[Joey_P]

I have recently acquired a 1986 Mercury Capri 5.0. Very good condition, but has not been driven in 11 years. I had a mechanic do some beginning work to it (Shocks, thermostat, new belts, etc). Come to find out the push rod was bent really bad, which he thought was the problem as the car shook tremendously while driving it. After replacing the rod, the car drives great.

However, we both noticed that the transmission is slipping. It will not shift out of 4th gear. It is an automatic, fuel injected. Also, I believe it is leaking transmission fluid. Now, the best part...I am a beginner when it comes to cars. I'm in I.T. So....I need guidance from anyone who would be willing to share it with me. I got this car so my son and I could spend the next several years rebuilding it, restoring it and modding it. I have a vision for this, but I know it will take time and $$.

My questions are these:

1. Should I rebuild the transmission or look for a new one?
2. Where can I find new parts like: windshield, door windows, new upholstery, new dash and so on?
3. It needs new paint job...how much should I expect to pay for this?
4. How can I mod the engine myself...or am I out of luck with this type of thing?
5. I need new brakes, wheels and tires...recommendations?


I will add pictures in the next post.

[Joey_P]

Here are the images. This is the day I got the car. Since, I have cleaned and detailed...looks much better, but you can tell it needs a LOT of work and new stuff.

[ryanw]

you should change the front bump,hood,hatch glass,rear bumper, tail lights to that of a mustang. Mustangs look awesome with the squared off fenders. At the vary minimum the hatch back part and tail lights and rear bumper has got to go

[Joey_P]

Ryan,

I plan on doing just that. I just need to be pointed in the right direction for most of that stuff.

[kyle2002stang!]

get a rear hatch, rear bumper and tail lights from a 87-93 mustang. i think it would look better IMO. check out latemodelrestoration.com they got alot of replacement parts. as for paint, a good high quality job would cost about $2500-3000 at a good shop.

[ryanw]

Im not going to pretend that i know whats involved but i think it will all bolt right up. Depending if your going to change the front bumper to a 87-93 or 85-86 you may have to change some of the light bulb conectors. Id love to see how this build goes, please keep us updated with more pics

[kyle2002stang!]

i think you should keep the capri front but that just my opinion. also check out americanmuscle.com for wheels/tires.

[Joey_P]

Great stuff, and thanks. Yes, I was quoted $2500 for a paint job..so that seems right. Any idea about the transmission?

I will keep you all posted...it might be slow, but I will update when I can.

[kyle2002stang!]

do you want an automatic or a manual? how much power do you want out of the car?

[ryanw]

some time its cheaper to go out and get a new tranny then to have the old one rebuilt. Or the cost is vary close. You know how it goes, the tranny shop will drop the trans and then charge 600 bucks just for checking it out

[flatblack94]

no t a bad find i have always liked those and the 4 eye fox stangs, but you should swap that automatic to a manuel if its dead anyway, just go to you local salvage yard and pick up a used one

[Joey_P]

The heater core is bad....after doing some digging...I am thinking I could do this.

Anyone had luck with it?

[Smirnoff]

since you have ac the whole dash has to come out but its not that bad...i found a thread on foureyedpride.com that helped a lot DETAILED instructions heater core install w/out cutting DUW - Four Eyed Forums

[Joey_P]

This is huge! Thanks for the link!!! I will post pictures of my work once I attempt/complete it.

thanks again.