parts car becomes project car (again)

Once again, I just can't part it out. I made a low offer on a car I figured I didn't need based on email pics. Advertised as 200K, bad turbo and low compression. Pics show no headliner, nasty dash, console and package shelf. The first thing I see when I get it home are 2 PERFECT rust free doors and the whole set of Ford shop manuals for it in the back [Image: biggrin.gif]. Body is very good, only a couple very small rust spots that I think some POR15 and elbow grease will take care of. Also the rear bumper brackets are bent causing the bumpercover to pooch out slightly on each side.
It starts and will run smoothly if its kept above 2K rpm. Won't idle at all. The header was soaked after running 30 sec or so. Head Gasket I presume? The antifreeze is nasty, but doesn't seem oily. The oil looks brand new. I havn't checked the turbo in any way, but everything sounded fine when revved up if that means anything. I guess I'll pull the head and see whats up. Does this sound like a head gasket? And secondly, does anyone know how to get this Dynomat stuff off my trunk short of hours of tedious labor? Thirdly I guess I just wanted to talk about my new car. The girlfriend doesn't care [Image: smile.gif]

Congrats on the new car. With a little TLC (Truck Load of Cash [Image: biggrin.gif]) it should be running perfect!

Do you have a compression tester handy? Stick it in there and see. What do you mean by "the header is soaked"?

Good luck!

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Ryan Harris

88 TC, 5 spd, B&M Ripper Shifter, Walbro 190 LPH, Aeromotive FPR, K&N, 3.73 rear, KS disconnected, BCS bypassed, 89K miles, shattered clutch, new muffler bearings, Mobil 1 blinker fluid

TLC indeed. I have a compression tester, but it's not a screw-in type so I'll need an assistant. As for the soaked header... After I ran it for 30 sec or so I saw for smoke coming from under the intercooler. Pulled intercooler and found a triangle of water (I think) starting near the turbo and expanding to cylinders 2 & 3. The header over 1&4 was dry. I'll pick at a little every day after work and spend a little quality time with it this weekend.

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86 Turbo Coupe- Hurst Billet Plus
87 Turbo Coupe
88 Turbo Coupe-fenderwell K&N, Gillis valve, 255 Walbro, Kirban AFPR, Hurst Billet Plus
95 LX- K&N, 3" intake, Dynomax catback, InjectTech chip
87 F-150
NATO member
VTKC member
Skynyrd forever!

usually, coolant on the top of the manfold is a coolant line for the turbo leaking

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1987 Thunderbird 3.8
1987 Turbo Coupe, 5-speed

www.foxthunderbirds.fast-go.com

aka Tbird232ci

It's probably oil, and your valve cover gasket is leaking. That's right where the cork one goes out first. How much did you pay for it?

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Michael Pinto
www.aerobirdmotorsports.com

1988 Med Red/Red leather 5Spd, moonroof, all options, getting a fresh motor, BBK 255lph pump, Kirban AFPR, Cruzin' 35#s, AM IC hoses, Gillis Valve, AM prototype cold-air kit, 2' long open exhaust , Optima
1987 Code 33 Silver-Blue/Charcoal cloth, currently making my lawn look white trash, will soon be a race car
1988 White/Charcoal cloth auto, g/f's car, HL mod, Clarion CD/Stereo
1988 Shadow Blue/Blue cloth 5Spd, going to be a dirt tracker
1988 Cougar LS Med Red/Red cloth, 5.0/auto, moonroof
1988 Silver/red cloth, 5Spd, moonroof
1992 Dk Green SHO 5Spd, feature car, 13.37 @104, for sale

RIP-1988 Med Red/Charcoal cloth 5Spd, all options, McK kit, spoiler

I scored this gem for $250. The valve cover gasket is leaking for sure and a small amount of oil sure goes a long way toward making a mess. I'll check that as well as lines to the turbo and probably a million other things. I really need to get the thing to idle on its own. Looks like some searching/reading in my future. Fortunantely the only pressure on fixing it is how long the nosey neighbors will put up with an unlicenced car in my driveway. They love me [Image: wink.gif].

[This message has been edited by 3bird (edited 09-01-2005).]

Originally posted by 3bird:
TLC indeed. I have a compression tester, but it's not a screw-in type so I'll need an assistant. ...... I'll pick at a little every day after work and spend a little quality time with it this weekend.

I love that TLC - it made me smile Ryan. [Image: biggrin.gif]

As far as the compression tester, you should borrow one or buy a screw in one to get accurate readings. Its hard to get one on the #4 cyl in the back of the motor. I got mine at Advanced Auto for around 30 bucks.

Your story sounds like mine - Bought the car for $250, 100 bucks to tow it home, replaced leaking fuel pump assembly, ran compression test & have 140+ across all cylinders, and whittled away till it was done. See the pics in my sig to see what you can have when you are all done.

Thanks for saving another TC. Please post some pics.


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Tony Sceia -

HIS Red 88 TC http://www.turbotbird.com/showroom/TySa_88tc.html



HERS - Blue 87 TC, fully loaded with every option, Gilies Valve, K & N Filter, 3-core Radiator, New Paint...just needs to be put back together, Interior re-done & get some exterior parts.

87 TC - Bought as a Parts Car, & will remain a parts car now that I found the blue one.