85-86 Mustang 3.8l Help

[rockin86ranger]

Im looking at a 1985 or 86 Mustang Convertible with a 3.8l and auto(i think) I havent seen the car but its suppose to have a clean rust free body and good interior, anad is suppose to run and drive good. i was told it will need a top soon but im not concerned about that right now.

I just want to know what i should look for with this vehicle, i know the newer 3.8l where bad about head gaskets but dont know if these have the same problem. I've also been advised the subframes/mounting points can crack.

The price seems really good if its as good as a frined told me it is, they just dropped it to 1k.

 

[ZMan]

$1000 seems like a deal. The guys on the show "Muscle Car" on spike just got an '86 t-top mustang with a v6 for $1200 and said that was a deal.

As for the engine, they have the same problems with the headgaskets as any 3.8l. If it were me I would only be buying the car to put a different engine in it, whether it be a 5.0 or 2.3t.

 

[adsm08]

The 3.8 can be a reliable engine. You gotta treat it like a 2.9. Same issues. They put aluminum heads on an iron block. Block heats up faster than the heads and then the heads warp and blow the gaskets out.

Do a compression test before you buy it, if it's good, buy it and keep the engine cool. If it's bad on the end cylinders, buy it and get the heads decked flat again.

 

[fix_or_repair_daily]

I had an 86 midsize LTD (Fox chassis car like the Mustang)with the 3.8. It really never gave me any major problems besides a few sensors, and I beat that car HARD at times. They are pretty sad in the power department though. I think they are only rated at ~120 HP.

Josh

 

[2timerangerfan]

My dad had one that he drove for years. he paid about the same for his, put 100k on it and sold it to a teenage boy who dogged it. It survived my dad teaching me how to do fishtails, donuts, and bear tracks so they can be pretty tough. Oh and i don't know if it will be a problem for you but they seem to attract deer while driving. Hit seven deer in his. They get good fuel mileage. Had trouble with the heater core, ignition switch, and cigarette lighter.