87 TC problems......

[87 bigbody]

1) does anyone know how to adjust the needle for the gear indicator on the dash when I'm in drive it's pointing to Neutral ( it bothers the hell out of me)

2) tranny seems to stop after 35 mph the engine just revs could this be the torque converter or do i need a new tranny?

3) is the engine in a 87 TC the same as the engine found in mustang? if so what year mustang

4) can i put a 351 windsor modified in my TC?

5) does anyone know if there is a company that sales a complete wiring kit for the 87 TC?

6) my temp gauge does not work how can i fix that?

I know some of these Q's sound crazy but i need help it's about to get very cold and i need my car in top shape please help!!

 

[Black87LSC]

1) does anyone know how to adjust the needle for the gear indicator on the dash when I'm in drive it's pointing to Neutral ( it bothers the hell out of me)

2) tranny seems to stop after 35 mph the engine just revs could this be the torque converter or do i need a new tranny?

3) is the engine in a 87 TC the same as the engine found in mustang? if so what year mustang

4) can i put a 351 windsor modified in my TC?

5) does anyone know if there is a company that sales a complete wiring kit for the 87 TC?

6) my temp gauge does not work how can i fix that?

I know some of these Q's sound crazy but i need help it's about to get very cold and i need my car in top shape please help!!

1) There should be a way to adjust it, I would just take the dash surrounds off and check it out

2) Check the TV cable(it attaches at the tranny and the throttle body), it sounds to me like the cable came off the throttle body. Check this IMMEDIATELY or you will need another trannsmission

3) Town Cars just came with a base model 150hp 302ci

4) A 351 will go right in, it's still a small block Ford

5) That's a tough one

6) I will check in my shop manual and repost some info later

 

[87 bigbody]

can i find the tv cable just by looking under the car or is that internal?

so theres no hi-pro parts for the 302 ci?

 

[Black87LSC]

If you take your intake tube off of the throttle body, it will make it easier to see the tv cable. It's attached on the plate underneath the throttle body with a rubber grommet. The rubber usually dry rots and breaks, leaving the cable to fall. The tv cable runs down and attaches to the tranny, so it's all easy to find. Another common problem that happens is if the car sits for a while and the cable linkage gets gummed up at the tranny. This usually makes the car shift LATE and VERY HARSH and it will rev up but not go anywhere. I would be willing to bet that one of these things is your problem.

If the tv cable linkage is gummed up at the tranny, just oil it up and work the linkage back and forth until it moves freely. If the tv cable fell off the throttle body, go to a hardware store and get a pushnut washer and re-attach it. GOOD AS NEW! Definately check on this ASAP because it WILL burn up the tranny really quick!

As far as performance parts goes, I'm not positive what will work with a base 302.. But I plan to find out!

P.S. I will get the info on the temperature gauge for you tomorrow

 

[thamarkman]

I hate to say it but I think your tranny might be going out. Check the TV cable but if thats good sounds like your AOD is DOA.

351W will bolt right in, but might confuse your computer if you still use fuel injection. The engine you have is not the same as a mustang but very, very similar.

You could try a new sending unit if your temp guage doesn't work, I think its less than $10. Might give it a try.

 

[dynamite44]

when i worked at advance auto, we had a set of underdrive pulleys for the ford mustang 5.0 87-93. i took them out of the box, then looked at the ones in my 88 tc, they looked the same.

as for the shift indicator, there is a little white plastic thing that clips on around the shaft of the steering column. when we were doing the heater core on my tc, my friend broke that plastic thing. now when i have it in drive, it shows its in reverse. i tried fixing it by pulling the covers off of the column and gluing that plastic thing back on, but the glue did not work. i havn't messed with it since.
to replace that little plastic thing, you've gotta replace the gauge cluster. the wire that moves the shift needle thing is melted onto the end of the plastic clip.

 

[87 bigbody]

thanks for the advice about the tv cable to the throttle body because you were right that rubber part was dry rotted .. BADLY now that its attached it will excelerate go into 2nd gear and then no more shifting... the car did sit a year or two before i bought it i checked around the tranny but i couldn't see it do you guys know were exactly it attaches at the tranny can't really find that thanks for any advice

 

[Black87LSC]

The tv cable attaches to the tranny just above the pan on the driver's side. There are 2 levers on the side of the tranny, 1 for the shift linkage and the other for the tv cable. The one you can move with your hand is the tv cable. When you pull back on it and let it go, it should return right back to where it was. You will probably find that it will gum up and not return. Just oil it up and work it back and forth so it returns by itself, and you should be good to go!

Also, the shift indicator in the dash has an adjustment bolt according to my shop manual.

 

[Black87LSC]

Markman was right about that temperature gauge. As long as your gas gauge still works, that temperature sender is the problem. If you replace it, make sure you get the one that is made for a gauge(not a temperature light).

 

[Redwingvksm]

1) does anyone know how to adjust the needle for the gear indicator on the dash when I'm in drive it's pointing to Neutral ( it bothers the hell out of me)

2) tranny seems to stop after 35 mph the engine just revs could this be the torque converter or do i need a new tranny?

3) is the engine in a 87 TC the same as the engine found in mustang? if so what year mustang

4) can i put a 351 windsor modified in my TC?

5) does anyone know if there is a company that sales a complete wiring kit for the 87 TC?

6) my temp gauge does not work how can i fix that?
...

1) Need to adjust/replace the white plastic collar around the steering column just past the trim. My 87' does the EXACT same thing.

2) I'd check the TV cable - but I'd put my $100 on the tranny bein' shot

3) No. No valve-recessed pistons/different heads/different firing order. It can be made to work though

4) Yes. I am planning to do the same to mine.

5) Dealer. Personally - I'd just make my own. I don't know any company that will mess with this year. It's in it's "Bastard Years" - the years that it's too old for anyone to mess with and too new for any older parts catalog to pick up

6) 1. Check the wiring. This will take about 10 minutes of time. Use a paperclip to short the 2 wires togther. If it drops down to the "C" or is in the "C" than replace the sensor. If it does not move - your wiring is busted somewhere.