1989 5.0 LX hatchback, AOD, air, power steering/power brakes,
non-California Mustang
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ok, so I've lurked here off and on for several years, even posted a time
or two.

I'm no mechanic.  Don't get me wrong, I do most of my own work, but that
usually consists of an oil change or bolting on a new part.

I've replaced the 8.8 axle housing, installed an Auburn Locker, new 31
spline Moser axles, Baer 4 wheel disc brakes, installed a B&M shift kit,
removed & replaced the tranny while replacing a rear main seal and leaky
oil pan gasket, bolted in a full Bassani exhaust from ceramic-coated
stainless steel shorty headers to tailpipes, etc. etc. etc.  So
basically, I know 'righty-tighty, lefty-loosey'.

So here's how I screwed up.  A while back (Holy sh.t!  It was five years
ago in March!) my voltage regulator went on the fritz on the way home
from a pre-season autocross event.  I thought, No big deal, I've
replaced it before.  But the more I thought about it, the more I
thought, Why replace the regulator when I have a 130a alternator just
waiting for that dinky 85a one to go out?  Why not put it in now?

Ok, so I decide to install the 130a alternator.  Have to modify the
mounting bracket to make the larger alternator fit.  Try to make the
mods on the car, but it's a pain in the a.s.  I'll take it off.  I check
my Chilton's and Haynes manuals.  Hey!  A few more bolts and I could
replace the timing chain too!  175,000 miles on the original chain, not
a bad idea to replace it.  Research and buy an Edelbrach timing set.
Remove alternator, smog pump, idler arm, etc. until I have the mounting
bracket off the engine.  Make modifications for new alternator.
Continue disassembling until I reach the timing gear.  Remove old,
install new according to directions, that wasn't so hard!  This is
turning out to be much easier than I expected.

Get sick.  Weather turns bad, don't like to work in the driveway in the
cold and rain.  Couple of weeks go by, then a couple of months.  Summer
is here, but I'm still having health problems, hard enough to make it
through work every day, no energy to work on car.

So here I am, five years later, with various nuts and bolts and parts
and pieces, once organized, now jumbled.  Does this bolt go here, or is
it that one over there?  Did I use the right bolt when I reinstalled
that five years ago?  Do I still have everything?  Damn, it's a big
jigsaw puzzle now.  I hate jigsaw puzzles.

Please, please, PLEASE!  Someone help a stupid old man.  My manuals are
no help at all.  I need an exploded view diagram or something to show me
which bolts go where so I can drive my baby again.  Now that I'm
starting to feel better, I really miss it and want to drive it this
summer.  Can you help?

Arlie Cooper,
AKA Blue_Gator,
AKA Dumbass