I decided I was going start a thread somewhat following the progress on my car. It's going to be a litttle slower since I'm in high school and work 5 days a week.

Got it back in november and the timing chain cover had a hole in it causing it to leak coolant. I repaired it temporairly with JB weld to make sure everything was ok. It runs rich and there was gas in the oil after we ran it and a rod knocking..

I worked on body work filling dents and glued the headliner back up (the vynl had came off).
Today I'm going to work on pulling the engine out. I'll post pics of the car and pics of the engine coming out tonight.


ITS FINALLY BEEN STARTED. PAGE 7 FOR SHORT VID OF FIRST START UP.

I got the engine out last weekend. Today I'm going to work on cleaning the engine bay and also tearing the engine down to a long block deciding if I wanna tackle the rebuild with my dad or just pay to get it done. Neither of us has done it so we are thinking about getting it done so we know it's right.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/162d0771.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/1381b847.jpg

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http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/8e3c40a8.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/4c524abf.jpg -that's about all the rust this car has. It's pretty rust free. Just a bit there on the hatch

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/f9b8678d.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/e2fa3a73.jpg

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http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/802f9dc3.jpg


I was making a funny face lol



http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/0a09f5d1.jpg

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And this weekend I'm continuing the teardown to a long block and doing body work.

Well good luck, I'm sure it'll look great once its finished! ;)

Have fun, looks like a lot of work.

Glad to see its being brought back to life

Looks like you're off to a good start. Def quite a project. Good luck.

I'm planning on bringing it back to pretty much stock for now. I'm not sure what wheels I'm going with yet though. I'm going to paint it white like it origonally was. I'm thinking about doing a 5 lug conversion and going with the new wheels, black with a pollished lip but I'm not sure on that yet.

Anyone have some suggestions for this project? (Keep in mind I'm in highschool so I don't have big bucks to spend.

Other than dropping the engine off at the rebuilder yesterday there hasn't been any progress. Come Friday I'm going to continue body work and possibly start cleaning the interior.

If you don't mind me asking, what did you pay for this diamond in the rough?

Sounds like a fun project. As long as you keep at it your cars gonna be great.

ORIGINAL: RODRIGUEZ

If you don't mind me asking, what did you pay for this diamond in the rough?


The guy was askin $2800... The timing chain cover had a hole in it where it let the coolant run out so it hadn't been ran for a while. I patched it temporairly with jb weld and it ran but it had a slight knock.

But I got it for $1500. I feel like it was a good deal.

lol talked him down more than half good stuff

I received my new bumper cover while I was on vacation for 3 days. Opened up the bubble wrap and I think DHL used it in a Demolition derby. It's broke worse than my old one. I contacted the seller Thursday and haven't heard back yet.

Also went to the machine shop doing my engine on Thursday. It was a pretty cool experience. The guy doing my engine's pretty cool he gave me a tour of his shop told me about some of the engines he's doing currently. He flux tested my heads I think that's what it's called. There weren't any cracks and he had the valves done so the heads were ready to assemble and get a 3 angle valve job.

His helper had started boring out my block while I was there so I got to watch some of that. They were taking it 20 over because the cylinders were in good shape. This is the engines first rebuild. The crank was shot so they had to order a new one. It's going smoothly so it shouldn't be to long before I get it back. He had a big box of new parts for it there :).

I almost have most of the stuff out of the engine bay so I can repaint it. I'm debating on if I want to take the time to do a complete color change or not. It will be a lot of work so I'm unsure at the moment.

Oh and it was suggested to me to take my injectors to NAPA to have them cleaned and the o rings and stuff replaced and also flow tested. One of them was bad causing it to pour gas into the cylinder. I'm assuming that was the reason for it running rich and also possibly the cylinder that was allowing gas into the oil. Would that be possible? I'm assuming there was so much gas in the cylinder it just forced it by.

No new pics yet.

O rings are easy and cheap but yes get the injectors tested 1 bad injector can ruin an engine

hmmmm ..rough...but lots of potential..keep up the good work;)

sounds good so far

lot of work, but fun work;)

hows the transmission faring? gonna rebuild that too?

The transmission is good and it has a pretty new clutch so that's not going to be a problem. Tuesday I'm going to be picking up my paint. Mostlikely going with white, the origonal color. I'd like to change it to red, but my interior is red and I don't have the funds to swap it.

The engine bay should be ready for paint by the end of the week and possibly painted by the end of the weekend.

And I guess the one injector staying open was causing the car to appear like it's run rich? I'm hoping that's the cause of it and not something else.

Gotta love a t-top car especially 88's like ours... your pretty much at the same point as my car is how are your t-tops do they leak at all? good find and price on buying it.

I don't know if they leak or not. The headliner isn't destroyed or anything but yeah. I won't know if it leaks untill after I get it painted cause I've got some bondo on it and I don't want to get it wet. If it does I'm going to buy weatherstripping for the whole car.

i bought a really great kit for my 88 t-top through blue oval industries. it came with every peice of weatherstripping needed for the car except for the door plugs by the ends of the window. it ran me $435 but it is worth every penny when you have t tops that leak

looks like a pretty big project. Good luck!

looks like a decent project not to rough but will take some work , 1300 ain't bad i gave 1800 for mine wrecked .let us know how it goes .

Ordered $145 in parts last night. Lower windshield molding, Radio bezel (install kit), plug for the headlight switch, bumper cover rivets, upper and lower shift boots, and the shifter bezel.

Got the injectors back today, one needed replaced. The total for the pressure test and new rings and stuff was $155. I think $100 of it was labor..

Finally heard from the seller of my broken bumper. Contacted them back trying to find out if I'm able to get a full refund or atleast a replacement.

Got my paint yestderay as well. I got the color Pure White since I wasn't sure what color mine really was. I really wanted to do a full color change to Porsche Red but the guy spraying it doesn't want to do that much work.

My parts will be here tomorrow:) and....

I'm getting my engine back tomorrow!! Engine bay should be painted within a week and then I need to get new mounts and the engine is going back in :D

good luck with the build. are you going to smooth out the engine bay, get rid of unwanted holes then paint or are you just gonna paint it?

ORIGINAL: ksranger

My parts will be here tomorrow:) and....

I'm getting my engine back tomorrow!! Engine bay should be painted within a week and then I need to get new mounts and the engine is going back in :D




going with poly mounts? go with Prothane, just as good as energy suspension parts, but a lil cheaper and poly mounts dont wear out like rubber will

ORIGINAL: Shelty

ORIGINAL: ksranger

My parts will be here tomorrow:) and....

I'm getting my engine back tomorrow!! Engine bay should be painted within a week and then I need to get new mounts and the engine is going back in :D




going with poly mounts? go with Prothane, just as good as energy suspension parts, but a lil cheaper and poly mounts dont wear out like rubber will


Thanks for the info now I won't have to ask that one ;)

ORIGINAL: mustang86

good luck with the build. are you going to smooth out the engine bay, get rid of unwanted holes then paint or are you just gonna paint it?


I kind of want to but my dad doesn't think I should. I also don't know how to go about that and it will be a lot of extra work. It's probably worth it though.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/caa2426a.jpg



Got the engine back :D I'm about ready to paint the engine bay and after that it's going in :)

And after seeing the thread about someone smoothing the enginebay/hiding wires, it really makes me want to smooth it and hide some of the wires. I've got plenty of time since it won't be done by April 19th for my prom so yeah. Hopefully it's done by the summer though.

The engine bay is close to being cleared enough for the paint prep. Should be ready to paint if not painted this weekend. Engine should be mostly assembled and started to be put in by next weekend. Oh yeah, and I'm polishing the valve covers.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/4c9d281d.jpg

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http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/5faa90d6.jpg

ORIGINAL: Shelty

ORIGINAL: ksranger

My parts will be here tomorrow:) and....

I'm getting my engine back tomorrow!! Engine bay should be painted within a week and then I need to get new mounts and the engine is going back in :D




going with poly mounts? go with Prothane, just as good as energy suspension parts, but a lil cheaper and poly mounts dont wear out like rubber will


prothanes are known to lower the motor down an inch which can cause problems.. I went with energy's myself

ORIGINAL: primetime5.0

ORIGINAL: Shelty

ORIGINAL: ksranger

My parts will be here tomorrow:) and....

I'm getting my engine back tomorrow!! Engine bay should be painted within a week and then I need to get new mounts and the engine is going back in :D




going with poly mounts? go with Prothane, just as good as energy suspension parts, but a lil cheaper and poly mounts dont wear out like rubber will


prothanes are known to lower the motor down an inch which can cause problems.. I went with energy's myself



really?

I didnt know that, I ordered the coupe/hatch set for my t-top when I was doing the v8 conversion, and it fit in fine, now despite the fact I have to yank the motor again to replace the block plate.... if I keep her...

nice work man. the engine looks great. mine is at the machine shop now. i just got suckered into putting money into getting the heads worked. whatd u use to polish the valve covers?

Looks like its coming together good, +1 on the prothane mounts, I have them and love em

ORIGINAL: blk40th

nice work man. the engine looks great. mine is at the machine shop now. i just got suckered into putting money into getting the heads worked. whatd u use to polish the valve covers?


Sandpaper, polishing compound, aluminum polish, a dremel and a lot of elbow grease. I need to find a buffing wheel for our bench grinder..

So I should go with these mounts? And it will be stock fitment right?

http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/iwwida.pvx?;item?item_no=PT-6501BL%20%20%20%20%20%201&comp=LRS

ORIGINAL: ksranger

So I should go with these mounts? And it will be stock fitment right?

http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/iwwida.pvx?;item?item_no=PT-6501BL%20%20%20%20%20%201&comp=LRS



those should be it, they look exactly like the ones I put on my '86 t-top, the only difference is that the urethene in mine is red

great progress on the car too bad you cant drive it for your prom... i have a goal to have my camaro's headers and y pipe in for 4th of july... On your engine bay you should sand it down with 500 grit and primer it then use 1000 grit and then paint it i did that on mine and it came out great... T-top cars 4 life

ORIGINAL: 88ttop5.0

great progress on the car too bad you cant drive it for your prom... i have a goal to have my camaro's headers and y pipe in for 4th of july... On your engine bay you should sand it down with 500 grit and primer it then use 1000 grit and then paint it i did that on mine and it came out great... T-top cars 4 life


The guy painting my car said to use these things that are like scotch-brite pads. Idk what grit of sand paper they are comparable to but I did a test spot and it's coming out good :)

I'm going to be ordering headers and motor mounts tomorrow I think.

Current state of the engine... coming along. More to be done tomorrow!

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/08797438.jpg

nice job looks like a lot of fun man!:Dcant wait to start mine

Lookin great!!! Stupid question...but in one of your interior shots...it looks like a 4 speed shifter? This a 4 or 5 speed?

ORIGINAL: 1981_T_Top_Stang

Lookin great!!! Stupid question...but in one of your interior shots...it looks like a 4 speed shifter? This a 4 or 5 speed?


It's a 5 speed.

What do we have here?

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/DSC00253.jpg

Oh.. Summit Racing.. Could it be?

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/DSC00254.jpg

Woot! Woot! Motor mounts are here!:) Plus a complimentary hat from summit :)

If I get the seal on the tranny that's leakin replaced and bolted to the engine I'm getting the engine back in this weekend :D Wooo!! lol

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/DSC00256.jpg

looks good =) I have an 85 GT T-tops last year as a project car, havent been able to do everything i want to yet, but i got her in unknown, unrunning condition and brought her back to life. Good luck on your project!:)

So I came home to a few box's yesterday. Half a porch full, $1150 of stuff.

(sorry for the blury pics)

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/PIC-0009.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/PIC-0010.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/PIC-0011.jpg

bumper with 93 Cobra grille insert

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/PIC-0012.jpg

6 piece headlights, foglights, door lock actuators

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/PIC-0014.jpg

subs

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/PIC-0015.jpg

And I didn't get a picture of it, but on top of the bbk box is by bbk offroad H-pipe

looks good, subscribed

lookin good man, cant wait to see that engine bay:D

nice

now get to putting her together haha

And the money starts to flow

Long tube install wasn't to bad. Their now in place and I'm working on putting everything back on and hooking it back up. It's being kind of a pain but it's slowly coming back together. I didn't label some of the stuff, hopefully it will fall into place. Pics will come tomorrow if I get around to it.

Current state:

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/PIC-0018.jpg

Anyone have good diagrams of the engine bay that might assist me in getting it back together? I have some pics and stuff but I don't know if it will be enough.


Sorry for the crappy picture again, my blackjack 2's camera isn't as good as my SE's was. I need to start using our real digi cam if I can find the cable.

i *think* it looks nice so far, theres a big shiny blur in there someplace lol im sure it will be worth all the trouble though when your done, goodluck with those wires haha

Valve covers and headers aren't at their shiniest, as they were handled and not cleaned off after. Here you go, current state. I spent all weekend polishing those valve covers. This weekend a lot should get done (hopefully). I need to find somewhere to buy the split tube cover stuff. I found it in 3 sizes, but I still need like 2 other sizes.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/DSC00267.jpg

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looking good man. Glad to see another t-top being brought back from the brink...

Looks good man, yay for bringing t-tops back to life

(soon to be building mine) :D

What color are you painting it, I'm guessing White again since your not planning on doing the engine bay because if you were you would wait to put all of those stuff on there.

Looks great. I really have to get some pictures of my 88 ttop. Brought it from the field to driving condition so far.

it's staying white. I actually re painted the bay white.

Looks nice

whats going on engine wise?

stock rebuild, and bolt ons? I cant remember, and too lazy to find it hah...


but it looks sweet, people are gonna be jealous of you once its finished, especially those who think it to just be a pile;)

Its looking great so far. Keep it up.

ORIGINAL: Shelty

Looks nice

whats going on engine wise?

stock rebuild, and bolt ons? I cant remember, and too lazy to find it hah...


but it looks sweet, people are gonna be jealous of you once its finished, especially those who think it to just be a pile;)


I wanted to get some gt40 heads but i decided that after I had already got the engine to the guy and he'd already done the heads. It's just going to have BBK longtubes and an O/R mid.

Looks like it coming along...
Keep up the good work!

What paint did you paint the engine bay with???

ORIGINAL: stanglx2002

What paint did you paint the engine bay with???




Some rustoleum rattlecans. The guy painting my car, who has been in the painting industry for over 17yrs suggested to use it. (He quit a body shop because they didn't want him to do stuff the right way). But anyways, he said it would adhere better and also I think be easier to do.

I've been workin a lot this summer and haven't had time to update.

I have almost everything done in the engine bay and hooked up finnaly. All I have left is stabbing the distributer and fillling up all the fluids. Already primmed the oil pump. I also have all the air conditioner stuff out at the moment but it's going to be working its way back in.

Only problem I'm having is figguring out all the small vaccumes for the a/c. My neighbor down the road has a 5.0 lx. He said I can stop by and look under the hood any time he's home so ya.

sounds good,

you keeping the interior red?

wheels? what is on it now, those look like some old school centerlines?

ORIGINAL: Shelty

sounds good,

you keeping the interior red?

wheels? what is on it now, those look like some old school centerlines?


For now the interior is staying red untill I get the money to change it to black.

For wheels, after I sell my truck I'm going to buy something different. I'm thinkin some 5 spokes with black spokes and a polished lip.

I finnaly bolted up my off road h-pipe. I had to chop off the hangers on it though. They were in the way. I also had to bend it some to get it to fit right but it's all bolted up. While I was down there, I noticed there was a hole and crack in one of my mufflers, so those are going to be replaced.

Any suggestions on what muffler won't be to loud, but a nice low and deep rumble?

Mac catbacks are pretty quiet when at idle, but when you stomp on it, people will know your coming...

mine had a drone around cruising speed for a few hundred miles, but it went away.... and it sounds killer with an offroad pipe, especially at high rpm...

FINALLY IT RUNS!!!!!! KINDA.... I finally got to start it tonight. I only ran it for a few seconds because I don't have a timing light to time it yet. My uncle is bringing his over soon and then I'll get it timed. But WOOOO!!! I can't wait to get this thing on the road! after my body work... But I can still drive it a little :)

Short and ****ty vid of first start up after rebuild.

http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/?action=view&current=0818082128.flv

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/th_0818082128.jpg (http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/?action=view&current=0818082128.flv)

Alright so yesterday I finally got a chance to try and time it. Only problem is my timinglight is messed up so I have to get a new one. It would start to backfire after 15 seconds but run ok, with an idle of 1500-1800. Couldn't give it gas at all. So I check all my wires and their sending spark and checked all my plugs. Turns out 3 of them aren't sparking.

So I'm gettin 3 new plugs and hoping that helps. I'm also going to pick up a new timing light. Other than that, haven't had much progress. As soon as I get this thing running, I'm going to work on the body work like no other so I can get to driving it!

Long time no update. The car is running correctly now. Workin on the body work.

Hey nice car, glad to see another t-top on here, seem more and more are making a come back.