First Fox/First Project - 1988 GT "Zorro Blanco"

[DudeStang]

I already posted this but in the general 1987-1993 thread (mods feel free to delete that thread or merge I guess?)...but just now realized this sub-forum exists...

I have a couple of progress threads ongoing in some other forums but sharing here as well...partially to whore out my videos but also to have access to as many Mustang owners as possible who can provide suggestions or tips. I picked up a 1988 Mustang GT in late January. I've wanted a fox body for a long time. The first Mustang I ever rode in was a fox body. The first Mustang I ever drove was a fox body. I’ve been a huge fan of these cars since I was a teenager and always wanted to own one. I also wanted a project car that I could tinker with and build up and mod and learn on. I've been making time for that experience whenever I have had free weekends over the past two months. I've been partially documenting my progress through videos on my YouTube channel and I am always open to suggestions either through these types of threads or through comments on the videos.

Here's the car..




Obviously it's quite a bit of a different driving experience than my 2014 GT but the times I've driven it, it's been a blast. For now, I'm trying to focus on getting some of the obvious problems fixed and I'd like it to eventually be sort of a resto-mod cruiser/occasional track day car. Anyways, here's a link to my YouTube channel with the small progress I've made so far. Cheers.

Here's my latest video, Added some more sticker-based horsepower, updated the airbox hardware, added new inner seat-belt sleeves, and installed hood rubber bumpers. Nothing huge but still feels like progress.

 

[DudeStang]

Interesting update on the Fox. I had a person comment on YouTube that I should check the lights on the vanity mirrors to see if they are what is draining the battery. Battery was out of the car, attached to trickle charger that just arrived so I couldn't see if the lights were functioning. I had taken a picture a while back though and noticed one of the vanity mirror lights was still on even though there was electrical tape across the little button. So I pulled the sun visors out (they need to be repaired or replace anyways) and disconnected the vanity mirror lights. That update can be partially seen in my newest video (just skip to the 9:00 minute mark):

So after this video...I hooked the battery back up to the trickle charger and let it charge over night. Yesterday, I threw the battery back in and the Fox started right up. I ran voltage test on the battery and it appeared normal. Even took the Fox for a little spin around the block.

This morning I checked the voltage again and it appears the battery is still holding a charge. I have some work to do but will try to start it again around lunch time and confirm that it's still holding enough juice to start the car.

Also, I ordered a PA Performance Premium Battery Cable kit that is supposed to be arriving today, so I'll be getting that installed as soon as possible.

 

[DudeStang]

Got the Fox to crank yesterday and the battery seems to be doing find holding a charge since being on the trickle charger over night and with the sun visors/vanity mirror lights removed.

Also, my PA Performance battery cable kit did arrive yesterday. Good stuff.

 

[broncojunkie]

I completely agree on the concrete vs battery ordeal. Hogwash. I really think people who have experienced issues are really just guilty of not taking good care of their batteries.... just leaving them on the floor of a garage or under a carport where they get wet and forgotten till they're needed. They should be stored dry....preferably hooked up to a maintainer or at least charged regularly!

Anyway, have you considered a 3g alternator swap? Or maybe I missed where yours has been upgraded already?

 

[DudeStang]

I completely agree on the concrete vs battery ordeal. Hogwash. I really think people who have experienced issues are really just guilty of not taking good care of their batteries.... just leaving them on the floor of a garage or under a carport where they get wet and forgotten till they're needed. They should be stored dry....preferably hooked up to a maintainer or at least charged regularly!

Anyway, have you considered a 3g alternator swap? Or maybe I missed where yours has been upgraded already?

Thanks. Glad that makes sense to you too. Jason Fenske from "Engineering Explained" watched that part of my video and said the logic made sense. I feel my view is somewhat validated, lol.

I'm not sure on the alternator. Is there an easy way to tell if the alternator has been upgraded or not?

 

[broncojunkie]

Looks like a 3g. Fan is internal and you have a large cable with a lug bolted to the stud on the back. The 2g doesn't have the big cable and instead has a flat blade connector with smaller wires. The current is carried through 2 matching smaller wires (black w/orange) coming out of the flat blade connector. If one of those wires break or fail in some way, all current can run through the other wire and cause it to burn up. Plus, the flat blade connector itself can fail. It's a fire hazard and barely produces enough amps for the stock setup. You need the upgrade for anything you add.... stereo amp, electric fan, upgraded headlights, etc. Looks like you're gtg!

 

[broncojunkie]

Actually, I may have spoken too soon. It DOES look like a 3g alternator, but after zooming in, they may have adapted the stock wiring (black with orange stripe). You'll want to double check the setup. You might need to buy a heavier cable with lugs and run it from the back of the alternator to your starter relay on the inner fender.

 

[broncojunkie]

You'll also want to make sure you have a 150a fuse or breaker in between the alternator and starter relay. There's a bunch of write-ups online with pics.

 

[Redtwilight]

Nice Fox! I look forward to watching the work!

BTW Looks like that may be the original alternator to me.
Edit: After zooming in. I concur with Bronco! LOL

I just did a 3g swap to my 93. I replaced the factory power wire (Blk/ orange stripe) with a new 4ga wire and 150amp fuse. I also added an additional 4ga ground wire from the block to the computer ground bolt next to the battery.

 

[DudeStang]

Thanks guys, really appreciate the words of encouragement. Last night I installed the PA Performance battery cable/terminal kit....uploaded my video on that just a few minutes ago actually.

BroncoJunkie, so the cable you mentioned that's supposed to run between the alternator and the starter solenoid...it seems like a cable that is supposed to serve that function came with the kit (I address that in the end of the video) but I couldn't figure out where it is routed. Going to have to take a stab at that again tonight or this weekend. Thanks again.

 

[Redtwilight]

Thanks guys, really appreciate the words of encouragement. Last night I installed the PA Performance battery cable/terminal kit....uploaded my video on that just a few minutes ago actually.

BroncoJunkie, so the cable you mentioned that's supposed to run between the alternator and the starter solenoid...it seems like a cable that is supposed to serve that function came with the kit (I address that in the end of the video) but I couldn't figure out where it is routed. Going to have to take a stab at that again tonight or this weekend. Thanks again.

The alternator to solenoid switch cable is routed behind the headlights in front of the radiator. It and the other wires are inside the headlight harness conduit.
When I did mine I removed the main factory wire altogether and ran the new 4ga wire in it's place.

 

[DudeStang]

So I took a look yesterday and upon first glance, it doesn't seem like the provided cable will be long enough, if I attempt to route it behind the headlights, under the intake box, etc.

I'm wondering if this kit was intended for Mustangs that don't have the 3G alternator upgrade...because a few people (on other forums as well) have said that I should make sure I have a fuse or breaker in between the alternator and starter relay. Also, I noticed that the starter/relay appears to be included on this particular cable for sale: https://www.americanmuscle.com/standard-power-wire-kit-8693.html

I don't want to spend another 50-60 bucks to get the right cable...so I guess I need to find a fuse or breaker that will work with the 4ga wire?

 

[broncojunkie]

You should be able to find a short 4ga cable at one of the parts stores. You can order a breaker from Summit or Jegs. In fact, I just ordered 2 of them last week. I ordered it one morning from Summit and it was at my doorstep the next afternoon lol! They're only about 3.5 hrs away, so they're usually lightning fast. You're probably looking at $25 when it's all said and done. If you want to do it more quickly (buying locally), a car audio shop might have a breaker in stock.

 

[DudeStang]

Turns out I have close to 12 inches of battery cable leftover from the positive battery cable that I cut for the new terminals/cables kit. I might try to McGyver that and pair it with the mega fuse thing that's on the way (just in case).

I got a new video up with the fuel filter replacement, arrival of some more parts, and installing/testing out the Steeda Tri-Ax Shifter Handle (just the handle, not the actual replacement shifter):

Plans for this week include tracing that alternator cable to see if I can figure out if there's already a mega fuse or something similar somewhere hidden in there. Also going to remove the air intake silencer since I'm probably going to have to remove the air box anyways while I'm tracing the alternator cable. Also got some additional wire brushes for the drill so I want to pull the battery and tray again and get back to working on the rust.

Also thinking about maybe draining and fully replacing the power steering fluid or just replacing the power steering pump since I have an extra one that came in the box of parts that came with the car. The loud whining noise has become worse than the Flowmaster drone the last few times I've driven the car.

 

[broncojunkie]

Sounds like a plan! I've been attaching lugs to cables using map gas and solder. Been working fine so far. Slide a bit of shrink tubing down the cable before you attach it. When you've got the lug attached, slide the shrink tubing right up to the hole in the lug and give it some heat. Looks professional lol!

 

[DudeStang]

Heat gun finally arrived..along with some other random stuff. On Friday evening, something else arrived. Our foster dog, Lady, gave birth to one puppy at our house and then was having trouble delivering the next one. We ended up having to take her to the clinic and she got an emergency c-section. A little over an hour later we were driving home with Lady and six tiny puppies. Hell of a Friday, lol.

Once things settled down, I managed to get some garage time. Took advantage of the heat gun and started removing the body molding stripe.

I need to look a little bit closer but it seems like the stripe on the door moldings is possibly a different material or might even be painted on. I didn't want to melt the door moldings so I didn't mess with those much longer while removing the rest of the stripe around the car. I also got the front driver side wheel off again and started doing some more work on the rust. I need some spray bottles for the degreaser and metal treatment from the POR-15 kit. I had initially ordered them from Chemical Guys but the order got cancelled due to lack of inventory. Fortunately I was able to pick up a couple of alternatives with my grocery pick-up at Wal-Mart today. Hopefully these will work fine and I can get at least one side of the apron done with POR-15.

On the alternator power cable situation, I finally just sucked it up and ordered the SR performance cable which already has the 200 amp in-line fuse. I figured between everything else I'd need to order to do it myself, I'd only be saving 15 bucks and at least with this kit I have everything already put together. That should be here in a day or two.

Anyways, I got a new video up documenting some of these things.

 

[broncojunkie]

My wife picked up a stray boxer a few months ago. She was just going to find the owner, but they never showed (think she was abandoned). Turned out, she was pregnant. She had 8, but unbeknownst to us, there was another. We even had her x-rayed prior to giving birth but they only saw 8. She ended up almost passing, but they were able to save her. She's the sweetest dog you could imagine and even housebroken. We have 2 boxers already, but we decided we were going to give her a forever home because she deserved it. We found homes for all 8 and 4 of them are close by (one right across the street and another, my stepson kept). But I just wanted to say thx and good job taking care of that sweet girl.

 

[broncojunkie]

I watched the last video. Looks like it's coming along nicely! Oddly enough, the older cars had pinstripes that were painted on the bumpers, but the side moulding stripes were decals. Basically opposite of what it appears you may be dealing with.

 

[DudeStang]

My wife picked up a stray boxer a few months ago. She was just going to find the owner, but they never showed (think she was abandoned). Turned out, she was pregnant. She had 8, but unbeknownst to us, there was another. We even had her x-rayed prior to giving birth but they only saw 8. She ended up almost passing, but they were able to save her. She's the sweetest dog you could imagine and even housebroken. We have 2 boxers already, but we decided we were going to give her a forever home because she deserved it. We found homes for all 8 and 4 of them are close by (one right across the street and another, my stepson kept). But I just wanted to say thx and good job taking care of that sweet girl.
View attachment 2732

Wow...that's a lot of puppies! Awesome though. We also decided we are keeping the foster dog, though probably not any of the puppies, as tempting as that is.

 

[DudeStang]

So I'm kind of stuck on the alternator power cable issue. In order to try and make things less complicated, I ordered a power cable with a fuse in line, and it arrived yesterday.

I started undoing the cable that's currently on the alternator...and I was reviewing diagrams in this thread here:

3G Alternator Install: A How To

Here is what Mr. Alternator (864)591-1066 has. A 130amp alternator complete with stator wire, short bolt, and with no exchange required. Mine came with the standard finish for $145.00 with shipping included. I received it in about four days. As you can see from the picture the new 3G is...

www.stangnet.com

On the alternator side, I get that the new 4 gauge power wire goes on the alternator output stud. And I see the regulator socket like in the diagram with three wires (green, yellow, and white) but on mine, the white wire goes from the regulator socket to what looks like the field winding power input(?).

Unless I'm looking at my alternator wrong and the white wire that is supposed to be spliced and crimped from the orange/black cable goes somewhere else?

Also, it doesn't look like my orange/black alternator power plug has that white wire coming off of it. Oh and it seems I only have one orange/black cable as opposed to the two it seems I'm supposed to have as shown in the diagram. Here's mine:

I'm lost at the moment. Any thoughts or suggestions?