Progress Thread LILCBRA's 87 GT vert project (now prepping to replace the left floor pan)

Brakes work! Kinda.... :cautious:

Still a little spongy, and they're a little tight, but it moved and stopped under it's own power!

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AND it got it's first bath in probably 8 years! :banana:

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There's a surging idle when it sits for a couple minutes, and it grinds in the 2-3 AND the 3-4 shifts - nothing that can't be dealt with at a later date - but it's ready to be shipped up to Iowa....
 
Wut chu talk'n bout Willis?
Of the cars or their truck?
Both if possible without the driver knowing but not necessarily the truck, driver will prolly document with pics and notes on a condition report, I would be suspect if they didn't.
OH,and get insurance and driver info (if you can) and check the status.
They should have a form to give you with insurance carrier and truck/driver info.
Don't be tricked by 'subcontractors ' and "yeah, I gots insurance' is not 'proof of coverage' .
The vast majority are honest hard working Joes or Joliets,
limp had a good experience shipping his Mo......Mop.....ar someplace I don't remember.
 
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I had good luck with the transport of my grandpas Lexus out from the Quad Cities Iowa to San Diego. I think it was $1,100. Guy had to park the semi a little ways away from my house because I don’t think semis can get to my house, I just walked and met up with him.

My parents setup the transport so I can’t comment on all the insurance and other liability stuff.
 
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No exciting news to report really - I removed the shim from the star adjusters and got the brakes to more or less operate properly. When I went to start it, the brand new battery was almost dead, so there's some kind of draw somewhere.... probably from the stereo "system" some PO installed. Add that to the list!

Something that's been on my mind lately - the 4 lug rear disc setup from LMR: would the front SVO upgrade be appropriate with them, or would I need to keep the original front brake setup to retain 4 lugs? I'd like to upgrade the brakes all around when I get to them, but I'd also like to keep it 4 lug and go with the offset GT turbines that LMR is selling, so I'm kind of questioning if a brake upgrade is even feasible. I'm still a ways away from doing anything, but would like to have some kind of plan in place. Anyone have any thoughts?
 
About all you can do with the the four lug stuff is good pads, flush the brake fluid, and drive it. I had the SVO/Lincoln Mark VII calipers up front long long ago and it was a minimal improvement that was not worth the hassle. This was with disc brakes in the rear so think Thunderbird Turbo Coupe rear brakes.

I will just put this out there. If you spend any money on the existing four lug brakes you are basically throwing money away other than maintenance stuff. Just switch to the SN95 five lug brakes which will exponentially improve the braking, wheel selection, and the parts are readily available in all parts stores. You can still find the cars in salvage yards and get decent deals to swap that way.
 
About all you can do with the the four lug stuff is good pads, flush the brake fluid, and drive it. I had the SVO/Lincoln Mark VII calipers up front long long ago and it was a minimal improvement that was not worth the hassle. This was with disc brakes in the rear so think Thunderbird Turbo Coupe rear brakes.

I will just put this out there. If you spend any money on the existing four lug brakes you are basically throwing money away other than maintenance stuff. Just switch to the SN95 five lug brakes which will exponentially improve the braking, wheel selection, and the parts are readily available in all parts stores. You can still find the cars in salvage yards and get decent deals to swap that way.

I was actually planning on going that route til LMR came out with the wide turbines. I think I kinda want to go with those, so that kinda limits me since they're 4 lug. I was looking at the rear brake kits, but couldn't really see it being much of an improvement over the stock drums. And, after reading other's opinions on the SVO/Mark VII fronts not being a huge improvement, I was questioning whether or not any of it would be worth it. So, other than the aesthetics of a rear disc setup, it wouldn't really make much difference, would it?
 
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Honestly based on my experience no. About the best thing you can do that doesn't cost a ton of money is put some good shoes and pads on it. Make sure that the soft lines to the front calipers and the one in the rear are in good shape and if you choose to replace them consider SS braided lines but only if you are going to replace them anyway. Flush the system with quality fluid and then go bed the brakes in.

www.centricparts.com/media/wysiwyg/technical-bulletins/StopTechs_Recommended_Procedure_for_Bedding-in_Stock-Sized_Brake_Systems.pdf
 
I used this kit from maximum motorsports back before I went to 5 lug. Comes with pads, shoes, braided brake lines, and caliper sleeves.


Good pads, shoes, and braided soft lines make can make big difference even on stock brakes. Good tires too.

Goid call - thanks for the link!
 
Been so busy with moving and renovations on the new house that I forgot to post about the vert's lack of progress during all of this! See how neglected it is?! :confused:

So it's been about a month since we tried to drive it the ~20 miles from my mom's garage to my new garage. The fuel pump apparently died about 5 miles from mom's and a mile or so after this pic was taken.

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We eventually got my trailer cleared off and picked it up later that night and hauled it to the new garage where it's been sitting since. I've been seriously thinking of doing some actual work to the car after the first of the year - once I get settled and get my finances squared away. I mean I definitely have the space to work on it now.... :rock:

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