(UPDATE, more pictures!) I was just offered a Fox Body for $1,000. Help me decide if I should take on this burden

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well, just when I was getting my hopes up, i receive some interesting photos from my man with the car that tell a new story.

first, I found out what it actually is, a 1991 Mustang LX (with title in hand) that was originally blue.

it looks like the old owner ripped a bunch of things out. The carb is gone, the performance tachometer is gone, the transmission is gone, and we FINALLY get to see what the inside of this thing looks like... and its not pretty. I personally cant tell if there even is an ignition or key hole.

so help me out here. It looks like maybe it used to have a bunch of switches to start it and that whole system has just been ripped straight from the car. Now, I can live without a nice interior. If it were my car, those seats would be gone in favor of some aftermarkets, and a cage would replace the back seats. Im more worried about getting something in this car that will make it run and drive.

Knowing what I know now and thinking back on my original plan, I’m starting to think it might be easier to just junkyard engine swap it, as it seems like it would cost less than Buying a Carb and transmission, and then having to actually rebuild the engine. Im not a performance nut, I really just want to see this car drive and have a fun weekend cruiser.
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if the body has no rust its still a great deal.. take some pictures of the strut towers near the bottom and the front frame rail, may be difficult with the headers in the way. if they are in good shape its a no brainer for me.
 
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PER my database with that plate. That car originally was a 1991 4cyl M 2.3 Lima Dual Plug. SOOOOOOOOO

BUY THE CAR!!!!!!!!!!

and do that Junk Yard swap.. It is set up for a V8. Id look for a 5.0 and a T5

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I am not saying this because I think I know what you should do. I am currently swapping my v6 single port for a v6 dual port and building it out. I will say it again, I would buy that car as it sits as a roller and it be a new project car. I love your thought process. Make it Driveable and just continue to mod it until you love it and say it is complete because It is YOUR build.
 
What do you realistically want the car for?

If you want a project... then go ahead.

If you want a nice Fox to drive... save your money and buy a better car. You will spend more rebuilding that heap than just buying a nice one. Replace nickels and dimes with 50's and 100's.
 
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No chance I'd buy that mess. Parting it out isn't realistic or sensible. All the time, energy and craigslist hassles to make a few bucks will not be worth. It would be easier and more economical to get a second job at McDonald's for a couple daya if you need money.

Be a good donor for a race car build or to fix a wrecked v8 car, that's its.
 
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That car will take a bunch to get running. The rear end sits unusually high. Driveshaft is probably gone too. You'd need a good junkyard engine, carburetor, linkage, complete center console, ignition switch, shifter....amongst other things. That car was an automatic from the looks of it. Not hard to find an auto out of a later model v6. The explorer v8 is still plentiful but harder and harder to find in good shape.

To me it would be a struggle at 1k. The car would have to have the proper 100+ speedometer and the right 8.8 rear to be worth it to me. The electrical is the scariest part for me...but 9/10 the lights and all work. Being a guy that's done a bunch of 4 banger swaps the right way.... I'd source the correct 91 engine harness and computer to install the explorer engine. There are a bunch of things that will nee to be swapped ( brackets...timing cover....distributor...blah blah ). The heater core has no hoses running to it...probably needs a heater core...and the AC stuff is stripped out.

1000k would be a big stretch. The car would have to be rust free and have the v8 rear and cluster. Realistically, I'd be at around 500 for that car without.....only if its rust free. If it's a true V8 LX I'd pay a little more...and be happy with 1k.
 
What do you realistically want the car for?

If you want a project... then go ahead.

If you want a nice Fox to drive... save your money and buy a better car. You will spend more rebuilding that heap than just buying a nice one. Replace nickels and dimes with 50's and 100's.

I agree with Twighlight, 90sickfox and 2000xp8. I would save a little money if your interested in a fox and buy one that'll give you less headaches.
On the part out deal, there are cars on Craigslist here in Albuquerque that people have been trying to part out for years. Maybe its just the Southwest. They are always on there. Maybe parting out these cars and actually making money on them is easier in other parts of the country. My .02.
 
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Okay, so I think I can actually get the car for $500...



to answer some questions and explain myself even more, my purchase of this car knowing what I know now would solely be to get it up and running again as a ‘cheap’ (and yes i use that term loosely) project build. I’ve always accepted and loved the fact that the fox platform was Made and meant to be modified. This one is no different.



I may have confused some of you by mentioning I would part it out. That was my overthinking accounting for ever possible scenario even the worst case.



Now that the car is being offered for $500, I have a little more money to play with regarding a rebuild. Ive had friends tell me they would sell me used LS engines for $500, even though an LS swap would be one of the last things I want to do. I know for a fact I can find a used tranny for a couple of hundred through another buddy. I’ve also accounted for the dash after seeing the pictures, and my local pull a part has a couple of SN95 cars on the lot I know still have a solid dash as I wash just there in December and saw the few mustangs they had on the lot. I heard the dash replacement is tedious and some cutting is involved, but thats a discussion I’d be willing to have if I did buy the car. I also told my buddy to take a look under the backside and see what he can tell me about it. He says it looks like its a built 8.8 rear w/ 410 gears.



Again, I want to reiterate it would be a junkyard build, I’m not trying to rebuild this Fox into some 90’s show-car. I probably wouldn’t even repaint it! Think Sean’s Monte Carlo from F&F Tokyo Drift more so than Dom’s dads Charger in the first film.



I’d want to take on most of the work myself and with the held of friends. As you can tell by the way I even came upon this deal, I have a few people I know that have done things like this and are willing to help me.



Im going to take a look at the car tomorrow. I’m bringing $500 cash with me and I’m keeping it in my car until after I take a look at everything.



Any last minute thoughts on this? Am I totally wrong here... let me know before I do this to myself
 
My thoughts have not changed. $500.00 is even better. I do agree that you need to look in the strut tower and see what your getting there. the car is worth more than that price. We all hit the pull a part yards. Formulate a plan and stick with it. If you have a friend that can get parts at a discount price, that is a good route also. I have three local pals who buy parts through me frequently. You could always bring that car to me and I would pay you 500 to bring it and give you the 500 you paid out for it.
 
Man, it sounds like you want somebody to talk you out of it.
Look, if you find that this car ends up in your driveway take a step back and visualize what you want to do with it. Make a plan.
That is what I did with my car, I knew what I wanted it to do.
And I've beat the crap outta this car for over 30k without a problem.
 
A shell is worth 500 bucks. Check the strut towers behind the front wheels and under the hood. You could put a f150 5.0 or even better 5.8 in it to get it running. The firing order would be non HO unless you swap camshafts. There are all types of parts that will work from a JY.
 
Seeing it now, and hearing you talk about your limited mechanical knowledge, I would probably pass on it. However, if you are up for a long term project (years, not months) then it’s a good deal. All depends on how much money and friends you have. It would be a great car to learn with, but not one you will probably be driving anytime soon.
 
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