Okay so I am new to this whole world. I am just getting into the hobby of fixing up a 1989 Ford Mustang. It was my mothers first car when she turned 16. Now it's mine. Only 2 problems with this.. one is it has no transmission or cadii converter. Somone stole these parts off the car when me and my father where attempting to get it running again. So now I'm stuck with a car that doesn't run, and the body has quiet a few bings.. and dents from years of wear tear and god knows what. But I plan to fully restore this car and use it for my everyday driving hopefully. The only thing I know about this car (And cars in general.. Never knew anything about them and still really don't so I guess it's best I'm starting with something that don't run :P) is its a 1989 Mustang, and it has a 2.3L Motor, Because I did replace the spark plugs about a year ago in it when I was driving it before it broke down again. Now after letting it set for ayear I have gotten some determination to get this thing going, so if anyone wants to help, I am willing to listen and learn! Thanks in advance.
Welcome to the forums first off. You should catch one of the admin's eyes sooner or later and they can move this post into the proper area. If your looking for help with getting it started again there are plenty of people around here that can help you just gotta find the right area. My suggestion to start would be go down to the junkyard and see if you can't find a nice fox to "Donate" it's transmission to you. Or if you plan on making this a big power car down the road you can use this as an oppurtunity to go big and just buy a heavy duty 4 speed or the like. As far as install goes, I'd advice maybe buying the tech manual for that particular year and check possibly if there are any online video's that can get you shaped up in teh right place.
Just remember, if this isn't your daily driver, take your time. There's no rush to fix this thing in a day so if it takes you a month to confidently install a trannie, take that month
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Sorry I put the post in the wrong place. And this will be my everyday driving car hopefully in the next 3-5months. Currently my parents take me and my fiance back and forth from both jobs, and babysit our son, Plus take us to doctoros appts. and all of such. So getting it fixed soon is a must. Its a automatic by the way forgot to mention that. I wanted to make it a manual but my father said no because my mom wants it to stay as close to original as possible. Body work and such is fine, but if I get a new engine it has to be a 2.3l or another automatic small engine. I'm not wanting it for power, just for a nice ride. Thanks again.
Welcome and we are here to help. This may convince parents to change to a 5speed. The A4LD that comes behind a 2.3 have a history of failure. From what I read also pretty expensive to fix. I have read anything from 1000 to 1800 dollars to fix. Now can convert to t-5. They were a stock transmission for era of Mustang. The console will stay and be stock looking. All parts for this conversion is a direct bolt and not a hack job. Good luck with your car. Just ask questions and give us all the info can give so we can give best advice. Maurice
Well honestly I may think of upgrading it to a 5.0 later on. But at this moment, I just need to get it fixed up to run. So I can save money, It's hard to get back and forth to work without a reliablie transporation lol. And my mom and dad won't be around forever. So the engine is going to be the same for now, getting a trannie and exhaust system is first. Once I get these and get them put in and see if she will fire up then I will have a car again, then can go the saving process where I can buy little things.. new headlights, getting body work done (Not pain job but there is a bad dent in the passenger door that needs to be fixed.) Maybe look into why the A/c doesnt work. and such like that. Then to get her cleaned up.. Still thinkin of a name for my baby lol. She's a faded green and rusty ball right now.. I like the color green (So does my mother ) and It will be repainted the dark hunter green color once all body work and everything else is fixed first. Paint job is my last thing to get done.
Well if anyone has any ideas or anything please let me know.
The catalytic converter setup can be bought at your local parts store. They had two in line from the factory, but most parts store replacements are just a single cat. Depending on how badly the thieves butchered the exhaust, it shouldn't be any more difficult than replacing a muffler.
While the A4LD does have a bad reputation, for basic transportation and your budget, it'll get the job done. You'll pay through the nose for a rebuilt unit, so a junkyard or other used parts source is going to be your best bet. When I'm looking for drivetrain stuff, I don't head for the clean cars, I find the ones that were wrecked. The clean ones ended up there because of mechanical problems, but you can bet that the wrecked ones were running right up until impact. Just make sure the wreck didn't hurt the stuff you're after. I've seen cracked cases and busted tailshaft housings on otherwise good transmissions from the severity of the wreck.
My '91 belonged to my mother. It was the first car she ever bought brand new. She thought it was cool when I showed up at her house with the car after I put the 5spd in it. She also likes the look that the new wheels and bigger tires and wheels ( 94 GT 16" 5-lug) give the car and can't wait to see it when the turbo motor gets dropped in.
just a quick thought. you said that the car hasn't been running for a year? and that the AC didnt work? if this is the case then you will almost certainly need to rebuild/buy a new AC unit.
when i first got my mustang the AC needed a recharge that i never got around to doing. i forget why (probably when i was doing the timing belt), but i took the AC belt off and never put it back on. I have a very good mechanic i have had to go to a few times who owns two fox bodies (was NOT going to mess with the gas tank/fuel lines myself). he told me that the AC units have a type of rubber gasket/seal that, when left sitting or not running for too long a time, the gaskets/seals will dry out and render the unit non-functioning.
i cant say 100% that this info is correct since i still dont have AC in my car and dont want it (lol its a friggin mustang, it goes fast and the windows go down). but it shouldnt be too hard for you to find out from someone who has firsthand knowledge.
good luck on your stang! keep us up to date, it makes my day to hear that another pony car has risen from the dead to drive again.
Welcome Brand ! As far as your cats I had to replace mine recently and found e-bay the least expensive. Also its a direct replacement,no hack job, and it only uses 1 cat instead of 2. As for the a/c install new o-rings , pull a vacuum and see if it holds. If it does pump in the correct compressor oil and refrigerent and have some cold air !!
Been busy the past few days, My dad got someone from a muffler shop to just weld us a straight pipe all the way out, (Owed my dad a favor was free) We are looking at a transmission, and the a/c hasnt worked in over 8yrs on this car lol. I'm sure the whole A/c unit needs replacing.. but if it wasnt for having a 9month old I wouldn't worry about it myself, but eh, can't have him dieing of heat lol. Well thanks for the comments and helpful hints guys .
Just because its old doesn't mean its no good. I've got an 89' 4cylinder thats been sitting for about 9 years. Put in new o-rings , pulled a vacuum , and charged it up.Guess we need, and the 9 month old, in the south lol.Best of luck !!Remember take your time research and try to have fun
Need help fixing up a 1989 Ford Mustang 
) and It will be repainted the dark hunter green color once all body work and everything else is fixed first. Paint job is my last thing to get done.
