Opinions on this foxbody

[AnthonyA1234]

It’s a 1992 GT. I’m assuming it has 113k miles. Owner says he bought it as a project car but didn’t have time for it. He says he drove it a few times and then it sat for 5 years. It does not start up. He claims all it needs is a new battery, oil change, tune up, and timing adjustment and it will start/run fine. It’s mods include: top end of engine is mostly cobra parts, 3.73 gears, cold air intake, MSD ignition. He wants 8850. I would offer him less than that since there’s the risk of it having more issues. Any info from people knowledgable about fox bodies will be much appreciated.

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[Cobra Jet]

Fox body non-start conditions:
Battery (obvious)

Bad TFI module (common on 86-93 5.0's)

Bad distributor PIP

Bad coil

Bad fuel pump - pump should have loud buzz or prime when ignition is turned on - no noise equals dead fuel pump.

Bad ignition switch (mounted to steering column, NOT ignition key tumbler)

Someone tripped fuel pump safety switch - open hatch, remove back tail panel, switch is located on driver side, press red button in if tripped.

Aside from the above - try to manually turn the engine by the crank - if engine can be manually turned full rotation, it's not seized.

 

[AnthonyA1234]

Fox body non-start conditions:
Battery (obvious)

Bad TFI module (common on 86-93 5.0's)

Bad distributor PIP

Bad coil

Bad fuel pump - pump should have loud buzz or prime when ignition is turned on - no noise equals dead fuel pump.

Bad ignition switch (mounted to steering column, NOT ignition key tumbler)

Someone tripped fuel pump safety switch - open hatch, remove back tail panel, switch is located on driver side, press red button in if tripped.

Aside from the above - try to manually turn the engine by the crank - if engine can be manually turned full rotation, it's not seized.

Thanks so much. I’ll be sure to bring a breaker bar and some sockets and check if the crank turns. We agreed on 7 and I’m driving there Sunday with a trailer

 

[AnthonyA1234]

Fox body non-start conditions:
Battery (obvious)

Bad TFI module (common on 86-93 5.0's)

Bad distributor PIP

Bad coil

Bad fuel pump - pump should have loud buzz or prime when ignition is turned on - no noise equals dead fuel pump.

Bad ignition switch (mounted to steering column, NOT ignition key tumbler)

Someone tripped fuel pump safety switch - open hatch, remove back tail panel, switch is located on driver side, press red button in if tripped.

Aside from the above - try to manually turn the engine by the crank - if engine can be manually turned full rotation, it's not seized.

Will I be able to easily access the crank pulley or are there things I’d have to take off first?

 

[Cobra Jet]

@AnthonyA1234

You can best access crank pulley from below - best way to do a manual crank turn on any Fox. Make sure to pull coil wire off before attempting a manual spin. Try to get in 1-2 complete rotations too to ensure the block isn't seized.

You won't be able to turn It that well from above because fan, idler pulley, rad shroud etc are all in the way. You may see that there is some opening from top side, but even trying to get to it from driver top side will be a task to try and turn over at such an angle, with no room for leverage or to do a compete rotation.

Make sure the PCM is in place too and that he did t remove it - pull passenger side kick panel off (it's only held on by a single push pin and 2 clips on the edge facing door (one tug and it comes off). If it's a 5spd 5.0, the original PCM is and should be an "A9L". If it is an auto, the calibration is an "A9M". If it has any other Val's PCM, then it was replaced. A9L's are the most sought after PCM, and going rate on open market is anywhere between $200-$400 at this point in time. The calibration will be on white label where large main harness plugs into it.

Make sure VIN at the base of windshield has an "E" in it which designates a true 5.0 and not a 4cyl swap.

Here's my Fox VIN Tech thread I had posted over on Corral.net, probably the most extensive VIN informative thread for those restoring or seeking to buy a Fox:
https://www.corral.net/threads/ultimate-fox-mustang-vin-facts-thread.2505931/#post-18639446

If you turn ignition on to start the car and don't hear the fuel pump prime or buzz, go to tank and give it a few swift bangs on bottom of tank and then try again. Sometimes you can get the fuel pump to kick over by doing that - but it's just a trick that works sometimes on a failing pump. Also fuel pump can only be replaced by dropping gas tank out of the car. There wasn't any trap door to access it top side through trunk pan.

 

[AnthonyA1234]

@AnthonyA1234

You can best access crank pulley from below - best way to do a manual crank turn on any Fox. Make sure to pull coil wire off before attempting a manual spin. Try to get in 1-2 complete rotations too to ensure the block isn't seized.

You won't be able to turn It that well from above because fan, idler pulley, rad shroud etc are all in the way. You may see that there is some opening from top side, but even trying to get to it from driver top side will be a task to try and turn over at such an angle, with no room for leverage or to do a compete rotation.

Make sure the PCM is in place too and that he did t remove it - pull passenger side kick panel off (it's only held on by a single push pin and 2 clips on the edge facing door (one tug and it comes off). If it's a 5spd 5.0, the original PCM is and should be an "A9L". If it is an auto, the calibration is an "A9M". If it has any other Val's PCM, then it was replaced. A9L's are the most sought after PCM, and going rate on open market is anywhere between $200-$400 at this point in time. The calibration will be on white label where large main harness plugs into it.

Make sure VIN at the base of windshield has an "E" in it which designates a true 5.0 and not a 4cyl swap.

Here's my Fox VIN Tech thread I had posted over on Corral.net, probably the most extensive VIN informative thread for those restoring or seeking to buy a Fox:
https://www.corral.net/threads/ultimate-fox-mustang-vin-facts-thread.2505931/#post-18639446

If you turn ignition on to start the car and don't hear the fuel pump prime or buzz, go to tank and give it a few swift bangs on bottom of tank and then try again. Sometimes you can get the fuel pump to kick over by doing that - but it's just a trick that works sometimes on a failing pump. Also fuel pump can only be replaced by dropping gas tank out of the car. There wasn't any trap door to access it top side through trunk pan.

Thanks I’ll be sure to check that. Do you think 7 is a good price if the rust turns out to be not bad

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