'96 GT in need of work
03-17-2008, 01:05 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: California
Posts: 3
'96 GT in need of work
Hey everyone. Noob here. I've had my black 96 GT since July of '07 and just recently started trying to get it fixed up. Let me tell yall my story:
I bought the car from a less than reputable dealership in inner city Chicago, where I fell in love with the looks of the car and rushed into a foolish purchase without giving the engine or undercarriage a good once over, let alone taking it to a trusted mechanic to thoroughly check it out. Long story short, the car is not in the greatest shape, to be kind. I noticed soon after I bought it that it was missing while idling. I wondered why the check engine light wasn't on though, then I discovered that the check engine light didn't light even during the lamp test before ignition. Come to find out, the check engine light bulb had been removed. Further investigation unveiled, rusty plug wires, and spark plugs, two of which were rusted in so badly, removal was nearly impossible. I decided to take it to the Ford dealer to let them run diagnostics, etc. The O2 sensors were found to be cracked. Ultimately they got the check engine light replaced, along with the 02 sensors and after the new plugs and wires it was running a little better, but still in need of many other repairs.
To spare any more long drawn out stories, since then I have replaced all four tires which had been three different brands of tire before replacement. I also have changed the brakes, rotors, calipers on all four wheels, along with replacing the idler pulley this weekend. I'm not an expert mechanic as I'm sure you have inferred from this post. I'm trying to learn and am obviously having some growing pains. I want to transform this car into the Mustang of my dreams. It has 138,000 miles right now, so at some point I want to replace the motor but my first priority is making this a decent daily driver.
I bought the car from a less than reputable dealership in inner city Chicago, where I fell in love with the looks of the car and rushed into a foolish purchase without giving the engine or undercarriage a good once over, let alone taking it to a trusted mechanic to thoroughly check it out. Long story short, the car is not in the greatest shape, to be kind. I noticed soon after I bought it that it was missing while idling. I wondered why the check engine light wasn't on though, then I discovered that the check engine light didn't light even during the lamp test before ignition. Come to find out, the check engine light bulb had been removed. Further investigation unveiled, rusty plug wires, and spark plugs, two of which were rusted in so badly, removal was nearly impossible. I decided to take it to the Ford dealer to let them run diagnostics, etc. The O2 sensors were found to be cracked. Ultimately they got the check engine light replaced, along with the 02 sensors and after the new plugs and wires it was running a little better, but still in need of many other repairs.
To spare any more long drawn out stories, since then I have replaced all four tires which had been three different brands of tire before replacement. I also have changed the brakes, rotors, calipers on all four wheels, along with replacing the idler pulley this weekend. I'm not an expert mechanic as I'm sure you have inferred from this post. I'm trying to learn and am obviously having some growing pains. I want to transform this car into the Mustang of my dreams. It has 138,000 miles right now, so at some point I want to replace the motor but my first priority is making this a decent daily driver.
03-17-2008, 10:54 AM
#5
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: California
Posts: 3
RE: '96 GT in need of work
ORIGINAL: MeanStang08
Welcome to MF... good luck with the stang
Welcome to MF... good luck with the stang
ORIGINAL: 07cspony
Welcome to the forums...you'll find lots of help and ideas in these forums. Post some pics when you get a chance...there is no such thing as an ugly "pony".
Welcome to the forums...you'll find lots of help and ideas in these forums. Post some pics when you get a chance...there is no such thing as an ugly "pony".
ORIGINAL: Obsequious1
Welcome to MF's. It sounds like you got the raw end of the deal. I hope it work out ok for you.
Welcome to MF's. It sounds like you got the raw end of the deal. I hope it work out ok for you.
03-17-2008, 10:57 AM
#6
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: California
Posts: 3
RE: '96 GT in need of work
Here are some pics of the 'Stang as it stands right now:
[IMG]local://upfiles/93314/81BDCA4A3D9F4C00A73C39FA17AC62C1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/93314/181B690FA04C4E91AD621EBE21F16261.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/93314/81BDCA4A3D9F4C00A73C39FA17AC62C1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/93314/181B690FA04C4E91AD621EBE21F16261.jpg[/IMG]
