ADVICE BADLY NEEDED 1983 Thunderbird Heritage Update Reply #60 – April 18, 2014, 11:36:09 PM Uhhh, wow that's corroded. Quote Selected
ADVICE BADLY NEEDED 1983 Thunderbird Heritage Update Reply #61 – April 19, 2014, 12:16:04 AM Time for a efi h.o. swap.... Quote Selected
ADVICE BADLY NEEDED 1983 Thunderbird Heritage Update Reply #62 – April 19, 2014, 08:09:54 AM That'll buff right out! Seriously though, you might consider the inside of the engine at this point, and stick a scope down the plug hole before you try to start it. I had a POS '68 skylark that the carburetor looked worse than that, got to all cleaned and running, but could never get the rings to seat against the pitted cylinder walls. Good luck.- Geoff Quote Selected
ADVICE BADLY NEEDED 1983 Thunderbird Heritage Update Reply #63 – April 19, 2014, 04:23:48 PM Unfortunately your pistons probably look like that too. You will need an engine (and tranny, etc, as has been covered in other posts). How does the body look? Quote Selected
ADVICE BADLY NEEDED 1983 Thunderbird Heritage Update Reply #64 – April 20, 2014, 08:11:37 AM I has a sad. You could always find a wrecked 87-93 stang and swap everything over in a way that looks factory. I have an HO engine minus the intake sittingin my yard if you need it. Its from an 86. Forged flat tops. I think I have an HO PCM in the basp00get too. Quote Selected
ADVICE BADLY NEEDED 1983 Thunderbird Heritage Update Reply #65 – April 20, 2014, 08:48:37 AM Quote from: V8Demon;432629I has a sad. You could always find a wrecked 87-93 stang and swap everything over in a way that looks factory. I have an HO engine minus the intake sittingin my yard if you need it. Its from an 86. Forged flat tops. I think I have an HO PCM in the basp00get too.Thanks Paulie, i might consider that. Let me know how much you would need...... Quote Selected
ADVICE BADLY NEEDED 1983 Thunderbird Heritage Update Reply #66 – April 20, 2014, 11:15:18 PM I totally get what you are doing and why. When you combine passion and memories for a vehicle you love and then something happens to it you tend to get a little emotional. It happened to me and my original 85. My wife and I dated in the car and we had it when we were married. Got rid of it in 88 and always regretted it so years later I tracked it down...4 owners later. My plan was to buy it back and restore it. Unfortunately, she was in much worse condition than I imagined. Nothing electrical worked, the paint was gone and various trim was missing. The girl who owned it at the time told me it might be worth $500. I offered her $1000 over the phone site unseen. She would'nt sell it because she said while it didn't look like much and nothing on it worked, it got her back and forth to work every day and was very dependable and she couldn't replace it for $1000. (Smart girl) So, I made peace with the fact I would never get her back and my wife and I began the hunt for an 85 in good condition. Found the one I have now which is exactly like my original and I couldn't be happier. Long story short to offer you my advice: I know your mind is made up but my advise would be make peace and say goodbye. Spend your time and energy hunting for another 83 Heritage that has been well kept....may be hard to find but they are out there. You'll save yourself a lot of time, pain and money in the long run and in time you'll be glad you did. That said, I do wish you the very best in your quest to bring your baby back!! Quote Selected
ADVICE BADLY NEEDED 1983 Thunderbird Heritage Update Reply #67 – April 21, 2014, 08:50:06 PM Quote from: birdman85;432671I totally get what you are doing and why. When you combine passion and memories for a vehicle you love and then something happens to it you tend to get a little emotional. It happened to me and my original 85. My wife and I dated in the car and we had it when we were married. Got rid of it in 88 and always regretted it so years later I tracked it down...4 owners later. My plan was to buy it back and restore it. Unfortunately, she was in much worse condition than I imagined. Nothing electrical worked, the paint was gone and various trim was missing. The girl who owned it at the time told me it might be worth $500. I offered her $1000 over the phone site unseen. She would'nt sell it because she said while it didn't look like much and nothing on it worked, it got her back and forth to work every day and was very dependable and she couldn't replace it for $1000. (Smart girl) So, I made peace with the fact I would never get her back and my wife and I began the hunt for an 85 in good condition. Found the one I have now which is exactly like my original and I couldn't be happier. Long story short to offer you my advice: I know your mind is made up but my advise would be make peace and say goodbye. Spend your time and energy hunting for another 83 Heritage that has been well kept....may be hard to find but they are out there. You'll save yourself a lot of time, pain and money in the long run and in time you'll be glad you did. That said, I do wish you the very best in your quest to bring your baby back!!Thanks for the kind comments and advice. This is not an intellectual decision, and there is much to consider here. I think once i am able to get the car into the shop, and some dis-assembly going to really see how deep into the car we would need to go, will sway me one way or the other. Info is the key here, and i don't have enough in hand yet. Quote Selected
ADVICE BADLY NEEDED 1983 Thunderbird Heritage Update Reply #68 – April 21, 2014, 09:25:53 PM Let me know if you have a hard time finding.stuff. ill get it for you for cost + shipping.there was a nice 83 cougar i just stole the doors from.best of luck man. Quote Selected
ADVICE BADLY NEEDED 1983 Thunderbird Heritage Update Reply #69 – April 21, 2014, 09:31:50 PM Quote from: Haystack;432709Let me know if you have a hard time finding.stuff. ill get it for you for cost + shipping.there was a nice 83 cougar i just stole the doors from.best of luck man.Thanks brother.....i will def ask if i need. Appreciate the kindness. Quote Selected