New to me 85 convertible

[85TN]

This is my first ford and honestly I'm not really sure what I've got. Someone's done alot of work to it, some good, some not so good. I took the carb apart cleaned and adjusted everything and finally got it running almost right. Now my major issues are the lack of turn signals and brake fluid loss. I've got a motor for the wiperblades on the way. I'm hoping the brake fluid is just wheel cylinders. I'm going to pull the drums this weekend. Fender says 5.0 but intake says 289. not sure what's going on there either.

So I guess what I'm asking for is a general opinion of what I've got, and what to do with it and maybe point out something obvious that I'm overlooking.

[85TN]

I cannot find the fuse box anywhere. it shouldn't be this difficult. Im finding a lot of cut wiring tho..

[Ayecuzz2014]

It probably has the edlebrock performer 289 intake. Probably is a 302. I love the wheels and the 5 lug swap. But IMO the tail lights are hideous.

[83gtstang]

I cannot find the fuse box anywhere. it shouldn't be this difficult. Im finding a lot of cut wiring tho..

The fuse box in under the panel below the steering column between the hood release pull handle. Should be four Philips head screws holding the panel. As four the brake fluid missing, if there is no brake fluid residue dripping onto the inner wheels, could be leaking into the brake booster at the master cylinder or between the brake booster and the master cylinder. It could be a Performer 289 intake on a 302 block, like I used to run long ago. I also see you have an HEI type distributor. Car looks cool.

[85TN]

thanks for the views, and especially the replys, I'll take that panel off tomorrow and hopefully I'll find the fusebox. there are two chambers in the brake reservoir, only the front one is going empty..

[83gtstang]

Well you have front disk brakes, so could be the calipers or the old brittle rubber brake lines.

[85TN]

Well you have front disk brakes, so could be the calipers or the old brittle rubber brake lines.

So front chamber is front brakes then? Sorry I wasn't clear before. I have to refill every two days, thought I'd see a puddle by now if it was something like that.

[83gtstang]

Well I could be wrong now that I think of it I may not know what I'm talking about 100% sure LOL. I think yes 74%, because I'm having the same issue. My front driver caliper is leaking, it's a visible puddle on the ground. My front chamber was empty.

[JACook]

The large (rear) chamber is for the front brakes, smaller (front) chamber is for the rears. Now let's talk
about that huge HEI lump sitting up there in front of God and everyone. Holy cats. I'm gonna guess your
car used to be a V6/automatic, and that was their quick 'n dirty solution to the ignition question.

BTW, nice Magnum.

[grabbergreen84]

Ditch the flex fan for either the factory clutch setup, or an electric fan out of a newer Ford at the junk yard. It's robbing horsepower and it might fly apart. Decent fan control systems can be had out there for pretty cheap.

Someone else already broached the subject of those tail lights... I'd get some '85s.

Then I'd look at going to the Ford Duraspark ignition system - even just for the same reason as the tail lights. But you need to know if your engine has a roller or flat tappet cam, so you get the correct gear on the distributor. Duraspark is more reliable IMO and it looks better than the HEI.

[85TN]

Ditch the flex fan for either the factory clutch setup, or an electric fan out of a newer Ford at the junk yard.

I'm totally ready to get rid of that fan. It sounds terrible.

[85TN]

BTW, nice Magnum.

Thanks, that's the wife's fun lil kid carrying wagon. No minivans at this house.

[webestang]

Welcome vert owner! Your ride looks very nice!

Need any help with the top we have a Q and A thread in the body section, here is a link..... http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...rtible-Q-amp-A

[85TN]

New flasher fixed the turn signal issue! except I need a new socket on the right front. I'm hoping our local pickapart will have one. I'm going to look for fan options while I'm there as well. thanks again.

[frankiesaysrelax]

Now let's talk about that huge HEI lump sitting up there in front of God and everyone. Holy cats. I'm gonna guess your car used to be a V6/automatic, and that was their quick 'n dirty solution to the ignition question.

Aside from looking out of place on a Ford, there is nothing wrong with the GM HEI distributor. The HEI is an excellent and highly reliable ignition system and is an upgrade over the Ford Duraspark. I wasn't aware of GM making any for Ford so I'm going to guess that what you have is a Davis DUI.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dui-31820bk/overview/make/ford


Personally, I'd leave it alone. Those taillights gotta go though.

Is the car an automatic? It looks like somebody replaced the stock CFI setup with a carb and a Davis DUI.

Nice looking '85 convertible.

For taillights I'd go with '87-'93 LX tails, '93 Cobra tails, or original '85-'86 tail lights unless you really like the ones on the car. They aren't to my taste but are better than the ugly cheesegraters that the '87-'93 GTs got from the factory.