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Lookin at a Vic... what ya think it's worth?

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    Lookin at a Vic... what ya think it's worth?

    Ok, i found a car, prolly one in a million, but, let me know what you htink it's worth...

    1985 CV Red on Red, Fully Loaded
    351w Auto
    7X,XXX miles on it

    Original Owner has pictures of them standing beside it on show room floor...
    Still 90% showroom condition

    Owner states the vehicle has only ever spent the night outside a handful of times...

    It hasn't ran in 2-3 years (been in garage hole time), and won't start, however will run if you pour fuel down the carb..

    Seems to have a small oil leak, but seems very minor.

    The old couple is just selling it becuase they want their garage back...

    There current ride is a 98 CV...

    What do ya think?

    Should i buy it, what should i be looking out for?

    #2
    whats the price? the fuel pump on that car might be shot or the is a clog in a line or theres somethin wrong with the carb. im sure anyone here would buy it if it was mint

    1981 Mercury Marquis Brougham 2-Door 302/ 5-speed -special blend (GMGT)
    1987 Lincoln Mark VII 5-speed (Errand runner)
    1989 Mercury Grand Marquis (Base Runner)
    2007 Lincoln Town Car Signature Limited (Hustlyn)
    2011 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (Down with O.P.P)

    Comment


      #3
      sounds like fuel pump issues since it only starts by pouring gas down its throat. if it has the 351w it is better than the 302 with CFI. offer them $500 for the car since it doesnt currently run, and i am sure other things can be nit pickedto get them to lower the price to what you want. such as the oil leaks in need of repair, wouldnt be a bad idea to get transmission serviced and rear gear oil replaced. if they want it gone, they will let it go for around $500 or less
      Last edited by 87_crown_vic; 02-25-2008, 02:10 PM.
      Addicted to 86-87 Panthers

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        #4
        the price is $2000 obo... i'm guessing fuel pump too and they're only like $30 so i think i may go make an offer hahaha... Any common problems with these i shoudl be lookin at? Or to expect donw the road?

        Comment


          #5
          get a hold of Nathan_in_MN since he has a car like you describe. i am sure others will know also. i would look the frame over, check the Distributor Rotor fo estimate on when last tune up was done, pull a spark plug or 2 if possible to check condition, and check hoses. it is a 23 year old car and sure lotsa stuff is still original which means you will have to replace lotsa stuff to make it dependable. dont need to take it out and blow up a couple hoses, a belt snap, or a caliper seize on ya. reminds me... since it sat for so long... good idea to replace calipers. when i get one of these cars that has been sitting, i replace calipers since i dont trust them after having to fight getting the car home from calipers seizing.
          Addicted to 86-87 Panthers

          Comment


            #6
            This car will probably have the dreaded Variable Venturi carburetor, which was a great design concept but supposedly spends most of its time broken in the real world. Four-barrel swap is the easiest cure there, maybe $400-$500 using all new parts. Mechanical fuel pump is thankfully very cheap, $17 should get you a stock replacement at AutoZone (I have one for a '79 on both my good engines).

            The way I see it, the main value in an older Vic is the body and frame - I just paid a guy $500 to swap me a complete and mostly solid '81 255 car that barely runs for a rolling shell that was rotted out and that I stripped most good parts off of before relinquishing. If the car has a desirable rearend (3.55:1 Trac-Lok being the best and fairly rare), that could be worth some exta coin, as would 11" rear brakes or factory dual exhaust. Obviously, it being in mostly-unknown running condition means that for all you know the engine or transmission could be in nearly any condition (low miles don't always mean no wear on parts).

            I take it you haven't actually driven the thing?

            Bottom line, of course is: value of used cars is always tough to determine. If you want it, pay them what it's worth to you, and if they won't meet your price, give them some time to chew on it and check back.
            2012 Mazda5 Touring | Finally working on the LTD again!

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              #7
              1987cp

              ya sounds good. No i haven't driven it as it only runs while pouring fuel down the carb. As for it's condition, mechanically, they ahve all the service records from new. Yes i know that dones't mean it's good, however, it gives it a better cahnce.

              Now when it coems to this 4-barrell you speak of, could i not just order a new one from holly or something... What am i looking at for pricing?

              And it does have factory dual exhaust, i'm unsure about the others though. How do you tell? What would the axle code be, and i guess i'd have to measure the brakes.

              Also anyways to tell if i have the variable venturi or the fordmotor one?

              Please let me know i'm going to look at it again in a few days, and i just want to make sure i'm buying a money pit. I know i'll have to prolly put $1000-$2000 into it to bring the reliabliity back up, and for me to comforterable driving it. But i think that'll be worth it if it's a strong car...

              Comment


                #8
                the VV carb looks like somethin from outer space, lol, it dont have the ols conventional choke butterfly and the standard 2150 that everthing else has, it will have a big choke flap on top of the carb. the VV has weird looking slider choke flaps. chances are it has the VV carb on it.

                1981 Mercury Marquis Brougham 2-Door 302/ 5-speed -special blend (GMGT)
                1987 Lincoln Mark VII 5-speed (Errand runner)
                1989 Mercury Grand Marquis (Base Runner)
                2007 Lincoln Town Car Signature Limited (Hustlyn)
                2011 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (Down with O.P.P)

                Comment


                  #9
                  The Variable Venturi isn't as bad as some make it out to be. I've had little to no problem with mine as far as driveability. Recently though, it has started to succumb to the forces that be, and the mileage is getting pretty bad. Nathan in MN has successfully rebuilt one, and claims that it isn't that bad. As long as my choke doesn't stick, my car runs very well; its smooth and everything.

                  I think the VV starts to develop issues around 125,000 miles, which is where mine is at right now. I had problems with my '88 right around that mileage as well. If you're not keen on the 4 bbl swap, you may find a rebuild cheaper, and more effective. My personaly solution will be the 4 bbl swap, which is probably going to cost me about $600, when all is said and done. I am retaining EGR, and that adds some more expense. But, I still think it'll cost you around that, because I got my carb for $100 less than list price, and also got a smoking deal on the AOD TV cable from a board member. But, I also bought everything new (except for the EGR plate).

                  Also, since this car has been sitting, I will add this. My car sat for 5 years undriven. With fresh gas, and nothing else, it started right up. Chances are, the carb is not the reason it isn't running right (its possible the carb is the culpirt, but unlikely IMO). It's probably the fuel pump.



                  Originally posted by 1987cp View Post
                  The way I see it, the main value in an older Vic is the body and frame - I just paid a guy $500 to swap me a complete and mostly solid '81 255 car that barely runs for a rolling shell that was rotted out and that I stripped most good parts off of before relinquishing.
                  You got that for $500? You thief!!! What a steal!
                  **2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302: 5.0/ 6 spd/ 3.73s, 20K Cruiser
                  **2006 MGM,"Ultimate": 4.6/ 2.73/ Dark Tint, Magnaflows, 19s, 115K Daily Driver
                  **2012 Harley Davidson Wide Glide (FXDWG):103/ Cobra Speedsters/ Cosmetics, 9K Poseur HD Rider
                  **1976 Ford F-150 4WD: 360, 4 spd, 3.50s, factory A/C, 4" lift, Bilsteins, US Indy Mags, 35s Truck Duties

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Well thanks for the help guys, i'm gonna go make them an offer, and see if they take it. THen i'll keep you updated on it... First things first, Oil change. Then fuel pump... Then, IF IT RUNS... Brakes... and all the other stuff, if it needs it. LOL... thanks again for your help guys and i'll keep you updated...

                    And as far as the 3.55 posi rear end goes, any idea on the axle code on the door?

                    Thanks

                    Comment


                      #11
                      look at the door jam sticker and there should be a slot labled axle and should be a letter. the letter you use to look up your ratio

                      1981 Mercury Marquis Brougham 2-Door 302/ 5-speed -special blend (GMGT)
                      1987 Lincoln Mark VII 5-speed (Errand runner)
                      1989 Mercury Grand Marquis (Base Runner)
                      2007 Lincoln Town Car Signature Limited (Hustlyn)
                      2011 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (Down with O.P.P)

                      Comment


                        #12
                        A 3.55 trak lok would be a K code
                        **2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302: 5.0/ 6 spd/ 3.73s, 20K Cruiser
                        **2006 MGM,"Ultimate": 4.6/ 2.73/ Dark Tint, Magnaflows, 19s, 115K Daily Driver
                        **2012 Harley Davidson Wide Glide (FXDWG):103/ Cobra Speedsters/ Cosmetics, 9K Poseur HD Rider
                        **1976 Ford F-150 4WD: 360, 4 spd, 3.50s, factory A/C, 4" lift, Bilsteins, US Indy Mags, 35s Truck Duties

                        Comment


                          #13
                          If its a 351 car, they must have gotten a Canadian model, or a police car in the US. That option wasn't available otherwise in the US. If its Canadian, its possible its got a regular 2150 2bbl carb. The VV was mostly a US thing from my understanding. If it is a police car, it will have 11" rear brakes, those were standard. If you want to know if its a cop car, look for P72 in the VIN number,


                          ok and before a purist corrects me, p72 is technically the fleet model designation, which basically means taxi and police for the most part. Either way, if its a p72 that was civilian owned and in excellent shape, its a rare car. Lots of fleet models were made, but usually they got run into the ground. Finding a garage queen is rare.
                          Last edited by gadget73; 02-25-2008, 06:24 PM.
                          86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
                          5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

                          91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

                          1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

                          Originally posted by phayzer5
                          I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

                          Comment


                            #14
                            my 81 merc came with a VVcarb on the 302

                            1981 Mercury Marquis Brougham 2-Door 302/ 5-speed -special blend (GMGT)
                            1987 Lincoln Mark VII 5-speed (Errand runner)
                            1989 Mercury Grand Marquis (Base Runner)
                            2007 Lincoln Town Car Signature Limited (Hustlyn)
                            2011 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (Down with O.P.P)

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by gadget73 View Post
                              If it is a police car, it will have 11" rear brakes, those were standard.
                              Tis the general consensus, but it doesn't hold for the "porno" red P72 parked in my driveway. No, I'm not sure whether the rear was swapped out, but I have no reason to believe it was.
                              **2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302: 5.0/ 6 spd/ 3.73s, 20K Cruiser
                              **2006 MGM,"Ultimate": 4.6/ 2.73/ Dark Tint, Magnaflows, 19s, 115K Daily Driver
                              **2012 Harley Davidson Wide Glide (FXDWG):103/ Cobra Speedsters/ Cosmetics, 9K Poseur HD Rider
                              **1976 Ford F-150 4WD: 360, 4 spd, 3.50s, factory A/C, 4" lift, Bilsteins, US Indy Mags, 35s Truck Duties

                              Comment

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