RJ's Thunderbird project-ish thread, 56k go away

[Rotary Junkie]

Right then.

1994 Thunderbird LX V8, picked up for all of $500.

Why so cheap? Well... It has issues. Heater core went, it got overheated once or twice, lost either a or both head gaskets. Add in that the paint's faded, some of the trim is a bit nasty, interior is a bit dirty and it's not completely rust-free and you've got a cheap car.

Runs great despite the BHG (doesn't smoke either but then there isn't much coolant in it left to burn) so there's hope of getting away with just gaskets and fluids... Though there are other things that we've got the bits to do (kinda maybe) and a few things we will be doing to help le 4.6 shove this thing down the road.

Not actual mileage as far as I'm aware... Not sure yet if the odo works and it's simply a non-original cluster or it's broke (fairly common on the MN12s apparently).

Yeah... That carpet... That's what happens when a heater core lets go (on the pass. side, drivers' side is just grimy). Not pretty. I like the trailer harness, sides the fact it scares me a bit.

Plan for today is to start ripping out the interior, get that cleaned up, then pull it in and do some line work (fuel definitely, brakes maybe) and possibly tackle the rear disc conversion while we're at it.

Fun fun fun.

 

[Joey D]

Super Coupe clone, and.....go! There was actually one down at Parts Galore in the D last time I was there, it's probably been picked clean though.

Nice grab for $500 though, it always amazes me how many old domestics we have laying around in the Detroit area for next to nothing. I mean that's a working car for what people in other states might pay for the shell.

What's your overall plan for it? Weekend racer or just something to drive for fun?

 

[Rotary Junkie]

We actually bought it at the end of June 2010 but it doesn't seem like these cars are terribly pricey when broken (nor are Mark VIIIs) even now.

Anyway, current plans are to just make a decent daily out of it. Probably will eventually convert it to 5x114.3 bolt pattern for better wheel choice along with a bit more, but that's money not available right now.

Current "list" is to get the interior cleaned up and the heater core replaced, then yank the engine/trans, rebuild trans (it's fine but it can be improved on) and add a Mark VIII torque converter (slightly higher stall speed), redo head gaskets on the motor unless we find bigger issues once we open it up, in which case we've got two spares. Oh and the line work it needs due to being a Michigan car.

Lots of fun. Now looking like tomorrow will be the first day of really going at it, not a lot that can be done this exact moment with two customer vehicles left to knock out.

 

[Thatman]

I want to see more of the Buick what year is it? Park ave or Lesabre?

 

[Rotary Junkie]

1990 and it's a Park Ave.

Not mine.

 

[Thatman]

Aww
Since I have an 89.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Right then. Got the passenger side seat, center console, rear seat bottom, and a bit more trim out today. Would have the driver's seat, carpet, and dash out but not having enough battery power means no moving it, which means no access to the rear bolts for it.

Tomorrow morning I'll deal with that, then it's off to the junkyard in hopes of finding another Bird with a black rug and a few other pieces we need.