Mustang SVO questions

[djstorino]

In the morning I'm going to be looking at a 1985.5 Mustang SVO. I know very little about these guys but I've always been interested.

The guy is asking $3300 and it has just turned over 100,000 miles. I'm curious if there's anything that I should be looking out for? I know that it will need a seal in the turbo, and the thermostat housing gasket soon.

[milner351]

Inspect the turbo carefully - remove the intake hose so you can get a good look at the turbine - make sure it has no signs of damage, the shaft should have very little end play and almost no play perpendicular to the shaft axis. Expect a bit of oil around the turbo.

Turbos are not hard to rebuild / re seal - but if you have to get into replacing a turbine or housing - they do get expensive.

Otherwise - normal stuff - look for rust in the unibody.

[Cyclone03]

Well a lot really....
Mechanical condition of the engine is just a niceaty on the SVO,except for the Air Vane MAS and the boost control valve most of the drivetrain parts can be sourced.
The things that make an SVO special are under the car,make sure it has the cast front control arms,the stock KONI's would be great too,factory brakes and calipers,the FRONT BUMPER COVER!,Ive seen USED ones that need work go for $1500(!) The hood,By Wing rear spoiler,the complete interior,steering wheel.
Like I said the pieces that are unique to the SVO are what you want in the best condition and in place,the rest is just FOX Mustang.

[JeffMcKC]

Ran damn good for what they where, I worked on them in the Dealer very few problems new and handled real well

[dieselgeek]

Get Horsewidower's input.

The turbos on those can be rebuilt for dirt cheap or replaced for well under $100.

[BBR]

Horsewidower = Bob Holmes

lol

[djstorino]

Thanks for the input guys, I'm kinda on the fence about the car after driving it. It ran great, builds boost quick, turbo had no play, trans shifts smoothly. But it needs new throw out bearing, so might as well do the clutch. The interior was kind of ratty. Steering wheel leather was toast, and one split on the drivers side seat, carpet was pretty tattered, and the dash pad was cracked bad. Needs new doors too but the rest of the body and underbody was solid with only minor surface rust.

It seemed like for every positive about the car there was a negative, lowest the guy will go is $3000

[STINEY]

What do you think is an honest fair price?

What did you offer him?

And if you were selling it, what would you ask?

[Bob Holmes]

That's too much.

You should go over to the forum a bunch of us SVO buffs started http://www.svocop.com/

Carpet is easy to get from one of the Mustang restorers, most Mustangs have ratty dash pads, you can get the seat covers from TMI, steering wheel leather restoration is kind of tough right now, the only vendor that was doing them has stopped. Although we are trying to find a new vendor.

I'd suggest that you keep looking. They are fun cars and easily modded for more HP.

Bob "Horsewidower" Holmes

[djstorino]

Thanks Bob, I felt like it was too much, and was hoping you would chime in. Gonna keep my eyes peeled for a good one

[Barry Donovan]

1985.5 and built boost quick.

I'd wonder if they found a regular n/a engine, and just slapped something back together.

that is "cheap boost quick"

the thought of genuine ford racing stuff installed is worth more, but that is steep I agree.

[CDMBill]

I drove one for a while back inthe day, they are cool little cars, and if you've seen John Huber's car you know they can make sick power.
If you are into that kind of thing.

[Bob Holmes]

I drove one for a while back inthe day, they are cool little cars, and if you've seen John Huber's car you they can make sick power.
If you are into that kind of thing.

[JeffMcKC]

I have bought my son a Pace Car one from the year before with the turbo carb set up, and Horses down the side.

[Bob Holmes]

Jeff, I've been looking for one of those, I think that's the best looking fox body of them all. That carb'd turbo is a bitch, but its pretty simple to swap in a later efi'd engine.