I just had a 96 GT convertible fall into my lap for more or less free, so it looks like I'm temporarily back in the Mustang game. I'll be here looking for tech advice and if I absolutely have to I'll post a new thread, but so far I've been able to find all my answers. I have a few things to knock out before I'll want to drive it regularly. So far my project looks like this:

THE BAD
Needs plugs and wires
Possible intake replacement(havent really diagnosed the misfire under load on one of the cylinders)
HVAC issue where it doesnt want to change which vents are open and closed and possibly not changing the heat/cool setting as well, havent really had a chance to dig into it yet.
odometer gear replacement
Drivers seat leather is all jacked up
steering wheel leather is gross and peeling at 12:00
Top has a leak

THE GOOD
New Plugs and wires in the trunk
Fluids/Tires/Brakes All got replaced about one year and 1000 miles ago.
Top leak is in the corner of the rear window and i already have the materials to fix it


THE PLAN
Replace plugs and wires, during replacement investigate further on possible intake issues(Should I just replace it?)
Patch the window leak
Scour the junkyard and ebay for a nicer steering wheel and front seats and/or covers that dont look like garbage
Look into the HVAC issue and possibly repair depending on cost/difficulty(It's not a primary vehicle and it's a convertible other than warm feet do i really need anything?)
Short shifter

At this point it should be fun enough to drive on occasion and I'll reevaluate whether I want to keep it or start looking for a trade on something else. This is obviously not my ideal year and model to be working on, but the price is right and it's (almost) guaranteed not to lose me money, so bring on the fun. If nothing else it should be a fun little project to fix up and pass on to the next guy.

I look forward to conversing with you all.

 

americanmuscle.com sells LOTS of Mustang parts in that year.

 

Late Model Restoration..... http://www.lmr.com

You can find parts here as well!!!

 

Thank you for the advice, I took ownership of the car yesterday. Haven't had too much time to do anything with the car other than drive it to work and fill it with gas. I did however manage to find a few minutes to check the vacuum line for my hvac vents, it was melted. A quick patch job later and I've got all the vents working.

Progress on Previous Issues
The misfire isn't happening now that it's filled with fresh premium gas. I'll still be changing out plugs and wires as well as spraying down the MAF with some cleaner this weekend.

After further review It looks like I'm going to take the car to a convertible shop in my neighborhood and see what they will charge to re seal the rear window. Depending on cost I'll either get it repaired or keep it parked out of the weather until I can source a new top. Maybe an auto glass guy could help?

I went ahead an ordered a new odometer gear. Planning to head to the pick a part on Friday and look for parts to make a few repairs, might even poke around for a PI swap. This is a budget project for sure but I think it will be a good time.

New Thoughts and Developments
I want a welder I want a friend(who can weld) with a welder.

AC compressor doesnt turn on and cruise control doesnt work. Checked fuses but nothing bad. I'll troubleshoot the ac this weekend and see if it's the clutch or what. System has a charge but I didnt have a set of gauges to check pressure. I'll look into the cruise control issue, not really too concerned with either working.

I really want to put gears in this car but it seems like such a pain in the *** with the speed cal and everything else as I'm not to excited about doing them myself. I've read that some tuners can recal a 1996 speedo and I've also read that you have to have a speed cal device.

As I mentioned above, I'm pretty sure a PI swap on the cheap is in this cars future. It all depends on what the junkyard/craigslist/ebay gods give me.

 

Update on the project.

Issues resolved:
Cruise control-ended up being the piece that connects to the brake pedal
A/C-working good after a complete recharge
Misfire-New Plugs, wires, and fuel filter
Drivers seat- replaced with one sourced locally
Installed a shortshifter

Still Dealing With:
Top- getting replaced at the end of summer
Steering wheel- cleaned up but still need replacement or a rewrap

New issues:
Realized i've got a leak at the oil filter adapter gasket. Plan to take care of it on my next free weekend.

I'm getting to the point of no return on this project where i'm going to have to get rid of it or dump more money than it's worth to have more fun. I'm leaning in the sell direction now. If I end up keeping it I plan on doing springs, struts/shocks, gears, and a PI swap. I'm really wanting a stronger go fast platform to work with though.