Mod Box - 85' Grand Marquis

[RyPow]

Parts car is gone so now I have some room to work. As it turns out there is no way to remove or install the fuel lines with body attached to the frame. Not a very smart design on Ford's part but whatever.

Planned obsolescence strikes again. Ford never intended for the service life of the car to exceed the life of the fuel line, and if it did, $$$ for dealerships. On the assembly line, the fuel and brake lines were laid onto the frame then the body was set on top.

[Mr Bean]

Yay, progress. I know it doesn't look like I've done much but it's been mostly small things up to this point. Body is down on the frame and bolted into place(except for the one bolt in the trunk. I'll take care of that at the end cause there is some welding that needs to be done. Fuel lines are in. Brake lines are in. Rear bumper is bolted into place. It will likely be coming off again in the future when I paint the car but it's in for now.

I've been doing a lot of cleaning and painting of all the bolts and brackets before reinstalling them on the car. Tomorrow I need to apply some body filler to the firewall then sand and paint. After that the drivetrain is ready to go in. I am planning on replacing the struts so I haven't messed around with front suspension yet other than cleaning the grime off. When I do the struts I will clean and paint everything.

[Brown_Muscle]

Can't believe I missed this thread, what an awesome build! Amazing how little the frame changed over the years. Keep up the good work!

[Mr Bean]

So I am thinking ahead here. Those who used ENS body mounts, did you use same ones for the very front 2 at the header panel? Factory ones seem to sit higher than the rest.

[87gtVIC]

I did. My car also had an adjustable spacer there as well. I used that too.

[pantera77]

So I am thinking ahead here. Those who used ENS body mounts, did you use same ones for the very front 2 at the header panel? Factory ones seem to sit higher than the rest.

Yes, when you put them in, jack up the frame in the front, it flexes that much.

[Mr Bean]

Interesting...

So I started ripping Bignslow apart. Discovered and unpleasant surprise. I have coolant in the oil. It's not milky but I am seeing streaks. Could be cause it sat all winter and moisture accumulated in the engine, could be a blown gasket. I am not taking any chances and changing the head gaskets. There goes another $500 pointlessly spent at Summit.

Got me a bunch of gaskets and seals and new KYBs all around.

[marquisman]

Hard to believe that the car in your sig pic, is the doner car. One good looking aero.

[Mr Bean]

Hard to believe that the car in your sig pic, is the doner car. One good looking aero.

Good looking until you bend over and look underneath. Although not too bad for an 18 year old Ontario car the bottom has plenty of rust. Rockers are iffy, one has a hole. Oh and the frame is rotted in the one all too well known place. It's been patched but just bugs me knowing that it's a rust bucket. lol Oh yea the fenders were replaced because they rotted out. Every panel on that car has been repainted except for the doors and rear bumper.

Its spirit(and parts) will live on in a box.

[sly]

Its spirit(and parts) will live on in a box.

I approve of this.

Sent from Blaster coming at ya from Autobot City.

[marquisman]

Well, can't argue with box love lol

[89TownCar]

I love that MGM, it was my laptop wallpaper for quite a while

[Mr Bean]

Something is definitely blown on the motor. I popped the oil filler cap off to find a milky residue. I am guessing the head gasket is gone.

[BuffaloRider]

Damn, nothings ever simple.

[Mr Bean]

I am starting to wonder if perhaps it's from sitting all winter and moisture just accumulated in the engine because the coolant looked nice and clean.