1988 Thunderbrid


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2008-05-10 Update - Cleaned, Pulled Apart, Reviewed and More

The first day or so was spent cleaning up the TC including vacuuming the interior and trunk over and over again. It cleaned up ok. Next was de-smoking the interior since previous owners were smokers. It still smells somewhat like an ash tray but is getting better.

First thing I have done is pull the beat up face off the car. The header panel was broken and patched back together with wood, cardboard and fiberglass and the bumper cover was warped on the top badly.

Replacement parts are in the works. I should soon have a front header, front bumper cover, two mirrors, speaker grills, tail lights, inner and out front turn signals and parking lights, an A/C condenser and some other small items that will put the car back together. I also have a Gillis boost controller valve in the mix to replace the existing boost control valve and allow better boost control The valve includes a vacuum/boost gauge I will mount in the car.

Since the clutch was slipping badly and apparently the rear block freeze plug is out I cannot really drive the car to debug anymore so I continue to clean, disassemble and plan for reviving the car without spending loads of money.

I have pulled the computer codes out and the only stored code on the basic test was the O2 sensor which did not surprise me since the harness from the O2 sensor was completely mangled and the wires were bare. I have since replaced that sensor. I cannot do the rest of the test until I get the freeze plug replaced which is scheduled later this month once I get the RAM clutch kit and new flywheel.

A review under the hood resulted in some interesting items:
bulletApparently the PCV valve, located on the drivers side just behind the front timing belt cover, has been out of the hose that it is supposed to be in and another PCV was added in the valve cover where the normal oil separator/filter was supposed to be. This would create a nice vacuum leak since the PCV was sucking ambient air and the other was pulling off the crankcase. It also allowed an unfiltered air source being pulled into the engine through the open hose. I put a small cone filter in the valve cover, replaced the PCV and put it back in the correct location. Apparently the filter/separator is not easily found.
bulletThe wire from the alternator to the main harness apparently had been cut at some point and some large home wiring gauge added in. The connection was soldered but was taped up with 'pipe wrap tape'. Since it appears there was enough existing wire to get to the alternator I re-ended the wire and re-connected it.
bulletNo air filter element - This one surprised me as I really hate to think of a turbo motor running without an air filter. I hope it hasn't been like this too long and have installed a new filament.
bulletThe cooling fans were all wired together and the A/C pressure switch jumped so the fans run all the time the key is on. I tested the relays in the relay control module and both work fine when wired up so I would suspect the ECT (Engine Coolant Temperature) sensor may not be working if the fans do not come on when the engine warms up. Have to wait until the freeze plug is replaced for that one too although I might just replace it while waiting for other parts.
bulletLots of speaker wire has been used to hold things together. The header panel was wired on, the battery cable end was wired on and a bungee cord was holding some things together.

In other work I went ahead and pulled the inlet elbow off the turbo since it was not showing any boost during the quick test drive. The impeller spins fine and does not have any noticeable end or side play. We will have to see once the clutch is replaced if there is any boost but there is no reason it should not work if all the hoses are on and tight.

I did pull the spark plugs and they actually didn't look too bad. All but one was a nice brown but had build up on them. A full set of plugs and wires is in order as well.

It does appear that the drivers fender has been buckled out some from the front end bump. Once I have the new header/bumper cover in hand I can asses and re-align if needed.

 
Ouch - A/C Condenser damage from long ago

 
Drivers fender - appears to be bowed out :-(
Faceless Wonder

 
Inlet elbow pulled


This is how the alternator was wired up??