Restoring 83 Cougar (Tips, experiences) October 23, 2007, 09:11:43 PM My mother wants me to restore her 83 Cougar instead of getting her something new in the late 90's. What should I especially consider when restoring this car? Any tips and stories to share? Quote Selected
Restoring 83 Cougar (Tips, experiences) Reply #1 – October 23, 2007, 10:18:40 PM What color is her cougar and what condition is it in now like any rust or does it need a new paint job or are talking about the interior. A little more info is needed. LOL Quote Selected
Restoring 83 Cougar (Tips, experiences) Reply #2 – October 23, 2007, 10:46:20 PM Quote from: LJS30;184201 What should I especially consider when restoring this car? from what eric told me at catjam, the 83 has many year specific interior trim parts.... knee panels, dash, and center console to name a few.... he also said that the colors might be hard to match too.... most of the underhood and drivetrain parts are shared with the rest of the 4-eye foxes.... i guess it just depends on how "original" you want it to be Quote Selected
Restoring 83 Cougar (Tips, experiences) Reply #3 – October 24, 2007, 09:16:28 AM I thought 83-84 had the same interior less some padding in the 83. They added padding to the knee area so the bird/coug's would do better in the crash test. Quote Selected
Restoring 83 Cougar (Tips, experiences) Reply #4 – October 24, 2007, 09:23:31 AM I think you'd need to define "restore" a little better. Like, would you just fix it up so it appears as stock? Or are you restoring for show quality? If all the car needs is the typical rust repair/repaint and some odds and ends, then that's one thing. Digging up NOS parts, completely different scenario.The 1983's do have unique parts all over. Hood hinges, wiper nozzles, console, dash/radio panels, door panels, front turn signal lenses, etc. Finding some of those parts used will be difficult unless you happen upon someone here that has them. Quote Selected
Restoring 83 Cougar (Tips, experiences) Reply #5 – October 24, 2007, 10:16:25 AM Quote from: ipsd;184305I thought 83-84 had the same interior less some padding in the 83. They added padding to the knee area so the bird/coug's would do better in the crash test.Are you talking about on the dashes?Uh..both my '83's had/have the padded glove box and under-steering wheel padded dashes. Quote Selected
Restoring 83 Cougar (Tips, experiences) Reply #6 – October 24, 2007, 10:21:00 AM There was a difference in the padding, though...my guess is the thickness, or density of the foam. I have 1984 part numbers for all my dash padding. Something definitely got revised from 1983. Quote Selected
Restoring 83 Cougar (Tips, experiences) Reply #7 – October 24, 2007, 10:53:34 PM Quote from: mercury-man;184221What color is her cougar and what condition is it in now like any rust or does it need a new paint job or are talking about the interior. A little more info is needed. LOLShe wants me to get the following done:1. Engine Rebuild2. Tranny Rebuild3. New Coils4. Rebuild AC system5. Fix broken interior parts (interior is mostly complete and in average condition for it's age.)6. New tires7. New Paint Job Quote Selected
Restoring 83 Cougar (Tips, experiences) Reply #8 – October 24, 2007, 10:57:33 PM Well for starters I would put the correct front end on the car. Its not a Tbird. Having owned an 83 I can attest to the little differences. Quote Selected
Restoring 83 Cougar (Tips, experiences) Reply #9 – October 24, 2007, 11:05:43 PM Quote from: CougarSE;184470Well for starters I would put the correct front end on the car. Its not a Tbird. Having owned an 83 I can attest to the little differences.I noticed that a long time ago when we purchased the car. You mean to tell me it has been in an accident? Someone put a T-Bird front end on the thing? I'm a Mark VII guy so this car is some what stange to me. Quote Selected
Restoring 83 Cougar (Tips, experiences) Reply #10 – October 24, 2007, 11:13:04 PM Yeah, it's definitely a T-Bird front end. That doesn't necessarily mean the front end was wrecked...someone might have just liked the T-Bird's nose better. But you could look for some signs of damage up front there.It's easiest to start with the interior parts, to be honest. Paint will probably be the last thing on the list, if things around here hold true LOL. Tires are easy to replace. So are the suspension parts. The A/C system is a great spring project. That just leaves the motor and trans. How is it running now? Any issues with the trans? Quote Selected
Restoring 83 Cougar (Tips, experiences) Reply #11 – October 24, 2007, 11:17:51 PM Quote from: EricCoolCats;184474Yeah, it's definitely a T-Bird front end. That doesn't necessarily mean the front end was wrecked...someone might have just liked the T-Bird's nose better. But you could look for some signs of damage up front there.It's easiest to start with the interior parts, to be honest. Paint will probably be the last thing on the list, if things around here hold true LOL. Tires are easy to replace. So are the suspension parts. The A/C system is a great spring project. That just leaves the motor and trans. How is it running now? Any issues with the trans?The interior is pretty much intact except for several components, one being critical. That being the driver side inner door handle which I just bought off another member of this board. The handle for the hood release is busted, while the horn cap just broke recently. The interior is really in solid condition. As for the motor, it leaks everywhere and has lost what little power it did have off the factory. The transmission does well but leaks pretty good. The front end has almost been completely rebuilt while the AC system needs a complete overhaul. Quote Selected
Restoring 83 Cougar (Tips, experiences) Reply #12 – October 25, 2007, 01:18:41 PM LJS30,I don't know how close we are geographically, but I've got an entire front cap minus hood from an '86 XR7. It's even got the foglight cutouts. Colors' not exact, but it is a dark red, and you're going to repaint anyway. I've also got several odd and end red interior parts if you are looking for any. Just thought you might be interested.On the other hand, again if we aren't too far apart from each other, if you change your mind and decide to let the car go, I'd be interested. Just a thought.Fordman3 Quote Selected
Restoring 83 Cougar (Tips, experiences) Reply #13 – October 25, 2007, 08:14:13 PM i bought all new springs for the cat last year.... i goth them from carquest.... i used the variable? rate cargo springs for the rear and regular ones up front (just be sure to state engine size)... they rid really well, and cost me about $200 for all 4.... i have a thread about it here somewhere...........http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=8816 Quote Selected
Restoring 83 Cougar (Tips, experiences) Reply #14 – October 25, 2007, 08:17:35 PM as for the interior..... yes , i painted a lot of mine..... i used the vinyl paint at advance and o'reillys... it's like $6 a can, and i used 3 cans for the dash, knee pad, glove box, and center console pieces.... that thread is...........http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=10085the interior pics start on page 3...... i used three or four coats to try to keep it thick, that's probably why i went through 3 cans.... it goes on pretty smoothe, and the only place showing wear so far is the center console cover (i keep my elbow planted there).... otherwise, after about a year the rest of it is holding up rather well..... i used the flat black color because they don't have a grey to match Quote Selected
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