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Topic: Need advice on what to save before junking car (Read 6311 times) previous topic - next topic

Need advice on what to save before junking car

As many of you know, my '87 Cougar LS 3.8L with 200K miles was taken out by a drunk over two years ago.  I still have it though but the time has come to send it off to the crusher.  I need input as to what I should try and get off of the car before it gets towed away sometime this week.  The front end was damaged so the hood, fenders, front panel, and grille were all ruined.

I have taken the doors off, the trunk lid off, the trunk liner out, spare tire, the rear quarter belt molding, the seats, interior panels, interior center console, side glass, engine harness, door and trunk rubber, door sill plates, glove box, heat/AC blower motor behind the glove box, and the computer.

I ruined the base cluster getting it out, well not the cluster but that one-piece cable thingy.  I have the dash bezels and the radio and climate control and that stuff that easily comes out from the dash.  I would like to remove the whole dash just to see what I can get behind it but I can't find all the bolts.  Any help with how to get this part out would be appreciated.

I plan on getting the carpet out and I would like to keep the wheels and tires because the tires were fairly new when I washiznit.  What else should I get for keeps before trashing it?
"lol.. because not too many people care for that style of car"
[size=-2]Click on paw print \/[/size]

Re: Need advice on what to save before junking car

Reply #1 –
Rear taillights, mirrors, electric window motor power lock motor, tranny, trunk if its any good. Those are just some parts you should remove if they are good.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
87 T-Bird turbo'd and supercharged and if things call for it juiced. :evilgrin:
88 Turbocoupe t3, 4.10's, Daily driver

Re: Need advice on what to save before junking car

Reply #2 –
Here is what it looked like right after the hit:
"lol.. because not too many people care for that style of car"
[size=-2]Click on paw print \/[/size]

Re: Need advice on what to save before junking car

Reply #3 –
Quote from: 88cat
Rear taillights, mirrors, electric window motor power lock motor, tranny, trunk if its any good. Those are just some parts you should remove if they are good.


Thanks for your quick input!
Ok, I already got the tail lights, mirrors came off with the doors, window motors are in the doors, power locks came with the doors, I would love to get the tranny but I need some help because I don't know how to take one out (Shawn?), and I don't know what you mean by "trunk."  I took out the trunk liner if that's what you meant.
"lol.. because not too many people care for that style of car"
[size=-2]Click on paw print \/[/size]

Re: Need advice on what to save before junking car

Reply #4 –
its not too hard to pull the tranny, just need to get the car up as high as you can before starting on it
It's Gumby's fault.

Re: Need advice on what to save before junking car

Reply #5 –
Is the engine still in it? if you can tip it onto its side or roof, then its really easy to get out. Just drain all fluids before you do that of it will make a mees the neigbours wont appreciate :flip:  (ask me how I know :D )
1980 birds X 3, 1982 bird, 1984 XR7, 1988 TC

Re: Need advice on what to save before junking car

Reply #6 –
Here's a thought: If you have a digital camera, why not take some images of how the car is right now.. go all over the car, front to back and inside and out.. with the intent of showing everyone what's left of the car to see if anyone catches anything. Maybe, while you're focusing on taking the pictures, you'll see things you think you should remove even without having to ask everyone. Then post the pics, and maybe the forum can fill in the rest.

Unless you think the previous posters have covered everything.. which is a possibility. :D
 

Re: Need advice on what to save before junking car

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Bird351
Here's a thought: If you have a digital camera, why not take some images of how the car is right now.. go all over the car, front to back and inside and out.. with the intent of showing everyone what's left of the car to see if anyone catches anything. Maybe, while you're focusing on taking the pictures, you'll see things you think you should remove even without having to ask everyone. Then post the pics, and maybe the forum can fill in the rest.

Unless you think the previous posters have covered everything.. which is a possibility. :D


Yeah, that's a good idea.  Maybe I can take some pictures on Thursday and have them pick it up Monday.
"lol.. because not too many people care for that style of car"
[size=-2]Click on paw print \/[/size]

Re: Need advice on what to save before junking car

Reply #8 –
i'd keep everything that will or can come the car,,,you never know when you might need that 1 thing that you could of taken off the wreck i used to have 2, 83 cougars, 1 i completly stripped for the cougar i was keeping, when i had it towed there was nothing but the shell!

Re: Need advice on what to save before junking car

Reply #9 –
Quote
seats, interior panels, interior center console, side glass, engine harness,

Ever try finding a replacement for a dealer-only, obsolete-10-years-ago broken/melted/crumbling electrical connector? Cut off every one you can reach, with at least 6 inches of wire attached for splicing, or take out the whole harness front to back.
Quote
I would like to remove the whole dash just to see what I can get behind it but I can't find all the bolts.

http://www.coolcats.net/tech/troubleshooting/heatercore/index.html

This shows how to pull the dash back for heater core work... once it's unbolted, just keep going.
Death awaits you all with nasty, big, pointy teeth.

1988 5.0 Bird, mostly stock, partly not, now gone to T-Bird heaven.
1990 Volvo 740GL. 114 tire-shredding horsies, baby!

Re: Need advice on what to save before junking car

Reply #10 –
Well, BondoCougar and 4thqtr came over today and 4thqtr and I just sort of watched in amazement as BondoCougar was steady at it, non-stop, getting this engine and trans out of my wrecked '87 LS.  It took us about a steady 8 hours to get the set out.  This is the first time I have ever been part of an engine and trans removal so I learned a lot.  It was only BondoCougar's second time but you would think it was his fourth or fifth.  Many thanks to you guys, and to BondoCougar because he has his own project (3.8 to 5.0 upgrade) that he is trying to get to some stage of completion before winter!

BTW, just in case anyone wonders, that is my white XR-7 in my neighbor's driveway.  We needed some working room and they were out all day.  My wife and I have a good rapport with them.












"lol.. because not too many people care for that style of car"
[size=-2]Click on paw print \/[/size]

Re: Need advice on what to save before junking car

Reply #11 –
Turn signal/dimmer switch.  Not available in the aftermarket.

Re: Need advice on what to save before junking car

Reply #12 –
Without a doubt the dash, don't let that car go without getting it out, I'm sure somebody on this board would buy one in that good of shape

Re: Need advice on what to save before junking car

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Cougars 2 go
Well, BondoCougar and 4thqtr came over today and 4thqtr and I just sort of watched in amazement as BondoCougar was steady at it, non-stop, getting this engine and trans out of my wrecked '87 LS.  It took us about a steady 8 hours to get the set out.  This is the first time I have ever been part of an engine and trans removal so I learned a lot.  It was only BondoCougar's second time but you would think it was his fourth or fifth.


BondoCougar is a human machine!  :bowdown:  But it was definitely a learning experience for me. This type of activity should definitely be an annual tradition at Cat Jam.
1984 Cougar Convertible
1988 Cougar XR-7

Re: Need advice on what to save before junking car

Reply #14 –
Yeah, I'd be interested in a dash in that good of condition, IF I could afford it. The dash on my '88 is shot.