Progress Thread 12th Owner: My '93 Notchback Restoration & Performance Build

Try banging on the door panel in the area of the motor, that would be about 10" down from the top edge and about 6" from the front of the door panel , as you push the button, sometimes it works.
but it will not work forever so plan on looking into checking out the wiring/motor for repairs.
 
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One thing to check is the window motor drive bushing. They are plastic, and eventully just disintegrate and keep the window motor from moving. The are cheap, and usually found in the help isle at the parts store.

Here is good overview of replacing the bushings:
<- That site is for Thunderbird super coupes, but the method for replacing the bushings is the same as a fox mustang.
Edit: Spelling
 
Thanks pats91. Those instructions will be very helpful. The window motor looks very similar to a rotary engine.

I did just some initial research/shopping around on LMR. Their motors are some $13.00 more (+ shipping) than Amazon for the exact same item. Looks like I have another weekend project.
 
Thanks pats91. Those instructions will be very helpful. The window motor looks very similar to a rotary engine.

I did just some initial research/shopping around on LMR. Their motors are some $13.00 more (+ shipping) than Amazon for the exact same item. Looks like I have another weekend project.

The first time I had issues with a motor, I took it out and jumped it across the battery to see if it would work. It did. I put it back in and got another 6 months out of it.

Finally changed it out when I had it apart to do my actuator. Probably would still be running.

Just my .02
 
Thanks. I noticed it worked intermittently about a month ago and mysteriously started up again. Recently when it stopped I tried whacking the door panel and there was no change. I went ahead and bought a new one today on Amazon -$36. I have a credit on Amazon, so I'll just replace it, grease the tracks and hopefully not have to deal with it ever again.
 
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I've started to research the paint and body process. Something I didn't know: Collision Shops don't do restoration work. So I eliminated three of the local shops I had heard were good. Of the three remaining I'm getting quotes of around $8,000. That's for a paint color change from silver to black without painting the engine bay. My car has hail damage on the roof, different (non original) front quarter panels and minor dents elsewhere. Just out of curiosity I called some western Arizona shops and they're about half the cost. Thanks Kalifornia!
 
So my driver's side window won't go up. I do see my alternator dip when I press the window button so it's getting power. Is this likely a window motor swap out? What's the consensus?
Hit the door panel while hitting the button . My pass side does the same . Motor is on its way out
 
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Well, I swapped out the driver's side power window motor tonight and after a metallic pop sound (the gear popping into position) the window flew up and down with ease. I even remembered to add white lithium grease to the gear prior to installation. Nice little project.

The old one was pretty much seized up.
 
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Weighed my vehicle today on a legit cargo weighing scale. 2,960 pounds without me in it. That seems to be right about 3,200 wet. Pretty impressive little car.
 

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I'm starting to research paint and body and am getting quotes of $5,000-$5,500. Granted that is California prices and C.A.R.B. approved paint. For those who have done paint and body is this a reasonable estimate? I always have the choice to drive to Arizona or Nevada for cheaper prices and better paint.
 
I had my first ‘86 GT repainted in ‘92 -‘93...... maybe ‘94. It was taken down to the metal, completely smoothed out.... the works. Cost me almost $3k. (got $800 from a lady who backed into the driver fender at a gas station, so I went all the way). Anyway, at the rate everything else has gone up, I’d say that’s not bad.
 
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$5000 isn’t bad. It really depends on what you want done.

A real and true restoration can cost up to $65,000.

Might be a little more than you’re looking for though.
 
Uh, ya. Not interested in a rotisserie.

Minor hail damage to the roof, minor door dings elsewhere. The worse is under the passenger side frame rail. Some moron drive over a bunch of rocks or something. Paint is oxidized due to the sun and requires thorough sanding.
 
On another note, I'm thinking about bringing the car to a collision center to straighten the frame. The car is visibly higher in the right rear (see attached photo) and lower in the front left. Anyone have any experience with frame straightening?
 

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ALL of the suspension is brand new. Bilstein shocks and strut and FMS B springs. The pax rear is 3/4" higher than the driver side rear. The driver side front is 5/8" lower than the pax side front. I know the car was a quarter mile car for some time. I removed and measured the rear anti roll bar and it is taller at its connection point by 1/4"+ on the pax side.
 
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