Looking at buying an 89 SHO

[AcesWild85]

Like the title says. It is an 89 SHO with a 5 spd and 100K miles on it. Clean title and the guy is askin 1700. What kinds of things should I look for if I go look at and test drive the car? Also, can anybody tell me what kind of gas mileage these cars will get if you don't get into the gas pedal too much?

 

[SHO M0nk3y]

Go here it should answer some of your questions SHOTimes.com - What should I look for in a Used SHO?. Good Luck .

 

[SHOGIRL1994]

I would say that page sums it up very well. Also, if you have the opportunity, crawl underneath and just do a quick feel of the subframe. I went with a fellow SHOforumer to pick up an 89 once and we didn't check underneath. Turns out the subframe was basically rotted through.

 

[AcesWild85]

I'll be sure to check out the subframes, but rust usualy isnt a huge issue in this part of CA What is involved in the 60K, 120K, 180K mile tune ups? What are the consequences of not having these done?

 

[SHOGIRL1994]

My point is you can't be too careful. My car wasn't originally from Florida either.
AFA the 60K (it's basically the same for each thereafter), you'll want to do the basic things such as replace spark plugs and wires, timing belt, valve lash (special tools req... I know forum member SHObill has quite a few sets, contact him if you need them), all your seals such as valve covers, o-rings, sensors such as CPS and o2's, water pump, rod bearings, and while you're in there, might as well flush and fill all your fluids for good measure.
Consequences would include a variety of things... it's safer to just REPLACE stuff first rather than wait for it to go. For example, you don't want to be 20 miles from home with a blown main seal or a spun rod bearing as you could imagine.

 

[AcesWild85]

How difficult is this to do? I've looked at my friends 94 and that engine bay looks like a pretty tight place to work. I did all the basic maintanence on my old 1990 5.0 mustang, so i'm not afraid of getting my hands dirty, but then again I never adjusted the valves on the 302. Not to mention this isn't a ford motor that has been around since the 1960s either. Also, what about the clutch upgrade for pre 91 cars? what is that all about?