So Pumped to Get Into a 1989 SHO

[auto obsessive garage]

Hi Everyone,

My names Chadwick and I got my hands on a 1989 SHO that needs...well, let's just say a bit of loving. I've always liked these cars (every version) as I'm a huge fan of sleepers...and honestly, it's among the best.

A little background, I track down cool (in my opinion) 80's and 90's cars that need some (or a ton of) TLC to be restored back to running order. I even have a YouTube channel if you guys wanna check it out:
https://www.youtube.com/c/autoobsessivegarage

I've been trying to hunt down an eligible 1st year Taurus SHO and one finally came across my radar a couple months back. It's a pretty solid example, and most importantly all original. My goal is to address some long overdue maintenance items...a major one being the timing belt which is waaaaay overdue for a change. Speaking of which...if anyone can point me in the direction of a good tutorial that would be awesome. I'm sure I will get through it no problem, but its always nice to have those pointers from others who have done the job before.

I look forward to getting this SHO back to where it should be and checking out the other sweet rides on the forum. Super pumped to be an owner of such a cool car.

 

[sperold]

This will be the start of your journey

http://www.wikisho.com/wiki/Timing_Belt,_Water_Pump,_CPS_and_Crank_Seal_Replacement_for_the_3.0l_MTX

Over the years, a lot of people have followed the instructions closely and ended up being 1 tooth out, so get all the information from this forum that you can, follow the belt markings, and be aware of the slack-side, tight side workings of the belt.

 

[blk\blk90]

Post up some pics when you can. And remember, 1st gen, best gen!

 

[luigisho]

Keep the crank position sensor while changing timing belt. There are no readily available replacements in the supply chain (oem or aftermarket). You could get lucky and find an individual with one in their garage, but they are basically unobtanium new

 

[zoomlater]

Welcome!

 

[auto obsessive garage]

 

[auto obsessive garage]

Here are some photos of the SHO. Again, it looks great in the photos, but if you watch my vids, there are some fairly rough cosmetic surface rust spots that need addressing...and I've got to get that beautiful engine spruced up.

Thanks for the helpful responses. Concerning parts for the car...are there any issues I may run into in ordering parts for an 89 SHO? So far I've found that no one has the right part listed for the air filter (local parts stores and even Rock Auto). I had to get a 1990 SHO filter...all the ones listed for an 89 were about 1/2 the size I needed.

 

[blk\blk90]

Looks good! Shosource has a good selection of parts. Heres a couple links for guides and part numbers.

Lots of info
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/77a1h1wsvvdmtox/AACBSbusdJqRt-PIONbmMpeTa?dl=0

60k guide
http://web.archive.org/web/20110506202226/http://www.shophoenixproject.com/upper60k/upper60k.htm

Part numbers
https://www.dropbox.com/s/iz0c85idj...irtmV2kX6WwlitI2selK37VVTTA8C1XlpVWahPCdrF5zI

 

[luigisho]

Are you aware if the clutch has been replaced?upgraded? The 89-90 ish had an undersized clutch 9.25" which was upsized to 9.75" along with the flywheel sometime in 1991.

 

[SHO1]

'89's are my favorite! I've parted a few '89's and still have a bunch of parts. Lots of stuff is same over the years, but some are specific to G1 and just '89. Need anything lmk. I might have it.

 

[luigisho]

Concerning parts for the car...are there any issues I may run into in ordering parts for an 89 SHO? So far I've found that no one has the right part listed for the air filter (local parts stores and even Rock Auto). I had to get a 1990 SHO filter...all the ones listed for an 89 were about 1/2 the size I needed.

There are some repair manuals that have the incorrect firing order listed to match the coil pack to the correct spark plug/cylinder. It's archived in several places so, you can confirm it easily online, or route any replacement spark plugs wires one at a time.

 

[auto obsessive garage]

Are you aware if the clutch has been replaced?upgraded? The 89-90 ish had an undersized clutch 9.25" which was upsized to 9.75" along with the flywheel sometime in 1991.

Unfortunately I received no history with the car. Going to assume that it hasn’t been touched and currently at 133k miles. Everything feels solid but may be worth a peak.

Can the larger flywheel/clutch combo simply be installed?


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[auto obsessive garage]

'89's are my favorite! I've parted a few '89's and still have a bunch of parts. Lots of stuff is same over the years, but some are specific to G1 and just '89. Need anything lmk. I might have it.

Appreciate it. I will give you a holler if I’m needing anything I can’t track down.


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[blk\blk90]

Yes, it's a direct replacement. It more than likely has been upgraded already, the small ones only lasted around 25-30k miles.

 

[blk\blk90]

I checked the vids out. Looks like you need a front motor mount too. Looking forward to seeing the progress!

 

[auto obsessive garage]

Made some sweet progress on the SHO today. Finally tested the new temp sending unit I installed and now the temp gauge works perfectly! I also finally checked the car out with my block tester (heartbreaker) and the SHO had no combustion gasses present. We are go on this restoration.

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[auto obsessive garage]

Tackling the windshield wipers and hood struts next. Mock me if you wish, but what’s the trick in changing out these wipers? Even sourced some new vintage ones. Also, any

tips on replacing the hood struts?


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[luigisho]

It's been a while and they mount weird at the bottom. I think I usually turn the wipers on and shut the car off when they are fairly upright so I can wrassle with it. The arms have a hook shape at the end so the wiper blade theoretically gets removed pulling it down. There is usually a plastic mechanism in the blade housing that snaps in so look for a tab to depress while you are trying to remove it.

Hood struts I'd also have to refresh my memory. One end is like a ball and socket connection with a funky wide almost C clip thing that has to be popped up before you can pull the end off. You'll notice the metal around the plastic attachment area. I'll have to look at the other end. Not my daily driver so I forget some of the stuff I haven't dealt with in some time.

 

[NoSlo]

That style of wiper just pulls off the nubbin in the picture. There is no clip. I had that on my Tempo. It might help to spritz with PB Blaster, and then twist a large flat-bladed screwdriver between the blade and the arm to push it off. They were frustrating enough I also just slid a new blade insert in from the end sometimes, which used to be easy to find.

You might have bought the wrong kind, hard to tell from the info online about WW2004. At the very least, the clip part for new style has to be removed so you just have the hole.

It would be goofy to get into the clutch until it has problems. 30 year old MTX fluid time though, if you have no history.

Probably time for its first upper 60k also.

 

[auto obsessive garage]

Thanks for tips guys. I was able to just wedge a flat screwdriver down to depress the spring to get the old ones off. The WW2004 is the factory replacement blade and they simply snapped right back on. Done a ton of wiper blades before, hadn't run across this type yet.

The SHO is at 132k...so I will certainly look at the 60k mile service for sure. The good thing is there are no leaks, but that doesn't stop me from performing preventative maintenance. The plan of action is:

-Timing belt and water pump
-Valve cover gaskets
-Intake manifold gasket
-Plugs and wires
-Replace all fluids
-Plus much more

I will tackle those hood struts next...some of these parts are tricky to ensure they are the correct ones, but so far so good. Thanks again fellas.