Greetings from "Ohio"! Just bought a Merq, (1992).

[95_Grand]

Chances are valve seals need changing if it hasn't already. Check all your ball joints and end links, needless to say "greased-for-life" to Ford only means a few years. Other than that just the basics

Oh and yes the window motor/regulators are a VERY well known issue. Only my drivers window works lol!!

[Nvy]

Check to see if you have the "bastard block" motor/tranny combo. On the driver door, find the build date. Hope it's after 6/1992. Pre-6/1992 cars have a special-shaped cast motor block that bolts up to the older transmission and can be hard to find a replacement.

my date of manufacturing is "6/1992" on my vehicle....... Thx SVT98T, ill keep those in mind and maintenance has ALWAYS been my top priority on any car.

[Nvy]

So I have finally got the car in my driveway, licensed & ready to start wrenchin on. But b4 that, onto the photos of said clunker!!






So the undercarriage of this car is spotless, no rust at all & that says alot when you live in OHIO! So either this was garage kept or oil sprayed regularly, which, I dont know. Guy SAYS that this car has 72,000 original miles, blows me away considering its a 92, but i guess anything is possible. As i stated in an earlier post theres minor things wrong w/ it ill tend to as time goes on IE - window motors etc. I just wanna focus on the primary mechanics of this car immediately and check over EVERYTHING that is known for this particular car & fix/repair/replace it asap. So any and all info is greatly appreciated. Oh & if i hadnt told ya already, I gave $2,000 for it. Opinions?

[marquis_82_withneons]

Sorry for the threadjack - yes this is before Scottfest, yes I know where Ravenna is, yes you're all welcome to attend.

im next door in indiana. i will be trying to attend this. PLEASE post a thread for the event.. im very interested
now back to teh 92 Merc at hand.. you have a nice car. hope to see some out of the ordinary mods done.

[SVT98t]

Easy way to tell if you have a bastard block.
The shift selections for AOD are:
P R N Od D 1

Shift selections for AODE are:
P R N D 2 1



-ryan s.

[Nvy]

Easy way to tell if you have a bastard block.
The shift selections for AOD are:
P R N Od D 1

Shift selections for AODE are:
P R N D 2 1



-ryan s.

mine is "P R N Od D 1" Thats bad huh? lol

[SVT98t]

Then you have the bastard block and the AOD.
Just keep an eye on the TV bushing.

-ryan s.

[BuffaloRider]

Greetings from Columbus.

[95_Grand]

Nvy that is one SWEET looking MGM. Looks real cool and slick. It is in extremely good condition, just polish em headlamps lol

[Nvy]

Then you have the bastard block and the AOD.
Just keep an eye on the TV bushing.

-ryan s.

what does the tv bushing do exactly and what am i watching for exactly? is the aod known for having tranny problems or does it just mean when/if it goes bad imma have a hell of a time repairing it?

95Grand, how did u polish the lights, inside or out or both? I did notice mine were kinda foggy looking, havent tried anything yet. thanks for the compliments, hopefully i can have mine shiny and good looking like yours real soon.

[95_Grand]

Good looking and shiny?!? Just how dirty is your monitor! Lmao. I also need to work on my lamps, may just get new ones... $150 >:[

And the tv bushings hold up your television. You should be watching for any reruns of scarface and goodfellas haha

[95_Grand]

Btw yours is in SO much better condition than mine. My paint would come off with masking tape!

[pantera77]

what does the tv bushing do exactly and what am i watching for exactly? is the aod known for having tranny problems or does it just mean when/if it goes bad imma have a hell of a time repairing it?

The TV cable controls the AOD's line pressure. If the bushing fails, the cable pops off and you lose all pressure. I'm pretty sure all 92's have the newer style bushing that doesn't dry out and crack like the older ones did. Take a picture of your throttle body and we could tell you right away. It will be the cable that comes up from the back and attaches to the TB on the pass side.

Nothing at all wrong with the AOD, it's a fine transmission. AOD's were used in a ton of car's, not hard at ll to find one.

The bastard block 4.6 was only used in 91 Town Cars, and early 92 Crown Vic and Grand Marqs.

[Nvy]

Known issues? 2-3 gear shimmy (torque converter). If you have it, you'll know
It will eventually burn up the valve seals. Once it starts emitting the blue cloud out the exhaust, it's time to do the valve seals.
Just keep up with the general maintenance, and it should last you quite sometime.

-ryan s.

its amazing that when you guys give a lil' info about these vehicles it actually is like the car is listening & does exactly what you tell us it is gonna do, lol... So what im referring to is the "Shimmy" you speak of, is this kinda like running over "Rumble Strips" on the highway but only momentarily for like a second or two? cuz my car recently did this and i had to look in the rear view to see if i went over a couple bumps or strips if you will to make that vibration/sensation. So you say this means its time for a torque converter eh?

[sly]

yup. my 93 did that crap at 110k and again started up at just over 200k.

you can delay the failure while saving money for the repair if needed by adding some Dr Tranny's Shudder Fix to the trans, but it'll need a TC and possibly a rebuild as well.