Question...I feel my top motor has slowed a bit, even seems to struggle now to raise. Would it be worth sending out for re-building now, since it's winter in NY? Or wait until it goes? And, how hard was it to remove?
Did you check your fluid level? There is a plug on the reservoir end of the motor/pump assembly that you can pull out and check, the level should be 1/4" below the opening with I believe the top in the down position. Or could your cylinders have a poor seals internally ?
The motor is easy to remove, just remove the two fluid lines which needs a 1/2" wrench, then just pop it out. What I mean by 'pop' it out, is that the motor is not bolted in, it has rubber feet that are popped into holes in a bracket welded to the trunk floor behind the rear seat. Then just unplug the electric connectors and remove the ground wire. Yes, best to get it done during the winter. I sent it out on a Monday and got it back the following week on a Thursday. Very quick. He guarantees his work for the length of ownership of the car. He is located in South Carolina so it only takes three days to arrive. He sent it back on a Tues morning and I got it on Thursday morning. His charge was $85.00 including his shipping cost to me, plus $13.00 for me to ship it to him, so $98.00 total. I'd rather do the rebuild and be sure it works than get one from the salvage yard and not know how long it will last. It might even be an idea to get second one from a salvage and have it rebuilt as a back up after you get yours fixed if you plan to keep your car for a long time. I will be re-installing it next Monday or Tuesday. I was in the middle of pulling the door off to replace the hinge bushings and pins when it arrived, and since I work this FR-Sat-Sun 12 hour days , I just don't have time till then. I am very anxious to complete the job.
By the way, the electrical connections for grounding were totally different starting in 1994. The ground was through the wiring and not a separate ground wire. The plugs are not compatible so don't cut and splice to make it fit cause it will cause more problems. Jim's website explains this nicely. The pump/motor remained virtually the same from the original '64 1/2 'stang to 1993. The Lebaron also used the same unit.