New project - 1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe

[DRTYAPE_SRT]

Haven’t done too much lately, just some bodywork from the previous owner backing a gooseneck into the c pillar. It had a nice deep crease, so bad we had to end up doing a few relief cuts to flatten the metal out. Also had to shrink the sheet metal from working it too much, it was oil canning a little bit.

Got the timing belt changed, tensioner replaced with a high speed unit.

Deleted the AC and heat for now just to simply things for the time being. Most likely will keep the ac off.

More to come.

 

[DRTYAPE_SRT]

EESH.....005" clearance? I'd keep an eye on that...That's a piece of paper thickness and while it may clear now also think of heat expansion of parts and things flexing.

Sorry that was supposed to be 0.05 , we suggest 0.100 clearance, 0.06-0.05 pushing it.

 

[TK1299]

I think it’s so great you’re putting this car together. I love the 87-88 Turbo coupes. They have such a menacing look.

 

[DRTYAPE_SRT]

Got it out of the garage for the first time in months.

 

[Shadow Grey 03]

Got it out of the garage for the first time in months.
View attachment 1749681View attachment 1749682

I can't believe how much I like this car. Head studs, bigger turbo, and ethanol. Let it ****ing eat!!! Haha.

 

[DRTYAPE_SRT]

Been busy collecting parts to lift my 4Runner and have finally been able to get out into the garage since it’s cooled down a bit here in AZ.

Did a timing belt and couldn’t get the car to start, I thought I had the timing out of whack until I hit the tb with some starting fluid and it would run then die, had my father in law spay while I cranked and it ran like a top on the fluid.

No fuel at the rail, chased it all the way back to my one year old (temporary fuel pump) and it looked like the picture below.

So I decided to do the in trunk fuel cell, combined with a Holley in-cell fuel pump assembly and Holley HydraMat.

Made a stencil and cut out a piece of aluminum to flatten out the bottom of the spare tire well.

Still more to do but it’s coming around… slowly but surely.

 

[DRTYAPE_SRT]

Was about to drop in the pump assembly and noticed the sending unit float was clocked in a position that it would just hit the side of the tank at a 1/4 way full.

Removed sending unit and repositioned it but then realized it was going to hit the fuel pump so I had to do a little bending to make it all work.

Pump with the Holley HydraMat on.

Fitting from pump adapter HydraMat

Fuel pump adapter

Steam cleaned carpet.

 

[DRTYAPE_SRT]

the c-pillar damage wasn’t shaping up to my liking, I was going to have to put more filler on than I wanted, so after a failed attempt to pull an entire quarter panel six months months ago I finally found another junk car to cut the panel out of.

I’m going to butt weld the panel in and see what happens from there…

I’m just a weekender when it comes to body work/paint so if it end up as a ten footer I’ll be happy.

Found an old blue moroso battery box and installed it and ran two vents to a couple of bulkhead fittings.

Also added a vent and tip valve to the fuel cell.

 

[DRTYAPE_SRT]

Inner door panels were trashed, they were held together with an array of different screws, rivets, washers, epoxy’s etc… I pulled the usable parts off and fanned up some simplified panels from som ABS plastic.

I added the top trim piece back on and covered it with some fake alcantara. Then I attached the original velour door card back on.

I still have to install the door lock switches and I’m going to fan a cover for the door handle mechanism out of kydex.

 

[DRTYAPE_SRT]

Added some gauged and eliminated the Radio equalizer and hvac controls. Will be adding an electric ac compressor in the trunk and a condenser in the void where the gas tank was.

Also have a wide band a/f and mounting bracket to replace the clock on the dash.

 

[DRTYAPE_SRT]

Refreshed the taillights best I could.

 

[DRTYAPE_SRT]

Also moving forward with the manual swap, just going to toss in the 4Cyl t5 that came with the purchase of the car.

The previous owner also had the pedal assembly for a 87-88 tc so that’s away a huge plus.

I have everything I need for the swap besides the driveshaft (I plan on picking on up while on vacation in October) and a trans mount.

I actually drove the car on Christmas Eve of last year and the 4aod was completely whooped.

Still a TON to do and slowly moving forward.

 

[andymarkv]

Very cool to see some updates on this! That C pillar repair...damn, that sucks because it looks like a super clean car otherwise!
LOVE seeing the manual swap! (was bummed to see the AOD) although, turbo cars are usually faster auto..? Just definitely not as much fun.
Leaving the AC out in AZ...? Is that even an option? lol!

 

[DRTYAPE_SRT]

Got it up in the wheel cribs, now I just gotta get that auto out and shove the t5 and see what happens.

 

[DRTYAPE_SRT]

It’s been slow going ( as usual ) but even slower as I’ve suffered a knee minor injury.

Got the transmission pulled.

Installed pilot bearing.

Replaced rear main seal.

Went to install clutch and realized I didn’t have the pressure plate dowels so I had to order a set.

I purchased a driveshaft while on vacation back in October in Cali, unfortunately I just realized that the seller gave me a mustang unit instead of the turbo coupe specific drive shaft I asked for(45.5” instead of 48”)… still working on a resolution.

Pulled the steering column to install firewall boot specific for the hydro clutch master and clutch pedal assembly.

Replaced steering rack and hoses.

Removed cornering lights and replaced with NOS solid fender moundings.

 

[98 svt]

Wow it's coming along. Nice job. How's the knee?

 

[DRTYAPE_SRT]

Wow it's coming along. Nice job. How's the knee?

Thank you! It’s a micro step process.

Have a MCL sprain, it’s healing but now I’m getting pain in my patella so I’m getting it checked out next week.

 

[98 svt]

Thank you! It’s a micro step process.

Have a MCL sprain, it’s healing but now I’m getting pain in my patella so I’m getting it checked out next week.

Oh jeez man. Rest up, the work will still be there when you're ready.

 

[DRTYAPE_SRT]

Got the clutch pedal assembly installed today.

 

[DRTYAPE_SRT]