1985 Ford Mustang GT review from North America

One of the biggest problems this car "had" was with the cooling system. The day I drove the car home new it over heated! Not much later it broke a heater hose and was fixed under warranty. I also had at least 5 water pumps on the car and 3 heater cores replaced. Very much a pain to R&R this component due to poor service design! The problem ended up being the high pressure the factory water pump generated. This high pressure also resulted it failure of the intake manifold gasket. "Flow Restrictors" and lower pressure 1984 design water pump solved these problems for good.

Another one of the problems I have had with car dealt with the brake system. This particular model Mustang has rather small brakes. This resulted in what I feel were elevated brake temperatures. This particuler car required that both parking brake cables be replaced due to failure of the outter case that allowed the inner cable to rust solid.

The rear pinion seal of the small 7.5" differential also failed which allowed gear lube to leak and wear the axle bearings sooner than if seal failure had not occured. The bearing race is the face of the axle so this required drive axle replacement to fix.

The seats have broken also.

The door bushings have failed which has resulted in sagging doors.

The original starter still works like new! A great design!!!

The clutch is also small at 10" diameter, but has yielded good performance! the orginal clutch went 90,000+ miles before replacement. The replacement "Hays" clutch only went 50,000. The third clutch was a high quality McLeod unit and still grips! The aluminum pilot for the throw out bearing is a joke. It needs to be steel!

The power steering system has been flawless with only a fluid flush @ 150,000 miles. I did have a problem with both outer tie rod ends failing due to no zerk fitting as OEM. Aftermarket joint slved this problem! The (6) shocks are still original on all 4 corners, but need replacement. U-joints also failed due to no zerk fitting.

The alternator is also original only needing brushes and bearings.

The mechanical fuel pump failed at 100,000 miles, but @ $18 for a new one I can't complain!

The OEM Holley carb has only needed a rebuild twice in 200,000 miles! A little research yielded top quality Holley kits for $35.00. No complaints!

The engine is the best part! NO ISSUES!

The Borg Warner T-5 5 Speed gear box has also been flawless!!! NO ISSUES!

Door latch, glass and locks have been flawless as well.

No electrical issues to speak of!

A/C clutch failed @ 200,000 miles, but was a very easy fix. Approx $150.00 in motorcraft parts. Compressor is still quiet and blows ice cold! Needed one hose that went soft, but did not fail!

Still has the original master cylinder.

Still has original Power Steering pump.

Wipers no problem other than blades.

Radio and speakers still OEM.

NEVER had the front end aligned and the tire wear is flat across all 4 tires @ 100%!!!

In short this has been a great car!

GREAT CAR!!

NO motor issues.

NO Transmission issues.

NO failure issues other than cooling system. Read above fore more info,