Last July, my brother in-law who "likes to work on cars" bought this 5.0-swapped 89LX.
That day, we took it for a spin to go get his other car because he left it at the guy's house when he bought the Mustang and I started finding problems with the damned thing before we got out of his driveway...why did I promise to help work on it?
First thing was that the tach reads way too high. Weird thing is the huuge Autometer tach does the same thing.
Second, it's supposed to have a cammed up 306 in it. If it really is a built motor (which is a scary thought here in hickville) I figured it will need a tune to run worth a crap.
Cruise doesn't work and AC is gone, plus the belt squealed like a pig 24/7. No belt tensioner. A 4cyl T5 that whined like a race trans. I was elated.
There are frigging wires hanging everywhere. It LOOKS like they used the correct V8 wiring harnesses, but with the amount of thing that just aren't hooked up, I'm starting to wonder... And did I mention they left the oxygen sensors off? I am still in shock over the fact that someone once sold these guys a wrench.
It lasted about a month until the original 180k mile, gear-oil filled, leaky T5 died in
spectacular fashion. Only gear left was 4th and it made a horrific grinding noise in any other gear. Wait til you see the pics of the T5's guts. I'm surprised it moved.
I bought a Ford A/C Delete Kit and a belt tensioner, and we installed them about a month ago, as seen in these pics:
PS Pump removed. Only one bolt holding it on, one full turn and it fell off and took the belt with it, no need to worry about how to get everything off anymore.
Busted PS bracket (they had screwed the broken off part into the block with a short bolt, thanks guys)
PS Pump support and AC Delete mount installed:
Now everything lines up. God forbid. We even have a tensioner, so we can get some belt wrap around the pulleys to keep it from squealing, and it won't be stretched as tight as a banjo string anymore.
A few weeks ago, we jacked it up, and last week we spent the weekend getting the trans out. While-I'm-At-It-itis struck already.
First, we started taking the shifter out. That nessitated removing the console and lower dash trim, and discovering that they had bolted the radio to the floor with high-strength plumber's strap...*that* was some fun stuff.
Here it's all apart:
Starter came out next. No wonder people love ministarters so much. Clearance? What clearance? You mean I need to get a wrench on there?
T5, you biatch, we have conquered you. Admit defeat. (The guy covered in ATF is the owner, Shane, the human trans jack)
So THAT's how you get a T5 apart! It doesn't involve beating the piazz out of the top cover after all...you really DO have to take the tailshaft housing off and knock out that roll pin FIRST!
That doesn't look too healthy!
OMGEEZ! No wonder it didn't want to do anything. Made a big mess too, when they warn you you probably don't have it completely drained, they REALLY ain't a kidding.
That day, we took it for a spin to go get his other car because he left it at the guy's house when he bought the Mustang and I started finding problems with the damned thing before we got out of his driveway...why did I promise to help work on it?
First thing was that the tach reads way too high. Weird thing is the huuge Autometer tach does the same thing.
Second, it's supposed to have a cammed up 306 in it. If it really is a built motor (which is a scary thought here in hickville) I figured it will need a tune to run worth a crap.
Cruise doesn't work and AC is gone, plus the belt squealed like a pig 24/7. No belt tensioner. A 4cyl T5 that whined like a race trans. I was elated.
There are frigging wires hanging everywhere. It LOOKS like they used the correct V8 wiring harnesses, but with the amount of thing that just aren't hooked up, I'm starting to wonder... And did I mention they left the oxygen sensors off? I am still in shock over the fact that someone once sold these guys a wrench.
It lasted about a month until the original 180k mile, gear-oil filled, leaky T5 died in
spectacular fashion. Only gear left was 4th and it made a horrific grinding noise in any other gear. Wait til you see the pics of the T5's guts. I'm surprised it moved.
I bought a Ford A/C Delete Kit and a belt tensioner, and we installed them about a month ago, as seen in these pics:
PS Pump removed. Only one bolt holding it on, one full turn and it fell off and took the belt with it, no need to worry about how to get everything off anymore.
Busted PS bracket (they had screwed the broken off part into the block with a short bolt, thanks guys)
PS Pump support and AC Delete mount installed:
Now everything lines up. God forbid. We even have a tensioner, so we can get some belt wrap around the pulleys to keep it from squealing, and it won't be stretched as tight as a banjo string anymore.
A few weeks ago, we jacked it up, and last week we spent the weekend getting the trans out. While-I'm-At-It-itis struck already.
First, we started taking the shifter out. That nessitated removing the console and lower dash trim, and discovering that they had bolted the radio to the floor with high-strength plumber's strap...*that* was some fun stuff.
Here it's all apart:
Starter came out next. No wonder people love ministarters so much. Clearance? What clearance? You mean I need to get a wrench on there?
T5, you biatch, we have conquered you. Admit defeat. (The guy covered in ATF is the owner, Shane, the human trans jack)
So THAT's how you get a T5 apart! It doesn't involve beating the piazz out of the top cover after all...you really DO have to take the tailshaft housing off and knock out that roll pin FIRST!
That doesn't look too healthy!
OMGEEZ! No wonder it didn't want to do anything. Made a big mess too, when they warn you you probably don't have it completely drained, they REALLY ain't a kidding.
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