Need help quick! Will I be over my head with this?

[HighOnPsi86]

Hi everyone, I haven't posted on this forum for years...I'm finally able to get back into Mustangs, but I have to start with a VERY cheap car. (roller cheap) So, I've found a 1986 notchback roller in my area -- It's only $500, and has NO rust or body/structural damage whatsoever. Trunk, floors, frame rails, everything is solid and it has a clear title. The interior is NICE and complete. There is no engine or transmission of course, and there also is no engine wiring, headlight wiring, gauge cluster, steering shaft, or heat/air components. As far as I can remember, there's nothing in the engine bay besides the master cylinder. (I'm at work so I can't look at the pictures) It has the stock 7.5" rear and transmission crossmember and "double hump." (What is this? I've never done much work on Fox's...just a 69 Mach.)

So, my question is this -- do you guys think I will I be in over my head assembling this car? (with access to junkyards of course!) I have probably a year and a half to work on it until I will need it to be my daily driver. I'm not an automotive guru, but I have done a little bit of 'basic' work on cars...did a lot of work on a 69 Mach 1, tore apart a few engines, put 1 back together, took out and replaced transmission/clutch on a 91 Escort...I've never done any wiring, electrical, AC/heat, or steering work -- but I'm assuming with the right schematics and some research this isn't too difficult, right? Plus, with no EFI, that shouldn't be TOO horrible...If I'm wrong please let me know ahead of time! I just wanted to get opinions from people who actually work on fox's and know the ins and outs. If this won't be too incredibly complex, I would love to use it as a learning tool, as I will be going to UTI in about a year and a half. If this is as good of a deal as it appears to be, I want to go grab it before someone else ******es it up! That's happened TOO many times to me in the past 6 months. Thanks for your time and knowledge!!

 

[stykthyn]

the double hump cross member has two humps for dual exhaust. the early foxes had only a single exhaust pipe going past the crossmember.

If you are set on buying this car then your best bet would be to find a donor car to borrow everything else from. find another fox that has been totaled and steal the drive train. If you were to go the JY and piece everything together then you will most likely get frustrated and give up on the project before its anywhere near complete.

 

[HighOnPsi86]

Hi, thanks for the reply. I'd thought about that also...I just don't have room for a donor car. :/ How much would I be required to get from a junkyard vs. buying from a parts source and knowing exactly what I'm getting? The car is totally complete except for what I listed...interior is great, everything's there...just needs the engine bay taken care of, heat/ac, steering, gauges, and wiring...I could probably get all of that from a few cars couldn't I? (not the engine/transmission...I'll be rebuilding an engine/trans that I already have set up) I know I probably sound naive, but hey -- that's what I'm here for. I know the wiring will be a pain...not looking forward to that. But I have a lot of time on my hands...I work Mon-Fri until 5 and then I have every evening and all day on the weekends, and I'm VERY motivated and ambitious to do this...I've been dying to build up a car ever since I had to get rid of my Mach in mid-restoration due to financial issues, and that was about 4 years ago...so I'm DYING to get my hands dirty. I need something to take up my time and keep me busy, so I think this would be a good candidate -- unless it's going to near impossible to find the parts I need. Are there tons of little parts associated with the heat/ac, gauges, etc that will be hard to aquire? Once again...trying not to sound TOO naive/ignorant. lol Thanks again.
Sean

 

[rj95svt]

What happened to the mach 1? I love the 69-70 mustangs and I have a 70 fastback myself.

As far as the 86 goes if you can find a 86 mustang in a junk yard locally that has everything you need wiring, heater, A/C, and steering parts you will be OK but it's not going to be very easy process. You'll probably be finding parts off of several different cars and sometimes you probably won't get everything you need and have to make more trips to get parts. It can be done and isn't too hard mechanically but it will probably frustrating at times.

 

[stykthyn]

if the HVAC and steering is your biggest hurdle it shouldnt be too hard to score that off ebay or from a JY.

 

[347HO]

My suggestion would be to find a little more complete car to start with.
I'm not positive, but I think a "good" condition 86' 5.0 in running condition would cost not more than 1000.00.
Even in my area I acquired one for 800.00 in excellent condition with only door dings, single owner, no accidents.
Keep looking for a better deal... it's possible you'll get it on the road quicker for cheaper.