Buyer's Remorse (AKA "Hideous") - Giraffe's 1990 Grand Marquis LS

[VicCrownVic]

You people and your newfangled cars with all these crazy gizmos. Whats next, two camshafts? No distributors? Oh the horror.

Lol

Although you probably could use one of those ATC hoses. The only difference I can see is the color.

[Grand Marquis GT]

They make crystal clear dome light lenses.

[Giraffe]

You people and your newfangled cars with all these crazy gizmos. Whats next, two camshafts? No distributors? Oh the horror.

No camshafts?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3cFfM3r510

They make crystal clear dome light lenses.

It's already been suggested on page one. Haven't gotten around to purchasing it yet. It's on the list!

[gadget73]

If they can get the reliability right on that, its intriguing. Kinda like that more than overhead cams. Far less bulky of an engine, and no stupidly long cam drive setups. Different set of potential electrical issues, but quite frankly automotive electronics have gotten pretty reliable. Pneumatic and electrical actuators are also a mature technology, industrial applications have been using it for years.

[Giraffe]

Made an appointment to get the transmission flushed/new filter installed, new u-joints in the driveshaft/balance and an undercarriage pressure wash. I'll pressure wash the top side when I get a chance. I want this thing to be as clean as possible once I replace the necessary gaskets. The place I'm getting the work done said it would be $80 for parts on the u-joints, so I'm supplying all the parts. $10/ea on Rock Auto for the heavy duty Moog pieces. $15 for a Motorcraft filter. There is a pretty harsh vibration on the highway above 55 mph (worse when on the gas, less so when off the gas), so I'm betting it's the driveshaft. The transmission already shifts pretty smooth, but I have no way of knowing when it was last serviced. Most auto-equipped cars I've purchased had never had it done.

[gadget73]

If they find a bobber in the transmission pan, its a virgin. The torque converter drains on these too, no need for a fancy flush machine.

[Giraffe]

I also grabbed the maglite out of the glove box and gave the coolant a good look. It's mostly green with a bit of a brown tinge to it. It's honestly not much worse looking than what's in my '95 Mustang. Gonna buy a bunch of distilled water and a new thermostat and flush it weekend after next. We'll see how it does then.

[gadget73]

Prob not too bad then. Maybe backflush the heater core while you're at it if you get sludge out of the bottom. When it looks like someone did an upper-decker into the radiator is when you really have problems.

[Giraffe]

Haven't worked on the car in a little over a week and will be picking it back up next week. In the mean time, I've been collecting some things off eBay.

[DerekTheGreat]

We do the same thing with every car we buy. Comes in handy.

[Giraffe]

Adding a bit to the collection.

[Rodentkiller]

Ahhh the "books of knowlege" a good thing to have mine saved my ass on more than one ocassion.

[gadget73]

add an EVTM to the mix too if you can. It has the testing and troubleshooting process for the various electrical system bits.

[Giraffe]

I actually bought one of those first. Forgot to add it to the family photo. The car doesn't really seem to have any electrical or vacuum problems, but I'll be prepared when it does.

[87gtVIC]

The EVTM is helpful in planning future modifications. Been into that book many time for the upgrades I have done.