My latest project: 87 Cougar to replace the T-Bird

This Cougar has all the bells and whistles you can imagine: Power everything, cruise, automatic headlight dimmer, electric trunk and gas door release, digital dash, 6 way (or more) seats, I halfway expect it to have an automated nose picker too. The car has sat under a tree for about 2 years, the sap has done a number on the hood paint. It has a 5.0 in it which is a huge plus. The body is in overall great shape so I thought it was worth the $500 price tag. I am in the process of changing a leaking heater core (think fun, dash removal required) and doing lots of other odds and ends that don't add up to alot of money but is time consuming. While I had the dash out I decided to remove the carpet and take it to the car wash for some power washing, the previous owners were obviously pigs. Does anyone know a good source for new/used parts, information, or a dedicated forum on these cars? I need the chrome trim that goes around the back glass. The switches in the center console have had more than a few ounces of coffee and/or coke spilled on them so I am looking for replacements. I have checked Ford for the power mirror switch and it is already unavailable. I am using momentary contact double pole/double throw switches for the power windows and that seems to be working (and looking) good. May have to engineer something for the mirrors too. Did I mention how much I enjoyed wrenching?
Kywookie

Hey,what,s up?I have an '88 T-Bird,and many of the parts are the same,actually,most all of the parts.I have mirror switches somewhere in the garage,and I think I have some window switches,too.I have a good friend who owns a salvage yard,and I have access to many parts.Cougar window trim is another story.I've had to change my dash and heater core.......it sucks!!!!!My seats are from a Mustang,and my dash and console are from a Cougar.It's amazing how many of the parts are simple bolt-on swaps.If you need the switches,and can't find any where you are(where are you?),let me know and I'll do what I can to get you fixed up.Good luck with your Cougar.Check out my Bird at http://members.cardomain.com/vinnietbird

You might want to check the Mark VIII as a source for those switches...They're basically the same car underneath and I'll bet they could be made to work.[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_tup.gif[/img]
[addsig]

I got the dash back in and hooked up. Coolant system holds pressure now. I'll tackle reinstalling the carpet and seats tomorrow night. It smells much better since I got the dead mouse out of the heater box, but some fragrance still lingers.....
Thanks for tips and offers for assistance hunting parts. I may take you up on it later but for now I am going to see what I can do with items on hand. I was looking at the power mirror switch on the wife's 99 Grand Marquis and it looks like one of those may work too. Power mirrors are not very high on the priority list right now though. Anyone know if the plastic guage cover is still available new? Evidently someone has "cleaned" this one with a dry rag or something that is not plastic friendly as it is pretty cloudy.
Time to shower and hit the sack.
Kywookie

I don't think they are available.Mine got pretty scratched up,and I went to autozone and got some plastic polish.Only $3,and the plastic lens for the gauges looked brand new in about 30 minutes.Again,if you want the switches,you can have them,no charge.I'm just happy to help.Besides,I need to thin out the stuff in the garage.Good luck.

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On 2003-11-05 17:17, vinnietbird wrote:
I don't think they are available.Mine got pretty scratched up,and I went to autozone and got some plastic polish.Only $3,and the plastic lens for the gauges looked brand new in about 30 minutes.Again,if you want the switches,you can have them,no charge.I'm just happy to help.Besides,I need to thin out the stuff in the garage.Good luck.
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So far I have come up empty in the search for a new plastic instrument cover. I have wondered how well the plastic polish stuff works. I noticed that it looks nice and clear when wet, then gets cloudy as it dries. I am in need of the power seat switches more than anything. I had one to completely disintegrate while playing with it yesterday. If you have some spare power seat switches I can email you a pic of the switch to see if what you have is a match. I am sticking to the original plan of using double pole/double throw momentary contact toggle switches for the power windows as it is a cheap, trick looking, and easily procured solution to the problem.
Thanks,
Danny

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2003-11-05 17:17, vinnietbird wrote:
I don't think they are available.Mine got pretty scratched up,and I went to autozone and got some plastic polish.Only $3,and the plastic lens for the gauges looked brand new in about 30 minutes.Again,if you want the switches,you can have them,no charge.I'm just happy to help.Besides,I need to thin out the stuff in the garage.Good luck.
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I picked up a bottle of this and will commence to polishin' as soon as I get home. Hope I have as good a luck as you did.
Kywookie

This plastic polishing stuff worked pretty well. Although the scratches are still visible it removed the haze and the clarity is much better, and all for $3. Thanks for the tip!
Kywookie

I'm here if you need me.