'88 GT Convertible - Croatia, Europe

90sickfox · Feb 16, 2021

Someone has rebuilt your door panels in the past. Those clips aren't factory 89 clips....they were black and the vinyl has been replaced. Backing board seems to be attached different to metal top plate. An easy way to make door panel moisture plastic is to use crash wrap.

It has adhesive on one side. 3 mil is as thick as a contractor trash bag. Works very well. Tape and plastic works too just doesn't look as good.

I've noticed after owning more that 12 mustangs that a bunch of stuff like door locks and switches need to be cycled a few times after sitting. The contacts sometimes get a little corrosion on them that needs to be worn off. The window motors can be taken apart and serviced. New grease and bushings makes a huge difference. Door lock actuators are a common issue. There are several alternatives in a few threads here. I had good luck recently with LMR actuators.

snovak · Feb 17, 2021

Thank You @90sickfox. I will use vapor barrier as a temporary solution. When I throw myself on interior I will replace that with proper alubutyl water/sound/heat insulation.
As a matter of a fact, passanger doors done. I dont know how You are known to construction works, but this reinforced vapor barrier as its name suggests - let's vapor OUT, but is not letting water IN. 3M double sided tape is also used instead od sealer cause this is temporary only. Foam to be cut tomorrow
Pictures... of course

snovak · Feb 20, 2021

Wooha!!!!
Passanger doors fixed. Vapor barrier, 2x3mm (2x~1/8") insolation. 10mm (~3/8") was too thick and pushing plastic clips out. Be aware on projects.
Switches taken apart, cleaned and polished contacts - working like new.
New speakers got foam around edge. This and insolation in door made bass pretty sharp compared to tin can bass before this door fix.
Will do the same on drivers side, I hope with same results, too

When working... I asked myself why am I damn fool insolating convertible in first place?

snovak · Feb 25, 2021

Still waiting for parts...

I will put in 3D printer topic opened when I finish, but I am working on ashtray reversable mod. 'Under lid' prototype can hold chasis chargers/switches/whatever. Design will be simple push on. You remove ashtray and lighter and stick cover on. Install whatever You want, close the ashtray lid and nothing is visible. Picture attached.
For cup holder one would need to cut console a bit, and I dont want that, but You can change model if You like. When I finish I will upload so You can print them piece of cake...

Then I removed drivers side rear quarter panel due to window not working. Suspected motor failure, but it is only gears. Modeling in process

Rear speakers were not working and I was wondering why... Cause they are missing! Bought dirty cheap 6.5" JVC and they bolt in perfectly. You can see model on pictures, as some of You have PITA to mount speakers back there. I decided to mount cheap ones just to have them in, as I read here they make no sense back and under there...

Today I will clean seat belt retractor due to sluggish return...

Cheers!

arnie93lx · Feb 25, 2021

Is the radio system wired to have speakers there? I didn't see any wiring in your pic but I've never had a convertible either. Looks like a good project

snovak · Feb 26, 2021

@arnie93lx my system if "Premium radio" therefore it should have amplifier and 6 speakers (2xdash, 2xdoor, 2xear quarter panel) from factory. Due to age, wear and tear I decided to change all of them.
- In dash there were stock premium 3.5" so I used dremel to grind some 1/8" away and squeezed in 4" 2-way. They play perfectly.
- Doors had 5.25" (I think) and they accepted 6.5" with no modification except a little bit of liner adjustment in speaker opening (they come a bit more squeezed in low-front corner of the door panel)
- Rear quarter speakers were missing. Some say there were 6.5", some say 5"x7". No way there were 5x7 in my case. 6.5" fitted as they were always there.
To make all reversable, I left OEM connectors untouched, and used plastic clips to splice into wires and hijack speaker signal.

Regarding window gears... to my surprise after half a day of measuring and designing, I fixed it with first try. From "dead" motor, I found it was only shattered gear. Luckily I have some knowledge in 3D software and 3D printer available... link is below

BTW I am "forced" to do that if You wish. Soooo You will see more models from me with the time, for sure
Unfortunately I am not in us to receive small part in few days for 9$. You know, one single gear can cost me up to 50$ (delivery to Croatia and duties) and I will wait for 2 weeks at least if I have luck.
Here is my topic, yall can find some usefull stuff there - Link to 3D-parts. This would be my refund for suggestions received here
Be aware of the warning, and those sould not be a permanent replacement parts. Use them as a substitution until automotive parts arrive ;-)

General karthief · Feb 26, 2021

What about a private person sending you small stuff like that gear and pucks?

snovak · Feb 28, 2021

General karthief said:
What about a private person sending you small stuff like that gear and pucks?

Could do that, but need to find someone willing to do that (order, receive, forward).
That time will certanly come cause I will hunt new engine bay decals from LMR (stickers are aged and failing), and they dont send overseas

Anyways I received new Rockauto AUTOTECNICA FD1413075 balancer, mounted it and fubar... Vibrations from ~1100 - 1400rpm which were not there with old one.
I drove it some 60miles avoiding that range and thinking first fulish it could be some misfire from 3 weeks standing, but in garage with more careful test, it must be new balancer is crappy.
I hope I didn't do any damage to crankshaft :-(
Put an claim to rockauto, ordered 5 times expensive one from Germany... :-(
Off the road, again....

General karthief · Feb 28, 2021

Post up brand and part number of balancer

snovak · Feb 28, 2021

General karthief said:
Post up brand and part number of balancer

OEM one is Ford E4TE-A3A
Rockauto is AUTOTECNICA FD1413075
The one i just ordered in Germany is unknown brand and part #... but fits VIN and model/year and I have a good reputation feedback for this store from oldtimer community.

By the looks, the damper from Rockauto brand autotecnica was renewed. The bolts from OEM damper were not fitting to that one, so we put a step down size bolts to mount the pulley, so this was a first unresonable doubt in that 'new' part... Resonable as I found later on that day :-(

General karthief · Feb 28, 2021

Would not be unusual for someone to package a wrong part or it was returned with the wrong part and was not inspected carefully and thrown back on the shelf, try another.

snovak · Mar 3, 2021

While waiting for new balancer... rear seats done.
Fixed electrical windows, mounted new speakers, added 3mm foam insolation of rear seat support and under seat, gave to leather some dressing. Looks good

snovak · Mar 7, 2021

Balancer still not here...

Time to change factory engine mounts from 1988:

Lifter front of the car on stands, some wood blocks under pan. Soaked nuts and bolts a bit.
Drunk a radler in one shot and so I did the nuts and bolts, both sides (in one shot)
Trickiest bolt is PS back. I found a way without removing starter. There is a nice hole when You remove font right wheel, giving access to engine mount bolt and space for some 2-3 rachet clicks. A bit of wrentching, buy way faster than removing starter....
There we are, unbolted tranny mount, intake hose from filter and fan shroud to give it a free space and lifted the engine.
PS went out as piece of cake. New in easy.
DS... here I used master Yoda's patience... So when I lifted the engine it was lightly tilted to DS, that is why PS mount went out easy. Tightened PS Mount a bit just to tilt engine, gave a lift one more pump and I drove that mount out between K member and filter. New one in with a lot of wiggling and shaking engine.
Everything sat down in place after lowering engine.

Old mounts are shot. Rubber deteoriated, they ring in hand.

So... guys I read here this and that:
You dont have to remove oil filter, starter, fan, shroud, anything. You just need to lift the engine enough and have some piece and patience driving that mount wings out. This actually takes most of the time. Both went out thru front side of the engine, dont even try with back side...

Tranny mount is next on short to-do before that balancer arrives

snovak · Mar 12, 2021

Balancer from Germany arrived, but bad news... :-(
Dorman 594-024 is HB which I received.

After install and firing up I got something new: knocking. Goes away as engine heats up.
Oil pressure and level okay.
On cold start knock is pronounced at idle. As You give throttle goes away, but as You release throttle comes in.
Lasts few minutes and only on cold engine start.

What I also saw is that second new balancer is WOBBLING! The first one (Autotecnica) was shaking engine 1100-1300rpm but was cold still. Just received Dorman is wobbles but engine is cold still plus I have knock on cold start.

Tried to start without belt, HB still wobbles. Checked crank to hb bolt with torque wrentch, it is over 90lbs (bolted with airgun). Pulley in front of balancer is perfectly still.
In between two faulty new balancerd I only changed engine and tranny mounts.

What to **** is happening now? I am lost :-(
Shall I try to drive a car?

General karthief · Mar 12, 2021

Do not drive it!!!!!!
Look at the balancer, is the outer ring wobbly or the whole thing wobbly?

snovak · Mar 12, 2021

General karthief said:
Do not drive it!!!!!!
Look at the balancer, is the outer ring wobbly or the whole thing wobbly?

Kind a hard to see, but I would bet it is only outer part. Pulley is still and it's bolted to inner part.
Will verify in morning (almost midnight here).
I am a little bit confused now:
1) OEM Ford wobbled, car went fine
2) Autotecnica did not wobble but vibrated 1.1-1.4k
3) Dorman wobble plus knock
What is the chance I received two faulty HB from two vendors and two parts of the world? :-/

90sickfox · Mar 12, 2021

Make sure it isn't hitting the timing pointer.

Remove the belt and start engine. If knock goes away it more than likely isn't the balancer or engine.

Take a string or straight edge from the same groove on bolted on crank pulley and another pulley to see if they are the same distance and belt runs straight.

Hope some of this helps your situation.

snovak · Mar 13, 2021

General karthief said:
Look at the balancer, is the outer ring wobbly or the whole thing wobbly?

Today I started it. Pulley still, outer ring wobbly, then I killed the engine a.s.a.p.:
I dont know if it is optical, but to me it seems like rear inner part of balancer (backside towards timing cover seal) is having a romantic lateral and vertical dance... :-(

We will take it down for third time next week. As I work in cutting tools industry I will borow 0.001 and 0.01mm runout gauges to check crank snout... Wish me luck... :-(

90sickfox said:
Make sure it isn't hitting the timing pointer.

Remove the belt and start engine. If knock goes away it more than likely isn't the balancer or engine.

HB is not hitting the pointer, and I started engine without belt, this was first thing I did...
The thing with string I still must try, but as situation did not change without the belt I found it irrelevant.

What a horror story from what should have been a "simple and quick" HB change....

General karthief · Mar 13, 2021

I agree with the horror story, does rock auto ship to Croatia? Is there a Ford dealer near you?

snovak · Mar 13, 2021

General karthief said:
I agree with the horror story, does rock auto ship to Croatia? Is there a Ford dealer near you?

Yap. It was Rockauto who sent me first faulty Autotecnica HB, but I got refund for that one without hesistation.

Ford dealers in Croatia are actually "Ford Europe", as I concluded from my inquiries for some 'generic' parts and vehicle history they are like other company... They have no support or any clue about US cars. Mondeo and Focus are their mainstream.

The other, Dorman, I got from Germany. See pictures.
Actually now I own three 'faulty' balancers (OEM, Autotecnica and Dorman)... :-/

'88 GT Convertible - Croatia, Europe

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands

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wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

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wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

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wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

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wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

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Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands

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wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

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