In any case, don't expect your car to get mileage as god as a Fox-body V-8 Mustang on the other end of the weight spectrum-an LX 5.0 sedan with a manual trans. Compared to the sedan body style (as well as the transmission type, which not only is a weight issue but a drivetrain issue since any car gets better fuel mileage with a manual transmission versus an otherwise identical model with an automatic), your car is about 200-300 pounds heavier, which partially explains why the '90 LX sedan I used to own would routinely knock down about 22 mpg on a regular basis. Its five-speed manual trans helped, too. Since your car has 108,000 miles on it, maybe it just needs a traditional tuneup with new spark plugs and a new distributor cap and rotor. Take a look at the engine timing as well. If it's too far advanced or retarded, that might have an effect on fuel economy. I'd say a good balanced setting for good fuel economy and optimum engine performance would be around 11-12 degrees initial-a hair more than the factory setting, but not enough to require higher-octane (more expensive) gas. Don't forget to remove the spout connector on the distributor wiring harness when setting the timing. With the car tuned up, you might get another 2-3 mpg, which seems reasonable for a heavy GT convertible with an automatic.
Changing to a lower (numerically higher) gear ratio might help some. Even though I love freeway-flier gearing, the 2.73 is still a bit much. If nothing else, the gear swap will make the car drive better and take the engine out of the range where it always seems to be lugging. Since you want to keep the car fuel efficient, I'd probably go with a 3.08 ratio-maybe a 3.27. But that might hurt gas mileage. While many enthusiasts run a 3.55 (or a 3.73 ratio for cars with automatics) for more off-the-line acceleration, these make the car use more fuel. Try the 3.08 and see what happens. Even if the mileage doesn't change, the car will still feel slightly more lively from a stop and the engine cruise speed will be about 1,900 rpm at 60 mph-just right, in my estimation.
Installing a shift-improver kit would likely help the shifting schedule of the AOD or you could try a modified valvebody, available from Performance Automatic (800/767-8174, www.performanceautomatic.com). There are also options for different torque converters that various U.S. transmission shops offer but that, of course, would require removing the trans from the car.
Finally, I don't recall the headlight glitch you mentioned as being problematic on Fox-body Mustangs fleet-wide. It sounds like a short in the headlight wiring system-or maybe just a faulty switch in the dash. Either way, you could start with a test light or ultimately take the car to an electrical shop and have them chase the problem down for you.
A Wheel ShineI have a '92 Vibrant Red 5.0 LX convertible feature car that I bought new and drove daily for eight years. I am now in the process of restoring it and I'm having difficulty restoring the wheels to their original Pearl White finish, mostly due to brake-dust staining and 48,000 miles of wear and tear. Do you know of any source for white replica replacement wheels? I've tried many of the restoration companies that advertise in your magazine, but can't find the wheels in white. If I can't find replacements, do you have any suggestions on the best way to restore what I have, if they are restorable? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Patti MooreSpringfield, MO
These final Fox-body feature car LX ragtops have always been great cars, so this sounds like a worthwhile resto project. Even if you could find a set of replacement wheels, I would keep the car's original wheels under any circumstances. As is always the case with restoration work, the more original parts you have that can still be used, the better.