Ford guys...need help with 87 Mustang

[Avatard]

Picked up a 5.0 Mustang for my kid. 1987.

The car has high miles for a car of it's origin and vintage, but was handed down in the same family, so it's been fairly well treated. The cat was still using it as his daily driver.

The body kit looks like ass, and I was wondering how hard it is to remove, and what's left after it's gone.

http://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/1547920495.html

Also, I'm a Chevy guy...what goes bad on this shit?

The Brakes are kinda soft on it, even though the seller said it's just had a new master cylinder. Thinks it may need more bleeding, but pumping didn't seem to raise the pedal.

Its not god awful, but for my kid, I'd rather the brakes be rather crisp. Replace the rubber lines? What's the deal with these things? Am I just used to Chevy brakes?

Anyone have a line on parts?

Any help appreciated...

[G-Rex]

That body kit is the factory stuff I believe. My best friend just gave his wife a '93 5.0. I'll ask him where he's been getting stuff from for ya.

General Ford stuff = throw a spare starter solenoid in the back and a wrench. These things go out regularly. I keep 2-3 in the trunk of my Galaxie. They are on the inside fender, so they are a 5 minutes ordeal to fix if that much.

As for the brakes, I'll go out on a limb and assume you checked the fluid level already? If it's low enough, it would act much in the same way that you describe.

[Avatard]

It's definitely the factory body kit, but 20+ years hasn't been too kind to the plastic. I'd love to pry all that shit the fuck off, and paint the car, but I was wondering what's left if you remove it.

Are they the stock 'Stang body panels underneath, or special ones with reliefs to fit the plastic that will look like something's missing if I take the shit off? Will I have to mig weld up a shitload of holes? If so, can I instead inexpensively get new plastics anywhere?

I'm guessing that 'Stang parts aren't exactly hard to find, this car is rather ubiquitous...hence my reasoning to get it. It could really use a new hatch, since it has some rust on it. Needs the odd plastic interior part here and there too...nothing I'm sure I can't find at a boneyard.

I'm already having a bit of buyer's remorse for having gotten my kid a muscle car, though...and a Ford, at that. She's already sent a '91 Jeep Cherokee to the crusher by failing to keep the shiny side up in the big snow storm we had...

[Adeptus_Minor]

Originally Posted by Avatard

I'd love to pry all that shit the fuck off, and paint the car, but I was wondering what's left if you remove it.

A Mustang LX

[Avatard]

...Also, does anyone know if that car is carbed or injected? It has the stiffest fucking throttle return spring I've ever seen on a stock "factory" car.

[BobTheBiker]

why feel bad? the 302 smallblock is a freakin BULLETPROOF engine pretty much. those cars really arent bad designs.

long as you keep the oil changed and grease the greasable stuff, you're good.

[TommyHotWheel]

http://www.foxresto.com/
http://forums.corral.net/forums/
Fuel injection started in 1986, so thats a fuelie. There is a Forum and a Resto supply house that I use should get ya started and answer alot of questions.

[Avatard]

Originally Posted by TommyHotWheel

http://www.foxresto.com/
http://forums.corral.net/forums/
Fuel injection started in 1986, so thats a fuelie. There is a Forum and a Resto supply house that I use should get ya started and answer alot of questions.

Thanks!

Edit: Geez, that foxresto link has everything. I can see this resto becoming a real nice father/daughter project this spring. I firmly believe if you build a car up yourself, you'll never wreck it.

Anyone here see "Love the Beast"?

[karl_1052]

Originally Posted by Avatard

Thanks!

Edit: Geez, that foxresto link has everything. I can see this resto becoming a real nice father/daughter project this spring. I firmly believe if you build a car up yourself, you'll never wreck it.

Anyone here see "Love the Beast"?

Bana wrecked his.

BTW, that car is nice, and can be a handful in winter.
Get her proper winter tires and sandbags in the trunk.

those cars are so simple to work on, I was able to change the water pump on my GT in less than 40 minutes.
for longevity:
Do a complete brake job
Flush the cooling system and install and electric fan(the stock clutch fan is probably close to seizing, or the plastic blades have been broken off)
Change the fluids(including transmission and rear end)
drive the pants off of it.

[TommyHotWheel]

Originally Posted by karl_1052

Bana wrecked his.

BTW, that car is nice, and can be a handful in winter.
Get her proper winter tires and sandbags in the trunk.

those cars are so simple to work on, I was able to change the water pump on my GT in less than 40 minutes.
for longevity:
Do a complete brake job
Flush the cooling system and install and electric fan(the stock clutch fan is probably close to seizing, or the plastic blades have been broken off)
Change the fluids(including transmission and rear end)
drive the pants off of it.

An electric fan mod from a Contour is good and a junkyard uprade for a five lug and newer better brakes from an early Ranger is nice too. look for disks for the rear from a Lincoln too....Junkyards are your friend with these cars.