New TC owner needing advise

Some of you have read about my issues with my 88 TC I recently purchased. I replaced the cam and followers 2 days after purchase due to throwing a follower and the cam being worn out. 2 weeks later a lifter broke and threw another follower. Replaced that and lost another lifter a couple days ago.

As luck would have it I happen to have enough money and a shop to be able to fix this thing the right way. Sunday I am pulling the motor out and sending the head to a machine shop for a valve job, new valves, springs, ranger roller cam, followers and lifters.

Here's my question, I will have about $500 after the head work and possible rebuild of the short block to do exhaust (it's open after the cat) and some other small mods. The car is pretty much stock with some cheap cold air intake on it now. What would give me the best bang for my buck? I am looking for this car to be a reliable daily driver as I am fighting for full custody of my kids right now and need reliable transportation. I would like to find someone who makes a full polyurethane bushing kit for the front and rear suspension and also I need new struts on the front. Is there a conversion kit to get away from the electronic ride control that isn't too expensive? Eventually I'll do the T3 and computer and stuff like that, but that will be after my divorce is final and I can get a second vehicle as a daily driver.

Let me know your thoughts and provide links if possible.

Ron

And here's the shop I'll be working in

[Image: DSC03359_zpsbbf7c621.jpg]

Just had a new two post lift installed today, and that's a paint booth behind the far wall where we plan to do all of the bodywork on the car also.

Ron

Nice garage Ron!

To be honest with you, i would fix what's broken and wait after the divorce because playing on these's cars is an addiction and you alway's need more. can get pretty $$$$$$.

Dan

I agree, but there are a lot of things that need attention and I am trying to get full custody of the kids, so I need to show I have reliable safe transportation. The major mods will begin after the divorce when I can get myself another daily driver without her trying to get her hands on it.

Ron

My car runs pretty good

Mods k&n cone in the fender msd coil and wires bbk fuel pressure regulator and a boost valve

Future will be a single 3" exhaust front mount intercooler and maybe a ranger cam

Just found this at a junkyard yesterday:

[Image: imagejpeg_2_6.jpg]

[Image: imagejpeg_2_4.jpg]

[Image: imagejpeg_2_5.jpg]

[Image: imagejpeg_2.jpg]

Thinking about buying just for the T3 and all of the non rusted water lines and oil lines. Guy "says" it only has 5,000 miles on it and he was going to put it in a ranger, but hasn't found a ranger he wants to use. Says it's been sitting a couple years. He's asking $400, what do you guys think?

Ron

The parts are worth it. Use what you need and then sell the extra. :happydance: