Progress Thread 83 Convertable Engine swap

Light bulb in glove box not shutting off? Just throwing out one of those stupid little things that could slip by.
:) believe me we’ve been through it.
We are now checking each wire individually.
After removing all the smog crap— epa crap there is so much wiring that went to different things.
You literally couldn’t hardly see the old V6 as it was so covered with Vacuum lines, and wiring.
I want this engine bay cleaned out of everything that is not needed.
I just want the fans, AC, and just what is necessary for the engine to run properly.
 
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Well after several days of looking on here, and anywhere else I could think of, have figured out the problem of battery drainage. My new 130 amp Alternator and the
Instructions that came with it, and a misunderstanding with LMR has been the problem.
No one—I mean no one on here ever described or diagramed how to wire the Alternator to a 79 to 86 Fox.
If anyone did I missed it.
Couldn’t find it anywhere on the InterWeb.
Spent half the night up looking.
Today I spent some time looking at the old wiring, and how it was supposed to hook up.
No way.
Come home and got on the phone with LMR.
Tried to explain the situation.
Said I had what I needed to wire it correctly.
Ask him to send me any wiring diagram, and video they had for the 83.
Bless his heart, he did.
Printed it off, and as soon as I looked at it knew we had problems.
New Alternator has an internal voltage regulator.
The new instructions show you must have an external voltage regulator.
So I immediately called LMR BACK.
Luckily I got a different service hand.
He listened to me, then looked up my past orders.
He realized the mistake that was made.
Apologized whole heartedly.
They are sending the external voltage regulator, proper wiring, and a wiring diagram that will work.
Not charging me as he said it was their mistake.
Said it would arrive next Monday.

The fan controller arrived today, and I think it will work. Just looks better to me :)

So everything will be on hold until Monday evening.

I know that I will get some bull:poo: about the Alternator—I don’t care.

Some of the experts could focus on pre 87 Fox a little bit.
Whole different ballgame people.
I’m learning the hard way.
Not much out there :(

6DE3C8A8-469B-485D-A29D-C0E24B6ACB84.jpeg
 
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That sounds like a mistake I could make -- especially since I'm planning to upgrade the alternator on my '85 at some point. I'll keep your post close to mind when the time comes.
hope this helps to relieve any pain you could've encountered.
I feel the only mistake you can make is not getting the people you are buying parts from not understanding exactly what you are needing.
Wiring is very different from 86 to 87.
Make sure they know it is for a fox 79 to 86.
Drive it home to em -----79 to 86
So many changes for the Fox during it's run.

If my mistakes help you then I haven't wasted too much time. :)
 
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Well after several days of looking on here, and anywhere else I could think of, have figured out the problem of battery drainage. My new 130 amp Alternator and the
Instructions that came with it, and a misunderstanding with LMR has been the problem.
No one—I mean no one on here ever described or diagramed how to wire the Alternator to a 79 to 86 Fox.
If anyone did I missed it.
Couldn’t find it anywhere on the InterWeb.
Spent half the night up looking.
Today I spent some time looking at the old wiring, and how it was supposed to hook up.
No way.
Come home and got on the phone with LMR.
Tried to explain the situation.
Said I had what I needed to wire it correctly.
Ask him to send me any wiring diagram, and video they had for the 83.
Bless his heart, he did.
Printed it off, and as soon as I looked at it knew we had problems.
New Alternator has an internal voltage regulator.
The new instructions show you must have an external voltage regulator.
So I immediately called LMR BACK.
Luckily I got a different service hand.
He listened to me, then looked up my past orders.
He realized the mistake that was made.
Apologized whole heartedly.
They are sending the external voltage regulator, proper wiring, and a wiring diagram that will work.
Not charging me as he said it was their mistake.
Said it would arrive next Monday.

The fan controller arrived today, and I think it will work. Just looks better to me :)

So everything will be on hold until Monday evening.

I know that I will get some bull:poo: about the Alternator—I don’t care.

Some of the experts could focus on pre 87 Fox a little bit.
Whole different ballgame people.
I’m learning the hard way.
Not much out there :(

6DE3C8A8-469B-485D-A29D-C0E24B6ACB84.jpeg

I hope this is your last hurdle!! Can’t wait to hear/see a video of it running!
 
Maybe post up the instructions for the 79-86 conversion so we can get it in the 3g thread in the technical/how to forum.
I'm not bitching about this forum.
I learned how to do the search here, and couldn't find anything.
Find out Monday or Tuesday how it all works out, but the diagram the young man sent to me makes total sense.
Will post anything that will help a dumbass like me.
 
I tried to post a video on "How it sits Now" the other night.
about 30 seconds.
It wouldn't post.
wouldn't accept it.
any advice on that?

Not very good at this computer stuff :(

I am pretty sure the only way is to upload it to a YouTube channel, and then copy that to a post here. If there is a way to avoid the YouTube, I’d like to know as well.
 
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You might not be a great computer person , but you know your cars. Excellent diagnosis my friend . When your done have your daughter make a video of her dad ripping down a local road . Lmr has been good . Im surprised they have people who understand that much . If your that good you could get a job anywhere.
 
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I'm not bitching about this forum.
I learned how to do the search here, and couldn't find anything.
Find out Monday or Tuesday how it all works out, but the diagram the young man sent to me makes total sense.
Will post anything that will help a dumbass like me.
i know you are not bitch'n, well, your car is but back to the point, this is how and why the tech/how to thread was created, while the fox membership is the largest here (last time I looked) the 79-85 crowd is small and some of the tech stuff, being different, is lacking, so any contribution is welcome.
 
i know you are not bitch'n, well, your car is but back to the point, this is how and why the tech/how to thread was created, while the fox membership is the largest here (last time I looked) the 79-85 crowd is small and some of the tech stuff, being different, is lacking, so any contribution is welcome.
I’ll do my best, but that can be scary :(
 
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Just finished wiring the new fan controller about an hour ago.
Everything is working as advertised :)

Will pretty up the engine bay this weekend.
New external voltage regulator is supposed to arrive Monday.
Hopefully this will get the little Fox out on the streets.

Left the wiring a mess, but it will look pretty when I’m done.

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I'm gonna offer a little thought on something.
that heater hose coming off the intake, I would find a 90* fitting for it, just a thought. It will make a straight shot off to the side instead of that hose bending in a arc
I know— looks like crap.
It was just a quick fix to get everything running :)
Gotta pull the HEI up to put the elbow in.
It will be done.
I’m gonna do everything I can do to make that engine bay as uncluttered as possible.

Everything seems to be coming together finally, and I will be able to end this daily drama.
Would be a nice change to be able to watch others here, and see their progress, and encourage them as I have been encouraged.
I ‘m glad I found this place :)
 
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I was not an 'internet forum' kinda guy. I found this one when I was having problems with my 89 hatch that I put an engine into and could not get it to run right, every google search I did brought me here, I've learned a lot hang'n here. First thing I learned was most of the problems were self inflicted.
 
I was not an 'internet forum' kinda guy. I found this one when I was having problems with my 89 hatch that I put an engine into and could not get it to run right, every google search I did brought me here, I've learned a lot hang'n here. First thing I learned was most of the problems were self inflicted.
I’ve felt the same pain :D
 
Went down to the shop tonight about 7:30 pm.
Wanted to start it after it was totally cold, and see if the fans would kick on as I had set them last night.
Happy to say, —I’m very happy :)
After the voltage regulator comes in Monday, I am almost afraid say—The little Fox will hit the street.

I’m gonna post a photo of what you need if upgrading a 79 up to 86 Fox to a 130 amp Alternator.

FF4DFAF5-FFAE-4DA7-A73A-A99349F3D106.jpeg
 
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