Finally!

[piece-itpete]

An update if anyone cares

Replaced the idler arm & pitman arm. Runs and drives nice and tight, like a good car should, with a little rattle that is (groan) lower control arm bushings, so soon when I get the money and inclination new lower and upper poly bushings, lower and upper ball joints, and new front springs.

That should sure feel good ride wise. I changed the control arm bushings on the PC Cruiser and man, those Energy bushings make a world of difference. Hopefully I don't kill myself changing the springs, it's a lot different than the rears. Years ago a buddy made a spring compressor out of a bumper jack - the spring went through the garage wall.

I didn't say a smart buddy.

I've also changed the sway bar links, cap/rotor/wires/plugs (gap .050, the old ones were worn to 060+ and it still ran good!), a rotor (repacked the bearings too), cleaned/lubed/bled both front brakes, fixed a door handle, and have managed to clean and condition the 2 front seats and a bit more of the interior. Very nice interior, when it gets a good complete cleaning I'll post some pics.

I've only got to change those &*$%# bushings/springs etc, belts, hoses, finish cleaning inside and out, replace 2 window motors, install the aftermarket stereo properly (only 1 speaker is playing and no radio), get the locks working (a central relay is fried), redye the dash, change the headliner, change the outside mirrors (one broke, and the thermometer on the drivers side is nonfunctional), change the electric trunk pulldown, fix the glovebox (nonopening), look at the A/C (134 converted and new compressor, here's hoping it holds a charge), change a couple of various outside trim pieces, and install a nice patch on the drivers' door arm pad...

I think that's it The somewhat laughable thing is, I'm trying to get this done by the beginning of June

The good news is, most of the parts come off the 89.

And again, I'm under there changing the front end bits looking around, I'm really beginning to believe it's 35k. We'll know in 5 years

Pete

[d-ray657]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

An update if anyone cares

Replaced the idler arm & pitman arm. Runs and drives nice and tight, like a good car should, with a little rattle that is (groan) lower control arm bushings, so soon when I get the money and inclination new lower and upper poly bushings, lower and upper ball joints, and new front springs.

That should sure feel good ride wise. I changed the control arm bushings on the PC Cruiser and man, those Energy bushings make a world of difference. Hopefully I don't kill myself changing the springs, it's a lot different than the rears. Years ago a buddy made a spring compressor out of a bumper jack - the spring went through the garage wall.

I didn't say a smart buddy.

I've also changed the sway bar links, cap/rotor/wires/plugs (gap .050, the old ones were worn to 060+ and it still ran good!), a rotor (repacked the bearings too), cleaned/lubed/bled both front brakes, fixed a door handle, and have managed to clean and condition the 2 front seats and a bit more of the interior. Very nice interior, when it gets a good complete cleaning I'll post some pics.

I've only got to change those &*$%# bushings/springs etc, belts, hoses, finish cleaning inside and out, replace 2 window motors, install the aftermarket stereo properly (only 1 speaker is playing and no radio), get the locks working (a central relay is fried), redye the dash, change the headliner, change the outside mirrors (one broke, and the thermometer on the drivers side is nonfunctional), change the electric trunk pulldown, fix the glovebox (nonopening), look at the A/C (134 converted and new compressor, here's hoping it holds a charge), change a couple of various outside trim pieces, and install a nice patch on the drivers' door arm pad...

I think that's it. The somewhat laughable thing is, I'm trying to get this done by the beginning of June

The good news is, most of the parts come off the 89.

And again, I'm under there changing the front end bits looking around, I'm really beginning to believe it's 35k. We'll know in 5 years

Pete

I am impressed. Sounds like you have a plan and the ability to execute it. If I tried to work on a car, I would probably execute myself. My dad loved to tinker with cars, but I was more interested in sports, reading sports illustrated, looking at the swimsuit issue, riding my bike and hanging out with friends. I did listen when he talked politics, his being a good union man an all.

If you ever decide to drive that tricked out ride to the KC area, come by and show it to me. In the meantime, I'll look forward to the pics.

Regards,

D-Ray

[rickr15]

That should sure feel good ride wise. I changed the control arm bushings on the PC Cruiser and man, those Energy bushings make a world of difference. Hopefully I don't kill myself changing the springs, it's a lot different than the rears. Years ago a buddy made a spring compressor out of a bumper jack - the spring went through the garage wall

Having done the same bushing swap I wonder why the factorys haven't gone to poly bushings. I would think the price would be in line with rubber ones.

As for the springs most Autozone/Checkers will rent you a spring compressor for much less than the hospital bill you might incurr without one. Makes the job a lot less scary.

[d-ray657]

Originally Posted by rickr15

As for the springs most Autozone/Checkers will rent you a spring compressor for much less than the hospital bill you might incur without one. Makes the job a lot less scary.

There is capitalism doing what it does best - a need and a product to meet the need - as long as they don't charge you more for it if you go in with stitches in your forehead.

Regards,

D-Ray

[rickr15]

Originally Posted by d-ray657

There is capitalism doing what it does best - a need and a product to meet the need - as long as they don't charge you more for it if you go in with stitches in your forehead.

Regards,

D-Ray

Usually you put a deposit on the tool. When you bring it back they give you your deposit back. If you do not bring it back you just own it. So its really not a rental per se.

Of course Robs deal sounds pretty good too.

[piece-itpete]

Want to hear something really funny?

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

... I'm trying to get this done by the beginning of June
.....

And that was 2010!!!

Anyway I was driving it occasionally with the bad exhaust to keep it in trim and ran into an electrical problem, no spark, no fuel. After changing the distributor, coil, computer, a bunch of connectors and testing the heck out of anything I could find (a real learning experience) I gave up had it towed to a shop and - it was a bad connector.

Took it from there to the exhaust shop and had a 2-1/4 h pipe dual exhaust cat back. Reused the magnaflows, they were fine. It has a nice little growl but not excessive.

During the downtime, before it stopped running!, I finished the stereo. Some of it I did already but it's finished now. A very nice install if I say so myself, and I do , wonderful Clif components in the front and Clif totl 6 x 9s in the back. For less than $100 NOS off ebay I wouldn't waste my money on other 6 x 9s. Also two nice used amps, one running the fronts, one running the backs, a Kenwood Excelon head unit, fused 8 gauge power line from the battery to the trunk and nice distribution blocks. It really sounds good! It makes me feel like a kid but I might add a small sub to fill out the bottom end.

I've also done the timing chain/harmonic balancer/PS pump/fan clutch.

A couple comments: the chain was bad, I could squeeze it AT LEAST 1/2". It also didn't have plastic teeth, so it had been replaced before, which means o yeah the odometer is turned over for sure. The harmonic balancer looked OK from the front, but from the back it was ugly, the rubber was cracked and peeling. The fan clutch seemed fine but the new one has a different sound....

The water pump looked fine, cast iron beast, I reused it. I picked a Cloyes dbl roller for the replacement chain. The new PS pump was given to me, nice guy!

One super tip for many Fords - to remove the crank bolt that holds the harmonic balancer on, I just stuck a jackhandle over the breaker bar and hit the key a couple times. If you ever do it make sure the engine turns the right way! Can't take credit, someone else mentioned it to me

Job went pretty well, the water pump leaked so I had to redo it, and I managed to force the PS return line over the factory cap on the pump, but no broken bolts and the car runs. Runs much better actually, I didn't expect it to be so noticable. Win. Although it still has a mysterious occasional 'cough' noticeable when driving a steady speed. I can live with it.

I've been getting ready to do the heater core/blend door, it would be nice to not have the heater/cooling system fail in the winter, and the coolant smell gets old.

BUT- my interior lights have taken on a mind of their own. They come on in the middle of the night by themselves and kill the battery. It's probably the 'brain', it's got an illuminated entry system and delayed lights. I'm waiting for a NOS one I picked up on ebay. At least it's an easy change.

Then this AM, my speedo goes dead. Probably the cable. I was going to change it anyway when I did the heater core (you have to pull the dash) but darn it!

And it's hard starting when hot, the starter is probably defective.

I was supposed to have the mechanicals done, and the new top and new paint by now, and be pimpin' in style.

So, if you ever consider buying an old fixer upper, read this thread and contemplate your doom!

Pete

[piece-itpete]

Don't be too impressed, I'm really a backyard hack driven by financial concerns

Thanks for the invite. I hope to take you up on it someday, and if you ever come up to glamorous Cleveland Ohio drop me a line.

Yeah I can't believe they're still using rubber. I'd be surprised if the sports cars are though.

I'm planning on using a spring compressor but still...

Headline: 'Local idiot kills self with car spring. Details at 11.' lol

Pete

[merrylander]

Shit, I have a pair of spring compressors in the garage somewhere that I will never use again.

[piece-itpete]

How about, I only say nice things about Democrats for a week for those compressors?

Seriously, if you're interested just shoot me an email with details.

Pete

[hillbilly]

Using a spring compressor is not a bad idea .. however I've never found the need for one unless the springs are mounted on struts. I still don't need one then, unless I'm replacing either the strut, or the strut cartridge. Non strut automobiles are a breeze to remove coil springs.


Automatic transmission tools are a pain in the ass to gather up though ( if you buy them ). Orta see the home-made tranny tools I made .. just to save a grand or so I couldn't caugh up. Wasn't a bad trade off making them myself, really, I think it cost me about 3.00 worth of wire used off the spool in the welder, and the junk out of the scrap pile I used to make 'em with probly wouldn't brough more than 10 cents if hauled to scrap. But my tools work .. and the two tools I made for about 3.10 saved me about a grand