what to look for?

[JaxPT]

I'll be getting an 89 SHO tomorrow and just wondering ,what are some things I should be looking for when going over the car?. I have no idea on the history of this car, my gf bought it used a few years ago and its been sitting for about 2 yrs now. I plan on rebuilding and modifing it for occasional street driving and some drag racing at the track. Is there a way to tell if the 60k tune up had been done? or do I just need to go in and check the valve clearances and see what it looks like.

any hints, tips, info, STFU's would br a great help.

Dave

 

[Jonny Cash]

I'll be getting an 89 SHO tomorrow and just wondering ,what are some things I should be looking for when going over the car?. I have no idea on the history of this car, my gf bought it used a few years ago and its been sitting for about 2 yrs now. I plan on rebuilding and modifing it for occasional street driving and some drag racing at the track. Is there a way to tell if the 60k tune up had been done? or do I just need to go in and check the valve clearances and see what it looks like.

any hints, tips, info, STFU's would br a great help.

Dave

You definitly just need to see the history, and the overall condition of the car.
If you plan on modding it, you will soon find out that all the maintnence comes along with the "rebuilding and modifying" .
Check the body lines to see if its ever been smacked. (doors opening closing **** like that) Thats all that matters for a car that your going to ******.

 

[JaxPT]

I've looked at it before and as far as I can tell the body is straight and everything lines up. I just never took a real detailed look into the car, I saw it sittin and thought...mmmm, yeh, Taurus. Little did I know what it was capable of till recently.

 

[Jonny Cash]

They are addicting! A couple years ago I fell upon my first, and never would of thought I would be so in love. Being a modern import, and a classic car guy.
Best of luck. Im actually going to buy my first gen1 on thursday. I cant wait.

 

[40BelowSummer]

They are addicting. Im 17 and Im on my 4th personal SHO!

I would pull a spark plug wires and check for oil in the spark plug wells. Listen to the motor run and listen for heavy ticking/knocking. Check the fluids.

 

[JaxPT]

thanks for the tips, so far I know the seats are shot, sunroof wont open, its probably just the switch, i'll hit it with the multimeter and see what i find.
It runs ok but now and then gets tempermental and starts coughin and bucking like a biotch. needs paint, i think i'll stick with the flat black like it is now. Needs right side front door glass, someone pegged it with a bb while it was sitting.
has a break in one of the exhaust pipes, and probably needs some new brakes and tires.

this one should keep me plenty busy for awhile but seems like it will be well worth the effort when its up and running right

 

[JaxPT]

Well I picked up the car tonight, it runs pretty well except for idle, it surges like crazy and then stalls. apparently the previous owner did a bunch od mods, it has a nice CAI, not just short ram also has a Quaife, well my gf says both tires turns when you launch it so I assume thats what it is and it has aftermarket duals that need replacement.

LOL, entire trunkpan was rusted away, i found out as I was driving and all the sheetmetal came off, luckily the trunk liner was in there our the spare would have gone flyin.

like I said , needs lots of work but seems to have major potential, no knocks , pings, or any other noise from the engine.

 

[40BelowSummer]

You sure it has a Quaife? That would be a major score considering they are $1000. Just because both tires spin doesnt mean it has a Quaife.

Good luck with it though!

 

[JaxPT]

not 100% on the Quaife , is there an easy way to tell? I know it has a sweet cold air intake kit on it. oh and the police grill also

 

[TYSHO]

Pull the driver side axle, easier, and see if there's a little hole in the differential. If there's not, your stock and you'll see a shaft going through, while two others stop before touching the shaft that is completely through. So a shaft going across = stock and little hole = Quaife

 

[JaxPT]

aight thanks I'll check into it when I get the time. meanwhile heres a couple pics of the lil beastie http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/486274/10