Just Bought an 89 GT - The Project begins!

Hey Everyone

I have always been a Chevy guy - Sorry But lately I have been attracted to Fords - Mostly Trucks and Mustangs - I finally stumbled upon this 89 foxbody GT with White/Blue leather, New rag top, 89K on it - overall an awesome deal for $1400 - Seats could use some cleaning and a small sew on one spot -try to bring the white back out - but they are still firm, and spongey - feel great!

The car needs a few things - PAINT - there are so many chips, scrapes, etc - but no real damage other then some cracks in the rear bumper. It need new door hinges which the previous owner included with the car - The Horn fell off, the visors are missing - its probably going to need new speakers all around Im guessing - The rag top has one small tear near one of the supports - and it also was moving slowly - the owner said this is cause the compressor has to charge when the car is running and since its been sitting it was weak - not sure how true this is, but we shall see.

Onto more important matters. Everything mechanically with the car seems fine - new waterpump, battery, belts, radiator, fan - engine bay was clean - there was a stain on the pavement but he said it was power steering fluid - which did seem to go in sync with the stains overflowing out of the pump - he said its a hose, but who knows. AC compressor is new - it was FREEZING cold.. surprising for a 21 year old car - Intake is new, engine compression sounded good - No knocks, rocks, etc - def could use a tune up- but at 89K i expected it - Headers looked good, little rusted, but the exhaust and the dumps the owner before him installed all were in good shape - sounded good, no rattles, leaks as far as I could tell.


The MAIN ISSUE:

So the guy didnt want to sell but he was having an issue with the tranny - it just wont go into gear - Only 4th, and itll drive out - although I dont recommend it nor did I try. He told me that when the issue arose he put a new Tranny in it, and it had the same problem, or similar - his english wasn't perfect and my Spanish is even worse. Im not sure what the issue is with it, and I can take it to a tranny shop but Im sure they are just going to want to swap the tranny - What are the odds its just the "shift fork"(I think thats what its called)? Anyway I can tell if the gears arent in sync or if its another issue before I take it to a mechanic and get had?

Here are some pics - I'd appreciate any thoughts/info/suggestions as to what to do with this car - I.e. best way to handle dents, cracks - I am going to paint the car, but with plain white is it ok to get a high end "Maaco" job since its just white?

Thanks guys!!!!

CDQICKGT said:

Not a bad deal for what you paid. I just bought an 89 hatch my self . Luckly this one didn't Nickle and dime me to death to bad. On paint and body I'm not sure. Mine needs it to and I was actually considering Maco as well cause $$$ is tight. For your tranny I would first try changing the fluid. Mine grinder bad and hated 3-2 downshift but I put royal purple in it and it shifts pretty good now. But it sounds like a syncro issue to me.

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Yeah, I might just Bondo and sand the **** myself - im not looking to ever sell this thing for 10K - I jsut want it to look good while I beat it to **** for the rest of my life and then some ******* comes along in 20 years and pays me some retarded amount cause its "collectible"

Ill check the fluid - maybe its just that! Thanks!! Mike

wv109323 said:

Let me ask a question after re-reading your post. Does the transmission go into fourth smoothly?
Does the clutch feel like it engages/disengages about half way through the peddle?

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Thanks for your imput - it goes in smoothly, however it does grind a little if I dont get it in 4th with a dead straight shot . when I put it in other gears I hear a little grind or nothing at all.. its like they dont go