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

2Blue2 · May 25, 2025

Any progress is good!

And that brake shoe...holy wow...

LILCBRA · May 26, 2025

Brakes work! Kinda....

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

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

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....

Noobz347 · May 26, 2025

Slap a couple of these on there and the paint and body work are [done]!

Follow me for more great recipes!

LILCBRA · May 26, 2025

Noobz347 said:
Slap a couple of these on there and the paint and body work are [done]!

Follow me for more great recipes!

Ragtop down so my hair can blow....

Wait.... I don't have any hair....

Noobz347 · May 26, 2025

Back-hair, flowing in the breeze

LILCBRA · May 26, 2025

Noobz347 said:
Back-hair, flowing in the breeze

Dammit! You got me....

Noobz347 · May 26, 2025

People are looking for you:

LILCBRA · May 26, 2025

They're looking in all the wrong places - I'm domesticated now. Or something like that.

General karthief · May 27, 2025

Take a mileage reading before they pick it up, I've been around transporters for years, most are great but CYA.
You're welcome.

LILCBRA · May 27, 2025

General karthief said:
Take a mileage reading before they pick it up, I've been around transporters for years, most are great but CYA.
You're welcome.

Of the cars or their truck?

limp · May 27, 2025

General karthief said:
Take a mileage reading before they pick it up, I've been around transporters for years, most are great but CYA.
You're welcome.

Bueller

General karthief · May 27, 2025

limp said:
Bueller

Wut chu talk'n bout Willis?

LILCBRA said:
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.

gkomo · May 27, 2025

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.

LILCBRA · Aug 7, 2025

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?

AeroCoupe · Aug 7, 2025

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.

LILCBRA · Aug 7, 2025

AeroCoupe said:
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?

AeroCoupe · Aug 8, 2025

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

pats91 · Aug 8, 2025

I used this kit from maximum motorsports back before I went to 5 lug. Comes with pads, shoes, braided brake lines, and caliper sleeves.

Brake Upgrade Package, 1987-93

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

LILCBRA · Aug 9, 2025

pats91 said:
I used this kit from maximum motorsports back before I went to 5 lug. Comes with pads, shoes, braided brake lines, and caliper sleeves.

Brake Upgrade Package, 1987-93

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!

LILCBRA · Sep 22, 2025

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?!

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.

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....

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

will be trying this sex one when I can find it

I wish I didn't have all of these balls in the air

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

I wish I didn't have all of these balls in the air

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

I wish I didn't have all of these balls in the air

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

I wish I didn't have all of these balls in the air

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

I wish I didn't have all of these balls in the air

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

now i can hopefully expect to receive the shaft

I wish I didn't have all of these balls in the air

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

I wish I didn't have all of these balls in the air

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

I wish I didn't have all of these balls in the air

I wish I didn't have all of these balls in the air

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