Found a 88 TC

[Play400]

for $300. AT car. Going to see it right now. Supposed to been sitting for 3 years so I figure it won't start and it is an insurance write off so we may have found a "play" motor for the 82 GT. Simple swap or ???

Bought it, no sun roof??? missing alternator but turns over so that's a good thing. Also has a good nose, all the wheels, moldings, interior and was supposed to have been a good runner when they parked it. Had big dreams like I do right now.

[loutheplumber]

:picsorban:

[NoStang]

I'm doing the same thing right now, bought an 88 TC for cheap and swapping the drivetrain into my 81 coupe.

I'll be starting a build thread on here soon.

[Ford'sCapri]

Two more TC's dead....

[NoStang]

Don't worry about my TC...it was toast. Big hole in the frame between the strut tower and the firewall, rad support was toast, and drivers side rocker was completely gonzo.

I wouldn't have taken apart a clean car.

[Play400]

Mine was an insurance "write off / parts only" for a dent in the front fender. Didn't help that the rest of the car EXCEPT the hood is rotten. Atleast the usable body and interior parts on mine are going on the 1 I sold this spring. I have stayed in contact with the fellow who bought it as he is restoring it.

My deal is a little sour. Car is missing the ECU. Was only supposed to be missing alternator. Now where do I get 1 for an at or do we have to go with an aftermarket box. Won't register on TCCoA as they are interested in restoring the cars not parting them out or engine swaps. Same BS as pulling apart or mod'ing a SVO here so can't get info or offer any of the parts there. GRRRRRRRRR

[ashley roachclip]

the manual or automatic trans ecu will work for the 87-88 models .
check out e-bay or turbo ford .

[Mad Max]

L3A computers are sup[osed to be cheap from the parts store. It's the SVO computers that are $$$ for the same thing.


Two more TC's dead....
not everythign can be saved......



.....especialy when its rusted beyond repair.

[Ford'sCapri]

L3A computers are supposed to be cheap from the parts store. It's the SVO computers that are $$$ for the same thing.



not everything can be saved......



.....especially when its rusted beyond repair.

True, but neither one of them said anything about rust when they first posted.

And....it seems like everyone thinks of the TC's as good parts cars...

[Play400]

Yahoo!!!!!! Have the ECU under the seat!!! Called the fellow up I bought the car from and he gave me a bit more history. He bought the car to try and solve a problem with his. Wasn't an ECU problem so he put the original back in his car and shoved the other under the seat. Said it worked great in the car I bought.

So I'm only missing the alternator which is not a problem and "map sensor,vane assembly" that is around the air cleaner area. Is there a better way to hook up a map or mas sensor or should I look around for the stock set-up. Also is there any way I can "cheat" it so I can start the car and see what I have before I pull the assembly? I know on the 1 we had years ago that ran real bad with just a loose hose before the vane never mind missing it.

And yes the car's exterior is a POS. Was sold with a "parts only" title. Needs fenders, doors, quarters, trunk lid, pass quarter side molding and it is an amazingly low option, low mileage, 100k, car. Interior doesn't match the exterior except for the front seats which look like the side boosters are way out. Second 1 we bought this year for the power but the body on the first 1 was too good to break up so we sold it at a loss. Glad we did because it managed to get back on the road late summer and the fellow is redoing the body over the winter.

[Mad Max]

True, but neither one of them said anything about rust when they first posted.

And....it seems like everyone thinks of the TC's as good parts cars...

Ture and ture. Only the mechanical. Electrical is very "intricate" (aka a freaking nightmare)

IMHO If the car is good shape it shoudn't be stripped.

[plstktnkr2]

to "cheat " to achieve a running engine is to spray ether into intake (as long as you have spark and timing) it will run. also check fuel rail pressure, could be clogged injectiors

[NoStang]

IMHO If the car is good shape it shoudn't be stripped.

Right, I'd never pull one apart that was clean enough to fix.