Turbo Coupe Preservation

Ok I am now ready to retire my 86 Turbo Coupe to the Tbird Graveyard (220k+ miles, 5 different colors and rattling and squeaking down the road. Still starts right up though and cruises fine otherwise. I have been using it up till today). I now have a sweet 87 model in excellent condition with 87k miles on it I have been working on to putting on the road. The 83-86 model is nice and I love it, but I have always had a soft spot for the 87-88 model, I just think it is a sharper design. And with the intercooler, ABS and ride control it has better features. I recently had the T5 tranny rebuilt in it and threw on a new clutch assembly. I have replaced those "Ford Better Idea" plastic lens assemblies cause it would not pass saftey inspection because it made the headlamps too dim. I'll post pictures soon of it. It is really a clean bird. Not perfect but nice and I want to keep it 13 years like the one I am retiring now.

So my real question is how do I preserve it besides regular and odvious maintenance?
1)What is best for treating the rubber molding and such?

2)How do I keep those new lamp lens looking clear? What is best stuff to use to clean the old ones?

3)Where can I get a new factory shifter knob? Mine needs replacing.

4)Anything else? I would just like to try and make this bird persevere.

Thanks [Image: smile.gif]

HEY BADBEAN!!!HAILS AND WELCOME from Aberdeen!!!Too many products on the market for me to decide which ones to use...I just keep mine washed and waxed about once a month when weather permits...as for interior...good upholstery products abound...weatherstripping...I use a good silicone, and the headlight lenses I polish with a buffer...still have the originals and someone let them get BAD...GEMME A HOLLAR!!!ck the members list for the rest of the MD flock!!!or is that a gaggle...oh that's for geese!!!LOL!!!

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Garry McVey Birdoprey always in flight... TBird TC owners are usually wingin' it
83 86 87 87 87 87 TC 87 XR4ti

1)What is best for treating the rubber molding and such?

A good rubber/vinyl protectant. I've heard very bad things about Armorall and comparable products, apparently they can leech oils out and actually worsen wear. A friend of mine had the vinyl top on his Buick redone by a reputable shop, after about 4 years it's starting to show wear and tear already, and I think it's because he always slathered it with Armorall. Meguiars makes some good products, I'd recommend their stuff.

2)How do I keep those new lamp lens looking clear? What is best stuff to use to clean the old ones?

If they get bad, use some fine-cut polishing compound. But keep them waxed regularly and that should reduce/eliminate the cloudiness.

3)Where can I get a new factory shifter knob? Mine needs replacing.

Wish I knew. I replaced mine with a similar-looking knob from a parts store.

4)Anything else? I would just like to try and make this bird persevere.

My TC has almost never been garaged, and the sun has taken its toll on the paint, dashboard, and rubber mouldings around the rear windows. If it weren't for those things it would still look new. The paint is still pretty good except for some oxidation on the hood, but the dash has quite a few cracks. Keep it garaged or at least covered as much as possible.

Shift knob - try Green Sales, see Vendor's page.

Shift knob green sales is a no go!!I called a couple of weeks ago for one and they just sold the last one they had for 150.00!!Ouch!!I will just be happy with my 99-03 mustang gt shifter knob.It looks almost identical to the original minus the "TURBO" embosed in it.And 5.0 Resto sells them for 20.00!!

where do yuo get the gt ones? i am interested scince mine is good and i would like to keep it that way.

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1988 TC Blue 5sp low miles no mods as of yet still gettin endumacated.

Thanx guys for the advice. 88TCSEYMORE what is the url for the shiftknob so I can order one. Thanks again.

I got a nice Cobra knob from Ford for about $25 3 years ago that I use for daily driving.
Has the 5 speed shift pattern embossed on it so I can pass Maryland inspection if i ever move there. And it threads right on.

Mother's and Meguiar's both make great products for preservation of rubber and plastic parts. You don't live on Middle River Road do you? I saw a TC and Mustang between US 40 and Philadelphia Road a while back.

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Dan S
NATO Member
84 and 88 Turbo Coupes
It's no longer a hobby, now it's an osbession!

So, you're putting the 86 out to pasture, eh? What are you doing with the T3? I'd sure love to get my hands on it.