1988 Mercury Grand Marquis

[marquis_82_withneons]

it is on this fine day that i have officially acquired my 2nd panther.

[87gtVIC]

[marquisman]

WTF? No pics? What kind of sick joke is this?

[79lincolnlover]

[pantera77]

No! Don't fall into the trap!

[purplebomb302]

[marquis_82_withneons]

hahah just messing guys. pics will be up tonight. i took pics on my phone, but the sync cable is dicking with me so i have to see what i can do. on that note, theres already issues popping up from the drive home. looking at a wasted starting solenoid, thermostat definitely, possible alternator (3g anyone!) and a much needed tune up. (looking like 93k on original plugs and wires) also needs brakes free'd up and shocks. along with the brass TV bushing replacement.

on a side note. does anyone know when overdive would kick in? it drives much different than my 82 adn 77. mainly because its EFI on this one and it doesnt take much pedal to move. but it seems like its not shifting. 1st - 3rd feels normal and snappy, but i didnt feel OD and it sounds like shes running well over 2500 at 60mph. any enlightenment will help. thanks gents

[slack]

Congrats!

My overdrive kicks in around 45mph at light throttle.

[87gtVIC]

To see if OD works just drive in d on the highway and once you get to around 55 pop it into OD. That is how I drive all the time.

[holyduke]

Pics or it did not happen. looking forward to seeing your new ride.

[marquis_82_withneons]

the wait is over friends. i give you my new DD/winterbeater/girlfriendscar.

1988 Grand Marq, 94k original, all power, and a shit radio....................................

for those of you who gave the pointers for the coolant leak know a little about the car but heres a short story.

bout a year ago a guy came into Advance Auto where i work and noticed my black 82 and we got to talking, blah blah, he said he had an 88 Grand was his dads daily before he passed. he gave the car to his son (the guy who im talking to) and he drove it for some time. got a new car, the 88 got parked in a barn. sat for 2 years. guys now in the process of moving to florida. has to have the car gone. hes inclined to scrap it because it needs gone but i wants to see it go somewhere good. this is where i come in. bout a month ago he comes in, says "hey you still want to buy my 88" im like man money is tight i dont think i can get it. he says "well whats gonna work for you buddy? i dont know what these are worth and i dont wanna scrap it. it was my dads favorite car and he loved it, it was so reliable and i dont wanna see it go but im moving" he puts it up in his yard for $500. already less than what he can get for scrap locally. he tells me, "hey its up for sale go check it out heres the keys, drive it." i checked it out was a little rough but not bad by any means.

after all said and done. he had 3 offers and he told them outright that he wouldnt sell it unless he had a definite NO from me. in the end, he handed me the title and i paid him $350 cash. starting solenoid, thermostat, belt, front pads, timing gasket, and an oil change. im just over $400 in my nice new ride.

[marquis_82_withneons]

heres a few from my first encounter with the car when i first saw it.

[VicCrownVic]

Heck of a steal for $350 and that's more along the lines of what he actually would have gotten for scrap, at least around here.
The car looks nice compared to my $500 DD 91 I picked up almost 2 years ago. If you get the peeling clear coat taken care of then it would really put mine to shame.

Have you been able to get any miles on it yet? After sitting for a couple of years I wouldn't be surprised if you run into more issues like gaskets developing leaks, but it sounds like you've already encountered and fixed some of that. Mine sat for something like 6 or 7 years before I bought it but the PO started it once in a while and it even started right up when i looked at it.

[marquis_82_withneons]

So far I think were about 300 in since it was brought back to life. As of right now the to do list consists of a new exhaust in a day or so and then new wheel bearings and rotors. Already patched a good chunk of brake line under the Dr.door where they usually go out. Other than that she's pretty sound so far. She also needs a name so ill be on that soon as well

[88Vic]

Now you can tune this one up for a DD and turn the 82 into a hotrod since you can register it as a classic. That's a good deal for $350, i'm hoping to get more than that for my Lincoln with a bum transmission, since mine is a rust free car with a good vinyl top, interior and good running engine.