connected the Gentex mirror wires. Back on it today.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 08, 2011, 08:54:30 PM

Wiring done for HD radio, USB hub, GPS, LAN, monitor, and PC master switch. I popped out the third brake light to run the cables for GPS and LAN antennas. Otherwise, the cabling from the Megasquirt, Bauman, monitor, hub, and HD radio all come up the sides.

With luck and a full day of working on it tomorrow, I may get the install done on the PC stuff and get the dash together.

OH! I found a sweet little program called joystick2mouse 3.0. I am thinking I may dissect a USB controller and mount some buttons and a POV joystick in the console next to the seat controls. Then I could put a cup holder in the ashtray area.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 10, 2011, 07:05:24 PM

Got all the wiring done on the Directed remote for trunk lock, horn and doors. I'm putting a valet button in it with a flashing LED, too.

Works like it should so far.

Built a nice little quick disconnect harness for the PC. I'll just have to undo 2 connecters and unplug all the peripherals and it can be removed for repair. I like it!

I'm down to mounting the PC master relay and trunk fuse panel, mounting the amp and PC cases, and connecting up the stuff. I also have been working on bundling and tying off all the wires and cables to keep them neat and out of the way. There's still a fair amount of that to do, but not until the finished install is tested. I don't want to put all the interior in and find out that I have issues.

Would have done more but I had to do a repair job on the Chevy gas filler neck and played a little golf since the weather was so nice. Spent all of today in an International Procedures refresher class. Mostly just trying to stay awake, LOL.

I have the day off tomorrow and the weather isn't gonna be golf friendly, so I can get some work done!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Haystack on November 10, 2011, 07:32:48 PM

I'd like some pictures and specs on your pc setup. I was dead set on doing it a couple years ago. Now with my android phone, there is almost no point.

One thing I was dead set on was mounting a keyboard to the steering wheel. I even bought a laptop style keyboard with touchpad intigrated in it. I was going to just mount it over the bottom 3/4 of the wheel, leaving enough room to grip all around.

What's the thing to use for a monitor now? The liliputs still, or did the usb only take over?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 11, 2011, 09:15:39 AM

Quote from: Haystack;372499

I'd like some pictures and specs on your pc setup. I was dead set on doing it a couple years ago. Now with my android phone, there is almost no point.

One thing I was dead set on was mounting a keyboard to the steering wheel. I even bought a laptop style keyboard with touchpad intigrated in it. I was going to just mount it over the bottom 3/4 of the wheel, leaving enough room to grip all around.

What's the thing to use for a monitor now? The liliputs still, or did the usb only take over?

Really good point about the new Android / Ipad / Iphone devices. You could just install a mount for a 10" tablet and have something you could take with you as well as use in the car if all you want is an entertainment solution.

My 'needs' list is still too long to be served by an android device, so the PC solution appears to be my best choice.

Specs at present:
Atom based desktop with a M2-ATX 12V power supply
500 GB 3 1/2" HDD (to be replaced with a SSD in the future)
Display is a 7" Mini-touch touchscreen from MO-Co-SO
Directed HD radio ported in with Mitch's Devices cable
Andrea Superberam USB microphone above sunvisor
GPS receiver on package shelf
WI-FI antenna on package shelf
Bluetooth receiver
Powered 4 port USB hub in console (powered from 12v-5v DC-DC converter to reduce load on PC 5V rail)

Software loaded so far is Windows 7, Riderunner FE, (undecided on the actual skin, but playing with DFX and 2 others), Winamp, Joystick2mouse 3.0, Megatune and Tunerstudio for the Megasquirt, Baumann transmission tuning software, Innovate wideband software.

I was going to use a touchpad on the center console, but I'm now thinking I'll be dismantling a USB gamepad and mounting one of the joysticks, the D pad and 5 of the buttons from it instead. That'll put all the controls I should need under my right hand. The touchpad is nice, but it's a bit large to fit anywhere very neatly.

I'll be posting pictures here soon. I intend to detail the console mods here, too.

EDIT: I forgot to respond earlier, but you still see both kinds of monitor. The resolution is better on the HDMI I guess. It depends on screen size, too.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 11, 2011, 03:14:23 PM

Taking a break from wires and working on other stuff.

The foam seals on the dash vents were all gone, and the dash panel was filthy anyway, so I took it all apart and made up some seals.

I used headliner material and it worked really well.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 11, 2011, 03:15:55 PM

Don't forget the foam washers under the lever!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 347Thunder on November 11, 2011, 11:02:29 PM

oh you forgot around the outside.LOL

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 12, 2011, 09:31:45 AM

Funny man 347Thunder. Funny man.

I want to talk to you some time to see how you set up your spray pattern and fluid/ air s on your guns. Your paint looks so flat.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 347Thunder on November 12, 2011, 10:03:30 AM

no matter how rough it comes out you can always wet sand it out just takes time. I use 1200 then 2000 but I take out all of the orange peel (EVERY LITTLE SPOT is the key)then buff, buff and then machine glaze with a 3m foam pad

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 12, 2011, 03:21:28 PM

Quote from: 347Thunder;372677

no matter how rough it comes out you can always wet sand it out just takes time. I use 1200 then 2000 but I take out all of the orange peel (EVERY LITTLE SPOT is the key)then buff, buff and then machine glaze with a 3m foam pad

True, true. That's pretty much what I do. Except I rarely ever try to get it completely flat. I always manage to sand through somewhere when I try that. Amateur mistakes.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 12, 2011, 03:37:30 PM

I've been screwing around with a couple ways of getting gamepad controls to mount down in the console and look good. I had one version that looked decent and was inset to the console, but I was going to have to re-do all the seat and window control mounts. Decided against it in the end.

After killing many hours trying to perfect a v 2.0, I have just temporarily velcroed the chopped up pad to the ashtray area after removing the ashtray lid. I painted the whole thing satin black and I'm just going to use it for a while to see how many controls I actually will need in real life use.

My thinking now is to get a Griffin Powermate or Logitech NuLOOQ and mount it over the ashtray. It's time to leave this and press on, though.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=Logitech+NuLOOQ+Navigator&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&cid=9651370718896999163&ei=QNe-TuGxIYmcMoqXuNoE&ved=0CBAQrRI

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=Logitech+NuLOOQ+Navigator&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&cid=11238584978115511117&ei=K9e-TsPFHJu-MvCz2eAE&ved=0CBAQrRI

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Haystack on November 12, 2011, 10:42:37 PM

I am pro keyboard. On my computers the only time I really use the mouse is when I'm online. Think it comes from the dos and windows 3.1 days though.

I would go with these mini ps2 usb keyboards and a trackball if I wanted to keep it small. If your using a touchscreen, don't even bother with a mouse, and get a tiny usb keyboard. I think that would come in hand while your tuning, and you can find lots of small bluetooth keyboards too.

I always wanted to mount my computer infront of the rear wheel, under the panel and armrest by the rear seat. Nice big empty spot there, and the wires can be run very easily to the trunk or speakers.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 13, 2011, 07:42:23 AM

Quote from: Haystack;372795

I am pro keyboard. On my computers the only time I really use the mouse is when I'm online. Think it comes from the dos and windows 3.1 days though.

I would go with these mini ps2 usb keyboards and a trackball if I wanted to keep it small. If your using a touchscreen, don't even bother with a mouse, and get a tiny usb keyboard. I think that would come in hand while your tuning, and you can find lots of small bluetooth keyboards too.

I always wanted to mount my computer infront of the rear wheel, under the panel and armrest by the rear seat. Nice big empty spot there, and the wires can be run very easily to the trunk or speakers.

Agreed.... a keyboard is a necessity at times. Megasquirt tuning is a perfect example. I wouldn't want to have to use one while driving, though. The touchscreen is OK for some things, but it's a bit awkward to be reaching over to for some of the things I want to do while driving. I'm hoping that a combination of touchscreen, voice control, and a single input device will do for 90% of it. I won't know until I get it on the road and play around with it. What seems good on the desktop may not be so good in the car.

I am down to the last few wires before I can fire up the electronics. :banana:

I want to get it all going one time before carpet goes back in.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Haystack on November 13, 2011, 04:01:57 PM

Good deal. I was just curious, and wanted to share what I would do. Obviously you will set it up the way you would want it done. I mainly intended mine to be used while I was not driving, or as a giant mp3 player. So I would have just used keyboard short cuts to skip songs, and wanted a full keyboard/touchpad. When I designed the carputer, I was still in high school and spent a lot of time driving my freinds around for gas money. I spent quite a bit of time in the car waiting for someone to get off work, ect.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 14, 2011, 09:41:49 AM

Quote from: Haystack;372845

Good deal. I was just curious, and wanted to share what I would do. Obviously you will set it up the way you would want it done. I mainly intended mine to be used while I was not driving, or as a giant mp3 player. So I would have just used keyboard short cuts to skip songs, and wanted a full keyboard/touchpad. When I designed the carputer, I was still in high school and spent a lot of time driving my freinds around for gas money. I spent quite a bit of time in the car waiting for someone to get off work, ect.

Yep. What I've found so far is that once you get past the basics of say, navigation and music you get into features unique to each person's whims and desires as well as personal needs. That is what makes installing a 'set' system a little scary. It's hard to be sure just what you are gonna like for sure. (Or absolutely hate!)

This is something I've wanted to do for a while, and I'm having fun with it no matter how it turns out.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 14, 2011, 09:09:02 PM

What do you know! All systems go for installing carpet and seats. Everything works and the HD radio is crystal clear! I was really careful about what was grounded where, and that may have helped.

My son was doing some tricking and recording it to his camera. When he was taking a break I had him pop out his memory card and insert it into the card reader next to the center support and play it through the Tbird media center. Worked like a champ!

He really liked the trunk lid popping open by remote. He said "Dad, old cars aren't supposed to do this!" LOL

It's nice to have a fan.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on November 17, 2011, 10:58:53 PM

Oh man. It would be sweet to see all the gadgetry in person. flylear, I might just have to drive up to see you.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Haystack on November 17, 2011, 11:31:42 PM

I would love to watch someone tune in the car with a built in carputer. I actually wanted to use the computer to roll up and down the windows, then decided that would suck if the computer went down. Getting everything to work right and iron out the kinks is a good bit of work alone.

Hope your getting a good sequrity system, where you will leave it parked for some time.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 18, 2011, 01:06:17 PM

Quote from: Haystack;373294

I would love to watch someone tune in the car with a built in carputer. I actually wanted to use the computer to roll up and down the windows, then decided that would suck if the computer went down. Getting everything to work right and iron out the kinks is a good bit of work alone.

Hope your getting a good sequrity system, where you will leave it parked for some time.

I have security, just not something for web review! The car will only be unattended for a long stretch at the hangar, and we are secure there. Gated entrance, security badges, and video monitoring. I leave stuff in the car there unlocked all the time.

The fact is that a majority of audio guys will have more in their sound systems than I will in this.

The display is all that is out in the open, and it is 'only' $175 ish. I'd be more upset about what they'd do to the car getting it out than the cost of replacing it.

I am working on the carpet and seats now. I had to move the Baumann from where I thought it would fit, so it took some time. There's VERY little room under the full power seats.

If I had to do it over I'd be mounting the Baumann in the drivers side panel next to the rear seat and the Megasquirt and fuse panel behind the passengers side panel.

I am not happy with how exposed the MS will be in the end. I intend to make a modified kick panel to extend out around it. Time to do a little 'glassing. That can wait, though. I am hoping to get it inspected, plated, tires and windshield in by Thanksgiving.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 18, 2011, 01:14:18 PM

Quote from: The Shredder;373288

Oh man. It would be sweet to see all the gadgetry in person. flylear, I might just have to drive up to see you.

We'd love to have you over!

Who knows, maybe we can get the cars to a meet sometime.

This car is kind of a 'catch-all' for all the stuff I think is cool.

Sleeper look, check. Lots of power, check. 2 sets of clubs in the back, check. Luxury class comfort, check. Decent handling, check. Computer toys, check. Enough customization to make it mine, check. 25 mpg, ??????, hopefully a check.

It won't be great at anything, but hopefully covers a lot of these bases pretty solidly.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 18, 2011, 06:22:07 PM

I like the symmetry.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on November 18, 2011, 06:41:39 PM

Looks like you might be ready for some wide open throttle runs

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: EFFalcon on November 19, 2011, 06:21:06 AM

any reason for the throttle body relocation?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 19, 2011, 07:27:54 AM

Quote from: EFFalcon;373396

any reason for the throttle body relocation?

The cables I am using are all 4 cyl. TC. Putting the TB there keeps them at stock length. Second, it acts to increase the plenum volume which is supposed to be a plus on a boosted engine. Third, it allows for a harder turn in the plenum immediately off the flipped intake to clear the hydro brakes.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 19, 2011, 07:28:24 AM

Quote from: thewestie;373362

Looks like you might be ready for some wide open throttle runs

Gettin' closer!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: cougarman on November 19, 2011, 09:12:03 AM

Looks amazing, can't wait to see your rip her down the road. :)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 50tbrd88 on November 19, 2011, 10:51:38 AM

Looking good!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 20, 2011, 06:30:29 PM

Quote from: cougarman;373404

Looks amazing, can't wait to see your rip her down the road. :)

Quote from: 50tbrd88;373416

Looking good!

Thanks guys!

I took it out for a little tuning since I got it together up to the seats now. I REALLY like having the new autotune with Tunerstudio. It worked better than I would have thought. After about 10 minutes of just driving around I had the fuel close enough to creep into a touch of boost.

She's now seen 3 psi. :evilgrin:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Shadow on November 20, 2011, 07:00:48 PM

i got to page 36 and gave up on trying to catch up LOL looks good! i'd love to see the expression on people's faces when you open the hood and they say WHAT THE HELL?! hahah

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bruce M on November 20, 2011, 07:31:17 PM

Quote from: flylear45;373491

Thanks guys!

I took it out for a little tuning since I got it together up to the seats now. I REALLY like having the new autotune with Tunerstudio. It worked better than I would have thought. After about 10 minutes of just driving around I had the fuel close enough to creep into a touch of boost.

She's now seen 3 psi. :evilgrin:

I need video!!! I've been watching your build and cant wait for the pay off. When ever I need motivation I check your thread or what ever Vinnies working on. When ever I think about using the cougar as a donor for my ranger I check in on the forum and it motivates me. The forum has saved my Cougar more than once, Keep up the good work everyone. Oh by the way I love your under hood pic.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 21, 2011, 08:33:18 AM

Quote from: Shadow;373492

i got to page 36 and gave up on trying to catch up LOL looks good! i'd love to see the expression on people's faces when you open the hood and they say WHAT THE HELL?! hahah

Yeah, It's a pretty good sleeper. I've tried to get a factory look in the engine bay. Should cause some double takes.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 21, 2011, 08:44:32 AM

Quote from: Bruce M;373496

I need video!!! I've been watching your build and cant wait for the pay off. When ever I need motivation I check your thread or what ever Vinnies working on. When ever I think about using the cougar as a donor for my ranger I check in on the forum and it motivates me. The forum has saved my Cougar more than once, Keep up the good work everyone. Oh by the way I love your under hood pic.

I'm truly happy it is interesting for you. Keeping a good record here has been a pain at times, but mostly a fun experience. I rarely meet anyone with a clue about what I'm doing, so having you all to talk to about it helps to keep me going.

I was disappointed in how the seats looked. They look shabby next to the rest of the interior. I think I am going to look at the Summit seats and see if my butt fits 'em.
I'll see what the local jyards have,too. OH, and get a video. ;)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on November 21, 2011, 09:58:49 AM

Quote from: flylear45;373491

Thanks guys!

I took it out for a little tuning since I got it together up to the seats now. I REALLY like having the new autotune with Tunerstudio. It worked better than I would have thought. After about 10 minutes of just driving around I had the fuel close enough to creep into a touch of boost.

She's now seen 3 psi. :evilgrin:

Looks pretty good.

I'm looking forward to trying out the autotune feature when I ever get the Scorpio on the road.

I've been wanting to swap to using TunerStudio on the TBird, but I'd read that there were sometimes issues when switching from MT to TS. I'd almost rather leave "well enough" alone there.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 21, 2011, 05:12:41 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;373558

Looks pretty good.

I'm looking forward to trying out the autotune feature when I ever get the Scorpio on the road.

I've been wanting to swap to using TunerStudio on the TBird, but I'd read that there were sometimes issues when switching from MT to TS. I'd almost rather leave "well enough" alone there.

I hadn't heard of the issues, but I haven't really kept up either.

I would think if you saved everything from MT and made a note of everything you could always go back.

The directory structure is new, and so is the feel, but in all it is worth the $30.00 for the autotune. I used to tap on the keyboard while driving and trying to watch the AFR at the same time. Not cool or effective.

You still need to be able to set up your base and idle by yourself, but once its running you are home free.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 23, 2011, 08:50:33 AM

Windshield coming today!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on November 23, 2011, 09:22:07 AM

Quote from: flylear45;373680

Windshield coming today!

Nice. I could use one of those in the Tbird, myself.

The car is coming together nicely.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 23, 2011, 11:08:03 AM

Quote from: Chuck W;373681

Nice. I could use one of those in the Tbird, myself.

The car is coming together nicely.

:)

Hey, Chuck! Do you know if anyone has put Merkur seats in a TC? I have a decent set in storage I'm thinking of dragging down to look at fitting.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: T-BirdX3 on November 23, 2011, 11:48:46 AM

Quote from: flylear45;373685

:)

Hey, Chuck! Do you know if anyone has put Merkur seats in a TC? I have a decent set in storage I'm thinking of dragging down to look at fitting.

I have wondered how awesome the Mazda Rx8 seats would look in our birds. http://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&source=mog&hl=en-US&gl=us&q=mazda%20rx8%20seats&sa=N&biw=320&bih=452#p=0

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on November 23, 2011, 12:46:40 PM

Quote from: flylear45;373685

:)

Hey, Chuck! Do you know if anyone has put Merkur seats in a TC? I have a decent set in storage I'm thinking of dragging down to look at fitting.

I'm not sure about that route, but I did put some SN-95 seats in both my XR4 and first Scorpio. I'd have to dig back into the pics to actually see what had to be done. I don't think adapters would be too difficult to do, though. XR seats are manual, and should easily join up with the TBird seat tracks. It was a little bit of a PITA putting the Mustang stuff into the Merkurs, due to the goofy seat tracks, and the height adjusters, etc.

My stock seats in the newer Scorpio are great. Good choice for a driver, and MUCH better than the stockers in the TBirds.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 23, 2011, 03:08:39 PM

Shoot, I pulled the seats down and tried a test fit. I am going to say the Merkur seats I have are too wide across the middle of the seat back to fit well.

Too bad, because I like the way they look, and always liked the seats comfort.

Seat tracks didn't line up, but weren't going to be too bad.

Windshield is in! Looks great, too.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 23, 2011, 09:54:03 PM

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: lakenheath24 on November 23, 2011, 10:04:19 PM

the new Mustang seats bolt straight up to our tracks.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 24, 2011, 06:58:04 AM

Quote from: lakenheath24;373735

the new Mustang seats bolt straight up to our tracks.

Thanks,

I saw that on your cars interior project. I've been looking for a set locally. In the meantime I may just spray- dye mine and try some Scotch guard over top of it.

I had a car with a red interior that someone dyed, and it ruined some brand new clothes after I got in the car during a rain shower. The dye came off on my shorts and shirt and it wouldn't ever wash out. I've been leery of dying cloth seats ever since.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 24, 2011, 05:22:24 PM

Dyed the originals and I'm gonna stay with 'em for now. We'll see how they hold up.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on November 25, 2011, 08:13:46 PM

Quote from: flylear45;373698

Shoot, I pulled the seats down and tried a test fit. I am going to say the Merkur seats I have are too wide across the middle of the seat back to fit well.

Too bad, because I like the way they look, and always liked the seats comfort.

Seat tracks didn't line up, but weren't going to be too bad.

Windshield is in! Looks great, too.

Yeah, I guess I remember that the seat backs on the Merkur seats are kinda wide. Bummer they were too wide to work.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 25, 2011, 11:02:23 PM

I at least got those seats cleaned a bit before I stored them away again, Chuck! The issue came on the back width, yes. The seat hit both the center console and the door panel at the same time. A full inch too wide to use.

Played golf today. Weather is just too nice!

I did cut down a mirror stem to mount the headlight sensor onto. I picked up a second windshield button to mount the Gentex on right above the old one where the sensor will be.

Here's an idea of how the seats look after a couple cans of paint/dye. It's still in process, so the interior will be a lot better eventually.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 26, 2011, 05:47:56 PM

4 hrs spent cleaning, repairing, and recovering the headliner backer board.

Just one pic of the 'after'. I need to shower off the fiberglass now.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bruce M on November 26, 2011, 06:37:48 PM

you wanna do mine next?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Shadow on November 26, 2011, 07:06:11 PM

bruce.. if you can do mechanical work, you can do a headliner.. it's without a doubt the easiest upholstery job there is.. my dad showed me how to do it when i was 9 or 10

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 26, 2011, 08:33:01 PM

Quote from: Shadow;373909

bruce.. if you can do mechanical work, you can do a headliner.. it's without a doubt the easiest upholstery job there is.. my dad showed me how to do it when i was 9 or 10

The fibreboard ones are pretty easy. These aren't quite as much so. You'll see when you try one.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bruce M on November 26, 2011, 08:44:09 PM

I know, mine needs to be done and I dont feel like pulling it out, plus Flylear did such a good job with his. Im just kidding, my wife is bugging me to fix mine, its in bad shape.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Shadow on November 26, 2011, 08:56:42 PM

i did the 1 in my old sport.. it wasn't that hard.. maybe the fact that the board was in great shape.. the fiberboard breaks entirely too easily, cardboard headliner boards are a breeze

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 27, 2011, 07:17:12 AM

The problem I had here was that the old glue was pulling chunks off of the fiberglass backer board. I never got it as straight as I wanted to. The more I tried to get it level, the more I was weakening the whole thing. I finally said screw it and covered it anyway.

There are visible lumps in it that don't show in the picture. If this was a customers car I wouldn't use it.

The GTI that I did had a fiberboard (as in wood fiber) backer board. It came clean of foam and glue, and the job turned out smooth.

Just a little tip Bruce, be sure to take it out the passengers door. You can leave the seats in, just angle them all the way back :)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 29, 2011, 09:59:41 AM

Two steps forward and one step back. I was showing off the stereo to folks over Thanksgiving and the left speaker died. Turned out to be a broken wire somewhere between the door and the dash, so I pulled a new wire through and fixed it up.

While messing with that the drivers door handle got loose, so I took the panel apart enough to fix that up. The wifi decided to quit on the carpc yesterday. I'm thinking a bad card at this point. I've been fighting with trying to get Garmin navigation working on it. So far with no success. I have a free app that works, but would like to get Garmin to work. It has a better map/database for times that I don't want to pair my phone.

Anyway, I have tires in the works. Yokohamas in the stock size. Should be in any day now.

Headliner, mirror, and sunvisors in it now. I'm working on the dash cap and tidying up the wires on the passenger side, along with mounting the Megasquirt.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on November 29, 2011, 09:27:26 PM

flylear. I'm so happy for you. The car is so close to being your daily driver. :) How is the engine running?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 30, 2011, 07:45:33 AM

Quote from: The Shredder;374190

flylear. I'm so happy for you. The car is so close to being your daily driver. :) How is the engine running?

Thanks, Shredder. It's getting closer all the time.

The engine is running pretty well so far. I recently changed my REQ FUEL parameter, so I need to go back and re-tune the low load bins to get it smooth again. I have tromped on it for very brief spurts to see how the AFR's look, and the TC injectors are keeping up just fine so far. I would bet that 45-55 lb/hr would be better when I get better heads on it.

The transmission is the best happy surprise so far. I just love it. (Well, that and the power steering conversion.)

It doesn't have plates yet so I've only had it out around the block a half dozen times. I am going down for a 30 day tag today, then when plates are due in January I won't have to E-check it. ;) I'm going to paint and install the rest of the windshield trim and the last door seals today and start to put a few miles on it. The big thing for me is when it's ready for the 75 mile round trip to the airport. I'm thinking next week it should be ready. I need better tires on it first.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 05, 2011, 07:42:39 AM

I had to replace the garage PC yesterday. The NIC was starting to flake out and it was pretty old anyway. I had an old P4 dell in the basp00get that a friend gave me, so I mixed and matched together another beater PC for out here.

On the Tbird front, I have put a few miles on it so far. Maybe 75 or so. The idle is still surging a bit, but I'm hoping to get that cured eventually. I will go to MS2 if I have to in order to get it running idling like a stocker.

I took my son for a spin last week. He has lots of time riding in the TR7 with me, and he thinks the Tbird is smoother and more powerful feeling than it is. He loves the clarity of the HD radio. I know what I'll be getting him for X-mas for the Daytona!

I took the wife around the block yesterday. She likes the electric toys and the fact that I kept all the creature comforts intact. She was playing with Windows Media Center and playing music while we were cruising, and was impressed when I called up the Megasquirt dash with all the gauges while her music was playing.

Right now I have issues with the wiper delay box making a high pitched noise after I run the wiper/washers. I think I need to swap out the delay box to fix that.

I need to troubleshoot the cruise control. It isn't working at all yet.

Brakes need bled, there's some air somewhere.

I also need to install the rear seat and all the seat belts, along with the rear trim panels. The shifter isn't trimmed out yet. Right now it is sporting black duct tape as a finisher. LOL

The PC and amp aren't hard mounted as of now, either. That's still on the to-do list.

Hopefully I can get tires on today so I can take it to work this week. (Unless it snows, of course!) In the meantime I'll be working on the punch-list and hopefully getting some video footage.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 05, 2011, 09:08:23 AM

Quote from: flylear45;374719

Right now I have issues with the wiper delay box making a high pitched noise after I run the wiper/washers. I think I need to swap out the delay box to fix that.

WRONG!

Double checked circuit and tried out different delay box and switch. No luck with that.

Then I went for a spare wiper motor and noticed the ground wire on the motor mounting. Light bulb went off and I tightened up that bolt on the motor. BINGO, no more buzzing from the delay box, plus the wipers went into park position.

It was trying to ground the wiper PARK function and backfeeding into the delay box.

I could have saved an hour of ripping apart the steering column and wire bundles under dash if I'd have noticed that wire before. (and tightened down the motor better I suppose)

Oh well, one more thing down.

BTW, I also had to tear into the passengers door panel because I forgot to connect the mirror on that side. The switch was bad as well, so I had to rip into the center console to repair it. I forgot to mention those things earlier.

OH, I did get the Garmin to work as intended. I now have turn by turn and mapping without the phone or wifi.

The wifi is back up and running thanks to the new USB dongle.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Shadow on December 05, 2011, 09:58:12 AM

so the mobile home-office is all functional now? sweetness!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 05, 2011, 05:59:02 PM

Quote from: Shadow;374728

so the mobile home-office is all functional now? sweetness!

More like a toy-box I think. ;)

Stuck on the cruise control repair. Buttons, vacuum lines and vacuum dump valve all test fine. I swapped in a second used amplifier but it still isn't working. Gonna have to dig deeper.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 07, 2011, 07:59:36 AM

I got the windshield trim and more under-hood seals put on this morning while I'm waiting for a tire shop to open. There are still a few seals left to go. One on the hood back to dam off the HVAC fresh supply air from the engine compartment, and two at the bottoms of the doors.

Then it's just the rear seat, trunk trim, and the last interior panels on the inside. The fog lights, inner fender panels, and some under car plastic on the outside.

I read the troubleshooting section for the cruise control this morning. Now I'm gonna bust out the Ohm meter and see if I can get to the bottom of it's problem.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 07, 2011, 12:42:54 PM

New tires.

Video is being uploaded now.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 07, 2011, 01:27:53 PM

http://s272.photobucket.com/albums/jj177/flylear45/Thunderbird%20videos/?action=view¤t=Picture001.mp4

Got a little wiggly at the end. Oops!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Shadow on December 07, 2011, 02:42:13 PM

what i love about this car, it's a TOTAL sleeper by appearance.. no one would EVER expect all the hard work you've put into it, just by looking at it.. she sounds great from inside the car too!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 07, 2011, 05:38:41 PM

Thanks, man. That's what I've been shooting for!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on December 07, 2011, 05:44:28 PM

Car looks and sounds great. I forgot that hood gasket i couldn't figure out why I could occasionally smell exhaust in the car with the windows up. I thought it was the car in front of me thanks for the reminder. Still think we need a nice smokey vid from you with some boost:)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Shadow on December 07, 2011, 05:59:10 PM

Quote from: flylear45;374924

Thanks, man. That's what I've been shooting for!

you definitely nailed it perfectly

Quote from: thewestie;374925

Still think we need a nice smokey vid from you with some boost:)

but she has new sneakers!! lol

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 07, 2011, 06:10:11 PM

I saved a pair of the old tires and I had a couple spare rims, so we have some excitement yet to come. I just need to get a solid tune and make sure everything is tight and solid before I get crazy.:burnout:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Shadow on December 07, 2011, 06:14:15 PM

are you still running the boost really low, or have you bumped it up around where you want to run it?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 07, 2011, 11:24:12 PM

Still just sneaking into it and watching the AFR's like a hawk.

I have seen 10 psi so far for a short, short burst.

I was tuning 89 octane today. I actually think the car runs better on 89 than on 93. It's cold out, though. Plus I don't really have enough time on it to tell much yet.

The tune is solid for 5-6 psi for sure at this point. I feel like I have a pretty good handle on the engine's VE now, so it's getting easier to predict the next set of data points.

Now I will just take the table and smooth it out for all the range the engine will be seeing, and drive it around and datalog while I keep an eye on the AFR's. I'm pretty close to having a daily tune right now.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Shadow on December 07, 2011, 11:30:13 PM

sweetness! what are you aiming for as max psi?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 07, 2011, 11:33:08 PM

Quote from: thewestie;374925

Car looks and sounds great. I forgot that hood gasket i couldn't figure out why I could occasionally smell exhaust in the car with the windows up. I thought it was the car in front of me thanks for the reminder. Still think we need a nice smokey vid from you with some boost:)

westie, don't forget those h-shaped gaskets around the hood hinges. They are really important for keeping out the fumes.

Thanks for the kind words. It is everything I hoped for so far!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 07, 2011, 11:46:15 PM

Quote from: Shadow;374962

sweetness! what are you aiming for as max psi?

Well, until I get a 351 here that's ready to go in, I figure 15 psi max. That's IF my injectors can keep up. I think they can.

My reasoning is that I've done 250 HP on a 2.3 with these injectors without having to up fuel pressure (which I frown upon), so for 400 HP (antited) on a 5.0 I would expect good results. So, I'm saying that if my stock engine and big-honkin' turbo can flow the air, I should be able supply safe fuel for 15 psi with this combo.

I am surprised just how bad-a*&ed the exhaust sounds. For a cheap-o Summit turbo and a single exhaust it really shocked me when I got into it.

Any one who never had a boosted ride would be amazed how much of a dual personality it has. Turbo cars can be like that, though. Just tooling around N/A it's just like any old stocker 5.0. Once into boost it's a whole different animal! I am soooo hooked on it. It's like a drug!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Shadow on December 07, 2011, 11:52:15 PM

15psi should definitely make her a screamer, when the tires aren't spinning faster than the car is actually moving lol i love the dual personalities of turbo cars.. driving nice and easy, unsuspecting passengers never know what's coming at 1/2 to full throttle :giggle: .. again, love the car and super glad she turned out just the way you wanted!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 08, 2011, 12:06:28 AM

Quote from: Shadow;374966

15psi should definitely make her a screamer, when the tires aren't spinning faster than the car is actually moving lol !

I am going to put slicks on this car for some track time. I never put them on the TR7, even though I could have had 12's with them. I never built the rear suspension on that car to take the abuse (it's a 5 speed).

THIS car however...... THIS car can handle slicks I think. Being an auto and having the battle boxes and sub-frame connectors, I think it'll hold up.

I always intended for my whole family to run this thing at the track. My son, my wife, daughter, and me. My wife has already autocrossed before, and she is super competitive. I would bet that she will have the second best time of us all.

Right now it has a 5500 red line (for the converter), but should still be pretty potent at that. It's gonna be fun.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Shadow on December 08, 2011, 12:13:53 AM

it's a shame you're not closer, i'd love to see the car run in person, when you get it to the track.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 08, 2011, 12:37:10 AM

Quote from: Shadow;374968

it's a shame you're not closer, i'd love to see the car run in person, when you get it to the track.

I'd love to have you there.

Video will follow, though. My son is now a fan, so he will be doing some nice ups for us all.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 09, 2011, 02:45:01 AM

The old girl is a virgin no longer. I took her to work today. That's a 70 mile round tripper.

Absolutely no problems to report.

The part that sucks is that the snow got here earlier than I thought, so I not only drove it to work for the first time, but drove it on snowy roads for the first time to boot!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Shadow on December 09, 2011, 08:01:53 AM

oh geez.. how was she in the snow? that sucks, but.. no problems = awesome!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 09, 2011, 09:45:06 AM

Actually Shadow, it wasn't horrible with the new tires. The Yokohamas I picked have a pretty aggressive tread that felt pretty stable on the 1/2 inch of wet snow we got.

I obviously had to be very gentle on the throttle moving from a stop, but the car is just like any other stock 5.0 bird in that regard.

I'm glad the salt trucks weren't out yet, so it all melted off the car with no harm done.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Shadow on December 09, 2011, 10:05:16 AM

Quote from: flylear45;375080

I'm glad the salt trucks weren't out yet, so it all melted off the car with no harm done.

*sigh of relief*

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 09, 2011, 10:18:22 AM

I pulled out my phone to take an in-car video, but it was 2:30 AM and it didn't seem a good idea. LOL

I had to work the Browns-Steelers game, and we got delayed due to a plane blowing a tire on landing just before we left Pittsburgh.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 11, 2011, 04:42:39 PM

Hoo-rah!

Finally got my cruise working. It ended up being the clutch cutout switch plug being open. When I removed the clutch pedal to go automatic I forgot to jumper the green wire. Only took a week to figure out. I forgot about that plug because I had it shoved all the way up behind the center console stack.

At least i have tested all my spare cruise control parts and know that they work OK. lol

Just finished re-coloring the better of the 2 back seats I have. They look pretty fine.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on December 11, 2011, 04:50:36 PM

The seats look great I know who Ill bother with question's when I go to do mine mine look like there blue. Enjoy the cruise

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 11, 2011, 06:25:16 PM

Quote from: thewestie;375251

The seats look great I know who Ill bother with question's when I go to do mine mine look like there blue. Enjoy the cruise

Oh, mine were blue, too. They are coming out pretty nice I think. Thanks!

I am using the Rustoleum dye from Autozone. I have used 4 cans for the front and back seats. So far it's the best fabric color I've ever tried.

Cruise for me is a necessity! I honestly use it before I get a mile from the house on a normal work day. I wouldn't be able to get decent mileage any other way. I have too heavy of a right foot.

I backed down the low load ignition advance and went back to trying to tune the idle with closed loop. It is better, but I'm not happy yet. I feel like I have a lot more experimenting to do before I give up on it, though.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Romeo2k on December 12, 2011, 02:25:43 AM

Those do look good.
It's spray on dye? I wonder how it would work for carpet... Probably take a load of cans though.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 12, 2011, 10:49:39 AM

Quote from: Romeo2k;375292

Those do look good.
It's spray on dye? I wonder how it would work for carpet... Probably take a load of cans though.

I'm not sure how it would hold up on carpet. I'm not sure yet how it'll hold up on seats to be honest. I am sure that they look 100 times better than they did, though!

The Rustoleum comes out thicker and denser than the Dupli-color product. I wasn't sure about it at first, but it is at least as good so far. I want to get it wet and see if it bleeds, and see how it holds up to UV exposure. For the 25 dollar investment I'm pleased so far.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on December 12, 2011, 01:00:49 PM

Well I spend abit of time reading this 77 page post.....wow I think you car looks great. Not sure if you remember me. I was interested in you auto black TC back in 2007. I had a short friend from Cleveland come and look at it. Anyways im glad your project is almost complete.

Im currently doing 351w swap with turbo kit. I already have Stingers PIMP.
Im really interested in the 4r70w performance and how that controller works for you. I'll be in touch if that is OK? Im going to start with my built C4. But I would like overdrive...

current pic:
http://www.crystalcomputersupport.com/trav/xr7pic6.JPG

Now my silver is original but I did redo the trim and bottom. The silver looks great from 10' ;-)

Thanks,

Travis
aka 86XR7auto from nato/tf

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thunderjet302 on December 12, 2011, 04:53:27 PM

I wonder how much it would cost to have the seats re-done in the factory cloth? I know leather is expensive (I've had it done) but I wonder about cloth?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 12, 2011, 06:18:16 PM

Quote from: turbotrav;375320

Well I spend abit of time reading this 77 page post.....wow I think you car looks great. Not sure if you remember me. I was interested in you auto black TC back in 2007. I had a short friend from Cleveland come and look at it. Anyways im glad your project is almost complete.

Im currently doing 351w swap with turbo kit. I already have Stingers PIMP.
Im really interested in the 4r70w performance and how that controller works for you. I'll be in touch if that is OK? Im going to start with my built C4. But I would like overdrive...

current pic:
http://www.crystalcomputersupport.com/trav/xr7pic6.JPG

Now my silver is original but I did redo the trim and bottom. The silver looks great from 10' ;-)

Thanks,

Travis
aka 86XR7auto from nato/tf

Hey Travis!

I remember your friend. Nice fellow.

So far the 4R is great. I just plugged it all in and it was ready to go. All the work was in the wiring.

The XR7 looks great in that shot. Love the blacked out look. ;)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 12, 2011, 06:24:24 PM

Quote from: thunderjet302;375335

I wonder how much it would cost to have the seats re-done in the factory cloth? I know leather is expensive (I've had it done) but I wonder about cloth?

I have some small experience in upholstery work, and I would say that the TC seats are going to be a bit pricey even in cloth. They are a complex seat that isn't easy to sew up, so I would say that cloth will be cheaper but still a major investment.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Shadow on December 12, 2011, 09:16:37 PM

i'm betting most upholstery shops would look at the seats and say 3-400 per seat for the front buckets.. the material is cheap, the labor isn't

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on December 13, 2011, 03:59:25 PM

Yeah Eric is a solid fellow....

Cool on the 4r70w....Im looking into the Baumann controller.

Thanks,

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 13, 2011, 08:57:57 PM

Quote from: turbotrav;375416

Yeah Eric is a solid fellow....

Cool on the 4r70w....Im looking into the Baumann controller.

Thanks,

Travis

I haven't even gotten to playing with the tranny tune yet. I've just been using the canned tune from Baumann so far. I am impressed that it works so good right out of the box.

The birdy got warm coming home from work yesterday while idling in traffic after cruising for 40 minutes at speed. I figured I knew what was the problem, so this morning I attacked trying to find a spot to mount an overflow bottle. Eventually I found a spot and (temporarily) have it installed and hooked up.

Now I won't have to be filling the rad every couple of days to keep up with the expansion loss.

I rounded up the hardware and attached the lower valance securely, and re-routed a couple of hoses that looked to be shifting closer to the exhaust. I also ran the hose to the wastegate through a check valve so it won't see vacuum.

Took it over to the tire store and got an alignment. She drives much better now. Not as twitchy at speed. The toe was off a little bit but the rest of the set-up looks pretty good.

If I get up early enough tomorrow I may get the interior put back in. All I want to do first is to hook up the parking lights to the alarm and lock remote. Otherwise I am ready to lock it all down.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bruce M on December 13, 2011, 09:39:58 PM

This is so much more interresting than the Lounge section. Thank you for keeping up the good work. What did the guys think about your turbo bird at the tire shop? I always got a weird looks when I took my cougar to have a/c or alignment work done, like why do you bother with this old car. Now people think its cool because you dont see them much around here.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on December 13, 2011, 09:44:27 PM

Your cars so cool. I cant let mine see it might get jealous. When you going to be on the Landing on the hill again any time soon?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bruce M on December 13, 2011, 09:49:49 PM

Quote from: thewestie;375444

Your cars so cool. I cant let mine see it might get jealous. When you going to be on the Landing on the hill again any time soon?

Your car doesnt have anything to be jealous of. Im jealous of both of ya'lls cars. Im trying to get there, I ordered headers, H-pipe and a ring & pinion install kit for my christmas present.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Shadow on December 13, 2011, 10:44:52 PM

Quote from: Bruce M;375446

Your car doesnt have anything to be jealous of. Im jealous of both of ya'lls cars. Im trying to get there, I ordered headers, H-pipe and a ring & pinion install kit for my christmas present.

i love doing that, it's a good excuse to spend money lol plus i like opening the boxes and saying 'MERRY XMAS TO MEEEEEE'

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on December 13, 2011, 10:54:08 PM

My box from CHE showed up the other day Ill have to put it under tree next to the box from best buy :)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 14, 2011, 07:54:42 AM

Quote from: Bruce M;375443

This is so much more interresting than the Lounge section. Thank you for keeping up the good work. What did the guys think about your turbo bird at the tire shop? I always got a weird looks when I took my cougar to have a/c or alignment work done, like why do you bother with this old car. Now people think its cool because you dont see them much around here.

It was kind of funny in an embarrassing kind of way.

I spent the morning on the overflow bottle and cleaning up under the front end. So, when it came time for the appointment I threw in the rear seats and jumped in the car.

I forgot I had been playing with the idle tune before I parked it last time and it would barely run. I needed to go back to the last
good tune, but I had changed some other things I really liked on this one. I decided to just try to re-create the 'good' settings from memory to get me by.

When I got to the tire store the thing would barely stay running. I stalled like 5 times getting up on the rack. Normally I'd have yucked it up a bit, but I was too ashamed to do more than slink off into the waiting room.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 14, 2011, 08:01:20 AM

Quote from: Bruce M;375446

Your car doesnt have anything to be jealous of. Im jealous of both of ya'lls cars. Im trying to get there, I ordered headers, H-pipe and a ring & pinion install kit for my christmas present.

Seriously westie??!

351, Tremec, subs, new paint.

Seems pretty enviable to me!

Nothing in the near future scheduled your way. Things slow for us around this time of year.

I'm glad you are sticking with yours, Bruce. Sounds like a Merry Xmas to you and the cat!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on December 14, 2011, 01:02:18 PM

I love the car and shes a ton of fun but I wish I went with a EFI set up with cruise and AC. What you've done with your car truly amazes me great work. I am looking at a fast set up I some day want to make her a turbo coupe again. Ive got a five lug and cobra brake swap in line for the winter. If I can figure how to easily post Pics I will. You'll have to let me know the next time your around we can do lunch.

Happy holidays

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 14, 2011, 04:09:39 PM

Sounds good! Hope you get the pics up for us.

I use GIMP software for pics. ( It's a free download). I open whatever pic file I took in GIMP, then use the 'save as' option. Check the box for preview, and use the slider to size the pic down to 150 KB's for the upload. Type in a new name and done. (save as a .jpg)

Went shopping with my daughter today so not much progress on the birdy. I need to get all the remaining boxes of parts sorted, re-labelled and recorded in a database so I'll remember if I have a spare part or not well into the future.

Once that's done I can store these boxes out of the way so I can park a couple of cars in here again before winter really arrives!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 14, 2011, 07:21:51 PM

Here's what the overflow bottle looks like now. It's just zip-tied in so it's pen 15ed at an angle. I intend to make a plate to bolt to the frame that will hold it firmly.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on December 14, 2011, 07:59:45 PM

Looks nice it beats my gatorade bottle :)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 17, 2011, 06:11:42 AM

The overflow bottle is working as intended so far. No more leaky, no more overheaty.

I have been putting plastic back in the car, just 4 more panels left beside the rear seat and it's back together.

I went to Valvoline for a 20.00 oil change and while it was there I had them change out the diff fluid. I like having them do it rather than have to pull the cover and risk a leak.

The car was a big, big hit with the workers there. They were all very nice and complimentary.

As I pulled out I got on the gas a couple of times. After the second romp I got a cloud of oil smoke from under the hood. I pulled off the road to check things out, and there was oil coming from the fill area. I have smelled a little oil smoke from time to time, so this wasn't a shocker to me.

I believe I am getting some pressurization of the crankcase caused by the new rings not yet seated. It's gonna happen under boost, and is a pretty common issue with forced induction V8 Fords. I was hoping that the near stock setup I had would work out, but it's not to be.

For now I just added a breather connected to a 1" hose on top of the oil fill tube. It's baffled pretty well there and should suffice until I get a chance to do it better.

V 2.0 will consist of 2 pcv valves on each valve cover connected to hoses going through a oil separator to a fitting on the front of the turbo inlet. (I'll still keep the turbo pcv and check valve on the intake as well.)

The design is, under vacuum conditions the intake pcv will be purging the crankcase to keep the oil clean as designed, but at boost onset the check valve will shut it down and the valve cover vents will kick in.

I also fixed the cracked plate holder and mounted it.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 17, 2011, 03:38:32 PM

Doin' stuff today. Got the new brake calipers, rotors and bearings all on today. LJ helped to bleed 'em. Next cracked open a can of Waxoyl and undercoated the snot out of the front end behind where the plastic inner fenders will go. Lastly I got out the Wal-mart fog lights and screwed them in to the bumper support. They are now wired and ready. I'm headed out to pull the spare lower valence in to rob the air dam from it. That will close out the front end once I close off the inner fenders.

This morning I used some Purple Power cleaner on the interior plastic. It's looking good and ready to install next if I have any energy.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 17, 2011, 03:40:53 PM

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 347Thunder on December 17, 2011, 03:48:19 PM

So your saying after all this stuff in your build you were afraid you couldn't seal up a diff cover, that's pretty weak but a $20. Oil change sounds worth it I hate changing my own oil, but I still do all 3 vehicles. Looking pretty good love the silver that was my second choice if the red didn't workout

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 17, 2011, 05:58:13 PM

Quote from: 347Thunder;375756

So your saying after all this stuff in your build you were afraid you couldn't seal up a diff cover, that's pretty weak but a $20. Oil change sounds worth it I hate changing my own oil, but I still do all 3 vehicles. Looking pretty good love the silver that was my second choice if the red didn't workout

Man, you are HARD on me! :flame:

I've had those dumb things where I had to seal them 3 times before I got rid of a drip. This one is tight, so I didn't feel like chancing it. To do it right I'd have to block all 4 wheels up so it was level, etc, etc. I was there anyway so I said ...DO IT!!

When I get those discount $20.00 oil change notices in the mail, I save them and use them. I am servicing 6 cars here now, so it is a blessing to have it done by someone else.

I would say your red worked out. It's one of the sharpest cars on this list IMHO.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on December 18, 2011, 08:16:58 AM

Still very impressed with your 2.5 year old post and the progress(completion) you have made. That is what a new/rebuilt TC looks like.... :-)

Question? Did you get a used Baumann Baumanator or the new optishift? Just thinking out loud. Also I dont remember reading what you did with the drive shaft. I use a T5 DS with the C4. The newer the tranny the better (stronger) from what I have read. I believe they used the 4.2V6 until 2008 or so in the uber basic F150.

Thanks,

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 18, 2011, 08:47:59 AM

Quote from: turbotrav;375798

Still very impressed with your 2.5 year old post and the progress(completion) you have made. That is what a new/rebuilt TC looks like.... :-)

Question? Did you get a used Baumann Baumanator or the new optishift? Just thinking out loud. Also I dont remember reading what you did with the drive shaft. I use a T5 DS with the C4. The newer the tranny the better (stronger) from what I have read. I believe they used the 4.2V6 until 2008 or so in the uber basic F150.

Thanks,

Travis

Wow, 2.5 years! I really hit it hard about a year ago. There was just sporadic progress until after my wife got her Honda. Then I said it was time to get serious.

I am using the older Baumannator TCS hardware. It ends up being almost the same thing as the Optishift. The Optishift is newer hardware and has a feature or two, but uses the same software as the earlier unit.

The driveshaft is a stock TC shaft. I had to change out the rear extension on the 4R to use the AOD/T5 input. Agreed that later is supposed to be better. Keep in mind, though that to keep your speedo and cruise control happy you will need to supply the signal from the speedo drive pulse generator. After 2003-4 the speedo drive gear machined into the trans mainshaft is missing. Mine came from a 98 Mustang 3.8(?) V6. I got the engine plate and everything else I needed from the Craigs list 5.0 Explorer engine.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 21, 2011, 06:53:48 AM

Got the rear trim painted and installed. The new clips worked great!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on December 21, 2011, 04:09:51 PM

Awesome it gives me hope, my new glass is real tight to the rivets, my glass guy says don't worry. I like the birds to

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on December 22, 2011, 01:16:46 AM

Hey flylear. The back glass trim looks great! And I'm glad the clips worked out. I'm amazed that you were able to keep the rear trim in good shape with no bends or kinks.

Are you driving it daily now? Any additional bugs to work out at this point?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 22, 2011, 08:35:28 AM

Quote from: The Shredder;376030

Hey flylear. The back glass trim looks great! And I'm glad the clips worked out. I'm amazed that you were able to keep the rear trim in good shape with no bends or kinks.

Are you driving it daily now? Any additional bugs to work out at this point?

Thanks Westie and Shredder. Getting the trim on and off; take it on and off kind of as a whole, and the tool with the hooks on the end is pretty helpful. Also I had another trim set here to see where the clips were and had a clip to look at to see how it worked. I still had a kink or two, but I have some experience in re-working aluminum trim from my Triumph stuff that I put to use. I doubt anyone would see where I fixed it.

Westie, when you put it back on, set all your clips first, then slide all the pieces of trim together before snapping any in place. Then start at the top two corners and work around the bottom, leaving the top center for last.

Shredder yeah, I've been driving it daily. So far pretty good. I had a sticking thermostat that I just replaced yesterday. (It was new.) Hopefully that will fix that.

Now I have a couple of things on the top of the list.

First, the mileage is really off. I am only getting 12 mpg. Keep in mind that I am still playing with it and idling a lot, but that has GOT to get better. I will re-gear if I have to to get it where it needs to be. I have 3.73's in it now. Again, I am not panicking until I have more time into the tune at cruise and have a couple tanks of gas where I am just cruising normally, but 20 mpg+ on the highway is my goal.

Second, I am getting to the point that I am starting to get to the higher power tuning. I am noticing that the car doesn't want to rev
real strong. It seems to run out past 4500 rpm. I am thinking the turbo turbine gate is too shut too tight. (That may be hurting mileage as well and causing back pressure in the crankcase.) Another factor is that I am too rich in this part of the curve, too. I am SO afraid of rattling this engine that I am being very careful to keep the tune 'fat' under load.

I did come across the Ford timing tables for the speed density computer 5.0, and am using that for timing out of boost. It is working pretty well for me.

I spent most of yesterday working on sofware updates for the carpc and trying out a couple different tunes in the Baumann. You can really change the feel of the tranny by messing with the curves. I'll bet you can screw it up pretty bad, too. lol I am shy about making any changes yet, and am just using the canned tunes that came for the 4R with the software download.

Today I am going to open up the turbine gate all the way and see how it runs. The wastegate has kept up and boost has been limited to under 15 psi to this point. I'll have to be cautious as I try it out now that more exhaust will be allowed through the turbocharger.

Other smaller items on the 'do list' include:

get the speech recognition set up and working for control of music and gps navigation
pair phone to carpc with bluetooth so it'll take calls through the stereo
replace 2 light bulbs behind the dash cluster
trim the voltmeter pointer a 1/16 inch to match the rest
put dimmer light on fuel pressure gage for night use ( I thought I did, but......)
trim out trunk, tidy up wires back there.
finish belt line trim

BTW, we have all decided here that the trim is going back on in stock form. Black and red it will be, just like it came from the dealer.

So, I'll need to paint the front and rear strips on the bumpers to match.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on December 22, 2011, 09:21:37 AM

Yeah, I bet you'll have no problems getting things dialed in and improve mileage. Odd that it doesn't want to rev though. Perhaps it's just the tune holding things back.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thunderjet302 on December 22, 2011, 10:16:37 AM

What's with the waxoyl? If you're not driving it in the winter the salt shouldn't cause a problem ;).

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: ZondaC12 on December 22, 2011, 01:39:07 PM

It's like those Nissan Pathfinder print ads that were all over MotorTrend and C&D mags showing people playing golf while driving the SUVs all over the golf course. "Not that you would....but you COULD" :giggle:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 22, 2011, 02:10:52 PM

Quote from: thunderjet302;376048

What's with the waxoyl? If you're not driving it in the winter the salt shouldn't cause a problem ;).

It's been into salt twice already. :( I built it to drive, and I'm gonna drive it. Waxoyl rocks. It will give me some decent protection, plus I am keeping it in the garage and giving it frequent baths to wash of the nasties.

In fact, I spent the morning putting away boxes over the ceiling of the garage so I can park her in the main section. I think she's happier over here close to me while I surf the 'net.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 22, 2011, 02:15:58 PM

Quote from: ZondaC12;376061

It's like those Nissan Pathfinder print ads that were all over MotorTrend and C&D mags showing people playing golf while driving the SUVs all over the golf course. "Not that you would....but you COULD" :giggle:

LOL, I remember that one.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thunderjet302 on December 22, 2011, 04:51:44 PM

Quote from: flylear45;376063

It's been into salt twice already. :( I built it to drive, and I'm gonna drive it. Waxoyl rocks. It will give me some decent protection, plus I am keeping it in the garage and giving it frequent baths to wash of the nasties.

In fact, I spent the morning putting away boxes over the ceiling of the garage so I can park her in the main section. I think she's happier over here close to me while I surf the 'net.

Ah. I thought it was a nice weather only car.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 22, 2011, 05:43:55 PM

Quote from: thunderjet302;376073

Ah. I thought it was a nice weather only car.

No, I decided to make this my daily driver except when it is REALLY snowing. I could have gotten a new car or fixed up this one. I chose this one. I can always drive my truck when it's horrible out, but it has 175,000 miles on it and it's time to keep it home as much as possible.

So far I'm really tickled driving the 'bird. It is tons of fun. Hopefully I can get the last things sorted out soon and just enjoy it.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 22, 2011, 05:59:43 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;376044

Yeah, I bet you'll have no problems getting things dialed in and improve mileage. Odd that it doesn't want to rev though. Perhaps it's just the tune holding things back.

I opened up the sleeve on the turbo all the way. BIG difference right away. I have been choking off the power quite a bit with where I had it set. Now I need to re-tune for the change and I think I'll see a difference in power and economy.

FWIW, anyone following a similar recipe as me, the middle tune in the Baumann 4R70W files seems to be the best so far for day to day driving.

You will want to try them all I think. Your particular combo will make all the difference in the transmission's feel. This is just like Megasquirt on the engine side. Total flexibility to tailor the usage of the hardware.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 23, 2011, 03:18:52 PM

Got the rear plastic and rear seat done.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on December 26, 2011, 10:01:05 AM

Looking good Jim.... How are you controlling boost and turbine ratios?

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 26, 2011, 06:43:14 PM

Quote from: turbotrav;376271

Looking good Jim.... How are you controlling boost and turbine ratios?

Travis

Thanks! So far just letting the wastegate spring handle things. I tested it at around 10 psi off the seat static on the bench. I haven't sen signs of overboosting yet, but it hasn't been at WOT for very long stretches.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on December 26, 2011, 07:05:08 PM

Wot. Need vidieo. Time to smooth out them pretty new tires

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 26, 2011, 08:12:19 PM

Heh heh.

Got to play golf today. 43 degrees in sun and no wind in late December = 18 holes in boots.

I tossed the keys to my boy and he drove it home. He said he was glad to have the Daytona since he'd be more apt to "stay out of trouble", but got a real thrill driving the 'bird.

Westie, I'll get those old tires back on soon for a video. I want to finish the moldings first so it'll look nice in the film.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on December 27, 2011, 09:50:58 AM

So you got the wastegate controlling the boost. How about the turbine ration for spool up? I thought you had Holset VGT351he or something like that. From the 2007 and new 6.7 Dodge cummins? If im forgetting the correct turbo, Im sorry. It was a few pages ago. :)

I would think you would have usable boost by 2500rpms. Is the torque converter working out for you.

Thanks,

Travis

P.S. Im about ready to start my XR7 turbo v8 swap thread. Then Jim can bug me. hahaha

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: ZondaC12 on December 27, 2011, 12:25:27 PM

Yeah someone I know who is eyeballs-deep into Land Rovers swears by Waxoyl. The concept is perfect. It is expensive...and Eastwood has a knock-off that apparently is the same type of compound. $19/quart it would be worth it to test it, see what it's like. Would work out to abut $60 a gallon savings over Waxoyl, but I'd rather save my pennies and get the real thing if it's just not quite the same thing. And that's the way you wanna go if you have the chance to try and rust-proof a vehicle you're gonna expose to the salt up here. Be sure you pack those stupid frame rails full!!! It's amazing that there isn't but one drain hole in the bottom of them. The big one in between the K frame bolt tubes is a tube itself, completely isolated from the inner rail. But I guarantee filled with oil or grease or Waxoyl they'll stay protected.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 29, 2011, 08:00:31 AM

Quote from: turbotrav;376311

So you got the wastegate controlling the boost. How about the turbine ration for spool up? I thought you had Holset VGT351he or something like that. From the 2007 and new 6.7 Dodge cummins? If im forgetting the correct turbo, Im sorry. It was a few pages ago. :)

I would think you would have usable boost by 2500rpms. Is the torque converter working out for you.

Thanks,

Travis

P.S. Im about ready to start my XR7 turbo v8 swap thread. Then Jim can bug me. hahaha

Not bugging me at all Travis! That's what the list is for. I'm happy to talk about the details of this swap.

The turbine sleeve is now locked wide open, and getting the turbo to spool is not an issue. I know that a lot of guys are enamored with playing with controlling the sleeve, but I don't think it's an issue on a V8. Truly, my neighbor had one of these 351HE's on a 4 banger with a locked sleeve, and it was working fine for him.

I am a bit surprised that the Ebay 38mm wastegate is able to keep the boost controlled so far. I am fully expecting that when I get to max effort pulls that I will start to see boost creep. I was concerned initially that it would be enough to even use on a daily driver basis, but so far so good.

The only reason I used this particular turbo was that I got it for $150.00 and it looked like new. I really wouldn't recommend it at all unless a person got one dirt cheap. It appears to perform just fine so far in this combo, but it is heavy, large, and caused hardship with mounting and drain line locating.

The torque converter works fine so far in the daily driver capacity. I am limiting the rpms to 5300 under boost to keep from ballooning it and destroying it.

The plan is for a billet job next year when I get ready to take it to the track.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 29, 2011, 08:07:55 AM

Quote from: ZondaC12;376322

Yeah someone I know who is eyeballs-deep into Land Rovers swears by Waxoyl. The concept is perfect. It is expensive...and Eastwood has a knock-off that apparently is the same type of compound. $19/quart it would be worth it to test it, see what it's like. Would work out to abut $60 a gallon savings over Waxoyl, but I'd rather save my pennies and get the real thing if it's just not quite the same thing. And that's the way you wanna go if you have the chance to try and rust-proof a vehicle you're gonna expose to the salt up here. Be sure you pack those stupid frame rails full!!! It's amazing that there isn't but one drain hole in the bottom of them. The big one in between the K frame bolt tubes is a tube itself, completely isolated from the inner rail. But I guarantee filled with oil or grease or Waxoyl they'll stay protected.

I ordered a few gallons of the Eastwood stuff years ago to try out. It is OK stuff, but doesn't spray as nice as the Waxoyl. In fact, the can I am using now is a mixture of about 75/25 Waxoyl to Eastwood.

When I did the Triumphs I liked to spray the inside of the frames and lightly coat the undersides to give them protection against less than perfect storage conditions.

Thanks for the tip on the frame rails. I'll give them another shot when I get a chance.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 30, 2011, 01:26:48 PM

We got (almost) all the 'bird boxes packed away or consolidated. Now my daughter can park her Versa in the back garage with me this winter.

I've been pulling my hair out over trying to pair my phone with the car pc for making calls. I can use the media on the phone and play it through the car stereo, but can't access the calling features.

I tried the bluesoleil drivers and that made no difference except to kill my GPS sharing utility, Bransen GPS gate. I may end up with just using a Motorola headset for hands-free. It pairs up nicely for all functions right out of the box. I guess that would be nice for when I drive the TR7, especially if I keep a lot of my music on the phone.

On another note, this tank of gas was 14.5 mpg, so a bit of an improvement. I still had a lot of idling time, and the tune was still too rich. I have it dialed down quite a bit now, so I am hoping for closer to 18 mpg out of this tank (at least).

I got the center FP gage to read out green when the lights are on. I also installed all the plastic around the lower dash and fixed the burned out bulb behind the fuel gage. Stuck in a cheap set of rubber mats for winter. My wife got me a set of embroidered 'bird mats for Christmas. I'll put them in after the weather is over.

Next up is to install a back-up camera, trim out the trunk, make labels for the toggle switches next to the steering wheel, keep working on the cold start and idle, and get the center console trimmed out.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on December 31, 2011, 09:31:44 AM

Sweet....keep us informed...

Travis

Title: Back-up camera
Post by: flylear45 on December 31, 2011, 10:49:29 AM

Here's a cheap and easy camera from Ebay. 17.00 shipped from NJ. It came with wire harness and license plate mount. I am very pleased with it.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 31, 2011, 10:50:32 AM

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Haystack on December 31, 2011, 12:41:06 PM

Wired in as a back up camera? Have you seen the ones that fit into a keyhole? There alittle bigger> but most people expect it to be a jay and ignore it completely.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 01, 2012, 12:57:11 PM

Quote from: Haystack;376579

Wired in as a back up camera? Have you seen the ones that fit into a keyhole? There alittle bigger> but most people expect it to be a jay and ignore it completely.

There were several choices. This one looked easiest to mount so I got it. It is wired as a backup camera. I had to drill one hole below the taillights and splice in to the reverse light power and ground. Then just connected it to the aux2 input to my screen and was done.

I used it yesterday and backed down my brothers 1/4 mile long driveway without cheating a peek. Works pretty good!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 03, 2012, 05:34:57 PM

I LOVE my Yokohama radials!

4" of snow and I went right through it. I was pushing snow all the way up the driveway tonight and it never even spun.

Rockin'.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thunderjet302 on January 03, 2012, 09:52:52 PM

Why all the tape on the center console?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 04, 2012, 10:28:31 AM

Quote from: thunderjet302;376946

Why all the tape on the center console?

I had to mod the console to accept the Mustang shifter. Covering it and the armrest with leather are on the to-do list.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 09, 2012, 01:29:40 AM

I just put a water pump on this morning since the one I had on it started to leak the other day. On the way home from work tonight I realized I had put more than 1,000 miles on it since I started to drive it. In my mind that deserves a little reflection.

First of all, I want to list some of the things that are good about my experience. (in no particular order)

The power is nice. I always feel like I am sitting on an animal. I definitely like it.

The ride is very solid and comfortable. Just as I remember and expect from the Fox Thunderbird.

I like the carpc. I am always playing with it, at least until I get the software as I want it. I expect to just be sorting through different elements to get to what I will use on a regular basis. So far I have been listening to the HD radio or playing music from the hard drive the most.

I like having MS Tuner studio on-board. Big plus to have it on the center display.

Having the Garmin GPS built -in is pretty cool. I used it the other day to get to a guys house. I also have a screen that displays GPS mph and a compass with some other things. It's nice to double check the speedo with.

I like the way it handles in snow! I am surprised by this since I thought it would be too squirrely to drive once the snow flew. I think because the car is a stock 5.0 out of boost it is manageable. I have to give high marks to the Yokohama Avid tires, too.

The tranny rocks. What else can I say. I'd do it again in a minute.

Some of the things I am disappointed in, or am going to be working on:

I have an oil smoke smell. Probably will until I get the breather contained and plumbed back into the intake. It takes away from the enjoyment when I come to a stop at a light and smell fumes.

I can't integrate the phone I have with the PC for taking calls over the stereo. Support just isn't there for this kind of thing for my smart phone. I refuse to downgrade my phone just to be able to use it the way I want in the car. I solved this issue with a separate hands-free unit. It works great.

I wish my paint didn't look like gray instead of silver.

I think I need a different rear gear. Even with OD, I am over 2500 rpm at 70 mph. It's gonna hurt mileage. I will probably look for a lower numbered gear for the future. (This has 3:73's)

The car is running a tad hotter than the thermostat. I think I have that covered, since today I cut some cardboard and used it to block off the air from escaping around the radiator. Now it is directed through the core more, and my temps dropped over 10 degrees after doing only one side of the rad.

I think that making nice shrouds for the rad will make a huge difference.

Cup holder for chrissake!

The idle is OK for now, but can still surge at random times. Once I add AC it will probably be bothersome again. I may add an air valve to bump idle when AC comes on. If I had it to do again I'd go with MS2 and utilize a GM stepper valve. Even if it's only because I am fed up with the Ford valve .

So, that's my story so far. The car is over 95% complete. I still have to trim out the trunk and finish the side moldings as well as finish the tpuppies of the console. Then add AC this summer.

One last thought.

I was out recently with a friend who is a successful businessman, and coincidentally just bought a (spectacular!) twin turbo BMW. His car and mine got about equal attention from the peanut gallery, which was kinda cool. After all, mines 25 yo and paid for!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on January 09, 2012, 07:45:29 PM

Nice, reflection sounds way better than contemplation :)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on January 13, 2012, 06:45:14 PM

Hey Jim

All the turbo 5.0 guys say 3.27. Which I just got off ebay for $30 shipped. With your car being abit heavier than the average fox mustang. Maybe 3.55? But hardly worth the effort and expense. I would personally go with 3.27. You can always up the boost. :-) I have read abit about MS and idle. Guys say add a couple of degrees of timing at idle. It helps the transition.

I really want to do the 4r70 swap....in 2013. I will just use the built C4 I have for this year. I have read OK things about the Mach1/Maurader torque converter. Maybe a custom tc when my money tree blooms.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 14, 2012, 11:26:02 AM

Thanks for the input, Travis

I'm thinking 3:27 also. Unless I come across a local, cheap, and complete late TC 3:55 axle that I can just swap in real quick.

I have the idle bumped in the spot where it idles after the trans is engaged. It does help some to be sure.

I recently added a catch can in the valve cover vent and put a PCV valve in it so it closes off under vacuum. That helped the car idle better as well. Next will be to put a fitting in the air cleaner to plumb the breather back in to the intake tract and I should have the smell problem taken care of. (It's way better with just the catch can being relocated beside the radiator.)

Quote from: turbotrav;377667

Hey Jim

All the turbo 5.0 guys say 3.27. Which I just got off ebay for $30 shipped. With your car being abit heavier than the average fox mustang. Maybe 3.55? But hardly worth the effort and expense. I would personally go with 3.27. You can always up the boost. :-) I have read abit about MS and idle. Guys say add a couple of degrees of timing at idle. It helps the transition.

I really want to do the 4r70 swap....in 2013. I will just use the built C4 I have for this year. I have read OK things about the Mach1/Maurader torque converter. Maybe a custom tc when my money tree blooms.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Haystack on January 14, 2012, 01:38:00 PM

With the stock aod and 273 gears, you sit 1400-1600rpm's at 65 and 75mph. The tranny you have is just slighttly lower overdrive then an aod. I know its not aperformance upgrade, but it would help mileage a lot.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 15, 2012, 08:55:17 AM

I'd have to think the mileage would see a large difference indeed.

Performance wise, the common view is that a boosted car will benefit in the 1/4 more from a lower numerical rear gear than a higher one. I am not very focused on racing so it's not too important to get the absolute best time out of it.

I am more concerned with mileage since I can't use the power this has on the street very much as it is. It would be nice if it would pull rather than spin.

I am thinking 3:27 would be the best compromise between economy and performance.

Anyone familiar with what would be a fair price to pay for labor to have a new gear installed?

Quote from: Haystack;377714

With the stock aod and 273 gears, you sit 1400-1600rpm's at 65 and 75mph. The tranny you have is just slighttly lower overdrive then an aod. I know its not aperformance upgrade, but it would help mileage a lot.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Shadow on January 15, 2012, 10:03:35 AM

last time i had a trans shop do 1, i paid $350.. i supplied the ring, pinion and a pack of shims.. they supplied the bearings and what-not for the new carrier and pinion

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: TOM Renzo on January 15, 2012, 11:14:26 AM

I w

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: TOM Renzo on January 15, 2012, 11:29:19 AM

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Haystack on January 15, 2012, 01:40:03 PM

I think he has 3.73's now. 3.27's are a common swap for turbo v-8 guys that run at the strip. If they launch on boost it makes it easier to get out of the hole without spinning.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 16, 2012, 09:49:02 AM

Thanks. I was ball-parking 3-400 in my mind.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on January 16, 2012, 03:24:49 PM

flylear. If it is any consolation, I plan to swap my Lincoln Mark VII LSC rear end into the t-coupe. It is 3.27 gear from the factory with Limited slip. Should be an easy swap.

If you want to go 5-lug, get a 91-92 Mark VII as the rear calipers are similar enough to the TC's for parking brake hookup. But of course you have new tires on your snowflakes.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on January 16, 2012, 05:27:32 PM

I thought the Mark 7 rear end was 1.5" wider?????!!!

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on January 16, 2012, 09:36:39 PM

Hey Travis... the Mark VII rear axles are about 3/4" longer than the TC axles. But have to seen the wheel well space we have in the rear of the thunderbird/cougars?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on January 16, 2012, 10:17:33 PM

Mk 7 axles are 1/2" longer than the TC/94-98 Mustang axles.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 17, 2012, 11:40:48 AM

There are still some parts around here, I think. A lot of 'birds were sold in this area.

I'll start to watch Craigs list for a complete axle.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 23, 2012, 10:56:56 AM

Little update.

Looks like re-locating the breather element has done wonders to keep the smell down in the car. I still want to eventually ditch the open element all together and route the fumes into the air cleaner.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on January 23, 2012, 11:54:11 AM

Good to hear....I forget. DO you have stock E7 heads and stock HO cam?

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 29, 2012, 09:47:51 PM

Yep, stock cam and heads from a 87 Mustang.

Quote from: turbotrav;378509

Good to hear....I forget. DO you have stock E7 heads and stock HO cam?

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 01, 2012, 08:04:10 AM

I spent time yesterday on the car-pc software and made some progress.

I now have these features:

Input/output to computer from Baumann trans controller, Megasquirt fuel injection controller, GPS, HD radio and amp, wireless internet, cell phone data sharing for internet

auto-switched backup camera

Front-end software for car-pc has working skins for Garmin GPS, real-time traffic via Google, Weatherunderground weather and 5-day forecasts, HD radio with presets, Mp3 music player with equalizer, video player, youtube and Pandora

I was having a problem with only the radio playing out the back speakers, and at a much higher level than the mp3's. I had to go from trying to use two outputs from the sound card to just stereo out and splitting it to front and rear into the amp. It was nice to play with fader, but I ended up using the amp to adjust that once and for all. Then I could even out the volume from the different sources to a more even level. I am satisfied with the result.

Next up is to get the voice commands working.

I'd like to be able to end up being able to just command almost all the functions with voice, including song selection and navigation. That'll be a long-term project I'm sure.

I still have to spend a weekend on the center console to cover it in leather. I am thinking of trying to mount a couple of inset shallow cup holders in front of the shifter. I end up balancing my coffee cup there every morning, so it seems the logical spot.

Mileage was 15 on the last tank. I am still doing some sitting and idling and some WOT blasts, though. I guess it's not horrible.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 347Thunder on February 01, 2012, 08:15:34 AM

Great you'll be done before me!!!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on February 01, 2012, 08:39:53 AM

Quote from: flylear45;379434

I spent time yesterday on the car-pc software and made some progress.

I now have these features:

Input/output to computer from Baumann trans controller, Megasquirt fuel injection controller, GPS, HD radio and amp, wireless internet, cell phone data sharing for internet

auto-switched backup camera

Front-end software for car-pc has working skins for Garmin GPS, real-time traffic via Google, Weatherunderground weather and 5-day forecasts, HD radio with presets, Mp3 music player with equalizer, video player, youtube and Pandora

I was having a problem with only the radio playing out the back speakers, and at a much higher level than the mp3's. I had to go from trying to use two outputs from the sound card to just stereo out and splitting it to front and rear into the amp. It was nice to play with fader, but I ended up using the amp to adjust that once and for all. Then I could even out the volume from the different sources to a more even level. I am satisfied with the result.

Next up is to get the voice commands working.

I'd like to be able to end up being able to just command almost all the functions with voice, including song selection and navigation. That'll be a long-term project I'm sure.

I still have to spend a weekend on the center console to cover it in leather. I am thinking of trying to mount a couple of inset shallow cup holders in front of the shifter. I end up balancing my coffee cup there every morning, so it seems the logical spot.

Mileage was 15 on the last tank. I am still doing some sitting and idling and some WOT blasts, though. I guess it's not horrible.

Man, you have this thing packed. :D Glad to see you're still making progress.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 07, 2012, 09:24:12 AM

Thanks, guys. It's really a fun, comfy car to drive.

I'm going to work today on getting the oil breather routed into the air cleaner. That should kill the last little bit of oil smoke smell I get when idling after a hard run.

The only bummer at this point is that I am still seeing bubbles in the radiator overflow tank, and it seems to still want to push out water. I noticed it right away, but wanted to try a few things before I resigned myself to the obvious facts.

I am not seeing evidence of water in the oil or cylinders, just combustion gasses making it into the water jacket somewhere.

I have started to save up for a set of Trick Flow Twisted Wedge heads. The car is drivable as it is, I just have to keep my eye on the coolant if I run it hard. If I stay out of the boost for a few months I can get all the parts together to do the heads on a weekend.

I'll then need to get that torque converter upgraded to a billet unit before I balloon the stocker and kill the engine/ tranny.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 88CougarGT on February 07, 2012, 09:43:31 AM

I'd like to see pics of the carPC install.

Thanks.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 07, 2012, 04:39:25 PM

Quote from: 88CougarGT;380032

I'd like to see pics of the carPC install.

Thanks.

I don't have a lot of detailed pics of the install. Here's a video of it in the car. One more will show some of the trunk area, but it looks like a rat's nest right now.

http://s272.photobucket.com/albums/jj177/flylear45/Thunderbird%20videos/?action=view¤t=002.mp4

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on February 07, 2012, 05:50:05 PM

Awesome

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 08, 2012, 08:16:38 AM

It's really strange how the coolant is acting. Once I let the level in the radiator go down a couple inches it just stays there. If I try to fill it to the top it'll push a 1/2 gallon out right away.

I posted the second part of the pc vid. It's dark and doesn't show a lot except my unfinished trunk area.

The major things I did to try to have it work properly were:

1. Mount the HD receiver close to the antenna
2. Ground antenna well
3. Mount HD receiver far away from power supply
4. Power the 5 volt supply separately to ensure adequate voltage to USB devices

I also got a mother board that supported 2 serial ports so I could attach the Megasquirt and HD radio over serial. The transmission controller and wideband O2 controller are connected through serial-usb converters.

When starting up the PC system I added devices one at a time. That way I could troubleshoot and take care of any problems as they surfaced.

In this way I found that the Bluesoleil software was sh*t software that should be avoided at all costs. It not only didn't work to connect my phone to the computer, but caused my system to bluescreen. They also refused to refund my money even though they claim a money back guarantee. Spread that word around and maybe save someone else 27 bucks.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on February 08, 2012, 01:10:21 PM

Dang Jim

That setup is sweet. You got my gears turning in my head.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 08, 2012, 06:42:06 PM

Thanks man. too bad you are so far up in MI. I'd like to come see what is up.

Here's some pics after organizing the trunk for a few minutes and putting on the battery lid.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on February 08, 2012, 07:45:52 PM

Hey Jim

I would really enjoy that visit. Yeah you are about 5.5 hours away. Maybe we can meet at the Milan Drag racing this summer. Thats about 2.5 hours for me.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 15, 2012, 06:32:21 AM

Looks like new heads next month. I'm thinking to go with Twisted Wedge 170 heads, new pushrods and rocker arms.

I should have checked the heads better when I had them off.

I can't wait to see how it'll run with good flowing heads. Hopefully the wastegate is up to the flow.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on February 15, 2012, 12:37:44 PM

Are the gt40 heads cracked? Or just a leaky headgasket?

Travis

P.S. 1997 explorer engine if I remember

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 15, 2012, 02:30:48 PM

Quote from: turbotrav;380722

Are the gt40 heads cracked? Or just a leaky headgasket?

Travis

P.S. 1997 explorer engine if I remember

I'm thinking there's a cracked head somewhere not obvious. The heads are rebuilt E7's I had because the GT40's plug angle interfered with my flipped headers.

I'm going to pressurize the system after I get it torn down to try to pinpoint the leak. It isn't a blown gasket, I am pretty sure of that.

I have a spare block here if I need it. I'll want to find smoking gun this time for sure. I'll get the parts here, then tear off the turbo system, upper intake and headers. Then I'll put some pressure on the radiator through a modified cap with an air nipple. Then I'll wait to see if any water comes out or if I can hear any air escaping.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on February 16, 2012, 07:11:41 AM

Dang Jim...good luck with that. What headgasket did you use?

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 16, 2012, 09:04:12 AM

I think it was 9303 or some similar number. It wasn't cheap.

I'll get it fixed, it just is forcing me to do heads sooner is all. Luckily the IRS didn't get me as bad as last year. LOL

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on February 18, 2012, 07:09:00 PM

I just pickup a cheap set of 94 Lightning gt40 heads for pretty cheap. I wasn't going to do the heads this year. But lightning heads with the 1/2 head bolt hole are abit more rare.

Im going to run a pretty tough gasket myself. I saved the model number awhile back.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 19, 2012, 08:12:47 AM

I had a set of P heads here but they didn't work with my turbo headers. Plugs pointed right into the tubes.

I'm tending to think that if I get a good clamp it won't matter what gasket I use as much as if the tune is right. Having the 1/2 inch bolts seems a good idea. You can go to 100# on the outer row of head bolts with 1/2". I may drill and tap my block for bigger fasteners when I get the heads. TW heads can be drilled out to the 1/2" size easily I think.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on February 19, 2012, 10:12:03 AM

Hey Jim

I believe all aftermarket heads can be drilled out to a 1/2". Saves on making two different setups for the 302/351 crowd.

I really wonder about the "lack" of clamping force with the stock style heads? After hanging out with many really fast turbo nutz online. I'm really beginning to think the all 302 blocks (except aftermarket performance blocks) flex too much(I realize all blocks flex abit). When the user starts making too much HP with moderate revving or moderate HP with too much revving. The block really starts to flex, the first thing to go is the headgaskets. So the users puts really tough HG(everybody says so!), mega headbolts or studs(everybody says so!), and quality aftermarket head for more HP. Then continues on there quest for more HP and possibly revving. Bottom line the rotating assembly in a 302 way out performs the block.

Jim I dont have any personal proof, its just thinking and reading on my part.. The only 5.0 I have ever owned was the SO 5.0 in my 87LX Tbird. One thing I did notice was heavier cars like ours didn't fair as well in the 450+rwhp. Almost always a headgasket 1st then the block if the user keeps up on the boost. That is why I went 351w. So if I where you, I would buy the best HG your money will buy. Whatever head you want! (it will only make it easier to get to the 450rwhp to break the block). Then buy ARP head studs. That should do it.

Anyways what do you think?

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 19, 2012, 02:44:46 PM

Well, I have been hanging over on TurboForums and following guys issues with 5.0's for years bow.

For the most part I agree with you. I do wonder if backpressure might be causing problems in the heavier cars more than lighter ones? I am.not convinced that the headgasket itself is much of a concern at 10 - 15 PSI. It does seem that everyone who had a problem lifting iron heads solved it with aftermarket heads.
It'll be nice to get my water issue solved so I can get to some real tuning. I haven't done more than a short blast up to now since I know things aren't right.

You should be in better shape with the 351 for sure. A friend gave me this engine or I would have one in here now.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bruce M on February 19, 2012, 03:13:40 PM

All 302 heads can be drilled to 1/2" The 351s use the same heads as the 302s, the hole are just machined bigger during the finishing process. The late model 302s and 351s use the same E7 castings.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thunderjet302 on February 19, 2012, 10:12:59 PM

How is it bubbling? IS it forcing out the coolant or just a bubble or two (trapped air from removing the radiator cap)?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 20, 2012, 08:00:08 PM

It's g coolant out constantly. It has since the start. The harder I drive it the more it pukes. In boost or not makes no difference. ERR!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on February 20, 2012, 08:46:59 PM

That totally sucks Jim. So what heads are you going with?

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: lakenheath24 on February 25, 2012, 01:11:21 AM

wow, just read thru all 80+ pages! I cant wait to get to your stage. I am still screwing around trying to get my interior done!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 25, 2012, 10:31:48 AM

Quote from: thunderjet302;381132

How is it bubbling? IS it forcing out the coolant or just a bubble or two (trapped air from removing the radiator cap)?

For example, I filled the radiator to the top before driving to work. When I parked the car at work I could see a thin trail of fluid on the ground that I had been leaving behind as I pulled in.

I honestly should have had the heads checked when I yanked them off last time. I will be checking things out carefully this time.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on February 25, 2012, 02:28:20 PM

Quote from: flylear45;381829

For example, I filled the radiator to the top before driving to work. When I parked the car at work I could see a thin trail of fluid on the ground that I had been leaving behind as I pulled in.

I honestly should have had the heads checked when I yanked them off last time. I will be checking things out carefully this time.

Hind site is always 20/20......

My GT40's are at the machine shop as we speak.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 14, 2012, 09:10:41 AM

Update! I found a weeping hose near the back of the engine. Gotta get a few miles on it to see if it was causing all the pain........

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on March 14, 2012, 06:53:42 PM

Lets hope!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 16, 2012, 12:09:32 PM

I've been cautiously playing around with the tuning software for the transmission.

It's a bit confusing and counter-intuitive but I am slowly getting a feel for it. I have the low power shifting to where it feels pretty nice. It still isn't right under WOT though.

I did 'f' it up pretty good once while I was driving. It wouldn't shift out of second until I stopped and re-loaded the last good tune. It'll be nice to get it sorted out enough to get onto a dyno.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Shadow on March 16, 2012, 01:26:42 PM

so what's the verdict on the coolant loss? :hick:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thunderjet302 on March 16, 2012, 05:55:49 PM

Quote from: flylear45;381204

It's g coolant out constantly. It has since the start. The harder I drive it the more it pukes. In boost or not makes no difference. ERR!

I thought something was wrong with mine when I first started it and broke it in. The overflow was always g coolant. Turns out I just overfilled the system (filled the bottle to the full hot mark when it was cold). So if you got it up to operating temp the coolant would get pushed out of the radiator and overflow the bottle.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 347Thunder on March 16, 2012, 06:14:58 PM

I blew 3 head gaskets and everytime it blew the coolant up the pass windshield those were costly mistakes(was to cheap to buy 93 octain fuel.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on March 20, 2012, 10:05:26 PM

Hey Jim....how goes the turbobird? Coolant still an issue? Picking up my heads on Friday. Next week some assembly. Maybe the engine/tranny will be installed the following week.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 21, 2012, 07:48:45 AM

Hey guys, sorry to take so long to respond! Work has been really busy, so I hadn't driven the car much to see what was going on with coolant.

It is better than it was, but the radiator still smells like combustion fumes, and the level goes down in the rad still. It ends up needing some anti-freeze after a week or so. It isn't pushing it out like before, though, AND I don't smell coolant at all when it's hot. Plus when I take off the cap it is definitely sealed. I get a 'phish' sound when the cap comes off, so I am breaking a vacuum seal and that's a good thing.

I just bought a new truck to replace old 'blue', so I won't be getting new heads soon.

The new plan is to take a set of E7's down to have them checked and new springs installed. Then after the TR7 is fixed and running again I'll swap out the heads and put on the AC hoses.

I finally got the Baumann software understood and tuned in. I have it shifting soft and sweet during the daily drive part and shifting at 5500 rpm when I mash the throttle. (Remember I have a V6 torque converter and don't want to balloon it with high revs.)

It's been great to drive so far. Aside from a slight oil leak at the turbo drain, the coolant thing, and needing a breather hose to the intake tract in front of the turbo I am totally pleased with it. I still need to finish the center console, too. Once I get the Triumph back on the road I can concentrate on tweaking on the 'bird again. I really want to get on the dyno this spring.

I'm guessing it's over 350 to the wheels with the boost at 7 psi. I have nothing to base that on except comparing it to the TR7, which was around 285 rwhp.

I intend to just keep the boost set here and enjoy the car. It seems really bullet-proof, and I have no trouble with detonation running 89 octane. I still want to look for a second diff that I can put in with a low gear set for mileage.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Shadow on March 21, 2012, 08:20:17 AM

hmm.. losing coolant but still have a 'psst' when you remove the rad cap.. and no antifreeze smell when warm.. that's a toughy, expecially if you're not getting anything out the exhaust or on the ground

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 21, 2012, 04:05:20 PM

Well, the exhaust seems a bit 'juicy' to me. I'm pretty sure that's where it is getting to.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: RunninWild on March 21, 2012, 04:26:48 PM

J/c, why did you use a v6 torque converter?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 23, 2012, 09:40:46 AM

It came with the tranny out of a Mustang.
3.8 V6 has same bell pattern as a 5.0.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 23, 2012, 07:42:41 AM

Still daily driving the tbird. Golf season came early to Northern Ohio, so it's just been a case of driving and washing it when I'm not playing or practicing. Still need to paint the moldings and re-do the breather system a bit. Otherwise just enjoying it!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: The Shredder on April 23, 2012, 08:04:23 AM

I'm glad to hear it flylear! It's been a while, but my bird is back to daily driver duties because I sold the Jeep. Drivinig it again makes me realize how much I need to do.

Transmission question...
Do you have a shift kit or any valve body mods to your tranny? What torque converter are you running? Does your tranny shift quick and hard? How about downshifting?

The 4R70W HAS to be my next mod. The slushy AOD is killing me!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on April 23, 2012, 08:33:22 AM

Sometimes it's best when you can just enjoy them for a bit.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 23, 2012, 01:21:18 PM

Quote from: The Shredder;387563

I'm glad to hear it flylear! It's been a while, but my bird is back to daily driver duties because I sold the Jeep. Drivinig it again makes me realize how much I need to do.

Transmission question...
Do you have a shift kit or any valve body mods to your tranny? What torque converter are you running? Does your tranny shift quick and hard? How about downshifting? The 4R70W HAS to be my next mod. The slushy AOD is killing me!

Tranny is stone stock. I had to lower the line pressure from the canned tune to keep it from shifting too hard at lower throttle
settings. I don't have any complaints about how it acts now. I still am using the stock V6 converter that came with the trans.

My mileage has settled to 16-18.5 mpg during my normal driving. It cruises comfortably at 70 on the highway at about 2500 revs.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 23, 2012, 01:22:50 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;387564

Sometimes it's best when you can just enjoy them for a bit.

Been doing that! It is time to get the TR7 out again, though. Then I can tear into the birdy for heads and to complete the AC stuff.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on April 23, 2012, 08:43:10 PM

Good to hear Jim....Im currently sending my block to have the #3 cylinder sleeved. The guy(somebody I know) I bought the engine from. Which is a fresh roller 351 rebuild got water into just one cylinder. Sense everything else is brand new. Im just going to repair the one hole. I disassembled the engine on Saturday and taking the short block to be fix tomorrow. I guess I will be happy if I have the car running by June 1st. Its killing me waiting for some 5.8 turbo power.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on April 26, 2012, 07:32:01 AM

Quote from: turbotrav;387601

Good to hear Jim....Im currently sending my block to have the #3 cylinder sleeved. The guy(somebody I know) I bought the engine from. Which is a fresh roller 351 rebuild got water into just one cylinder. Sense everything else is brand new. Im just going to repair the one hole. I disassembled the engine on Saturday and taking the short block to be fix tomorrow. I guess I will be happy if I have the car running by June 1st. Its killing me waiting for some 5.8 turbo power.

Travis

That's a bummer. I know all about setbacks! lol Hang in there and you'll be back together soon.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 09, 2012, 07:16:56 AM

Hey, guys....... I wonder if I could have a cracked upper intake that is seeping coolant??? It would explain why I changed HG and it is EXACTLY the same.

I never saw anything wrong, but might have missed it.

Still scratching my head on this one.

I finally got into the TR7 yesterday. The aux shaft is missing teeth as well as the dummy shaft. Changed dummy shaft gears and pulled a good aux shaft, now have to do the swap today. Just in time for top-down weather!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 26, 2012, 06:57:22 AM

Just got back from a week long trip. The grass is tall and the garage is a mess. The TR7 still needs torn down enough to get the new aux shaft in. The Tbird is running well, still getting a solid 16-18 mpg on 89 octane. Same mileage as the Avalanche. (Which I just LOVE!)

It's hard to choose which one to drive some days. LOL

The punch list for the bird hasn't changed. I have to fix the turbo drain oil leak and finish off the console trim, plus paint the side moldings. Just haven't taken time out from homey stuff and golf to get it done. Work looks light until the end of June, so i should be making some progress even though my son's graduation party will get in the way for a week or so in mid-June.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on June 13, 2012, 10:02:35 PM

I have recently made progress on my big pile of parts....how is your fix it list doing? Do I remember read, some swap LSX smack? Too be fair I thought about it(6.0l with heads and cam). There is all kinds of kits out there for the fox mustang. It wouldn't be too hard. My buddy owns a shop where Im doing this big project.....he flatly told me he would not help if I put a GM engine in my XR7. He is a real big cougar fan. :)

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on June 13, 2012, 10:40:03 PM

I honestly haven't touched it much. It shows signs of a miss when it first starts, then it clears after a few miles. I think it's because of water in the combustion tract. Gonna pull plugs to verify next week.

As far as the LS goes, I have been perusing the availability and pricing, and it's more money than I thought to go that way. I've been enjoying the new (to me) truck right now. It has the 5.3 engine and it really runs great and gets decent mileage, too.

I will be looking into getting the A/C going in the Tbird if I'm gonna drive it in the summer.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on June 14, 2012, 07:27:14 PM

Your miss maybe a coilpack or module? Im going to be using a dizzy for awhile. :-P

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on June 15, 2012, 07:48:10 AM

Not a coilpack or module. If anything it's a plug wire that got cooked. I used old wires. I think it's something else, though. The longer it sits before starting it, the more pr0nounced the initial miss. Once it's started once it's gone for the day. It's just one cylinder, too.

I also need to block off or re-route the hood scoop openings. They dump water right on a coilpack when it rains.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on June 17, 2012, 10:05:42 AM

Interesting....that sounds like the exact opposite of a failing module. I wonder if something is wrong in one of your combustion chambers.....ie cracked, but the crack shrinks up as the engine gets warm????

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on June 19, 2012, 05:23:30 AM

I am thinking you may be right.... I checked gaskets a while ago and they were fine. Should have looked into the heads better at the time. Oh well.

I am gonna drop off a set of heads soon to get checked and do it again.

On another note, I played more with the tranny tune and it just keeps getting better. I just have to fix an early downshift when climbing a moderate hill at 60-65. The car can handle staying in 4th OD, but shifts down. To do that I'll lower the downshift speed at that load in the software. I'm getting the hang of it now.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on June 19, 2012, 07:16:10 AM

I haven't even finished with my swap yet. I cannot wait to do that one.

I love the 4r70w and the baumannator.

Good luck with the swap.

Travis

P.S. what heads?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on June 19, 2012, 02:47:53 PM

An old set of E7's for now. I'm pretty happy with the power and driveability. Mileage is a bit lower than I had hoped is all.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Bruce M on June 19, 2012, 04:07:27 PM

Have the heads pressure checked. Sometime heads crack and you cant see and magnafluxing sucks. Magnafluxing only shows cracks that you can see, its not going to show you cracks in ports or oil galleys.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on June 19, 2012, 09:24:24 PM

Thanks, Bruce. After this mess I will certainly do it.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on June 20, 2012, 05:16:25 PM

Hey Jim

What are you averaging for mpg? Have you tried lean cruise within Megasquirt?

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on June 22, 2012, 08:50:39 AM

16-18 MPG at present. Yeah, I've got it decently lean for low load cruise. I may add another row for tuning down there and fine tune it a bit more, or go to closed loop and let the computer handle it at low throttle settings.

With my son's graduation party this weekend and all the golf stuff going on I haven't played with it much. Been enjoying my Avalanche (and the A/C!) too much, too.

I am now considering a set of Procomp heads built up by a reputable shop. Been doing a bit of internet shopping on them and they seem a viable option instead of putting any time/money in E7's.

Title: MS1-extra closed loop idle sorted out!
Post by: flylear45 on July 04, 2012, 06:18:20 AM

The car has been behaving very well and I have been working on small issues that I felt needed attention. The goal for this project has always been to have a 100% sorted car that feels like stock at idle and cruise.

I revisited the closed loop idle and hunkered down on msefi.com for a few hours of study. After searching and reading I came across a thread from '06 where a person had some luck with the Ford IAC valve and had shared his settings. I recorded those and plugged them into my ECU and had instant success!

I am leaving them here for anyone that wants to give them a try. Should work on any Ford valve with TIP 120 transistor mod on v2.2 or v3.0 running MS1-extra code with 29y firmware.

FOR MS1-EXTRA code running on v2.2 board with EDIS and idle valve mods

A couple of notes:

1. Open your TPS calibration an the tools menu and write down the value for closed throttle ADC. You will add about 4 to that value and use it for the TPS value in the idle settings. If you get no idle control, try stepping it up one at a time until the valve begins to work.

2. I have a 2.3 idle valve. Yours may act slightly different. I needed a frequency value of 50, but the OP used 100. See what works for you.

3. Stable idle begins with good bins in the timing and fuel tables. Before using closed loop, get the car to idle without hunting by getting the flattest set of values as possible around idle, with timing set just BELOW the optimum value. IE. reduce timing there by a few degrees from the highest rpm at idle. It works best for me like that, and the idle is stronger that way. Batch fire cars also seem to like to idle at 13.5 as opposed to 14.7. Try richening a little if you are hunting a bit.

4. Begin with warmup only and get your freq, crank, and idle temps right. Once you have good control of the valve, move on to closed loop and fill in the rest of the values.

OK, here's what I am using. Good Luck!!

Freq=50
Crank=35
Min=15
Closed=0

Fast Idle Temp=70
Min Temp=175
Fast idle spd=1200
Slow idle spd=700
TPS=40.........................see notes!!
Idle activation=500
Dashpot settle=150
Dashpot add=3
Deadband=30
Upper Limit=210
Lower Limit=15
Slow Recovery=30

Closure speed=125............try 255 to see the effect it has. Your best may be somewhere in between
Startup Delay=20

fast time 10
slow time 30

ALL credit to superchargingmachine on the msefi.com mshagtra forum. He is the one who did all the work. I just copied his results from many hours of work and study. The code was written by Kiethg.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on July 04, 2012, 06:38:04 AM

Here is what the superchargingmachine said to me in a PM. His final thoughts on MS1 closed loop control.

-snip-

The biggest problem I have noticed with closed loop control is that the intake temps change while you drive. The way the code works is it holds the last valve position it has when it goes out of closed loop. So when you start up and pull out of the driveway the intake temps are cool. After you drive a while and try to go back into close loop the valve goes to the wrong position and either the car dies or idles high until it finds the correct valve position. My idle works best when I give the car a long closed loop warm up but even this doesn't completely fix my problem because I have a turbo which can sometimes make my intake temps artificially high. I have high hopes that the addition of this table will fix this.

-end-

My thought on a solution for this is to bump up the MIN dc value on the valve to keep it from ever closing too far. That way you won't have a stalling issue when transitioning from cold to warm.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on July 04, 2012, 09:00:05 AM

Good to hear Jim...I would assume closed loop would get the car some additional fuel economy. What are you getting now?

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on July 04, 2012, 09:05:11 AM

I don't expect any change, I don't idle much. This is more a driveability fix. Especially with big electric fans and A/C.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on July 04, 2012, 10:39:58 PM

That megasquirt find is pretty neat. Seems like making the aftermarket engine management seem more OEM....Thats pretty sweet in my book.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on July 05, 2012, 10:33:16 PM

Yeah, it is a bit of work, but rewarding at times. I noticed today that my fuel pressure was unusually high. Not a good sign since that can only be the FPR. It isn't leaking, but I'll have to see what is up with that. I need a reliable FPR on a turbo car! This one is a new BBK from summit. I'll try to reseat it by loosening and resetting base pressure tomorrow and see how it responds.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thunderjet302 on July 07, 2012, 12:16:19 AM

Do you need the fuel pressure to be above or below the factory 40psi? I've always run a stock Motorcraft unit because the stock EEC just compensates for changes in fuel pressure so there is no need for an adjustable one. Now with the Megasquirt that may not apply. Most aftermarket fuel pressure regulators are not nearly as good as the stock Motorcraft unit.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on July 07, 2012, 07:03:25 AM

I needed an aftermarket one because the intake was flipped and a stocker hit the intake. I agree with you, a stock part is often superior.

I try to incorporate OEM as much as possible in my builds.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on July 07, 2012, 07:40:11 AM

IIRC megasquirt wants you to set the fuel pressure at 43.5 with vacuum line off. The injectors I bought are rated at 80lb at 40psi. But are rated at 83.ish at 43.5psi.

It is interesting.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on July 11, 2012, 08:58:43 PM

Problem is not with FPR as much as the wideband is flatlining. It's putting out garbage info due to a code 9 'voltage output low' error. Gotta look into that next.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on July 30, 2012, 11:13:40 PM

After saving some cash up I have decided to go with a used set of TW heads. I am excited to get these on the car and see the difference. It will give me a chance to fix a couple of things that I want to improve on with radiator shrouding and isolating the airflow to the turbo inlet. I can also take a look at the wideband once the passenger inner wheel well is removed to fix it.

At the same time I'll be getting the A/C hooked up and charged so I can drive and enjoy the car during warm weather. Stay tuned!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on July 31, 2012, 07:31:28 AM

That is cool Jim... What size TW heads? I would assume aluminum....

Im running into C4 bellhousing, flexplate, torque converter problems. It looks like I some how got the super rare Mustang II one....which doesnt match anything....grr.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on July 31, 2012, 11:47:27 AM

170's with uprated springs. Should be a nice fit for my combo.

Bummer on the troubles you are having. A bell shouldn't be too hard to come across. Just a little snag. Lord knows I've had my share as well!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 86T-bird on July 31, 2012, 01:44:05 PM

Quote from: turbotrav;395163

That is cool Jim... What size TW heads? I would assume aluminum....

Im running into C4 bellhousing, flexplate, torque converter problems. It looks like I some how got the super rare Mustang II one....which doesnt match anything....grr.

Travis

Hey, I've got one of those! They are quite small and very shallow. I believe the flex plate is specific to the bell too. I been sitting on it for a few decades....

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 86T-bird on July 31, 2012, 01:45:09 PM

Quote from: flylear45;395177

170's with uprated springs. Should be a nice fit for my combo.

You should see the heads & other stuff tomorrow!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on July 31, 2012, 06:53:24 PM

Not to hijack jims thread but will the small one work on the 351 in our cars. I found the spacer on eBay for $30 shipped. I already have the bellhousing, TC, and flexplate? Put a post on corral with no response

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on July 31, 2012, 09:04:01 PM

Quote from: 86T-bird;395181

You should see the heads & other stuff tomorrow!

Cool! I don't have a clue when I'll get started on it. The Tr7 is first up for repairs, and I am reworking the alternator mount on it as well as repairing the damage from a sheared aux gear.

Your offer was too good to pass up, though. I am grateful.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 86T-bird on July 31, 2012, 09:31:31 PM

Quote from: flylear45;395200

Cool! I don't have a clue when I'll get started on it. The Tr7 is first up for repairs, and I am reworking the alternator mount on it as well as repairing the damage from a sheared aux gear.

Your offer was too good to pass up, though. I am grateful.

You've got some cool projects, glad to help out getting one moved to the next phase!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 86T-bird on July 31, 2012, 09:46:05 PM

Quote from: turbotrav;395190

Not to hijack jims thread but will the small one work on the 351 in our cars. I found the spacer on eBay for $30 shipped. I already have the bell housing, TC, and flexplate? Put a post on corral with no response

Travis

There shouldn't be an issue with fitment in our cars behind a 351. The small bell provides plenty of clearance. As you install the converter and mate to the block, check the clearance. The shallow bell can place the converter too close to the flex plate, potentially causing it to bind. It's a lot easier to check out of the car!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thunderjet302 on July 31, 2012, 10:52:51 PM

Quote from: flylear45;395200

Cool! I don't have a clue when I'll get started on it. The Tr7 is first up for repairs, and I am reworking the alternator mount on it as well as repairing the damage from a sheared aux gear.

Your offer was too good to pass up, though. I am grateful.

The swap isn't bad. I did mine in about 6 days working for 2 hours or so a night after work.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on August 18, 2012, 11:27:40 PM

Updates Mr Jim?

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on August 19, 2012, 06:08:45 AM

Nothing to update. Still running it around as it is and playing with transmission software.

Title: Every once in a Blue Moon........
Post by: flylear45 on August 31, 2012, 08:25:44 PM

You see a Thunderbird

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: cougarman on August 31, 2012, 09:14:31 PM

Very nice.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on September 02, 2012, 12:11:21 PM

Nice pic!

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 02, 2012, 07:17:48 PM

:)

Gotta get those trim pieces painted!

I spent a lot of time lately getting the oil pan off the TR7 and cleaning all the chips out of the engine. It is looking good and the oil pan is back on over a new oil pump and aux shaft gears.
Now I have to re-install all the stuff I had to take off to get that far plus re-do the alternator bracket before the car is roadworthy once more.

Once that is out of the way I can hopefully make some time to get the Tbird done.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 12, 2012, 11:57:37 PM

I've been flying my butt off and doing some golf tournaments when I am not in the air. I got time in on the TR7 in between cutting grass and the like. I have the oil system repaired and am working on the alternator bracketry. I did a first design but I don't like it enough, so I'm remaking part of it. Hopefully I can get it done this week.

That's about all I have.......

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 15, 2012, 12:13:13 AM

Got the TR7 done at last. I forgot how cool this car is until I took it down the road again. I'm gonna turn down the boost to 17 max and just have a nice strong play toy with it. It's track days are over.

Now when I get a chance I'll get those heads on and abuse the Thunderbird instead!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on September 15, 2012, 08:31:25 AM

Good for you Jim...I would suppose the TC would be better at drag performance. I finally get sometime today to work on the XR7.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on September 15, 2012, 08:47:26 AM

Great! Any guess on when it'll be done?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on October 29, 2012, 08:42:59 AM

I have a little time since I had a surgery on my hand and am recovering before returning to work. I felt good enough to tear into the bird and do a bit of maintenance on it.

I wanted to change to a colder plug and see what all my plugs looked like, so I got a set of 24's and gapped 'em to .032. I also got a set of 87 Explorer wires from NAPA to replace the mishmash of used wires I have been running. My oil pressure gauge sender was acting flakey, so I got a new one of those as well.

Put all that in last night and it is running fine. All the spark plugs were uniform and showed no signs of abnormal wear. No sign of coolant burning or detonation. I broke one getting them out or I'd keep them as a spare set. (just got careless and the tool slipped). I had one plug wire that looked suspect, so I will be monitoring my fuel consumption to see if anything changes because of the wire/ plug change.

I have the wastegate set to 8 psi, and the car is tuned pretty well to that on 89 octane. The idle control is very close to being OEM standard that I haven't touched it in a very long time. I do have a collapsed vacuum line that I am going to repair today. I think it runs to the BOV, I can't see it after it goes into the fender well.

The right front wheel brake is pulsing the antiskid when I come to a slow stop. I am going to clean the pickup and check the ring today to see what's up with that.

I had been unhappy with a shudder in the transmission that was related to the OD operation. I read up on it, and found that people were adding Ford rear end friction modifier to the trans to cure the issue. Seemed a bit odd, but I tried a bottle and it really worked! The tranny shifts really nice now, and I have it tuned to hold OD at the right speeds. I sometimes have to lock it out in town if the speed limit is 45. It just wants to hunt a bit right there. With the OD lockout button it is no big deal.

The car PC is pretty well sorted out. I am waiting for a relay to add to the rear camera circuit to isolate it from random 12v signals it sometimes gets from application of brakes and turn signals. I added Foobar 2000 audio software to my PC and it really woke up the audio playback. The stereo sounds so much better than playing it through the Windows Media codecs, it's night and day difference.

I tried Windows 8 for a while to see how it looked on the carpc. It was a big letdown. It didn't support a readable resolution on my hardware, and I had some compatibility issues with things I want to use. I sped it and kept W7 which I love. I still am not using voice control. It's on the to-do list still.

I might do a video today if the hurricane rain gives me a chance. LOL

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 08, 2012, 07:11:48 PM

Cleaned the pickup as best I could without pulling rotor, no joy. I will yank it apart to see if I can get it better now that the wideband is swapped out. I got a replacement LC-1 new from Ebay for 118.00 shipped. Rerouted the wires and mounted it on the firewall behind the center of the intake.

I'm doing a wiring mod on the Prosport fuel pressure gauge I have in the clock spot. It was too bright at night when green, BLINDING when white. I found that if neither color selection wire is connected it turns dim red, much better at night. So I have to rig a relay to momentarily interrupt power to reset the gauge when I turn on headlights, then re-power from a source that doesn't give an input to the selector wires. I have a plan, just need to build a circuit and try it out.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on November 08, 2012, 07:57:49 PM

How's the hand? I'll have more to bother you with soon I'm looking at going megasquirt. I'm doing it a little differently than most but why be normal. I'm looking at the Lc1 wideband can that be set to do both banks or is that not so important. At first I'll be keeping the carb and useing the megasquirt to run timing and fans and whatever I can then add in the fuel when I can. I've been reading a lot on Ms3 and its pretty amazing what it can do. Oh and long way down the road a turbo.
Thanks

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 08, 2012, 09:42:19 PM

Hey buddy!

The hand is healing well. I'm doing stretching every day to free up the tendons and it's better than ever. Just a little swelling, but I plan to hit golf balls tomorrow as a matter of fact!

I have had 2 (well 3 now) Lc-1's. The first one is 4 years old in the TR7 and still works fine. The Tbird one quit after a year and I had to replace it. I might look into the AEM UEGO if I were you. It comes with a display for 179.00. If you get an LC-1 you pay more to get the gauge. The sensors are a little cheaper for the LC-1. I have burned one up on the TR7 in the 4 years. Take a look and see what you think.

No matter which of those you choose, you will need two sensors AND controllers to read 2 banks. That's just how it works unfortunately.

Is it important? Gee, that's a tough one. Ideally you want to monitor EACH cylinder. Gets expensive in a hurry, though. I tend to just go with a single sensor and rely on my experience to tell me if I have a single cylinder acting up. With a carb you might be more susceptible to variances in mixture due to airflow in the intake. I am speculating more than talking from experience here, though. I'd check on Turboforums in the carbinator lounge to see how those things work, lol.

IMHO MS3 is overkill. There are lots of big HP cars running MS1, and it has lots of features if you use the -extra code and solder a couple things together. I build 'em for less than 175.00 with all the extra goodies. If you want the best available, then go MS3. You can't build it yourself due to the surface mount architecture though.

And helping if I can is never a bother Westie!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on November 09, 2012, 04:58:24 PM

Sounds like you are fine tuning your Turbo Coupe....I like the running of the 89 octane....hehehe.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 10, 2012, 05:15:24 AM

]I don't hammer it too much on 89 octane. I have the timing retarding with iat to be safer.

I'd like to dyno it on this combo before changing heads. I'll be running a couple tanks of 93 before it sees the rollers.

Here's what I'm building to make my gauge light better, I found this in a Subie forum:

[ATTACH]30793[/ATTACH

The only difference is it only needs one diode on the red line. The second isn't needed. And my gauge is a fuel pressure gauge, but that doesn't matter for the wiring. This is for Prosport gauges before they came with adjustable brightness on the back plate. Later gauges are better in this regard.

You can't just use a resistor to dim the brightness since it's on an internal led circuit.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 10, 2012, 07:58:06 PM

It works! Used a common Bosch relay and a 1N4001 diode and hooked it up. No more fried retina at night.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on November 11, 2012, 04:38:30 PM

Seems like a good solution to your bright light problem.... My Boost gauge and wideband on the A-pillar are a pleasing blue...seems to work well. Well it did 2 years ago when the car last ran. :)

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 11, 2012, 05:46:22 PM

Argh! Pinched a wire putting the dash cluster back in. Has to come off one more time. I also have a tch spike after changing plug wires. I have to look for where the new wires are running near the reluctor wires or something.

2 steps forward 1 step back. LOL

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 14, 2012, 04:01:22 PM

Took out the cluster and corrected the pinched wire. No biggie there. Moved stuff around and am still getting a slight tach spike at random times. Not sure yet where it is coming from. It doesn't seem to have an effect on how the car runs, no burps in the PW or anything when it happens. Hmm...

Quote from: turbotrav;402382

Seems like a good solution to your bright light problem.... My Boost gauge and wideband on the A-pillar are a pleasing blue...seems to work well. Well it did 2 years ago when the car last ran. :)

Travis

I'm glad yours is working out, Travis. I wanted the green to match my dash lights but it is BRIGHT! I like the red OK for now. When this gauge s out I'll be looking for something different.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 15, 2012, 10:33:56 AM

I had a go at making a custom console top around the shifter. I think with some thinner vinyl and a couple of tweaks it'll work out. I still have to add a few strips of velcro at the rear outriggers, then it'll not pouch up next to the touchpad. It also doesn't have the rubber dust seal around the shifter yet.

Not too bad for a Beta version I think.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on November 15, 2012, 01:11:47 PM

I think your console pad is awesome.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 15, 2012, 08:06:24 PM

Thanks, Bud!

Next version will have the touchpad more forward so the pad can surround it completely. I want to bury the cable to hide it. I also am not liking the outrigger finished look. Even with better vinyl it won't be looking like OEM. It is better than before, though!

I also plan to dye the plastic to a darker shade to better match the covering. It'll be nice in the end.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thunderjet302 on November 15, 2012, 10:27:42 PM

Is there any padding under the vinyl? Maybe leather would be easier to work with in this application. It usually conforms to contours better and is more flexible.

Looks neat though :).

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 16, 2012, 07:41:47 AM

Quote from: thunderjet302;402592

Is there any padding under the vinyl? Maybe leather would be easier to work with in this application. It usually conforms to contours better and is more flexible.

Looks neat though :).

Thanks! There's about 1/2" foam padding on top of a cardboard form. I have a 1/2 hide of gray leather I might try on the next effort. I can just dye it if I don't like it in gray.

I do like how it came out around the shifter. Looks very finished now. Once I re-do the back part to get a flush top on the touchpad it ought to look just how I want it.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 17, 2012, 11:15:31 PM

I was going to play a little golf today.

BUT,,,, i spent 4 hours beside the turnpike with a dead car. It quit on me just as I got to the airport today. I coasted up to the hangar and just left it figuring I'd work on it after I got finished at work.

When I went back out an hour and a half later it fired right up. It was troubling, but what could it be? It had seemed like the fuel or spark just went out. No way to trouble shoot it when it was working, so I left for home.

I got 15 minutes down the road and the car started to buck, like it was just cutting out. I got to a decent spot to pull over when it stopped for good. I checked things over and saw nothing unusual. I have been tracking a little tach spike that hasn't affected fuel delivery from megasquirt. Not sure if it was related. Well, I futzed around for an hour until I finally wore out the battery. It would fire and quit sometimes, almost like when i had my early troubles, so the last thing I did before wearing out the battery was to do a roadside firmware flash on the MS. I couldn't get it started afterwards since the voltage was so low.

I called my brother who ran by my house and brought me a spare EDIS module and the megasquirt from the TR7. First I changed the EDIS and no joy. That had me stumped because I was really betting on that being the problem. So I swapped in the TR7 megasquirt. Still wouldn't fire.

BUT... now I was getting no firing at all! Now it looked like a new issue, so I went over things again. I put my hand on an injector while my brother cycled the key. Nada. It turns out I had cooked the injector power fuse when I was cranking with low voltage. I changed fuses and she fired right up. So, I swapped back to the original MS box and ran it on home purring like a kitten.

Phew!! What an ordeal. I was glad to be able to beat a tow, though. Thanks much to my brother, John. He is always there when I need him.

Also thanks to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Especially the officer who stopped on me 3 times to see how I was doing, and laid out flares for me when it started to get dark. A real gentleman and very helpful. We had a good laugh when I showed him how I was crouching next to the car to relieve myself when he asked if I was going to need anything else on the third pass!

Don't give those guys a hard time, boys. They are people too. Pretty good ones in my experience.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 28, 2012, 03:56:37 AM

Getting close to being head swap time. Depends on my work schedule the next two weeks. I gotta round up an adjustable pushrod and get the new lifters, valve covers and headgaskets. Then I'll be ready to yank my heads off. Again.

Title: headgaskets
Post by: turbotrav on November 28, 2012, 04:20:37 PM

Hey Jim

What r u thinking for head gaskets?

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 28, 2012, 07:46:49 PM

Kinda locked in due to the fact that the heads are o-ringed. Gonna use the Fel-pro o-ring set.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on December 08, 2012, 09:42:38 AM

Rodger that...

How much power you thinking at the same boost that you are currently running....understanding that you will have to retune your car after the head swap.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 09, 2012, 08:50:05 AM

My goal has been 450 or so reliable daily HP with good mileage. (Highway)
I never will dyno or track this combo, so hard to say what it makes unfortunately. I really wanted to, but I don't want to push it hard if it has a cracked head.

My biggest concern is if the wastegate will keep up with the increased flow from the new heads. We'll see how that goes once I get it done. I still plan on low boost, 8-10 psi so I can run 89 octane.

I have bumped the mileage up a bit since getting the wideband back in service and the last couple tanks have been pushing 20 mpg. 21.5 on the last one, but that may have been due to where I fueled it. I try to always use the same pump at the same station to get a consistent amount at the top off.

I gotta say that putting the slip modifier in the tranny and my latest tune on it is really great. The car shifts really smooth and reacts just right when downshifting. It is just what I hoped to achieve. Of course it is set to shift early at 5300 rpm to protect my torque converter until I get a billet one.

I definitely give the Baumann and 4R70W two thumbs up.

Work schedule hasn't panned out to give me time to do the head swap yet. I'm hoping to do it between Christmas and New Year's day at this point.

My to do list on the car is now:

1. Do head swap and fix leaky turbo drain
2. Version 2 console pad with built in cup holder recesses!
3. finish out trunk with amp/ computer mount and plastic panels
4. change out front PRC struts with Monroe struts
5. Put a flow limiter in power steering to reduce sensitivity at speed. (It's a bit too twitchy for my liking as it is now.)
6. Trim out center console inside.... I want to shorten the depth of the original insert to allow for some storage.

Otherwise I am VERY happy with the way it all came together. It is a comfortable and powerful daily driver that does everything I wanted it to.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 13, 2013, 08:03:49 AM

Schedule getting lighter so maybe I will finally get my heads on! lol

Hoping to pull her into the work bay tonight and start the teardown for the next stage.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: STANG8U on March 13, 2013, 10:53:11 AM

Sweet build

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on March 13, 2013, 03:39:13 PM

Hey Jim

I would really tune the car for premium....just run more timing...should do good with your mpg and safety for boost.... Or is the 89 octane...just because. :)

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 13, 2013, 11:41:35 PM

Trav,

I just haven't needed it at my boost level. These 5.0's are famous for lifting heads at higher boost, and I'm not into changing them. The new heads should do even better I would hope. We'll see.

I ended up having to go in to work today, so maybe tomorrow will see some grease under the fingernails again.

Thanks, stang8u!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: bigbada1 on March 14, 2013, 09:49:42 AM

What Head Gaskets are you running I am running Commetic with copper coat.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on March 14, 2013, 02:00:49 PM

I believe they are 9331 Fel-pro. No problems with gaskets. It's leaking somewhere else.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on March 14, 2013, 02:21:45 PM

Gotcha....just trying to help...

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on March 24, 2013, 09:50:41 AM

Hey Jim

Any progress...

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on August 28, 2013, 10:22:10 AM

Travis,

No, not really. I haven't been motivated anymore to work on the old girl. I take it out occasionally, but if the weather is nice I usually drive the TR7.

I bought a 2011 Milan with 12,000 miles, and it has pretty much replaced the T-bird for daily driving.

I am probably going to put the 'bird up for sale. It is a great car, but I still have 2 projects to complete and my garage space is limited.

Maybe someone will want to take it from here and go nuts.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 04, 2013, 03:32:29 PM

Well, I just dropped my TW 170 heads off at machine shop to be verified for straightness before getting into the head swap.

I just enjoy this car too much to part with it right now. I'll be fixing a small oil leak at the turbo drain and rebuilding some of the front end suspension parts while it's down. I also plan to finalize the trunk with trim panels and a modified carpet to go over the battery box. Then finish the shifter surround with version 2.0, and re-mount Megasquirt. I'm considering going to a MS 2 daughtercard to hopefully get idle a bit better. It's not terrible as it is, but sometimes will stall when it's warm going from park to reverse in a parking lot.

I put a restrictor in the power steering high pressure line to reduce the flow, and it tracks more securely at highway speeds, while only adding a small amount to the idle effort.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on November 09, 2013, 05:32:51 PM

As far as warm idle stall from park to reverse....up the timing....I have read abit about that...

Its a really cool car. Upgrade the torque converter, up the boost and go runs some 11's!

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 09, 2013, 10:19:04 PM

Thanks for the tip. I believe I did that to get it where it is...... but I will take another look at it.

I decided to mill the o-ring out of the heads and run a standard gasket. Should end up with a 57cc chamber and 9.5:1 CR.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on November 15, 2013, 06:08:11 PM

Hey jim

Its a really neat car....u built it. That has so much value within itself. Just enjoy that fast car.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 17, 2013, 07:46:21 AM

Bad news from the machine shop. Some of the inner springs are broken, so I'll have be getting some new springs before I get them back. The o-ring grooves were not cut exactly square to the deck, and he ended up taking .014 from one head and .015 from the other to clean them off.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on November 17, 2013, 11:46:46 PM

No biggie...just a slight bump in compression....time to start running premium! :)

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 18, 2013, 07:31:27 AM

These are the springs I've decided on getting. They should work with my retainers and locks, and be more than enough in case I want to go with more cam someday.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-977-16/overview/

We'll see about premium. :) I'm hoping to still run mid-grade for everyday driving and low boost. I can use a 2 stage boost setup to add a few pounds for when I add the good gas and/or water/alchy injection. I have the wiring in place for it and megasquirt is configured for that already.

I'll run to Summit later and get all the junk need to do the swap and drop off the springs to my machinist.

So far the total for parts for the head swap (not including machine shop bill) is $500.00. Plus the heads of course. ;)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on November 18, 2013, 10:56:16 PM

Brother u crack me up over $3 dollars a fill up...but to each there own.....

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 19, 2013, 06:09:11 AM

The point is that if I can tune the car to run well on 89 octane I am not on the ragged edge to where if I get a bad load of fuel I will be pinging and knocking. This isn't a dedicated drag car that needs every HP, rather a fun and (hopefully) economical ball-busting street car.

If the tune is good on 89 at 6 psi, then I can throw in a tank of premium, go on up to 15 psi and run it most likely with a safety margin at the track.

I've been playing with self-tuned turbo cars for a dozen years, and I have seen how weather changes and other variables can effect the tune. Megasquirt is semi-sophisticated with how it can use IAT to help combat detonation, pull timing as boost occurs, etc....... but it isn't perfect. I like to have a fair amount of 'headroom' in the tune. More fueling is NOT the answer in itself, either. Going richer than 11.5:1 is just robbing power to no benefit.

I still won't be happy until I get the mileage over 20 either. I am planning a gear change soon. The 3.73 is way too much for economy, and the car will be faster in a 1/4 with less. I'm watching CL for a used axle to rebuild.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on November 19, 2013, 02:02:56 PM

Are u thinking 3.27?

Everyone and there brother says to run that gear....should help on highway mpgs!

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 19, 2013, 04:27:56 PM

If I have to rebuild a diff, then yes. If I find a good one I may settle for a 3.0X just to smack it in and try it out. depends on what I find and in what condition. I may call Fox Salvage and see what they have and for how much.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 19, 2013, 04:28:51 PM

Machinist called. I need a couple of guides and a set of shims to match my springs. Doh!

I ordered an adjustable voltage regulator from a RC and robotics joint in Akron to use as an Instrument Voltage Regulator. (My little gauges are erratic as hell.) The specs look good, and it was 17.00 shipped. We'll see how it works out. The plan is to adjust it so the fuel gauge reads right and then take note of what 'normal is on the rest of 'em. They should be at least marginally useful then.

I also placed a Rockauto order for a couple of Moog balljoints. Gonna swap those in and replace tie rod ends, install Monroe Sensatracks, new upper mountings and rack bushings while it's apart for heads.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on November 20, 2013, 01:38:23 PM

Go Jim....

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 20, 2013, 07:34:06 PM

I didn't see any real wear on that stuff when I first got the car together, and was kinda itchin' to get it on the road. Now I have a couple clunky-thumpy noises going over bumps and the steering wanders..... so it's time.

The gauges have always bugged me. I can't see spending $40 on a Taiwan copy of the original if I can improve it some functionally for less.

The parts don't get here for a few days, so once I get my trailer finished tomorrow (5x10 deal that someone gave me and I am pressing into service since I traded the Avalanche) I may just finalize the center console around the shifter and glue down the dash top. It's just been jiggling around up there for all this time.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 22, 2013, 08:07:00 PM

Trailer is 'almost' done. I have to re-do the chains... I extended the tongue and now the chains either drag or bind. Gotta move them closer to the hitch.

I did take time to re-read this thread. It's easy to forget just how much went into this project.

I won't be happy until I get it on a dyno, to the track, and get my mileage goals out of it.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: nitroracer on November 23, 2013, 10:39:54 AM

Projects are never really finished, but its nice to finally enjoy all the hard work that went into one. Get those heads installed and enjoy.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 25, 2013, 07:45:11 AM

I have a line on a SN-95 3.08 with calipers and rotors. My plan is to swap in a spare set of TC axles to it and stay 4-lug for now until I use up my (new) tires and brakes a bit. Then I can save for 17"wheels and tires with a set of hardened 5 lug axles and Lincoln front rotors.

It's getting too hard to get good 4-lug axles in TC length at a decent price it seems.

Heads aren't back yet but ball joints came in and I rented the press.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 25, 2013, 07:46:14 AM

Quote from: nitroracer;424761

Projects are never really finished, but its nice to finally enjoy all the hard work that went into one. Get those heads installed and enjoy.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 28, 2013, 06:47:09 PM

Side one almost done. I had some issues that needed extra time, and did some research along the way. The new struts came without shims so I had to work that out, and the strut mounts both had a piece missing that goes on the very bottom... I re-used the top PRC mount for that and got some Autozone dust covers and rebound stops to finish that off. Painted rotor shields with hi-temp black and put some black paint on the lower A-arm to make it pretty again.

Heads are done, I'll get those tomorrow. I have to change the rack yet and do the other side. I do have the strut assembled for that already. Still to do are the new sway bay bushings. I did the outer links on those already.

OH. The reman rack I got had a set of Mustang 2 rack mount bushings with it. ?????? I didn't know what they were for at first, but figured it out through a search on the web. Luckily I had ordered some Moog replacements a while back, so I'm good to go.

The Autozone ball joint press didn't have just the right size sleeve to fit the bottom of the Tbird ball joint to press it back in. I improvised with an old bearing race from something (I'm not sure what, but it fit!) and got through it.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 29, 2013, 08:59:01 AM

AAAAARGH! Rusted bolt on drivers side rack mount. It's soaking in PB Blaster now. BFH didn't even budge it. Other side breezed right out.

Both plates that hold the upper nuts on the sway bar are broken. I got one side off with a 16MM socket after chipping away the remaining plastic retainer. PLASTIC??? REALLY???

Gonna make a searchable on the sway bar tip.

Helpful tip for the day. When you go after sway bar bushings,

1. put car on jackstands

2. Loosen mount bolts on one side

3. Put jack on opposite lower A-arm and jack up a couple inches

This will put slack in the side you are replacing and you can just slide the old one off and the new one on.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on November 29, 2013, 10:33:11 AM

BFH 1..... Rusted bolt 0. BFH wins!!! Fought through the rusty pinch connection and with the old rack off I can hopefully say the worst is behind me on this episode.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 01, 2013, 09:19:22 AM

I knocked in new inner bearings since I had used some Mexico bearings when I assembled it initially. Put in the Timken set5. Ready to put the rack back in, take it for a quick ride before I start tearing it down for the heads.

A couple pics from the camera.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 01, 2013, 09:22:19 AM

The free trailer. I have a tad over $150.00 in it now.

I moved the chains more forward closer to the hitch because I extended the front a couple of feet.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 02, 2013, 03:01:43 PM

Buttoned up the rack, eyeballed the toe (one tie rod was stuck and my measurement was way off when I put that side on) and took it down the road.

No more twitchy steering! There is more effort required to turn the wheel with the car running now. I may take out the restrictor fitting I installed in the high pressure line. Or not, we'll see.

The front definitely feels more solid. I was able to get a little movement on the bolts when tightening the rearmost subframe attachments. I think that helped, too.

Now that the front is so tight I'm noticing noises from the rear of the car I never did before! When I change gears I'll definitely replace all the bushings back there, too.

Well, now for an alignment and tear into the engine top-end!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thunderjet302 on December 02, 2013, 04:21:28 PM

Nice job. I replaced the rack in my Thunderbird and noticed a big difference.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 02, 2013, 06:34:57 PM

Quote from: thunderjet302;425129

Nice job. I replaced the rack in my Thunderbird and noticed a big difference.

Thanks.

Was yours leaking or showing signs of being bad?

Mine really looked fine to me, just a tiny bit of play at the pinion shaft. Ball joints and tie rod ends appeared tight, too. I guess when you add up insignificant play a few times over it becomes noticeable.

OH, I had said I had Sensa-trac struts to install, but they are actually Gabriels. Ride was very nice on them. I'm happy.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thunderjet302 on December 02, 2013, 08:12:33 PM

Quote from: flylear45;425142

Thanks.

Was yours leaking or showing signs of being bad?

Mine really looked fine to me, just a tiny bit of play at the pinion shaft. Ball joints and tie rod ends appeared tight, too. I guess when you add up insignificant play a few times over it becomes noticeable.

OH, I had said I had Sensa-trac struts to install, but they are actually Gabriels. Ride was very nice on them. I'm happy.

Mine looked fine with a slight bit of play in the shaft. The outer tie rods needed to be replaced so I figured I might as well do the whole thing. I replaced the rack, tie rods, and control arms (swapped stock arms for the loaded 03-04 Cobra lower control arms FRPP used to sell), and strut mounts at the same time. I had replaced the shocks/struts about a year before with Monroe Sensa-Tracs. After I replaced everything in the front end I found out how sloppy it was. It was literally a night and day difference. Like you said the little bit of play here and there adds up over all the components.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Haystack on December 02, 2013, 08:42:48 PM

I'm planning a front end rebuild on my tbird this winter as well. has 242k miles, so I'm hoping for some improvement.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 02, 2013, 09:40:16 PM

I used prothane rack mounts, and they really tighten up the steering feel. I don't recommend poly for everything, but for sway bar end links and rack mounts I really think they add a lot without sacrificing ride comfort.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 02, 2013, 09:45:13 PM

Quote from: Haystack;425158

I'm planning a front end rebuild on my tbird this winter as well. has 242k miles, so I'm hoping for some improvement.

You will be shocked I'm sure.

Save money and use rock auto for the parts. The ball joints from them were 1/2 price of local for example. I was able to do the whole front end except for a arm bushes for a lot less by using them.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 03, 2013, 01:50:42 PM

Shifter surround version 2.1

Made a firm platform under the touchpad, and used brush (from ice sers LOL) on the gap at the shifter itself.

It came out acceptable this time around.

Still needs cleaning and detailing the black on the lower shifter!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 03, 2013, 05:08:45 PM

Just got it aligned.

The guys at this shop are all gearheads and loved the TC. I now have a new trusted establishment to take my stuff to for the things I can't or won't do myself.

Paradise Car Care in Ravenna.

The car drives SOoooo nice now. I am definitely keeping the restrictor in the PS high pressure side. I love the extra effort at speed, and it is not an issue at idle. This thing is making me forget the Milan right now! The keys are jumping up off the desk into my hand.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 05, 2013, 06:32:25 AM

Quote from: turbotrav;424534

No biggie...just a slight bump in compression....time to start running premium! :)

Travis

As I think about it more I am pretty certain she will only see 93 octane once I get the new heads on. Travis is right.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 15, 2013, 10:26:56 AM

I've been driving the bird again lately. I got the jumpy tach issue sorted out. It ended up one of my plug wires was too close to the coil pack power wire and was cross talking. Of course I figured this out after I bought a couple of new OE wire sets from Rockauto. Well, I have some proper spares for the future I guess.

The new IVR came in. I'll detail how I do that when I finish the heads.

I'm starting the teardown now. The plan is to modify the valve covers for 5/8" breather lines from each side over to a catch can. The air then will route back into the front of the air cleaner. I did a setup like this on the TR7 2.3 engine and it works well there.

I'll be mounting a new radiator bottle (Thanks 1Bad88tbird!) from a 3.8 car, and prettying up a couple of small things.

I am going to look at the turbo drain to try to stop the oil leak that started after the last change I made to it.

Finally I will shorten the downpipe an inch or so to tuck the exhaust tighter under the car, and add one more v-band to the bottom of it to make getting it in and out a little easier, and to combat a continuing exhaust leak there.

Heads and head gaskets

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 15, 2013, 10:32:39 AM

More parts...... longer pushrods. These SHOULD work, but I'll be checking before I bolt it together for good.

New lifters, I had one ticking occasionally, so I'll replace them all.

Intake gasket set for Explorer, should mate up to heads just fine.

New locating dowels.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 15, 2013, 10:54:28 AM

Finally the rockers, poly locks, lash caps and intake spacer.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: STANG8U on December 15, 2013, 02:45:50 PM

Nice !

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 15, 2013, 04:56:04 PM

Quote from: STANG8U;425692

Nice !

:)

Got it down to exhaust and front dress left to go.

I'm sure glad I took the time to wire in quick-disconnects! This is easier than having to mess with 16 brittle clips on the injectors.

Breaktime.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 15, 2013, 05:22:34 PM

In looking things over I feel there is an excessive amount of oil in the intake. It is practically dripping wet.

I want to address that with a revision on the PCV side of things. It appears the mesh in the intake beneath the PCV valve isn't enough to filter the oil mist into droplets that fall back. It's just passing through and condensing in the upper intake.

I think I'll add a small condensation can in between the intake and the pcv to get more of the oil out before it gets sucked in. That's my first thought, anyway.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: STANG8U on December 15, 2013, 05:48:35 PM

Yea it's a common problem more so with bigger intakes I ran a oil separator for a while now I just vent to the atmosphere

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Haystack on December 15, 2013, 10:37:16 PM

what's the touch pad for? I think I must have missed an important peice to this thread...

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 16, 2013, 12:45:17 PM

Quote from: Haystack;425715

what's the touch pad for? I think I must have missed an important peice to this thread...

Hehe.........It's a supplemental controller for the carpc install. 7" touchscreen with entertainment as well as control for Megasquirt, wideband, and Baumann trans computer interface.

I use it a lot.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 16, 2013, 12:52:26 PM

Well, I have my proposed evac system diagrammed. It SHOULD work in two ways:

First, under normal cruising and idling, the PCV system will route as normal EXCEPT through an additional supplemental oil separator to cut down on what the upper intake sees now.

Second, when vacuum is low in the intake (or when in boost), the exhaust venturi scavenge system will take over and route the blow-by fumes to a second separator and out through the exhaust pipe. Ideally I should always maintain a vacuum on the crankcase at all times, regulated by the pcv system or a 10"hg limiter valve on the exhaust side.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thunderjet302 on December 16, 2013, 08:29:13 PM

That Fel-Pro MS 95952 intake gasket set should work fine with your heads. It lined up great with the intake ports on my Edelbrock heads. The ports are the same size as the Fel-Pro 1250 gasket but they are not made of paper like the 1250. The 1250s have a tendency to leak as the paper degrades from engine coolant. No cool.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Haystack on December 16, 2013, 11:05:04 PM

Quote from: flylear45;425734

Hehe.........It's a supplemental controller for the carpc install. 7" touchscreen with entertainment as well as control for Megasquirt, wideband, and Baumann trans computer interface.

I use it a lot.

I planned a car pc back in 2005. I had a couple of vga 8" screens way back in the day
.

I even starting molding a keyboard and touch pad onto the steering wheel.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 18, 2013, 09:55:13 AM

Quote from: thunderjet302;425750

That Fel-Pro MS 95952 intake gasket set should work fine with your heads. It lined up great with the intake ports on my Edelbrock heads. The ports are the same size as the Fel-Pro 1250 gasket but they are not made of paper like the 1250. The 1250s have a tendency to leak as the paper degrades from engine coolant. No cool.

Thanks for the info. I opened the box and laid the gaskets up to the heads. It looked just right to me, too. The last set looked good after being run for a couple years on the iron heads. Like you say the composite gasket seems to be a good choice.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 18, 2013, 10:03:08 AM

Quote from: Haystack;425759

I planned a car pc back in 2005. I had a couple of vga 8" screens way back in the day
.

I even starting molding a keyboard and touch pad onto the steering wheel.

I looked at several ways of controlling input, and the touchpad seems to work best for me. I still have a full sized wired keyboard in the car for tuning MS or web searches, I will be replacing that with a smaller wireless one someday.

Now that the windows tablets are cheaper I would probably just go with one of those in a future build.

The only disappointments in it so far is that my phone can't be used through the pc, and my backup camera is a bit flakey. I bought the cheapest one of those, so that may be the issue there. The phone I bought a hands-free solution for after spending months trying to come up with something that would work.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 19, 2013, 11:07:36 PM

When I unbolted the headers I was disappointed (pissed off actually) to see that the drivers side header was loose on the front port. It had been leaking and I could hear that I had a leak.

I had used some expensive Percy's locking header bolts on it. They have now been kicked to the curb. I don't trust 'em in aluminum heads when they aren't holding in steel.

I see I have a little 'rock' in the header , meaning that it is slightly bowed. So, I'm gonna cut the web in between the front and rear ports on both headers before I offer them up again. This time I will be using a set of Nord-lock washers under a set of 12 point 3/8 head ARP bolts. Maybe just a dab of blue loctite for good measure.

I also have trouble keeping my valve covers torqued down. They always want to loosen up on me. I'm still figuring what I am going to do about that. Maybe go to studs with a dab of blue on those too.

Leaky cars suck. Oil fires are dangerous.

Nord-lock video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgwmuZuJ02I

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 20, 2013, 02:21:13 PM

OK, ordered all the final parts to re-assemble this thing.

1" Proform #66753 wedge locking header bolts. I had to get 2 sets of 12 since the 16 pack only comes in 3/4"L. That kinda sucked. I want the extra length going into aluminum with the thick s on these headers.

I considered SS studs, but at $145.00 a set was put off by the price, and I wanted a wedge lock washer which the ARP doesn't have.

I got Trick Flow valve cover studs with 12 point black oxide nuts and ordered a package of 20 Nord lock washers to hold those.

I have an air injection check valve from the Explorer engine to use for the venturi evacuation system, so I ordered a pair of Edelbrock breathers and a Vibrant Performance scavange pipe that comes with a weld on bung and threaded pipe. Rounding up that system is a (hopefully) suitable vacuum limit valve from Zoro Tools (I got the Nord lock washers from them, too)

Finally, since the car is into stage 2 of power production with these heads I decided to upgrade injectors. I intend to shoot for under 500 HP, so I found a good deal on modified Bosch injectors. They are EV6 style with an EV1 connector and flow 48 lbs.@ 43.5 psi. http://fuelinjectorconnection.com/shop/viewitem.php?productid=409

So, I figure at a 39 psi base pressure they should flow about 46 lbs/hr, which gets me to 500 HP at just over 85% duty cycle. The nice thing about the EV6 injector is the flow pattern is better and the pintle mass is less so they work faster than a similarly sized EV1 high-z injector. My 255 lph tank pump and lines should be sufficient at this HP.

I can sell off my recently cleaned and flow-matched brown tops to someone looking to stay under 400 HP turbo/supercharged or 500 HP N/A.

If anyone here is interested let me know. Just remember these are LOW IMPEDANCE injectors and need a resistor pack or suitable ECU to run them. They are the stock injectors for a Thunderbird 2.3 turbo. I'll list them in the classifieds when I get the new ones in hand.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thunderjet302 on December 20, 2013, 04:12:48 PM

Try these valve cover gaskets http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=1818

I've used them with the stock valve cover bolts on both GT40P heads and the Edelbrock heads my Thunderbird has now. They are steel core and they don't compress. The bolts stay tight and the gaskets have yet to leak on me.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 20, 2013, 04:32:14 PM

Thanks for the tip. I went through this on my 2.3's until I found "THE" gasket that worked.

I just looked at mine and they are compressed. They are rubber, Fel-pro I believe.

36.00 through Summit. Dang, the 351 guys have to pay 89.00 for a pair!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thunderjet302 on December 21, 2013, 12:28:21 PM

That's odd. The 302/351W share the same valve cover gasket as they have the same heads. Perhaps the 351C covers cost more.

Back to the FRPP gaskets. I didn't realize they were $36. I think I paid less than $30 for them several years ago. They are worth it though.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 22, 2013, 12:32:11 AM

Right-o. That has to be for the 351C.

If it works it's worth it. Thanks again for the tip.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 22, 2013, 12:53:58 AM

Got the heads pulled, now tomorrow I'll clean everything up and check the block for flatness before I offer up the aluminum heads for the PTV and rocker geometry checks. It looks like the header wrap is killing my hotside. It's just allowing rust to form in a definite pattern underneath it. The unwrapped crossover looks 10 times better than the pieces with wrap.

Soooooo, I am going to try the DIY Techline header spray on coating after I blast the parts and clean them. It looks like the silver is the best at corrosion resistance, and the black is best for a heat barrier. I'm going with silver and will see how it works out. I know the wrap is not going back on anything down low or that gets real hot. Those parts were affected the most. I might use some on the upper downpipe and on the wastegate tube. Those showed no signs of excessive rusting.

I'd like to think that this time I'll have most all the bugs worked out of the combo for the long term. I want to get the A/C functional this winter after all this is done so it'll be ready for next summer. That'll mean making custom lines, some fittings, and just hooking up wiring I already have in place.

I still need to do gears, axles, a good driveshaft and a good converter before it can be unleashed at the track.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on December 22, 2013, 10:05:51 AM

Hey Jim

Im only wrapping the downpipe for that reason...just holds too much heat...causing warping...and metal fatigue.

Going to be hot under the hood. But cant be helped.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 22, 2013, 10:17:44 AM

Quote from: turbotrav;426057

Hey Jim

Im only wrapping the downpipe for that reason...just holds too much heat...causing warping...and metal fatigue.

Going to be hot under the hood. But cant be helped.

Travis

Yeah, I liked how cool the bay was with all the I have stuffed in it, but I need to have the hot side last longer. I started with pretty heavy wall tubing, so there's a lot of life left in this yet.

I will let you know how the Techline works out. They have recently re-formulated and the preliminary reviews are pretty good. We'll see!

OH, I did read a motorcycle thread where a guy found the air over his pipes was hotter when they were coated and wrapped than when just coated or just wrapped. He ended up just going with coating.

That goes against 'common sense' but I admit to not knowing all I need to know on this subject yet.

I do know from experience now about header wrap and it's benefits and drawbacks!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 22, 2013, 10:39:33 AM

Here are some pics to show what I'm seeing. BTW, the insides of all the pipes are still perfect. No corrosion or erosion of any kind is evident to my eye.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 22, 2013, 10:43:34 AM

Here's the worst of it and notice the pile of rust on the floor that once was part of my hotside! It was all rusted in uniform flakey sheets that just knocked right off.

I would have thought the crossover would look the worst by now since it is down in the elements and unprotected except for some BBQ paint. It held up surprisingly well, though. Just a bit of surface rust. Very inconsequential.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on December 22, 2013, 03:06:23 PM

Hey Jim

I have heard people have the headers jethot coated...that seems to be the best if not the most $$ solution...Your piping seems to be doing pretty good.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 22, 2013, 09:40:34 PM

OK.

Working on valve geometry.

Three different installs with clay for checking PTV. (The clearance is fine even with my milled heads.)

First is with a 6.7" pushrod. VERY thin sweep pattern (.040") but out pretty far toward the exhaust side of the head on the intake valve.

Next is with a stock (WAY too short pushrod (just to see what would happen.)

Wide pattern rolling near center. (sorry the pic wasn't good on this one, but you can see it.)

Last is the 6.7 again, but with lash caps on the valve tips. Pattern is still pretty narrow, (.053") moved slightly in away from exhaust side from setup without lash cap.

It looks to me like I'd want to either use the 6.7" with lash caps or try 6.65 without them.

It seems like as I shorten the pushrod (or lengthen the valve) I am getting a wider pattern, so with the witness mark well onto the valve tip and a narrow sweep, this is probably as good as I get and stay close to optimal geometry. The 6.7 looks to be the correct length if I had an adjustable rocker arm, or could move the pivot point.

I don't intend to be revving this engine, so the extra mass of the lash cap on the valve assembly shouldn't be an issue if I go that route.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 24, 2013, 07:50:05 AM

I wasn't satisfied I had exhausted all my options, so I went to Summit and got a Chevy 1.6 rocker arm to test, and a set of 6.6" pushrods. The shorter pushrod gives me a pattern without caps much like I have with caps and with longer pushrods.

The Chevy rocker arm placed the witness mark in the center of the valve tip, but was over .090 wide.

The 6.6 is a compromise to staying centered, the 6.7 is most correct for my head geometry, but runs awfully close to the edge of the intake valve. I hate to pay twice for pushrods, but I may end up with 2 different size pushrods if I want to get it as close as possible.

I'll keep playing with it, and set up on a couple more holes to cross check before I pull the trigger on the final combination.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on December 25, 2013, 03:20:13 PM

Hey Jim

What heads?

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 26, 2013, 06:49:10 AM

Tfs tw170.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on December 26, 2013, 08:29:55 AM

Nice...those heads should give you a nice 20-30hp bump and the same level of boost, timing, and fuel..

Sweet, those came from Ann Arbor?

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 28, 2013, 12:55:01 AM

Yep, got from a poster here who has a nifty build of his own. :)

I got dibs on some hand -me-down axles, too! (As soon as I see what Mrs. Claus spent on Christmas.)

I went back to Summit and returned the 1.6 Chevy rockers. I had tried both a Comp Cams Ultra Pro Magnum and the Scorpion performance series for the 23 degree head. Neither gave acceptable results, and the Scorpions were huge!

I picked up some 1.65 sticks 2 sets of rockers to try. A set of Comp Cams 1.6 Magnum Ford rockers and a set of Scorpion Endurance 1.6 Ford rockers in 7/16 and 7/16 Arp studs for them, 1.90 length.

I decided I was a little close to the intake valve on PTV and wanted to step down to 1.6 to avoid any trouble in case one or two of the other cylinders aren't as free as the one I checked.

I stepped up to 7/16 studs since I'm running a bit higher seat pressure and my geometry isn't perfect, so I wanted more stud to avoid rocker flexing. I can't get a 1" spacer under my hood, so I can't run stud girdles for clearance issues. Additionally the 3/8 studs in the heads (1.75 length) ended up not leaving much thread to secure the Polylocks at the height I have to run my rockers, so I needed new ones anyway.

I set up on a cylinder and ran both rockers with 6.6, 6.65, and 6.7 pushrods. I also ran both sets with lash caps at all three lengths.

Comp Cams .110 mark

Scorpion .090

A couple of the 6.6" checks. This pushrod is too short. The patterns are all too wide at a minimum of .90.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 28, 2013, 12:57:59 AM

Next came the 6.65. Much better results.

Scorpion with caps

Comp Cams with caps

Comp cams no caps

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 28, 2013, 01:00:50 AM

Finally 1.7 rods with and without caps.

Comp Cams

Scorpion

Comp Cams

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 28, 2013, 01:03:09 AM

And the last.

Scorpion no caps.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 28, 2013, 02:16:37 AM

I was hoping the Comp Cams Ultra Magnum rockers would work the best because I like them. They are built really solid and have nice beefy trunnions. But the Scorpions give me the most centered pattern with the smallest swipe, so they win.

It looks like the best result is to run a 6.65 using caps with the Scorpions. It yields a swipe of about .60 and is closest to the middle.

Decision made. Just have to return $800.00 of parts and install what I am keeping. lol

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 28, 2013, 09:32:25 AM

I just read a good article in/on Hotrod magazine about PTV clearance and rocker ratios. Apparently since PTV problems occur so early in the lobe ramp (for me it's intake and after the piston has gone past TDC with the valve starting to close) it actually makes little difference changing rocker ratios. It won't be worse, though.

http://www.hotrod.com/techfaq/hrdp_1303_checking_piston_to_valve_clearance/photo_02.html

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 29, 2013, 12:28:19 AM

Heads are bolted on and torqued down. I had those things on and off at least 5 times on the passenger and twice on the drivers side. This would sure be easier on an engine stand!

I took a couple pics of the clay job on the PTV clearance check. I did it twice on each head, the second time with no headgasket to double check. Milling .014-.015 is getting into the be careful range on TFS 170 heads.

I am good to go, though.

If I ever built an engine up from scratch I'd be sure to install head specific pistons right from the start. These are good if you have a stock bottom end and run a cam with not a lot of duration.

The problem area is (almost) always above the right eyebrow just before the squish area. I measured it at .080 with no gasket and .115 with the gasket which is in the ballpark and consistent enough to trust. Gasket should be ~.040 compressed so I am getting at least .110 on the intake with .080 listed as the minimum. The exhaust was hardly making an impression. I didn't bother to measure it.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 30, 2013, 03:25:03 PM

Heads ore on, lower intake is on, rockers are on and valve lash is set.

Moving on to the turbo oil drain v 3.0 since the first one was getting hot and the second one leaked oil. I cut a clearance slot in the accessory bracket to get the line farther from the heat but allow a single line like in v 1.0.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 30, 2013, 03:30:39 PM

Other changes are to plug the holes in the upper intake that were attached to the PCV valve since I plan to run the exhaust vacuum setup. This will give more clearance for the valve covers to the upper with the TFS heads.

I also split the web between the port on the exhaust header that was having issues sealing and the rest of the manifold. I'm hoping this will allow enough float to get a tight seal and not work loose in the future.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 30, 2013, 10:21:29 PM

Aw . The stock valve covers are going to take some serious grinding to fit over the rockers. I'm not going to deal with it. I did remove the baffle and do some grinding, but the drivers side ishiznitting, too.

I'm just going to get the Trick Flow covers and know they will fit. I have to put breathers in either way, and that's enough screwing around on valve covers for me. I want to get this thing done.

Tomorrow I'll get the covers and a new fill cap, then weld in the bung to the downpipe for the exhaust vacuum fitting. Then I just have to shorten the downpipe for better fit, sandblast and paint the hotside, install the new larger injectors, mount the radiator overflow bottle and make the breather setup to finish this off and be able to put it back together and fire it up.

I'm still waiting for the catch can I ordered and for the injectors to arrive.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: STANG8U on December 30, 2013, 11:35:41 PM

Yea some have clearance issues some do not

What size injectors do you have they look like there painted

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 31, 2013, 08:21:46 AM

Quote from: STANG8U;426509

Yea some have clearance issues some do not

What size injectors do you have they look like there painted

I even paid a little more for the narrower Scorpions, but they still don't clear. The Comp's might have.

Those are TC 4 cyl injectors I had flowed and matched. 36# @ 39 psi, so 39 ish @42 psi. They are good to 400 HP, but not beyond at 85% duty in a boosted application by the charts. Now that the combo is getting well sorted I'm looking to get the parts in that I can take to the track.

When I got the injectors back from the refurbish they were clean down to bare metal, so I shot 'em with some stuff I had laying around for rust protection. That's why they are Ricer Red.

Well, off to Summit to take back pushrods I didn't use, the Ford nice VC gaskets (they don't seal on TFS VC's), and the Comp Cams rockers to exchange for TFS covers and gaskets.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 31, 2013, 01:58:15 PM

Got to Summit and they SOLD OUT of ALL the TFS valve covers. Backordered a month.

I had them pull the Proform Ford Racing and Summit $60.00 tall aluminum covers for me to look at. They looked and measured very similar in all ways. I took a chance and got the Proforms because the finish was a lot better.

When I installed the stock VC's they cleared by a mile on the intake, so I hoped by using a 3/8" spacer on the upper I could use the tall covers.

First check wasn't too good. The bosses for the vacuum lines at the back of the upper were holding the upper off by at least 1/4". I figured what the heck, and ground the bosses completely off, and cleaned up the entire area along the bottom of any casting bumps as well.

I stuck the VC on and what do you know!! I got 1/8" of daylight with VC gaskets on but not snugged down! The only other issue would be hood clearance. I could see through the hood scoops that I was all clear over top, but not the IAC. I put a ribbon of clay over it and the hood cleared it also. So, I am going with these.

Remember I have rotated the upper intake, so all bets are off on fitting these on a 'normal' car.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 31, 2013, 02:03:13 PM

More progress pics.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: STANG8U on December 31, 2013, 02:44:29 PM

Wow you got lucky on those covers lol

When you say you went to summit are you one of those lucky people that live close and get to walk in lol

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on December 31, 2013, 03:40:18 PM

Yeah, I am about 1/2 hr. away. Thanks goodness they are good about returns! I just took back another $450.00 of stuff and bought another $190.00.

This ain't a cheap project. I just hope the wastegate can handle the increased flow now. I have my doubts.

What do you guys think the red in the valve covers would look like if it was blue or white instead??

Better, or just leave it alone?

I'm leaning towards white.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 01, 2014, 03:17:40 PM

Finalizing the new crankcase evacuation scheme.

Vacuum limiter on drivers side cover.

5/8" breather inlet/outlet with standoffs for clearance. These will be routed to a catch can which will be ported out the top to the vacuum venturi in exhaust downpipe after the O2 sensor.

Waiting for catch can and injectors. The injectors have shipped, so next week I can have it back together. I can just stick a temporary breather in the drivers side until I get the can just to get it running.

I will stick a tee in the line before the limit valve to monitor vacuum at the start. I can tape a gauge to the windshield and log some data on how well it works. I'm hoping it pulls vacuum at idle so I can forget about the PCV and leave it like this. I just have a fitting in the PCV hole that runs to the back breather.

I think this will work fine. I have $40.00 into the Summit evac kit, $7.00 in the caps for oil fill on the passenger side and the chrome steel one I put a hole in on the drivers side, $12.00 for the valve, $40.00 in the catch can, and another $15.00 in random brass fittings from the hardware store.

If it cures my oil smell, keeps the oil clean and keeps the engine bay from getting messy it's worth every penny.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 01, 2014, 03:21:10 PM

How the upper turned out. I made some plugs to fit flush, stuck 'em in with a bunch of red loctite, then JB Welded the tops to make sure they won't go anywhere.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 01, 2014, 03:38:18 PM

Oil fill is the front black cap. It says 'oil'.:hick:

Here's the venturi tube from the Summit kit.

I'll put a notch in it to keep it from whistling.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on January 01, 2014, 03:41:57 PM

I like the red but Im a big fan of red
Happy new year

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: STANG8U on January 01, 2014, 05:29:38 PM

Intake came out nice

And I just saw someone do the same thing on the corral

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 01, 2014, 07:32:30 PM

Quote from: thewestie;426600

I like the red but Im a big fan of red
Happy new year

Happy New Year to you too, bud.

I'm thinking I'll stay with the red for now and maybe paint the upper intake plate letters red.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 01, 2014, 07:33:51 PM

Quote from: STANG8U;426603

Intake came out nice

And I just saw someone do the same thing on the corral

The breather thing too, or the tall covers?

I'll have to go take a look.

Thanks!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: STANG8U on January 01, 2014, 08:43:38 PM

There breather set up where the exhaust pulls it

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: MechanicMatt on January 01, 2014, 10:47:18 PM

A lot of dirt cars near me do that trick, using the exhaust to create vacuum in the crankcase. See it all the time. One way valve plumbed into the collector, each header has one, going up to each valve cover. Heard you get 8hp on a built 358SBC

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 02, 2014, 05:06:49 PM

Quote from: MechanicMatt;426619

A lot of dirt cars near me do that trick, using the exhaust to create vacuum in the crankcase. See it all the time. One way valve plumbed into the collector, each header has one, going up to each valve cover. Heard you get 8hp on a built 358SBC

Yeah, I guess pulling a vacuum helps keep the rings sealed for more HP. That's secondary for me on this build. I'm trying to get rid of blow-by pressure under boost and eliminate the PCV without sacrificing oil life at all. It's pretty amazing the Ford engineers did so well on the 2.3 turbo. One crankcase mounted oil separator tied to a PCV into the intake and a top of valve cover oil separator to the turbo inlet. Works real well even with twice the boost of a stock configuration.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on January 02, 2014, 07:22:13 PM

Geez...Jim quite abit done is a short period of time...It must be cool to live that close to summit....nice.

Good luck,

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 03, 2014, 07:48:29 AM

Quote from: turbotrav;426663

Geez...Jim quite abit done is a short period of time...It must be cool to live that close to summit....nice.

Good luck,

Travis

I work reasonably fast once I get started. I am slow to start though. I tend to think too much, or just drag my feet when it comes to tearing the car apart when it's running. I've been sitting on these heads for a year.

It is nice being close to Summit. If I am not in a real hurry I can order online and parts usually show up the next morning via Fedex. They are putting a Harbor Freight store in Streetsboro now. That will be nice for junk tools and some misc. supplies I use.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: STANG8U on January 03, 2014, 02:08:41 PM

Gotta love Harbor freight lol

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 04, 2014, 07:29:41 PM

Injectors came today, catch tank showed up yesterday. Now I have all the last bits I need to get 'er done. I still have a lot of time to put into the headers/ hot side before it's ready to bolt on, though.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on January 05, 2014, 08:56:37 AM

The two things I ever bought from HF....have already broken....cheap tools is being a bit kind.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 05, 2014, 09:16:06 PM

I spent all day sanding and prepping the headers and hot side. Sprayed 'em with VHT Ceramic and installed them. Got the injectors in, hoses connected at the rear, all the wiring re-connected and the upper intake on. Bolted on the turbo and drain. Welded in the vacuum venturi to the downpipe. Swapped around the breather from the back of the right to the front of the left. That way oil doesn't slosh up into the breather under acceleration.

Done for today.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 05, 2014, 09:19:48 PM

More.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 05, 2014, 09:21:34 PM

The last.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 05, 2014, 09:58:06 PM

I decided to do a test and paint the crossover in stove black again to see if there is a difference in weatherability. (that's probably not a real word.)

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on January 06, 2014, 05:10:43 PM

Jim....looks good.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 06, 2014, 09:20:36 PM

Quote from: turbotrav;426884

Jim....looks good.

Travis

Thanks my friend!

It remains to be seen what kind of vacuum I can draw with the venturi. I decided to go with a Ford backfire valve instead of the Chinese junk that came with the Summit kit. I'll run a 3/4 inch silicone line from the venturi to the valve, then 5/8" from there to the catch can. I just have so little available space to mount anything. I will find a suitable spot for the can though.

I picked up my oil today and a bottle of Lucas break in supplement today. It has ZDDP to put a coating of zinc on the new parts during the first few thousand miles. Not a huge deal on roller cam engines but a MUST on slider or flat tappet stuff. I figure for 15 bucks I will use some on this build.

I'm ready to install plugs, so I want to get the new oil in and spin the engine on the starter to build oil pressure for a while before i finish the assembly. I'm hoping to reprogram Megasquirt and fire it this weekend.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 06, 2014, 09:37:47 PM

I really wanted to sandblast the hotside, but the weather is SO bad lately that I just hit them with a 3M disk until they were shiny (but pitted) and then sprayed them with a rust stopper that turns the rust to a black substance that is no longer an oxide. I then heated every inch with a torch until all the solvents and moisture were gone, then wiped it down with lacquer thinner and applied the paint/coating while they were still warm.

I really have high hopes for the VHT. I think they did their homework on this and it is a true thermal barrier. It has actual stone in the makeup, which is what it takes to become impervious to heat. I plan to do the suggested method of curing. 10 min idle, 20 min cool. 20 min idle 20 min cool. 30 min idle 20 min cool. This stuff has to cure out the solvents in the correct way or it never attains the hardness or attachment. It really is space-age technology. (Think re-entry tiles on the sadly defunct space shuttle.) If it fails I have to suspect my prep.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thunderjet302 on January 06, 2014, 09:40:29 PM

Can you bake the VHT coating in an oven?

You may not want to do it in the oven you cook food in though ;).

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on January 06, 2014, 10:55:29 PM

I baked some manifolds in the kitchen I thought how bad could it be?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 07, 2014, 07:28:51 AM

Quote from: thunderjet302;426910

Can you bake the VHT coating in an oven?

You may not want to do it in the oven you cook food in though ;).

Yes, and that would probably be best since you can control the heat better.

I understand this stuff really stinks as it is baking. A BBQ grill might be a better option?? If I come across a couple 55 gallon drums for cheap/ free I might cut them and weld them together to make a cheap oven. Put a few propane grill burners in the bottom and a thermometer in the top, and be able to cook powdercoat and headers. It could live outside and not take up garage space.

Quote from: thewestie;426921

I baked some manifolds in the kitchen I thought how bad could it be?

You have a loving and understanding spouse!

If my passengers pipes would fit I would have baked mine in the industrial oven I have here. It won't quite fit, though. When these pipes come off someday I will get the next ones ceramic coated by a shop that has an oven.

One $8 dollar can covered my whole job. I bought 3 and have 2 cans left over. It looks like putting it on too thick causes bubbling, so I was trying to carefully follow what they said on the label. 2 thin coats followed by one medium wet. It covers really well.

I'm not usually impressed with stuff that comes in a rattle can. This seems pretty cool, though. I did scratch some off while I was installing the header. I hit those spots with a little bit more and it blended in fine.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 07, 2014, 07:37:16 AM

The other DIY stuff I'd like to try is the Techline coating. Their new formula looks very promising.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thunderjet302 on January 07, 2014, 04:54:17 PM

I likea couple of 55 gallon drums better than a BBQ grill. I think you would get a more even heat and you could fit larger objects in the drums. Plus you won't be using it to cook burgers later in the day ;).

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: STANG8U on January 07, 2014, 05:13:55 PM

I plan on finding a old electric oven just for the garage

It's amazing how often you would use it

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 07, 2014, 05:50:36 PM

It's all back together. Whew!

I spent time tidying things and fine tuning some things under the hood or I'd have finished a lot sooner. Things are tighter now with the big valve covers and the spacer. I primed the engine with oil with a drill before I got all the front dress on so it's ready to fire.

I broke a cable on MS the other day, so I have to sort that out yet before I can actually crank it up. Maybe tonight if things go smooth.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 09, 2014, 07:51:16 AM

It turns out it was more than a broken cable. MS isn't talking to the PC, so I can't reprogram it for the new injectors until I get it repaired. Hopefully I can get it out and on the bench to see what's up with it and back in tomorrow.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on January 10, 2014, 04:20:52 PM

Always something ah Jim...

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 10, 2014, 08:03:57 PM

Yeah, it seems like it.

:roxor:

It's a runner now, though!

The MS was getting some corrosion inside from laying on the floor of the car. That's what was causing my problems. I cleaned all the solder joints, reflashed the firmware, re-loaded the .msq file, made my injector changes and she fired right up.

I had to change my idle screw setting to add air, then played with base fuel until I got a stable idle, then took it out and let autotune do it's thing for a little bit. It's going to take a couple weeks of off and on driving to get things dialed in, but so far, so good.

I have to change the venturi location, it is blowing, not sucking. I half expected that, though. I never coated the downpipe figuring to have to tweak the location.

The car is quieter than ever and no evidence of exhaust leaks or any leaks of oil, water,or any other fluids for that matter. All in all I'm a happy guy.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on January 10, 2014, 09:55:38 PM

Nice we need some video preferably with smokey tires. I miss the smell of burning rubber
I pushed the button on fleabay for a spyder intake and throttle body. I'm getting ready for ms2. I'm gonna start with a simulator and relay before the big build. Then all the questions will start.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 11, 2014, 01:38:06 AM

Quote from: thewestie;427122

Nice we need some video preferably with smokey tires. I miss the smell of burning rubber
I pushed the button on fleabay for a spyder intake and throttle body. I'm getting ready for ms2. I'm gonna start with a simulator and relay before the big build. Then all the questions will start.

I wouldn't bother with a relay board, personally. You'll need relays, but not necessarily on the board like that. I have a relay board here that I built and never used in any of the last 3 MS builds I have done.

A definite YES on the Stimulator, though. It is a must have if you ever need to troubleshoot. I just pulled mine out again today to get my box tested before I put it back in. Unfortunately I have never needed a MS2, so I can't help too much. They have different set ups entirely.

If I was going with MS2 I'd probably look to incorporate a GM stepper motor idle control. I am not a huge fan of the PWM Ford valves. That said, if I used MS2 to control one I might be happier since the code is more refined in MS2.

Sounds like a fun project thewestie!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 11, 2014, 11:42:33 AM

Finished pics. Looks much the same on the outside except for the extra breathers and new rocker covers, which are mostly hidden anyway. But I know you guys like pictures!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 11, 2014, 11:47:23 AM

Look at the new front ride height!! The weight reduction put it right up where I want it. I'll bet it came up almost 1/2".

Looks like a stock TC that's a year old. A nice bonus in my mind. I know a lot of guys like 'em lower, but this looks good to me.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on January 11, 2014, 02:23:50 PM

Looks great. I'm using gm tps and iac I'm gonna do the relay for practice and to clean up the relays I have. maybe I don't know yet so much to learn I'm still trying to figure out how to use the cruise stuff on the steering wheel to run roll control

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 11, 2014, 03:38:24 PM

That's what I did too. I built the relay board, then the stim, then the MS. (Actually I built a DIY wideband O2 unit as the first crack at soldering.)

It's fun, but it was more fun before my near vision started to get worse. Now I need glasses and a magnifying glass. lol

Get a set of 'helping hands' they are great and I use them all the time for things other than soldering.

It's kind of like getting a drink from a fire hose at first, but ask questions, read, and search and you'll be OK.

I'm going to get some kind of conformal coating on my boards from now on. I don't want to have them corrode like was happening on the 'bird.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: STANG8U on January 11, 2014, 03:40:55 PM

Very cool !

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 11, 2014, 03:42:26 PM

I took the car out for some more tuning. It seemed to be missing a bit, so I popped the hood with it running when I got back. I had arcing from the spark plug heat shielding to header bolts on 3 of the plug wires. I am going to have to keep them back from the metal or replace these mylar ones with the fiberglass kind.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 11, 2014, 03:45:20 PM

Quote from: STANG8U;427173

Very cool !

:evilgrin:

:burnout:

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on January 13, 2014, 07:27:26 PM

Well Jim....its progress

You did alot of changes...i think it came out good.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 14, 2014, 02:55:28 PM

Quote from: turbotrav;427277

Well Jim....its progress

You did alot of changes...i think it came out good.

Travis

Yeah. The best part was checking the water level after a 40 minute cruise around town and down the freeway, coming back to find it right at the top of the radiator. Those heads I got with the engine must have a crack in them.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thunderjet302 on January 14, 2014, 06:06:41 PM

Quote from: flylear45;427154

Look at the new front ride height!! The weight reduction put it right up where I want it. I'll bet it came up almost 1/2".

Looks like a stock TC that's a year old. A nice bonus in my mind. I know a lot of guys like 'em lower, but this looks good to me.

My Thunderbird did that when I swapped out the GT40Ps for the Edelbrock Performers. The nose went up about 1/2" or so. I think I need to bring it back down a bit. You car however looks great at that height.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thunderjet302 on January 14, 2014, 06:07:43 PM

Quote from: flylear45;427316

Yeah. The best part was checking the water level after a 40 minute cruise around town and down the freeway, coming back to find it right at the top of the radiator. Those heads I got with the engine must have a crack in them.

The new Twisted Wedge heads?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 14, 2014, 08:02:52 PM

Quote from: thunderjet302;427322

The new Twisted Wedge heads?

No, no those are fine. The cracked heads were the ones I got on the supposedly rebuilt engine that I got for free.

I wasted a
lot of time and effort on them.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on January 14, 2014, 08:16:23 PM

Glad to hear it's back on the road, Jim! You did a lot of work this time around it sounds like.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 14, 2014, 08:28:17 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;427330

Glad to hear it's back on the road, Jim! You did a lot of work this time around it sounds like.

Thanks Chuck!
I am really excited about some changes I am making to the car pc front end. it looks like I am now going to finally be able to integrate my cellular phone through the car pc. The new front end is programmed in Vb16 and is super stable.

I am still on a mission to get the car that drives like it is 100 percent stock but has more than twice the horsepower Plus better fuel economy than the original. I am really close to having the finished product that I imagined after 5 years of working on it. Now with the heads on I am going to be making the changes that I need to make to get everything compatible for the horsepower. After axles and a gear ratio change the last item is to get a good torque converter.
I

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on January 14, 2014, 09:06:04 PM

Hey Jim

Heck you are doing great....yeah cracked heads suck...had a couple on the 2.3T. Back in the day...good deal. Now 3.27 and retune....good to go.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 15, 2014, 09:40:36 AM

I knew something was wrong right away back when I first got the car running.

When I pulled the e7 heads off for the first time I should have had them checked since the headgaskets were good. That was my mistake. The good news is is that the block is nice and straight and now everything is the way it should be.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on January 18, 2014, 07:45:42 AM

Turn up the boost.....Are you thinking of tuning for 12psi?

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 18, 2014, 10:53:24 AM

I think that would be safe enough, yes. Somewhere in the 12ish psi range. I'd like to check the backpressure to see where that's at.

First I need to re-do the vacuum venturi so it actually sucks. It can be a challenge to get it just right based on what I see on the inter-web. I'll keep at it until I get some results. Luckily the downpipe isn't too hard to get off and on.

I have to pull the instrument cluster and install the solid state regulator I got as well.

I got the carpc back in and am playing with it to get all the features working. The new steering column control stalk will be here Monday and I can get that on. That ought to bring the car up to speed on the inside.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 18, 2014, 12:40:20 PM

You must be joking.

Alternator died after 150 miles without header wrap. The wrap is going back on.

Hopefully the coating will help delay the rust issue. It seems to be holding up where I prepped well, but doesn't do as much for heat reduction as the wrap. It's just too tight around the alternator.

To be fair, I've been hearing a squeak up there at times, and it was a JY alternator. I'll go get an Advance or Autozone new replacement and get the lifetime warranty in case I have future issues. I won't mess with their reman electric stuff.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on January 18, 2014, 02:22:35 PM

Quote from: flylear45;427513

You must be joking.

Alternator died after 150 miles without header wrap. The wrap is going back on.

Hopefully the coating will help delay the rust issue. It seems to be holding up where I prepped well, but doesn't do as much for heat reduction as the wrap. It's just too tight around the alternator.

To be fair, I've been hearing a squeak up there at times, and it was a JY alternator. I'll go get an Advance or Autozone new replacement and get the lifetime warranty in case I have future issues. I won't mess with their reman electric stuff.

It's always something, isn't it Jim?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on January 18, 2014, 07:38:06 PM

Good luck with the alternator. I've had nothing but problems with new and rebuilt. From now on I'm rebuilding my own. Cant do any worse

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 18, 2014, 09:15:30 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;427517

It's always something, isn't it Jim?

Oh boy, howdy! The bright side is I saw it near the house and got here with just over 9V left. It was missing but MS didn't drop out.

It turns out that I had two things going on. I put in the new alternator and was still showing battery voltage. I scanned the wiring diagram and the first connector I checked was starting to come loose. I probably had an intermittent problem that helped take out the old alternator. (I had it checked and she was a goner.)

So now with a fresh alternator and some wrap on the adjacent pipe I should be good to go again.

Quote from: thewestie;427541

Good luck with the alternator. I've had nothing but problems with new and rebuilt. From now on I'm rebuilding my own. Cant do any worse

Boy that's the truth. The 3G I got new from Advance for the TR7 is holding up fine. AZ didn't have a new one in stock so I took the Premium Lifetime Reman. I was told if it fails I can pay $20 and upgrade to a new one. I had a 20% off coupon and $8.00 in bonus cash from using my AZ card, so it came to $130 out the door. Luckily it's not golf season. lol

I have a spare here I want to try to find a regulator and brushes for. I wish now I'd have done it sooner. I just wanted to get it done this time.

The car is tuning up well. It is idling and driving better and stronger than ever. Still no leaks.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 24, 2014, 09:03:32 PM

I've put another couple hundred miles on her and she starts up and runs great even in the brutal cold. The carpc even comes to life in this extreme weather when I would not expect it to.

I just need to keep tuning and get the next set of parts on to get serious about seeing what this combo really is. I.E. dyno and track times!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 27, 2014, 07:21:54 AM

I made a quick video going over the new frontend software I have installed on the Foxconn barebone pc in the trunk.

It starts out dark, (I wanted to give the screen a chance to look it's best) so give it a second.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLFPpk13zzE

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: STANG8U on January 27, 2014, 01:54:03 PM

That's pretty cool

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on January 27, 2014, 11:14:27 PM

Nice buttons

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on January 27, 2014, 11:40:52 PM

Quote from: thewestie;428035

Nice buttons

I LIKE me buttons!

I volunteered to write a users guide for this software. Gratis. I love a guy who gives so much to his users just because he CAN!

Quote from: STANG8U;428007

That's pretty cool

Thanks, I get a kick out of trying to make the old girl live up to today's standards.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on January 28, 2014, 01:22:48 PM

That things looking more and more like a pen 15pit every day ;) That bird might grow wings

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on February 05, 2014, 07:54:32 PM

I watched the youtube video...pretty dang cool...more than my carputer i devised....goodjob Jim.

So now you are using premium...lol...how is she running?

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 06, 2014, 09:57:03 PM

Still tinkering with the tune, Travis. And running out the 89 octane. Cold starts are getting better but take the longest time to get just right because you only get one change per day basically. Because I am ic in nature I drove it to work and left it in the lot for 3 days when it was the coldest. It started up for me when I got back, but died 3 times on the afterstart enrichment after 10 seconds or so before it got warm enough to idle strong.

I left it again this week for 4 days and it died once before catching in 17 degree weather, so it's getting closer. Like I said, the only way to tune it is to use it in these conditions. Once I get it it should always work. The TR7 tune is super solid and starts before the engine cranks over twice in all weather. (It is using the open loop fast idle, which is MUCH easier to tune than closed loop, though.)

I did a hundred foot burnout in front of the house the other day after I had THOUGHT I was tuned in on the fuel and spark pretty well, but it rattled on me while feathering the throttle at just over 1/2 and I immediately lifted. I reworked the timing table a bit where I had the issue and took a datalog that I still have to look at. No WOT other than that one burst so far. Wastegate is on the spring alone and is around 10 psi and holding steady.

Otherwise, aside from still needing to rework the breather venturi tube, all is well. No leaks at all of any kind and it runs nice on the highway. I only have a 1 pint overflow bottle and it never pukes any fluid out of it and the rad stays full. YES!!!

It takes almost no throttle to travel at highway speeds. I am curious what power it makes even without the turbo.

The to-do list includes installing a new 256g SSD I picked up to replace the HDD in the PC for faster boot times and lower power consumption, removing the dash cluster to install the solid state IVR and remove the ABS fail light, gluing down the dash top cover, and getting the auto headlamps to work. I love that feature on the Milan and would like to have it function in the 'bird, too. I have to paint the side moldings, then installing the trunk carpet and finally adding A/C will finish it off.

I got some nice 31 spline 4-lug hardened axles in the right length from 86tbird, and am looking for a diff to put them in along with a brand new 31 spline trac-loc. I'll weld the axle tubes on it when I do it. Ideally I want to prep a complete axle and just swap it in when I am ready. Hopefully I can come up with a stout torque converter by then as well and do it all at once. Until those parts are in I am taking it pretty easy on it, but not babying it completely, either.

I am considering adding a dash cam, parking curb cam and a pen 15pit cam that I can set to record on a loop while I drive, and/or select for viewing on DriveLine. Not sure about that yet, but cameras are getting pretty cheap and I like toys.

The DriveLine software is really nice on the carpc. I have everything I need now, or want. It is fast, stable, and easy to navigate. (And free!)

Too bad I screwed around with bad heads for so long. I wasted a lot of time on that and got discouraged to boot for a while. I pretty much love the thing now, though. Hard to imagine it as it was when I drug it here way back when.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thunderjet302 on February 07, 2014, 11:07:57 AM

Sounds like fun :). I bet the engine makes somewhere between 325-350hp without the turbo. Most 302, GT40 intake, Twisted Wedge 170/Edelbrock Performer/AFR 165 headed cars make in that range.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 07, 2014, 10:25:38 PM

Quote from: thunderjet302;428576

Sounds like fun :). I bet the engine makes somewhere between 325-350hp without the turbo. Most 302, GT40 intake, Twisted Wedge 170/Edelbrock Performer/AFR 165 headed cars make in that range.

Well, anything over 250 N/A would be pretty nice since I have the power adder for when I want more. All I have to do is press harder on the gas!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on February 10, 2014, 09:26:40 PM

Jim

Your Turbocoupe is one of my favorite car builds of all time....agreed on the bad heads and the wasted time and $$...sucks....moving on.

It will be fun this spring when the weather gets better.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on February 12, 2014, 10:13:53 PM

I may rank until yours is done. After that I may not medal. reminds me of the Olympics!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on February 15, 2014, 08:12:58 AM

Jim....I may have for power.....but with all those electronic details....its a super sweet package.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on August 14, 2014, 12:22:27 AM

Hello Jim

How is the TC doing? How is your summer?

I really just started working on mine again sense last October....still lots to do...but getting there.

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on August 14, 2014, 10:03:02 AM

It's doing well. I had to replace the O2 sensor. I used break in additive with lead in it and it took out the sensor. Otherwise no issues to speak of. I am needing a pick-up truck, so I am going to advertise the Tbird this fall.

I hate to sell it, but I need to cull the herd a bit for garage space.

I still have a couple little things to do to it before I sell it. Nothing big, just detail stuff.

It really runs good. I'm happy with it.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on August 14, 2014, 07:44:53 PM

Well that is good to hear....good luck selling her....or maybe I should say don't sell her....LOL

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on August 23, 2014, 08:53:43 PM

Hey Jim

I was watching your videos from a while back...what year tach do you have installed? Also how did u modify it for V8 use?

Thanks,

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on August 24, 2014, 07:14:52 AM

Quote from: turbotrav;437340

Hey Jim

I was watching your videos from a while back...what year tach do you have installed? Also how did u modify it for V8 use?

Thanks,

Travis

It's a 86 I believe. It is stock with input from a relay pulse generator taking a 1/2 pulse output generated from a Megasquirt output.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on August 24, 2014, 12:28:59 PM

So this is something you modified with in MS??? or an additional part...

Travis

P.S. my car is an 86 so I currently have that model

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on August 24, 2014, 06:25:14 PM

I built a circuit detailed in the megamanual that takes an input pulse from MS and turns it into a 'dirty' negative pulse that the tach can use.

Since I am using a 4 cylinder tach, I used a handy divider in MS that cuts the generated pulse by 2 from the V8 signal. The tach needs to see a big spike to read, so just using the MS signal isn't enough by itself. You must add a relay coil to pulse to ground to get enough to read.

I have built 3 of these and they all have worked well and reliably. They are noisy htough. If you put it in the cabin you will hear it clicking.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on August 25, 2014, 06:10:22 PM

Thanks for the info Jim...

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on August 25, 2014, 10:55:04 PM

Hey Jim

I contacted stinger about the PIMP.....they suggested I could just make an adjustment within Microsquirt. ....I will see.

Thanks for the help....

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on June 05, 2015, 10:43:12 PM

Hi Jim. How's the car doing. I've started a ms2 swap and want to do the tach mod on my tc. Could use your help?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: turbotrav on June 06, 2015, 12:30:27 AM

I thought there was a way to double the tach output htrough the tuner studio software...

Travis

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on June 06, 2015, 06:57:51 AM

Hey guys! Car is smoking. I think I blew a turbo seal...... probably due to not running water through the Holset. I will know once I pull the exhaust downpipe and a couple of plugs. If it's not that I have a bigger issue and that would suck.

On the tacho:

Two things. One is to build a simple circuit using a small relay to trigger a pulse that the tach can use. The tach needs a 'dirty' large amplitude signal in order to work, and I wasn't able to get a good signal without using the relay coil.

Secondly, you trigger the relay circuit from an output off of MS. If you have a 4 cylinder tacho this needs to be cut in half to read properly.

All the parts to build it cost about 6 bucks or so, and I mounted mine in the fender well up front.

See post #133

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on June 06, 2015, 12:58:54 PM

Cool. Starting to wire car side. I'll give this a shot.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on June 10, 2015, 08:55:28 AM

If you need help on something, give me a shout. I'll help as best I can. I never used a MS2, so I may only be of limited use to you. Good luck with it!

I am going to tear into mine soon to see what is causing the oil smoking. I REALLY hope it is the turbo gone bad, since I'd like to go with a different one anyway. If it's the heads or rings I'll be very upset.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on June 11, 2015, 08:20:15 PM

Thanks. I've got a problem with the ms build. Here's a link. http://www.mshagtra.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=132&t=58887 I've also started a build in user rides.
I'm still going forward with car side hopefully this weekend the car will be close
Thanks

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on August 01, 2015, 09:24:27 PM

Ive been staring at this circut for hours and cant figure out how its saposed to workhttp://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/images/smilies/ttiwwp.gif

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 04, 2018, 05:40:46 AM

Hey peeps!

Man time flies. I've done quite a bit more work on the car. The turbo system is GONE. I think that Holset was an awful choice and was severely mismatched to the V8.

Since removing it the car runs 100% better and all my water use and smoking problems are gone along with it.

Removing the turbo, I had to get new proper V8 throttle and cruise control cables, re-flip the intake, re-do the fuel system, change injectors, remove the intercooler, relocate the PS reservoir, re-do the vacuum system, add a catch can, make a new air filter system, cut the turbo piping off the headers and flip them back to normal, add a Summit 2 1/2 inch H-pipe, buy and install a new dual exhaust (I used Mark V11 pipes and s) and totally re-tune the transmission and engine computers to match the new combo.

While I was at it I glued on the dash cover......it has been free-floating for years LOL. I also hated the fuel pressure gauge, so I pulled it off, relocated the O/D light and wideband button to the steering wheel console and put a stock clock back in. I like it a lot better now, especially at night.

I've been driving the car this way for a few months now and I like it a lot. Yesterday after pulling in to the drive, the overflow bottle began to puke out antifreeze. It turns out that the Dakota fan controller (or sending unit for it) has bit the dust. Today I'll be removing that and using the spare circuit I previously built into Megasquirt for water injection and re-purposing it to control the fan relay.

Cheers!

Jim

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 04, 2018, 05:42:30 AM

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 04, 2018, 05:43:49 AM

And the new overflow bottle location. I still want to get the A/C hooked up since I have never gotten around to doing it yet. I just need to get a crimping tool and make hoses to complete that part.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: 1WLD BRD on May 04, 2018, 07:44:30 AM

Nice to see an update on this build. Was one of my favorites. Sucks that you had issues. Did you ever think of getting a more suited turbo for it? I did the 6.0L LSX swap in my 84 and will be adding a 7875 turbo. The turbo I choose is a bit small but will hit all my goals easy. Max power I want is around 700 at the wheels.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: Chuck W on May 04, 2018, 07:53:53 AM

Hey, Jim. Glad to see that you still have this. It's been a while!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 04, 2018, 07:58:47 AM

Quote from: 1WLD BRD;465533

Nice to see an update on this build. Was one of my favorites. Sucks that you had issues. Did you ever think of getting a more suited turbo for it? I did the 6.0L LSX swap in my 84 and will be adding a 7875 turbo. The turbo I choose is a bit small but will hit all my goals easy. Max power I want is around 700 at the wheels.

I did think about swapping turbos, but I decided instead to simplify the car. I felt that I wasn't using the turbo power much and with the new heads it has plenty of grunt.

400+ is PLENTY for a street car IMHO.

I got a Jaguar XKR with 400 supercharged ponies and that is perfect for me. You should get lots of grins with 700!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on May 04, 2018, 08:01:05 AM

Quote from: Chuck W;465535

Hey, Jim. Glad to see that you still have this. It's been a while!

Hi Chuck. Yeah I still have it and the TR7 2.3 turbo. I took a year to swap back to normally aspirated due to laziness. LOL I also had some hand problems that are better now, so I can work in the garage again without pain. It sucks getting old!

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on June 10, 2018, 07:02:25 PM

I hear you on the fan of not getting old. I just took the Tremec out of the bird on my back yesterday still tired glad to see you're back.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on June 10, 2018, 09:19:45 PM

Thanks, man.

Did you get that Megasquirt sorted out? I never did get a good idle using a Ford valve on MS1. In the end I just upped the idle and run it open loop for cold start. I threw in the towel after a LOT of messing with it.

Why did you take out the Tremec? Problems or making a change?

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on June 10, 2018, 09:24:50 PM

For the record, the issue with the Dakota fan controller was water intrusion onto the circuit board and a failed resistor. I used the water injection circuit on the breadboard I built long ago and used it to control the high speed fan and it is working fine.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on June 14, 2018, 05:05:00 PM

I struggled with GM style iac. Just unpluged it same thing runs mint. Still struggling to get th 4cyl tach to work ill bother you in a little while for your mod to get the tach to work with the relay. I lost 3rd gear on the tremec. Getting some mods done now.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on June 14, 2018, 07:44:14 PM

Quote from: thewestie;466148

I struggled with GM style iac. Just unpluged it same thing runs mint. Still struggling to get th 4cyl tach to work ill bother you in a little while for your mod to get the tach to work with the relay. I lost 3rd gear on the tremec. Getting some mods done now.

shiznit yeah. I promised you one about multiple times and never delivered. AArgh.

OK, I will I will I will get the parts and make one for you. In fact I'll make a 'how'to' video for Youtube and do yours for it. My local electronics shop shut down, so I gotta order parts.

I'll get it done.

This time.

Give me a week, then bug me mercilessly. Shame will probably work.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on June 14, 2018, 09:41:43 PM

Ok. That works for me to. Like I say ay home when somebody says haven't you done that yet I said I told you I'd do it you don't have to remind me every 6 months.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on June 16, 2018, 01:06:03 PM

I'm gonna drop that one on my wife sometime. LOL

Parts are ordered. Should be here in 4-6 days. Then I'll make a video showing how to build it and how it hooks up to Megasquirt along with the changes to make inside Tunerstudio to activate the output and how to change it to suit a 4 cylinder tach.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on June 16, 2018, 08:22:40 PM

Awsome. I've tried doing it by the instructions and I failed

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on June 21, 2018, 05:33:25 AM

Parts are trickling in. I ordered little project boxes to enclose everything once they are built up, too.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: flylear45 on June 21, 2018, 05:37:09 AM

On a side note, I took the high-z 46 lb injectors from the turbo V8 and put 4 of 'em in the TR7. That made a HUGE difference in how that car runs. Especially at and just off idle. I had too large of injectors in the TR before, and they were causing several issues.

I put the rebuilt 2.3 injectors back in the Thunderbird and it is happy with them.

Title: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W
Post by: thewestie on September 11, 2018, 10:50:02 PM

Hi. How's the tachometer part's coming? Thanks Steve

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General => User Rides => Topic started by: flylear45 on May 29, 2009, 12:28:32 PM