buyin a 94/95 what to look out for?

[SilverFox90]

im helpin a buddy look for a 94-95 5.0 and i was wonderin what kind of problems there may be that are specific to the car....i know the fox bodies pretty well but wanted to know about the sn95s....thanks

 

[SilverFox90]

bump

 

[95Mustang302]

the balancer, they are notorious for going bad, mine was absolutely shot when I bought mine a few weeks ago, thats the main thing I would look for, besides your other common things when buying a used car, check engines, and look at the unibody, look for crumpling or possible crases in the body, all of those things, see if things line up good. If he's looking for a fixxer upper the lining up is a little less important as it was in my case, but the unibodies integrity is very important!

Derek

 

[SilverFox90]

thanks anyone else?

 

[95socalstang]

ask about the heater core...I think everyone will agree that above 100,000 miles they are only waiting to go. Not a fun fix considering if costs around 5-6 bills to fix because of the fact that you have to take the Dash off the car to get to it!

Eric

 

[super302]

oh...the notorious balancer
i jsut bought a new one today as a matter of fact

 

[SilverFox90]

are u talkin about the harmonic balancer on the crank?

 

[super302]

are u talkin about the harmonic balancer on the crank?

yes ma'm

 

[SilverFox90]

hell i was just makin sure...lol...damn why is there such a problem with them goin bad?.....i know my buddy doesnt want to be replacin the balancer on any car he buys

 

[super302]

hell i was just makin sure...lol...damn why is there such a problem with them goin bad?.....i know my buddy doesnt want to be replacin the balancer on any car he buys

replacing it isn't a big deal, $80 and about an hour

 

[super302]

BTW-where in central illinois are you, i'm from davenport, Iowa
<---------

 

[SilverFox90]

im near champaign illinois......whats the best way to tell if the balancer is bad?...just vibrations? or can you tell by looking at it with the motor runnin?

 

[CJ-95GT]

Agreed! With 149K miles on my stang I have replaced both the H/B & H/C.

 

[super302]

im near champaign illinois......whats the best way to tell if the balancer is bad?...just vibrations? or can you tell by looking at it with the motor runnin?

reach down there (with car off obviously) and feel to see if there is any rubber coming out of the back
or, with car running, look down and if it is wobbling, then it is shot

 

[SilverFox90]

thanks for the help guys....im gunna hit the sack

 

[Jeffyh]

where's the harmonic balancer, and what's it do?

 

[95CobraMike]

pop your hood look straight down...its directly behind the pulley on the crankshaft (the pulley that is the lowest one in the center)
it balances the crankshaft so you dont break it...or something...crack your block ect.

 

[donjohn]

i've replaced the normal high mileage wear items = waterpump and radiator

+ the harmonic balancer and heatercore (HUGE PITA TO FIX- but i did it w/ my newbie skills and a chilton manual)

I think the swaybars are notorious for breaking, or at least their bushings. the a-arms are a popular replacement too b/c of the lack of greasable ball joints on the end of them (need a zirc? fitting to grease them). lots of people replace the axle b/c of the needed u joints b/c of heavy drivetrain vibration. after that it's your normal shakes and squeaks.

i don't think i strayed too far from the point of this thread

 

[95Mustang302]

trust me, you will know if the balancer is bad!

Derek

 

[rude_life]

Detonation is another thing to look for with the 94-95...i have known several owners, inlcuding myself that have experienced the dreaded pinging problem on these specific year model..Some people just use crappy gas though and a nice tuneup most likely will take care of it. I wouldnt say its a major issue BUT it is a common one with our cars.