The MEG (My 86 LTD Crown Victoria Coupe)

[86VickyLX]

Oh okay. I know the t-5 pushed the trans mount back some in my car. Guess it was under that inch mark you are running into as I dont recall needing to notch the perch for the trans crossmember when I did this two years ago. Good luck.

I think it would be fine if the trans pan wasn't in the way. I imagine that area of the T5 is less. Instead of a blocky wall that the automatics would have.

The custom coil mount brackets may be the most difficult thing to fab up. I was worried the crossmember would require more modification than it does need.

Worse comes to worst, I think I could just ziptie the coils to keep them from moving too much so its not being supported solely from the wiring until the time comes to have the brackets made. If it isn't possible to mock up these brackets without the car being present.

[gadget73]

can you just use coil packs and brackets from an Explorer ?

[86VickyLX]

can you just use coil packs and brackets from an Explorer ?

With the ECM I am planning to run, maybe? But its just one more thing that I just don't want to deal with. I could potentially run the companion cylinders COP ground driver wires together to achieve a waste spark system. But then I'd have to fab up a bracket to mount the coils, as the 351w is wider. Plus, I really don't want to make those custom wires again. Although they turned out very nice, replacements (in a performance wire) are not available. The brackets that Phil will be making will hopefully end up using the standard ignition coils from a 4.6 panther without modifications. I made sure to get all Motorcraft coils as I'm not trying to have ignition system problems that just seem to keep getting even worse from other people buying cheap or 'performance' aftermarket coils. Anyway, the new transmission was delivered on Friday. Thanks to Eric for delivering that! I can't wait to get it installed! I was gonna put it in today but there were just a bunch of terrible cars at work that I had to deal with. I still have to sort out the shift linkage. The pieces I had modified, the one rod is not in the right orientation, so I am going to wait until I can get the trans into the car to make sure that everything is behaving properly. After that, I'll most likely get the pieces powdercoated. I'm also going to need to have the driveshaft shortened and a different slip yoke installed so I have proper sealing surface.

[86VickyLX]

Ok. So update time. The AOD is out and the 4r70w is in. I'm getting a driveshaft made for it. I have to do some wiring and swap out the ecm and such. Pulled the converter out and found a broken direct input shaft. The other piece was stuck in the direct drum. Partial disassembly got the piece out. Found a roasted sprag on the reverse drum (stock style not newer from 4r70w). And some burnt intermediate clutches. And a cracking 2 inch overdrive band. Everything else is in excellent shape. So it will be getting partially rebuilt and reassembled with a updated style 4r70w reverse drum and new intermediate clutches and new OD band.

[gadget73]

busted direct input shaft definitely explains no 3 and 4. Did it appear twisted or just shattered ?

[86VickyLX]

busted direct input shaft definitely explains no 3 and 4. Did it appear twisted or just shattered ?

Twist and snap. Reminds me of Scott's axle shaft.

[gadget73]

too much load then. Interesting that the shaft went before something else failed.

[86VickyLX]

too much load then. Interesting that the shaft went before something else failed.

Well there was some failure on the intermediate clutches and the 1 way clutch is overheated. But everything else seems to be good.

[86VickyLX]

Ok so big steam update! Driveshaft has been made and installed. Coil brackets made and installed! Last weekend, I wired up the OBD2 harness and swapped the ecm and bracket. Direct swap. For shits and giggles, I decided to see if it would start. It did. And it idled. Ran pretty good. So good that I drove her home on the stock ecm tune. Although it wasn't ideal, it ran decent and I had all 4 gears again! Fast forward to yesterday. Me and Adam, owner of http://popsracing.com, got her dialed in. Spent the morning to early afternoon getting her right. Between fueling, timing and transmission shift points and torque converter lock up. Then the wideband died. Luckily we got the fuel dialed in before then (I'm grabbing another sensor to verify). Spent a couple hours this morning reading plugs to check WOT timing. Had to dial it a bit back as it was a little close to the danger zone. I will post pics soon! I'm very pleased! Big thanks to Adam at popsracing and Phil for his help with the brackets and modifying the transmission crossmember! I couldn't have accomplished this without you guys!

[packman]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Schweet!!!!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[sly]

Get some!

[DerekTheGreat]

"Big Steam". Wow, haven't heard that since the days of Bobcat.

[gadget73]

Unless we're talking UP 4014 or one of you guys buys a Stanley or other steam car, this phrase is not allowed.

[sly]

[86VickyLX]

Unless we're talking UP 4014 or one of you guys buys a Stanley or other steam car, this phrase is not allowed.

You have a point. But to spite you I will say it anyway lol.
Here's the long awaited video update.