North American Turbocoupe Organization



Known trouble areas from ext. storage
Slowr w/o Blowr Offline
Junior Member
#1
I'm going to be looking at 2 turbo coupes here in the next few days. They are both for sale, but they have been in storage for a long time, possibly 6+ years. Are there any particular areas that i should spend time looking at for problems. I was just not sure if there are commonly known trouble areas that i should pay careful attention to when inspecting.

AFAIK, the 87 runs but needs rear calipers, the 88 has a blown head gasket. The 2 cars come with 2 complete long blocks and 2 spare t5 transmissions. They are currently both automatic cars, but have all the interior parts to convert them over to a 5 speed. Also comes with 1 spare factory hood and front bumper assembly. Owner is asking 1000 for everything- he's calling it a fire sale.....

Since i'm a new member and i didn't see a newbie section, i have a 2003 Mach1 thats pleasantly modded. I am a mechanic, and have done all of the work on my car myself with the exception of tuning and alignments.

Kenne Bell
maximum motorsports torque arm/ panhard bar
t-56 custom built
aluminum d/shaft
mac prochamber/ magnapacs
I probably don't want to think about how much i actually have in it.
2003 Mach1
Full suspension
twin screwed
t-56
87 TC unknown mods...
88 TC unknown mods...
07 SCrew 4x4
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5.0TurboCoupe1988 Offline
Posting Freak
#2
careful with the one with a blown head gasket. i just picked one up that sat 10 years with antifreeze in a cylinder.
1988 TC 2.3/5-Speed, 148K
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Slowr w/o Blowr Offline
Junior Member
#3
yeah, even if its smoked, there are 2 spare motors. Prolly only take 6 hours to R&R them. I was more worried about subframe and electrical issues.
2003 Mach1
Full suspension
twin screwed
t-56
87 TC unknown mods...
88 TC unknown mods...
07 SCrew 4x4
Reply

Pete D Offline
Administrator
#4
Welcome
I'd say look at the front shock towers and sub frame rails in that area. That is one of the bad rust areas. Check the lines going across the back side of the K member for same issues.
Pete Dunham


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BJL Offline
Moderator
#5
the rubber hoses on the rear brakes are also bad on the ones i find. all of mine where what i call "field" cars. they sat in dirt or grass for long periods of time.
my blue 88 2 1/2 years in a shop yards sunk into the ground before i go it.
my gray 88 sat 4 months on the side of the road for sale
my gray 87 sat at least since 2005 in the grass, then tony gave it to me.

all cars have all had the rubber hoses severely cracked and rust near the rear wheel wells.
the strut towers seem to be a common place to rust and check out the lower part of the rad support.
rear brake calipers and cables i had replaced on all. one the gray 88 the diff cover rusted and had a hole in it.
the ignition switch can get dirty and cuase high resistance.
chamge th brake fluid as the tEVES unit is tremper mental about dirty fluid.
Brian Larkin
88TC 330,000 miles
Slightly Modified
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gmaibach Offline
Senior Member
#6
thats still a steal if the body is in good condition.
1988 Turbo Coupe 5 speed Red with Red cloth interior, K&N cone filter, Ported IHI turbo, ATR Header ported, Manual Boost Controller at 18 psi.

2013 Focus ST 2.0 Turbo, Buschur green filter, OCD Speed axle back exhaust.
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vinnietbird Offline
Senior Member
#7
$1000 is a great deal.After you build one car,you can sell your extra parts and get most of your money back.
1988 Thunderbird. No details will be given or spoken of.
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zbird Offline
Posting Freak
#8
Wish I could find two to make one good one. Heck for a grand and two engines I would be jumping for joy.
Dom Z
88 T/C med grey. 140 MPH Speedo, Kirban FPR, Gillis valve,Tripminder, K&N.
87 T/C Silver, Auto (project Daily driver)
99 F150 4x4
14 Ford Escape 2.0L Turbo
IF YOU DRIVE A FORD YOU DON'T NEED A GOODWRENCH!!
88 T/C http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZihO_D1FLCE
87 Silver http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dVU5axnb...ature=plcp
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Slowr w/o Blowr Offline
Junior Member
#9
Well i've got some good news. The 87 is in relatively great shape!! It has been undercoated and i didn't see any considerable rust underneath it.

The not so good news...

87 has a bad auto transmission-bad brakes and the paints probably ruined. 1-2" of pigeon **** on them from sitting in an old barn. The 88 is probably destined to be a parts car or maybe a race car. Its missing the radiator and exhaust/turbo assembly. The spare motors did not have a valve cover on them and i saw some rust forming on the cam lobes.

Good news to finish up my post. Owner now wants (sales tax for his new pickup truck)7% of $7000.00 and whatever it cost to plate his 2001 pickup truck for the cars.
So, that would be $490.00 + title and document fees are. I'm expecting to get these cars for less than 700 bucks maybe?
2003 Mach1
Full suspension
twin screwed
t-56
87 TC unknown mods...
88 TC unknown mods...
07 SCrew 4x4
Reply

zbird Offline
Posting Freak
#10
That's great. No way I could find a deal like that down here. Heck I can't even find a T/C down here. My son wants one and I am trying to find one to fix up for him.
Dom Z
88 T/C med grey. 140 MPH Speedo, Kirban FPR, Gillis valve,Tripminder, K&N.
87 T/C Silver, Auto (project Daily driver)
99 F150 4x4
14 Ford Escape 2.0L Turbo
IF YOU DRIVE A FORD YOU DON'T NEED A GOODWRENCH!!
88 T/C http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZihO_D1FLCE
87 Silver http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dVU5axnb...ature=plcp
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