son has an 88tbird sport
he is on the way home now and is stopping to buy parts.
what size are the drums?
9 or 10''
Finnd are 9", 10" are flat. You will need to do a visual check, some sports had either one.
Same with cars with a towing package.
humm,,, i did not know that!! thanks !
3 of 4 of my v- cars had the 10" drums.
My 86 gs had 10" as did my other 86 ls cougar. My first 87 5.0 bird I can't remember and my last 87 bird for sure did. This 87 5.0 bird is actually the first I've seen without 10" drums. I know that's abnormal though from what I've seen in the junkyards. A lot of 88's had 10" drums, especially the xr7 cougars. Most of the 87's I've seen did not.
All of my v-6's (all 87's believe it or not) had the 9".
Pretty sure most if not all the '87 5.0 cars had 9" drums, unless they had the "tow package".
OTOH, pretty sure ALL the '88 Sport/XR7 had the 10 inch drums, and as well as some late '88 XR7 also having the 8.8, again with the bigger drum brakes.
Scott...if he has the 10 drums, he can convert to 5 lug, using '94-98 Stang axles, the stock 10" drum backing plates, and using 1988 Crown Vic/Grand marquis drums. Use the stock 1988 Sport Tbird drum brake shoes. You may or may not need to space the drums off off of the hub with a 1/16" flat washer on each lug stud on the hub, but under the drum. I did, no more contact. See my thread here (http://"http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?33996-10-quot-drums-on-a-TC-8.8-with-5-lug-axles.-Update-and-success!") for details :)
nice info there,
i will have mason read this later today, he is wanting to go 5lug disc for the rear though.... i know it looks better.
i need to post some pics of some calipers i have here (2) that have two pistons in them each, not sure what they are for but they came in the trunk with the car along with a rear gear made in italy.
Mason's 88Bird sport = 10'' (smooth drum)
My 87 20th coug= 10'' (has tow package
My 87 coug LS = 9'' *(ribbed drum)
My base '88 5.0 had 10" drums, and so did my '87 Sport. I thought all Sports had the big drums...
Tow package trailer lights circuit could be another suspect in the left turn/brake lights to parking lights mystery.