Car's a pos...

88 Fox GT

88 Fox GT

Active Member
Nov 18, 2002
1,674
0
36
Iowa
#1
Sorry guys, but lately my Mustang has been a royal POS. I don't even hardly drive it anymore, because of the problems it keeps having. Let me name them off, if I can remember them all.
1. Tranny slips and kicks out of gear (goes into nuetral under hard throttle)
2. Engine keeps leaking oil around the distributor, which I have replaced more than once.
3. The battery dies overnight.
4. Suspension has a TERRIBLE squeaking problem that we can't figure out, but think it's the A-arm bushings.
5. Gas tank leaks when filling it up.
6. When first fired up, car dies when stepping on the brakes or turning headlights on or turning on anything that uses electricity (likely an alternator problem.)
7. I think the tranny is starting to leak a little.
8. Engine and tranny are both about shot.

So, I have not driven the car for probably a month or longer. I need a new engine, new tranny, and need to fix all of the problems it has. I also want to put on new wheels & tires, get rid of the damn rear spoiler, and the 4 taillights. :barf: See, the taillights were my fathers idea when we were building the car back when I was about 14 or so. Well, after we got done, I thought they looked like s**t to say the least, but I can't say anything to him because he took the time and money to help me build this car.

Someone, please, help me. Enlighten me, get me interested in this car again. Bah, sometimes I don't even know if I want to spend money on it.
 
#3
First, let me say I've been where you are... That said, wow Speed_Demon1965, your attitude has really 180'd since you've come to this board. I remember your first posts defending those taillights, the wing, the bug catcher scoop, and you were so hyped on the car. Of course, you were being unfairly attacked at the time, so your defensiveness was understandable. Still, its amazing the way our tastes change, even over such short periods of time. Same thing happened for me over the year after I bought my Mach. The sidepipes, tacky blue and white paint job, cheap chrome wagon wheels I thought were so cool became ugly momentos of the car's past. I repainted the trim, removed the pipes, got a set of ratty Cragars, and it was better.

Now, to deal with your current problems, you've got to maintain a bit of perspective. While everything you mentioned is certainly frustrating, it's all manageable with a bit of time and money.

Tranny rebuild can be done in a couple weeks of casual work and should cost less than $300 in parts. This won't get you a super high performance tranny, but it should shift solid, give years of problem free service, and you should be able to do a shift kit at the same time for no extra money really. If you don't feel up to doing the rebuild, get a local shop to do it for $500-$600. That's a bit of change, but pretty reasonable really.

Engine rebuild can be expensive or cheap, you decide. A cheap (but often effective) way would be to do a quicky home hone/re-ring/re-seal job. Should cost less than $200 in parts and supplies. However, if you pull it apart and find a severe ridge, cracked pistons, etc, etc, etc, the you're in for a full on rebuild. Done on the cheap, you can do it for under $500 including very basic machine shop work (dip, cam bearings, bore/hone, pistons fitted to rods). Done right, it can be $800 or more. At that point, you might think about going with a rebuilt engine from your local autoparts store, or a place like http://www.ford-motors-engines.com/index.html?ford-engine-id=36102156069.92 .

A basic but complete suspension rebuild is under $300 if you use your original arms but replace bushings and ball joints.

Alternator is $60 or less.

Figure out why the tank is leaking... vent tube, bad cap, rust hole? You can pull it and use a tank seal kit for under $30, or you can replace it for $100.

So, to sum up, sure, you've got some serious work to do and it'll take a couple months, but you can do it. :) It'll cost some cash, but if you do it on the cheap, you're into it for less than $1200. On the expensive side, you'll be into it for $2000. And you won't be able to buy those wheels you've been wanting for a while, but think about what you'll have: it'll run good, be reliable, be safe, and will continue to maintain its value. And it's still cooler than whatever else you've been driving. :p

Hope this helps... Good luck! :nice:
 
#5
Don't fret. put the money into it, and you will be pleased. Put in 1,200. to 1,500 into it, and you will have a better car than if you would of bought a beater for that amount of money.
That is the way I look at it.
 
#7
DarkBuddha, your right my taste in stlyes have changed. Right now, I, personally, think my car looks tacky.
Here is how it looks now:
http://hobbiecars1.homestead.com/files/65stang.jpg
Here is what I want it to look like:
http://hobbiecars1.homestead.com/files/65stangafter.jpg

Thanks for the tips and help. I am wanting to make a comeback and be able to drive this thing again. Sure gets me more looks than my beater truck (which is a good reliable Ford, by the way. :nice: ). I think the first thing I need to do is see about having my alternator checked, and replace the plugs because they are starting to foul. Does anyone have a diagram on how to hook up the alternator? I first want to make sure I have all of the connections hooked up correctly. Then, I need to change the oil, and check the tranny fluid and stuff. Thanks guys! :nice:
 
#8
DarkBuddha said:
First, let me say I.........[there was a lot of stuff here]............................................Hope this helps... Good luck! :nice:
Click to expand...

DB,

I think you need a title of "Longest replies ever". Seems like every time I read one of your replies it's like reading a thesis paper; well thought out and long. :p :D :p :D :p :D
 
#9
I hope these scanned copied of 65 Mustang wiring diagram helps you with your electrical problems. It sure helped mine.

http://www.tocmp.com/tOCMP/wiring/5765wiring diagrams/Ford/MWire5765-234.jpg

http://www.tocmp.com/tOCMP/wiring/5765wiring diagrams/Ford/MWire5765-235.jpg

Personally, I've ripped out the external voltage regulater with the associated wiring and will be goin with the one-wire setup. Get your alternater tested at the local chain parts store (Checkers, AutoZone, etc) and you're more than welcome to have my old unit if your's is bad (had mine checked out at Checkers and passed).
 
#11
Speed_Demon1965 said:
DarkBuddha, your right my taste in stlyes have changed. Right now, I, personally, think my car looks tacky.
Here is how it looks now:
http://hobbiecars1.homestead.com/files/65stang.jpg
Here is what I want it to look like:
http://hobbiecars1.homestead.com/files/65stangafter.jpg
Click to expand...

just take the wing and fake hood scoop off and go. its an awesome color, clean car. BUT, if you do have to have the TT2's (which i dont like cuz everyone has em) Id be delighted to be first inline for your current wheels :D
 
#14
Have heart! Everyone owning a classic Mustang has had the blues over its 35 year old condition, its aches and pains. Ask any rodder, the story is the same. Or any boat owner, Or a Corvette owner...etc.

It takes a real concentrated effort to restore a classic car and make it run well. To quote my sister (brother-in-law is a street rodder), you gotta have deep pockets and a real sense of humor to own one of these.

Stangnet exists so we can all talk about our joys and troubles with our baby cars.

If you want to keep a classic be prepared for everything going wrong with it; be prepared for some big dollar expenditures; its part and parcel to having one. Thats why others admire it so much...so hard to achieve!
 
#15
Try lowering it about 1" all around. Ditch the chin spoiler & put a "Talbot" mirror on it (instead of the black). Then, "de-badge" the fenders and the quarters. (along with the flame sticker thingy). I for one, would like to see what some clean lines and a different stance would do for your car. I also like Blakes idea to fix your current tail light problem. (cheaper than replacing the entire panel too!)

In this case, less could be more!

P.S. I'm a photoshop novice at best, or I'd do it.
 
#16
how about everyone stop telling him what to do and let him do what he wants. everyone has an opinion, but there's no need to in-force it.

and please remember that it IS a 65 MUSTANG that is going to look good no matter what he does to it. classic lines can't go wrong.
 
#17
none67 said:
how about everyone stop telling him what to do and let him do what he wants. everyone has an opinion, but there's no need to in-force it.

and please remember that it IS a 65 MUSTANG that is going to look good no matter what he does to it. classic lines can't go wrong.
Click to expand...

How about you read his first post?

Someone, please, help me. Enlighten me, get me interested in this car again.
Click to expand...

Perhaps suggestions to change the things that he doesn't like about the car will get him interested again. :shrug:

And I personally have seen too many instances of someone taking those "classic lines" and totally ruining them.
 
#19
hey take it easy guys, i'm not trying to offend anyone.

i'm just saying that i would support him with anything that he did to the car. i just really like the car, thats all.
i mean, i think that it was stupid that everyone picked on his car because it doesn't comform to what most other people are doing to theirs. diversity is good, and should not become a scape goat for anything.
not saying that any of you guys are like that, just making a point.
 
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