Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Well, A couple of months ago I was doing what I like to do and cruise Ebay and CL looking for stuff I don't necessarily need.    I came across this 88 TC which at first glance really caught my eye.    I watched it for a while and it had been reposted three times when I finally decided that curiosity couldn't keep me down anymore.  I had caught the "Fox Fever".  I called and spent quite a bit of time talking to the owner.  He had bought it 2 years ago from his brother who had bought it new.  It was to be his toy.    Because of the location it came from it has never seen a winter.    He even stored it all winter long both winters that he owned the car.  It needed a few things here and there that he took care of.  Some still need attention and that's where I come in now.    I am the third owner of this car and proud to say that I feel pretty good about this.  He had some painting done on it last year to take care of clear coat issues.  All of us know what I'm talking about here.  And thanks to his 17 year old not paying attention one day he had to replace the right front fender and hood because of a street sign incident.  Other than that, all body panels are original and most of the paint is as well.    She isn't with out her flaws nor is she show room condition.  It is after all 26 years old with 138k on the clock but still she's a very good example of a well cared for survivor.  Most everything still works on her.    Only thing that I am aware of at this time are some light bulbs in the interior, the fogs don't work, the cruise quit last summer and he didn't fix it so I will have to address that.  I found out the Keyless entry don't work so I'll be looking into that as well.  A very short list I think.  It has new 2 1/2 inch pipe from the turbo to the rear bumper with no cats, dual magnaflow lers that exit under the bumper.  Doesn't sound too bad.    It needs new rubber put on it this year and I hope to get the snowflakes re done before that happens.  Interior is still in very good condition with no rips or tears anywhere in the seats.  All windows and switches work.  It even has the ford stamped floor mats still in it.  The dash looks different to me so I suspect it has a cover that's been installed over it.  Either way, looks better than a cracked dash. 

My plans are simple for it.    Fix what I can one piece at a time.  Leave it mostly like it is.  I will definitely have to tint the windows as the sun has been brutal all these years on the package shelf.    I touched it and it crumbled where I touched it, so no more touching of that.    I want to fix the side window molding and repaint them as the years of sunshine has faded out the moldings.    The original radio which still works will have to go in favor of a more modern approach.    I will clean it up and get a good coat of wax on it as these pictures represent nothing more than a wash job.      I plan to use this as a mostly daily driver for good weather months only and help to keep the mileage low on my 86.  I will respect the no winter thing as long as I own it.  She'll join my 86 in the storage bay every winter now.  I must say I am proud of it and for $3k I don't think I did wrong.    Some might disagree but I am extremely pleased with her and am happier than you know what to have a turn key.    This is one TC which will be well cared for.

SCORE! Good find. Nice lookin TC.

Nice find, looks pretty clean from the pics, hard to find a really taken care of bird any more.....

Nice looking ride! However I'm not a fan of mud flaps, fashion before function in my book. :)

Nice car, good save. :)



I agree. If you're never going to drive it in snow, mud, or rain, ditch them. They look out of place ;)

Looks very nice, its like my TC's twin lol

So dad when ya ganna let me drive this one. Even though I have 2 tc's of my own.

Sweet man !!

What did I start with you 2!! lol so now that's 3 88 TC's and the 86.  Looks nice though!!

Great looking car!

Looks great :). I really like that color gray.

Nice find. I like the color. FYI, I have cruise parts, keyless entry parts, and a really nice black / charcoal rear package shelf.

Fantastic score!  These cars are still out there, you just have to look often and be ready to jump when you see them.  I just scored a 87 Cougar XR-7 for 2K, and i can relate to the feelings....... Good luck with her!

http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?37145-My-quot-official-quot-1987-Mercury-Cougar-XR-7-Thread-UPDATED-3-30-14

More than you think.  LOL  I can't wait for him to get his running so we can cruise together.

I had actually thought of contacting you for the necessary parts.  I have fenders and doors and some of the hard stuff but very light on the electronics parts.    I would imagine that the keyless entry will come back to the main control module.  Cruise at this point is anybody's guess.

Beautiful TC!  Can't beat gray w/dark interior!

Heck thats a nice TC....hell a nice car period for $3k....doesnt buy you much nowadays....and that one is easy to fix.  Got the nice exterior color and the preferred raven cloth...good to go.  Needs a cone on the vam and a gillis....then you will be surprised on how much more power is has over the V8....

enjoy.

Travis

Nice find and good value!  She's going to really shine when you get her polished! Hard to beat a 5spd TC.

Nice find and good value!  She's going to really shine when you get her polished! Hard to find an original 5spd TC in that condition at that price.

Ok, got an update.  Still haven't cleaned it, but I found out that the temp gauge seemed to be running a little hot.  I checked and found that I had only one fan running.  Found a bad fuse, now both fans run.  Fixed my seat belt issue.  Had a spare seat belt clip here that just happened to be the right color.  Now I can buckle my seat belt.    I traced the fog lights out and found I have power at the fogs,  I haven't bought them yet, but I think the fog light issue just might be something as simple as burned out bulbs.  I worked a little bit with my passenger door lock button.  Seemed to be just like Stuck if you will.  I removed it started playing with it and it kind of clicked and started working again.  Don't know what really fixed it, but it works now. Great one less item.    Next up on my list is to get the Oil changed so I know what's in it and focus on my cruise.  I definitely will get picked up with out the cruise working.  I have found that it is very easy to speed in this car.    More to come.

By VAM I take it your meaning the Air Box.  Got a cone already that was going on my 5.0.  But it could easily go on the TC.  It already has a manual boost control valve on it.  It's set for 18 PSI.    Is that good?

Come on dad go higher with the boost

If it's the stock IHI turbo, 18 psi is right at it's limit.
I personally run 16 psi

It is the stock turbo on it.

Ok something else I just noticed the last few days on my way to and from work.  The car has auto lamps and auto dim dials on it.  The auto lamps turn the lights on, but they are on all the time even in the bright sunlight.  The auto dim doesn't work either on the bright.    Now neither one is a big deal to me as I can live without either one, but, If it is a simple fix.  I am wondering if it would be that sensor that is mounted below the rear view mirror.  I have and 'eye" for lack of better wording mounted below my mirror pointing out the windshield.    Any thoughts.  I am thinking if this is a simple fix then the more of the car that works properly the better off I am.    Especially if these are all simple fix items.

I would keep it to 15-16psi....until you know more about her....maybe after a big fuel pump...then more boost..

Travis

Well today, the Bird got new rubber on all four corners.  While in the shop, I had them perform their little 30 or so point inspection on the car.  Brakes, front end everything checked out very well.  Antifreeze isn't as good as I would like it to be but that's easy to fix with a good flush.  Got home tonight and finished working on my fog lights that I started last night.    2 new bulbs and some newly soldered ground leads onto the housing units themselves and all worked as needed.  Now that they work, I plan to order the relay system for the headlights so I can run them together and hopefully not have any issues.  My son's car the headlights quit working and I don't want that issue myself.  One car was bad enough. 

Looks good John. My TC had the left fog not working, found out power wasnt getting past the plug. Good thing for me I had an extra light harness!!! Did you guys ever get Ryans lights figured out?

I did have to run a new ground line to one of them.  Same issue, I had the ground to the plug, but not after it. 
As for Ryan's car, we believe we have it narrowed down to the dimmer switch in the column.  Only thing we haven't either replaced, or looked at.  He's trying to get the car back together so he can drive it.  Waiting to secure the new sunroof till he gets his sun shade back.  Sun shade and headliner is at the shop now getting redone.  We get that done and he'll reassemble the interior in it.  Then we'll have to do what we need to get those lights back on.

i would still like to put an uncracked dash in it before i start to put everything back but i cant find one close enough, the local junkyard has a cougar but i have yet to go and look at it

Need some help please.  I installed the relays tonight for the headlights.  I wish to run the fogs as well as the headlights and don't want to take any chances.    Everything works so far as required.    Problem I have is the vehicle sentry system now has a light indicating a headlamp is out.  The kit that I bought does not use the right side headlight plug.    It is all powered from the left hand plug.    I guess I'm asking if anyone else has had this issue and more importantly, how do I fool the sentry system into thinking the headlight is working?    Can I install a jumper line on the original headlight harness.  There are only three pr0ngs.  What ones would I use the jumper wire for and is it safe to do that?

Anyone?

Repost this specific issue over in Electrical Tech.  You should get more traffic that way.  Good luck!

Done,  Thanks David