North American Turbocoupe Organization



Firing up after 2 years idle
unclefalter Offline
Member
#1
Hello!

My 88 TC has sat in a dry garage for 2 years now.  Part of it was my father's illness and passing away last year, which demoralized me severely and caused my interest in cars to temporarily evaporate.   Part of it was due to it needing tires - unfortunately our two 4 year old daily drivers *also* needed tires, both summer and winter, and the need to stagger those costs meant the Tbird sadly had to take a back seat.  I am hoping this year, finally, to get new tires on it, fix some odds and ends and just enjoy it for a season.

Before being parked the gas tank had mostly full with new premium unleaded gas.  Gas and storage is something I admit I seldom think about.  When I was using the car annually I'd just park it in the garage for the winter, and then start up, add fresh gas and carry on.  Winter in BC is usually mild - the car typically would be parked for 6 months.  However this time, owing to the above, it has sat for 2 years.  I believe I last started the car about 1 year ago to move something out of the garage, and it ran fine.  I just forgot about the old gas.  I've looked online for advice - most say to drain the tank, but a fair number say to just add fresh gas and carry on.  The reason I'm hesitant is I've not siphoned gas recently and am not keen on doing it in a tight enclosed space.  Our driveway is on an incline and the car's parking brake doesn't work so pushing it out and parking in driveway first isn't an option really.  Looking for thoughts there.

After that, I am trying to find a complete emergency brake pedal assembly, as I'm tired of not being able to park on hills.  I had this looked at a long time ago; apparently the physical plate or something broke, so the parking brake has nothing to lock onto?  Anyway, the tech that looked at it said the whole assembly needed to go.  But I've never seen one for sale online or anywhere.  Does anyone know where I could source one?

I'm not sure what I plan to do with my TC long term - it'll be 20 years since I got it next year.  I still have my eye our for a twilight blue one with blue leather interior like my Dad's original, but it's been almost 20 years since I've seen any TCs come up for sale in our area.  In that time I've not even seen another one on the road around here.

Many thanks!
88 TC 5spd - Black/Raven
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unclefalter Offline
Member
#2
One other question re: tires. I'm trying to decide what makes the most economic sense. While I would like to put good quality tires on, the reality is the car doesn't drive in winter and in a year typically would only be driven 1000-2000 km. So I'm wondering if going all out on tires is kind of a waste since tires usually have a 5 year lifespan. Wondering if I'd be better to keep the tires on the cheaper side and just replace every 5 years since I'll never wear the treads down. The 20 year old Yokohamas on my Tbird right now still look old (I just realized the other day how old those were lol-- oops).
88 TC 5spd - Black/Raven
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unclefalter Offline
Member
#3
In the event, the Tbird fired up just fine. I had left it with a full tank of premium gas, and I remembered I had stabilized it with Seafoam. The tires are definitely done, but I expected that. Otherwise seems to be happy.
88 TC 5spd - Black/Raven
Mikey97D likes this post
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Mikey97D Offline
Senior Member
#4
Glad to read it started up! I would suggest to top it off with some fresh fuel when you can.

You don't need top of the line tires, BUT.......There's a saying that has stuck me from dirt bike riding: Life is too short for crappy tires.
1988 TC, 5 spd, Stinger 3" Exhaust, Schneider Roller Cam, -4° Cam Pulley, Cone Filter, Gilles Boost Control Valve set at 17 psi, Walbro 255 lph, CHE Rear Lower and Upper Control Arms, Braided Brake Lines, Hawk HPS 5.0 Front and HPS (F) Rear, CRES Inserts in front calipers, and '93 Cobra Wheels with General 235/50R17 Tires.   
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anasazi4st Offline
Senior Member
#5
(03-20-2024, 10:12 PM)unclefalter Wrote: In the event, the Tbird fired up just fine.  I had left it with a full tank of premium gas, and I remembered I had stabilized it with Seafoam.  The tires are definitely done, but I expected that.  Otherwise seems to be happy.

When I was growing up in Western PA there was a guy who did state inspections out of his garage as a side job--perfectly legal, he was licensed and all that. I learned much from him, as I used to take my first car--a 1950 Oldsmobile (Rocket) 88--to him for various issues, as I was still learning. The cool thing was, he would let you watch him work and ask questions, as long as you didn't get in the way. He used to say, "There's three things you can't skimp on--brakes, exhaust and tires." I asked, "Why exhaust?" Apparently in the old days there weren't as many safety features on cars, and people often died from the effects of exhaust leaking into the passenger compartment from holes in the pipes.

There was a time about 20 years ago when I had a company car and didn't drive the TC as much. During those days I bought used tires from a reputable reseller, and never had a problem. YMMV.

Yes, I think adding the SeaFoam was a very good idea. I put that in every few months, even if I am driving it regularly.
Another proud dues-paying member.

1987 Turbo Coupe w/T5OD, 8.8 axle, grey smoke; most options. Got it in 1991 with 41K miles: 3 turbos, 2 heater cores, 3 T5OD full rebuilds, 6 clutches, 1 head gasket, 2 Teves II ABS units, etc. later....
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