New 86 GT....little things need work...HELP.

[SNAKEYES86GT]

So...I just bought this 86 GT and the engine and trans have been taken out at some point and extensively worked on becuase everything is painted and I don't think its a coincidence that it runs better than any 5.0 ive been in. Alas, yeah I said alas, there are a few little things that need to be done. I was wondering what I could expect to pay to get these things fixed by a private shop, not a dealer, and which, if any, I could do by myself...taking into account that I've had this car for one week and aknowledge my supreme noobness...Don't tell me to look at the FAQ...I'd rather get to know you guys and see what everyone has to offer...here it is

-New front and back brakes (front at the least)
-Marchal fog lights don't work (no one carries bulb that ive found)
-Door locks (have to climb in through trunk lol)
-Blinker lever wont stay up or down (cops love to follow me for that)
-Two 2x2 holes rusted through exhaust (on both pipes right where muffler connect to exit pipes)
-Spedometer (looked back there...it scares me)
-E-brake (parking in gear = not fun)

Thats it...otherwise Ill just get you guys a pic and you can see how amazing this car is for being 18 years old...people need to stop trying to talk to me about it while im driving though...Please post any help you can offer...thanks

 

[jrichker]

-New front and back brakes (front at the least)
-Marchal fog lights don't work (no one carries bulb that ive found)
-Door locks (have to climb in through trunk lol)
-Blinker lever wont stay up or down (cops love to follow me for that)
-Two 2x2 holes rusted through exhaust (on both pipes right where muffler connect to exit pipes)
-Spedometer (looked back there...it scares me)
-E-brake (parking in gear = not fun)

The very first thing you need is a Chilton or Haynes Shop Manual -$17-$25. Don't skip it if you intend to keep the car.

Front brakes - new pads are $15-$25 for both front wheels. You'll need a jack, jackstands, a BIG C clamp and some sockets to remove the caliper & compress the piston. Takes about 15-20 minutes a wheel. If you are concerened about the wheel bearings, check them while you have the caliper off. This part is a very messy job, so if you don't want to wsh out & repack the bearings, have someone else to it.
Rear brakes are a bit more difficult. You'll need a pair of brake spring pliers($5-$10), a brake spring retainter tool ($2-$5) and some new brake shoes ($12-$15+ core deposit). Unless you have done them often, do not attempt this job without a shop manual.

If you have electric door lock, the actuators are probably shot. Follow this link to fix your door lock actuator problems http://jrichker.stangnet.com/Mustang_tech/door_actuator_fix/1_of_8_door_actuator.htm

Stuck with door lock actuators that don't work and don't want to pay the $50+ for a new one? Tried the junkyard ones and found that they last six months and freeze up?

A new actuator for less than $4. Fix one side for $17, do both sides for only $23. I don't sell parts, I don’t make any money off of the upgrade, I just tell you how to do it cheaply and easily.
Once you have the dor panels off, unplug the actuators & use a test light to verify you have power to them. If you do, follow the instructions in the link to fix them.

Blinker switch - See http://www.texasmustang.com/ or http://www.mustang-unl.com/lmparts.htm for a new swtich -$50-$75 and about 30 minutes to change. You may need a torx screwdriver, but I think it is a #2 phillips.

Either of the two previously mentioned Mustang houses will have a good choice of aftermarket exhaust parts. Just remeber that all aftermaket mufflers have a drone to them from 1700-2100 RPM. Stock mufflers don't have this problem.

The Ebrake problems can be sorted out once you have replaced the rear shoes. You'll have a much better idea of where the problem is once you open up the rear drums & put in new brake shoes. Stuck ebrake cables and missing parts are easy to spot when you have it apart.

 

[dude5l]

You could probably do most of it yourself.
-Brakes would take a shop about 2 hours plus parts.
-the lights should be a standard h-3 bulb I believe, maybe an h-2.
- if niether of the door locks work, it may be a fuse, but if they are siezed up you will have to take the door panels off to see why. About 2-3 hours to change out the solenoids.
-get a new multifuntion (signal light)swith from a junkyard. takes under 1 hour to change.
-A muffler shop will charge you about an hour to patch the holes if they can. They will probably say the metal is too thin to weld and you need a new exhaust system.
- speedo looks worse than it is, does it just need a cable, or the whole gauge?
-The E-brake will be a pain in the a**. It's not hard, just a pain. Do it at the same time as the rear brakes. A shop would probably charge a couple of hours for it.

 

[v8only]

congrats on the purchase of the best fox ever made (imo)

Now that you own an 18 year old car, you've got to learn how to work on it. If you're pooping cash, then don't worry about it, but if you're like the rest of us, you may be on a budget. You're gonna get the bug hard to modify it further. the good thing is that NOTHING on these cars are difficult to work with, and any willing person will be able to fix anything on these cars themselves with a little practice.

1. Brakes. Brakes on an 86 gt suck real bad. They are using the same size front brakes that the 87-93 4 cylinders use. WHile replacing the pads/shoes and bleeding the brakes may help, I would strongly suggest getting ahold of some spindles and rotors/calipers from any v8 87-93 mustang and putting them on. this will allow better stopping power for almost nothing. As far as rear brakes, like jrichker said, do the brakes first. After your rears are adjusted properly, this should bring your ebrake up to where it should be. If it doesn't, then there is a cable adjustment right under the ebrake handle, it's a nut on a long screw. ONLY use this after you've done and adjusted the rear brakes properly.

2. Don't get the exhaust fixed if it's original, unless you are content with the stock exhaust. If you want that "typical" famous mustang sound, then buy a cat-back flowmaster american thunder exhaust. Like jrichker said, it may have drone. I personally love drone, some hate it. If you don't like loud exhaust, buy quieter mufflers such as the 3 chamber flowmasters, or something else like dynomax or spintech.
3.Marchals. If you need the marchals themselves, ebay is your only source, as these are not made anymore. you can get aftermarket ones, but they're not original marchals. As for the bulb itself, keep looking, it should be available. contact a light bulb store if you can't find one. Also, visit 50resto.com. they are the bible when it comes to fox body restoration parts. Order a free catalog, it's got way more stuff than their site. they may even have your marchal bulbs.
4.Door locks do what jrichker said, if you're climbing in through the trunk, then your actuators are seized and need replacing.
5.Blinker lever....check your blinker fluid
what's wrong with your speedometer??

 

[SNAKEYES86GT]

Yeah.

So yeah...I bought a Chiltons manual and...I DONT HAVE TIME TO DO ALL THIS ****...lol...i work...then i come home...then i eat...then i go out...plus i dont trust driving on brakes that ive fixed...yeah oh btw i beat a 3000 gt on the way home from work...so anyways...the car has an aftermarket exhaust...but the holes cause that beautiful drone to be droned out by a 57 chevy-like air fart that sounds disgusting...it makes me sad...but cruising at 2000 rpms is fun cuz its loud. So im taking it to this guy tony and pussing out...i know... its if anyone wanted to step me through any repairs id be willing to try though...thanks for what has been offered.

 

[v8only]

I've done just about anything you can do to fox body mustangs. Engine swaps, aod to t5 conversions, many, many clutches, brakes, etc. Just ask