Progress Thread 1985 GT 5.0 Mustang Restoration/Bringing my dad's old car back to life

Good call @Noobz347 on the brake light. Either this car is an ‘85, or it’s got a pretty cool story to tell....... which is now continuing on to another chapter! I’ll definitely be watching to see where it goes!

The gas tank also doesn’t have the middle hole for the sender like the ‘86 had, so that would have had to been changed too!
1DCFF312-5EBB-4B18-82FE-8DC260D2FED9.jpeg
 
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I remember my EX wife and I looking at a brand new GT convertible in 85.. I was thinking that it was now or never to buy one as they were the last year of carburetor...LOL.. How things change... No didn't buy it and no longer have the wife......
 
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Good call @Noobz347 on the brake light. Either this car is an ‘85, or it’s got a pretty cool story to tell....... which is now continuing on to another chapter! I’ll definitely be watching to see where it goes!

The gas tank also doesn’t have the middle hole for the sender like the ‘86 had, so that would have had to been changed too!
1DCFF312-5EBB-4B18-82FE-8DC260D2FED9.jpeg
Yeah... pretty sure we're looking at an 85.
 
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Yeah... pretty sure we're looking at an 85.
My ‘86 I have now may look like an ‘87 and up (not my doing) but 20-25 years ago when I had my first ‘86, I knew all the ins and outs. (I really wish mine still had the four eye nose)
I’d be very surprised if this car was not an ‘85. Either way, it doesn’t matter, cause he’s bringing it back to life and I’m excited to see where this build goes! Rock on @Kyle427
 
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I have been trying to work on it every day and get something done whether that is big or small. I realized that I need a creeper since that would make getting down there under the car a lot easier and more comfortable. I already pulled off the radiator, fan, shroud, and I'm in the middle of pulling off the water pump. I think you guys are correct, it might be an 85. I do not think it has the 3rd tail light, but I will get a picture when I am over there later finishing up the water pump. It is carbureted, which also leads me to believe that it is an 85. I think I'm gonna stop by a local auto store to see if they carry any fuel line because it looks like the hoses are cracking around where the clamps were. I got the wheels off after going through the pain of the last lug nut on the last wheel being a different size, I want to do a 5 lug conversion. Do you guys think down the road 5 lug would be better? I am not worried about any of it now I just want opinions on what you guys think. I am going to clean the wheel housings and under the car then once I get the key I'll pressure wash it. Also, what is the biggest size wheel you can fit in the back? I will post pictures later, thanks for the help!
 
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My ‘86 I have now may look like an ‘87 and up (not my doing) but 20-25 years ago when I had my first ‘86, I knew all the ins and outs. (I really wish mine still had the four eye nose)
I’d be very surprised if this car was not an ‘85. Either way, it doesn’t matter, cause he’s bringing it back to life and I’m excited to see where this build goes! Rock on @Kyle427
Is the newer ( flush) front end a bolt on job, to a 4 eye?
 
I'm just gonna put this here

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IMHO, the Aero Nose is a step down. Four Eyes are where it's at tfor this body style. If you just work to put that car back into a original shape and only modify those things that improve safety and handling, you will end up with a car that everyone else will wish they had.
 
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Is the newer ( flush) front end a bolt on job, to a 4 eye?
It was done before I bought the car. But it’s more than the nose. The body moldings are different, which means the the rear bumper cover should be changed as well, and obviously the hood , if all is going to match correctly.
All that being said, it is bolt on, except for some splices to the headlight harness.
I wasn’t really looking for a car when this one came available so I jumped on it. I do wish it had the original nose though, as the ‘85 / ‘86 is the best looking IMO. I don’t really care for the earlier 4 eye noses with the different grills.
 
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I'm just gonna put this here

1620148841232.png


IMHO, the Aero Nose is a step down. Four Eyes are where it's at tfor this body style. If you just work to put that car back into a original shape and only modify those things that improve safety and handling, you will end up with a car that everyone else will wish they had.
Those ten holes look good on it...
 
It was done before I bought the car. But it’s more than the nose. The body moldings are different, which means the the rear bumper cover should be changed as well, and obviously the hood , if all is going to match correctly.
All that being said, it is bolt on, except for some splices to the headlight harness.
I wasn’t really looking for a car when this one came available so I jumped on it. I do wish it had the original nose though, as the ‘85 / ‘86 is the best looking IMO. I don’t really care for the earlier 4 eye noses with the different grills.
You do know that you can get a new 4-eye nose for those, right? It might take a minute to find them but they exist. I think Cervinnis makes or sells them.
 
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I have been trying to work on it every day and get something done whether that is big or small. I realized that I need a creeper since that would make getting down there under the car a lot easier and more comfortable. I already pulled off the radiator, fan, shroud, and I'm in the middle of pulling off the water pump. I think you guys are correct, it might be an 85. I do not think it has the 3rd tail light, but I will get a picture when I am over there later finishing up the water pump. It is carbureted, which also leads me to believe that it is an 85. I think I'm gonna stop by a local auto store to see if they carry any fuel line because it looks like the hoses are cracking around where the clamps were. I got the wheels off after going through the pain of the last lug nut on the last wheel being a different size, I want to do a 5 lug conversion. Do you guys think down the road 5 lug would be better? I am not worried about any of it now I just want opinions on what you guys think. I am going to clean the wheel housings and under the car then once I get the key I'll pressure wash it. Also, what is the biggest size wheel you can fit in the back? I will post pictures later, thanks for the help!
I think the VIN will tell you the correct year for your car.