Calling Ford experts!

[GON_RACIN]

I have the chance to buy a 88' T Bird thats been in the family for a long time.  I was thinking about buying it to beat around in and get back n forth work with, keeping miles off my truck.  I could probably buy it for between 750 and 1000 dollars.  The only thing that it needs immediately is front brake pads and rotors.  Its got a new alternator, battery, and decent looking belts and hoses.  My main concern is the mileage.  Its got 148k on the 5.0 liter V8 and 4 speed auto.  The price is cheap enough but I know nothing about the lifespan of 5.0 liter engines or AOD transmissions.  Everything seems to have been well taken care of and it seems to run decent.  Thoughts/comments appreciated!!!!

[Thin White Duke]

I've had a bunch of 5.0 cars.  If you take care of them, they should run 175,000 to 200,000 miles.  Usually the valve seals at the rear start leaking and oil out the plugs.  Pretty easy fix.  I'd go for it.  Tough motor and trans.

[Jens69BB]

Thread-Jack, sorry

Hey, who won in that sig pic of yours? The Nova or the Dart?

[GON_RACIN]

Thread-Jack, sorry

Hey, who won in that sig pic of yours? The Nova or the Dart?

I got my ass stomped on that one.  The Nova ran 6.60's to my Dart's low 7's, BUT...... He trailered his car there and ran it on race fuel while I drove mine there and it runs on 87 octane pump gas.  I thought it was a nice picture with the sun setting and the tree all lit up, even though I did get my ass stomped.    Ya win some, ya lose some. 

Keep the Ford info coming guys! Thanks!       

[abqdart]

That 88 "should" have forged pistons ! Those are tough engines. The AOD isnt bad either, as long as the fluids and checks were done regularly should be fine. My buddy had a 89 mustang with a 5.0 and a 5 speed. It had 190K  very hard miles! the car had 4:11s and long tube headers with Flowmasters and we used to beat the living hell out of that car! It still got 28 MPG

[sbmopar]

nice thing about the bird is that it uses the Fox body format. You can use all the suspension tricks that the Moustang boys are using, and the parts are sill fairly reasonable for them.

[NYrr496]

Should be a good car AND all that 302 stuff is dirt cheap, should you ever have to fix it.   I always had Ford vans and pickups at my generator shop. We always put 300,000 miles on them and then sold them off real cheap. I know a couple of vans I sold for 500 bucks are still running around.