North American Turbocoupe Organization



Howdy, my name is James and...
Blade1433 Offline
Senior Member
#1
I'm a Ford-o-holic. Everyone in my family is a Ford fanatic. Now, imagine they're dismay when I go and buy an Isuzu! Last August I bought an 89 Amigo and it's been nothing but problems. Since August, it's gotten new calipers and rotors in the back, new pads in front, new tank and fuel pump, filler tube, radiator, and various other things. It's alot considering it was only at 126,000 miles. After the truck dying on the way to work last week, I've decided to sell it. My first car(I'm 17) was a Ford LTD wagon with 220,000 miles that cost $500. I sold it to my neighbor, now it's got 250,000 miles on it and it still runs strong. One of my friends from work has an 88 turbo coupe for sale. $1,200, 89,000 miles, great body, and perfect interior. Before I go buy it, if I do, what do I look for when going over the Bird? What areas are it's weaknesses? What should I look for to get him to come down on the price? To the best of my knowledge, it's bone stock with the exception of a flowmaster exhaust. I would be asking except I have no experience with forced induction engines! We've got a 70 Boss, restored a 67 Bronco, 64 Impala, but this new stuff has us stumped. Would it be a good idea to have the car checked out by someone who knows what they are doing?

Thanks
James
Reply

Walsted Offline
Posting Freak
#2
Sounds like a good price to me. If you are willing to get your hands dirty, they're great cars. I bought one in awful shape about six months ago, and after a lot of work, and parts, it is a great car. Nowhere near good enough for the showroom, but a lot better in EVERY respect than, say, a mid-90s Corsica.

As far as what to check, pretty much the same as you would on a normally aspirated car, ensuring that the car "gets up and goes" when it is supposed to.

If you don't like the guy you are buying the car from, and want to get the price down just to be mean, try these lines:

"There's a crack in the exhaust manifold" (Look between cylinders #2 and #3, the stock manifolds tended to have an abnormally high failure rate there. Many, if not most, of the folks here get a better model, so the stock model has been seen in a few different places for $10 used.)

"It's leaking oil" (From what I understand, a lot of the cars leak oil from the valve/camshaft cover. Oil leaking from elsewhere is NOT a good sign.)

Hope this is of some help.

------------------
Mike Walsted
1986 5-speed TurboCoupe .

[This message has been edited by Walsted (edited 06-19-2001).]
Mike Walsted - Sold my 1986 5-speed TurboCoupe
Reply

Pete D Offline
Administrator
#3
Blade, The bottom end on the engine is very stron and usually long lived. 89 K is not a lot on a reasonable cared for engine. Make sure all the electronic stuff works - the ride control, A/C, ABS, Sound sytem. The usual like brakes, clutch. Brake rotors are expensive because of the ABS system, so if it's in need that a good arguing point on the price. It's an 88 so it's got the better exhaust manifold (E-60). Make sure the cooling fans work, a common problem area. These use a hydraulic clutch so look for leaks at the cylinders. The asking price is well within reason for a clean solid one.
Keep us posted on your efforts.

------------------
88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, Main TC with K&N, 3"DP to 2.5"duals through Dynamax, Ric valve at 17+ and disconnected KS.
Elite Bodega 16" chrome wheels. Autometer pod w/ A/F and Vac/boost gauges. New engine shortly, ported head and
manifolds, polished and cc'd chambers, A-230 cam, Race Engineering Adj Cam Sprocket, Crowlers, ARP head studs, Walbro 190 pump and T-3 for starters. KB subs
and jack rails.
Pete Dunham


Reply

Walsted Offline
Posting Freak
#4
Pete - What year did the E6 replace the E3 as factory standard? I know it is an '86 part number, but it wasn't on my '86.

------------------
Mike Walsted
1986 5-speed TurboCoupe .
Mike Walsted - Sold my 1986 5-speed TurboCoupe
Reply

1987tc Offline
Senior Member
#5
Quote:Originally posted by Walsted:
Pete - What year did the E6 replace the E3 as factory standard? I know it is an '86 part number, but it wasn't on my '86.


I am not Pete but it was 87. My 87 has an E6 and I have not heard of any in 86 having it. I suppose that with Ford love of half year changes it could have been on some late 86tcs but never heard of one.
Wes

------------------
1987 TC:
Hurst compition plus shifter,K&N cone,roller cam,custom single exhaust,Gillis valve,H&R springs,KYB shocks,struts and quads.
3.73 rear.
Tubular rear control arms and Kenny Brown trac kit brackets. soon to come, Installation of Caster camber plates and a custom built roll cage.
Wes Arnett
Linton Indiana
Sold my Turbocoupe. It went to a good home.
Reply

Hawk Offline
Senior Member
#6
James,

Anytime you want to sell that Boss, let me know. I had one in 1980. I would love to have another. Buy that bird, it sounds like a good deal.

Roy
Reply

Noname
Unregistered
#7
The spare motor that I have is an 86 and has E6, go figure?
Reply

Pete D Offline
Administrator
#8
Mike, I'm pretty sure my 86 SVO has the E-6
The 87-88 TC do for sure. Don't know exactly when th echange was made?

------------------
88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, Main TC with K&N, 3"DP to 2.5"duals through Dynamax, Ric valve at 17+ and disconnected KS.
Elite Bodega 16" chrome wheels. Autometer pod w/ A/F and Vac/boost gauges. New engine shortly, ported head and
manifolds, polished and cc'd chambers, A-230 cam, Race Engineering Adj Cam Sprocket, Crowlers, ARP head studs, Walbro 190 pump and T-3 for starters. KB subs
and jack rails.
Pete Dunham


Reply

Blade1433 Offline
Senior Member
#9
Never, ever, gonna sell the BOSS. I love that car too much

James
Reply





Users browsing this thread:
1 Guest(s)



Theme © iAndrew 2018 - Software MyBB