'88 Box by accident....

[88ltdCV]

Hi Folks,

I recently got hold of a '88 LTD CV (yeah, no GM...) for small change.

It used to live in Arizona until it came to Europe in '18.
I took a look at it in Dec last year and figured, that I don't need another project. In Jan '20 a friend had a deal with the seller on 3 other cars, and I said, well, for less than 50% of its original asking price, I'd even take the LTD CV. Guess what, 15 min later I got a short text: "congrats!".

Being a real Mopar guy (69 Charger, 69 A100, 79 MB400 Camper), this is all new to me. Nonetheless, I wanna take care of the LTD CV as good as I can.
So please be kind, kick me for my Mopar attribution if you feel its needed (but it won't change...)

Maybe its a good start for my niece to get around town with that box.
Take a look here

And thanks for letting me join.

[Tiggie]

Welcome.

Biggest thing with a new to you box is to check the TV bushing. It’s a plastic bushing that lives on the throttle body lever that connects to a cable that runs down to the trans. Known to be failure prone, if the plastic bushing fails, it’s short time before the transmission fails.

https://lmr.com/item/LRS-7303A/87-93...le-Bushing-Kit

A metal replacement is a good option.

[Arquemann]

Welcome!

Nice to see another member from Europe.
Good luck and reliable miles with your CV!

[DerekTheGreat]

Nothing wrong with MoPar. It's not like a Ford product knows its a Ford any more than a Chrysler knows and or is proud of itself being a Chrysler. They were built by people like you and me, thats the bottom line. I tend to like the Ford variants better than the Mercury variants. Although a Mercury is a fine car. That's the car I was driving that day.. I rolled the windows down with e'lectric power...

[BoulevardRide]

Cool lookin car. Hope it works out for you. I've owned cars from the big 3 from the 60s-90s and have found Ford products to be better built overall. Once you correct the fatal flaws.

In addition to the metal bushing mentioned above I would flush out the heater core, easy to do at the firewall with a garden hose and can save having to take the dash apart. Especially a car from arizona, out West people often put tap water in the radiator to save money in the heat, and the water can be hard out there.

Also from Arizona I'd make sure all the vacuum lines and plastic pieces in the engine system are in good shape so the engine runs smooth, before going too crazy dumping money into extraneous things like appearance.

I lived in germany and never owned a car, got around on a motorcycle for 4 years, sometimes sliding on my ass over frozen cobbles...

[WagonMan]

Welcome! I too am a MOPAR guy at heart. I have a Hemi Superbird and a Hemi Daytona convertible. I have 3 Colony Park wagons so I guess that is why I am accepted here! LOL! WagonMan

[sly]

Welcome.

Biggest thing with a new to you box is to check the TV bushing. It’s a plastic bushing that lives on the throttle body lever that connects to a cable that runs down to the trans. Known to be failure prone, if the plastic bushing fails, it’s short time before the transmission fails.

https://lmr.com/item/LRS-7303A/87-93...le-Bushing-Kit

A metal replacement is a good option.

And the tech article about it with pictures: http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00052.html

[jaywish]

Also a highly neglected part is the PCV screen. It lives below the valve and it gets clogged.

[88ltdCV]

Well that I call a hearty welcome - thanks a lot, guys.

Good tips to take care of - thanks again.

And, jaywish - you from Yonkers? Used to live in Larchmont 20 years ago

[87gtVIC]

Welcome to the forum. Good luck with the new ride.

[slack]

Welcome aboard!

How hard are parts to come by in Germany?

[88ltdCV]

Parts are pretty easy. Rockauto is one of my preferred suppliers. Shipping is a little more than in the lower 50s, but thats ok. If I want, parts are here within 2-3 days (question of need vs funds available

And there are some shops here in Germany with usually sufficient stock.

[gadget73]

Welcome. Being from AZ it should be fairly nice. I've grown to hate rust, especially now that I own two former southern cars and realize what working on vehicles without rot and stuck bolts is like.

[sly]

Welcome. Being from AZ it should be fairly nice. I've grown to hate rust, especially now that I own two former southern cars and realize what working on vehicles without rot and stuck bolts is like.

That's one of the reasons I like living down here... my 27 year old daily has almost no rust on it.

[88ltdCV]

More than 2 years.... sorry folks.

But today I passed roadworthyness test and emissions test perfectly. Registered as historic vehicle.

What has happened meanwhile?

At first, not much. A lot of work with our C-Class camper (a 79 Dodge MB400 base)... Then, I figured, that the box would be a great deal of car for my niece (18, just finishing her drivers license) as a starter. And time went by, so I had to hurry. New gears in the rear windows, new lights according to local regulations (H4), different park light setup (white to the front is a must - amber not allowed), all new bulbs (except one all were bust). Checked on all ball joints/steering/axle bushings. Almost shot, but still ok (except upper BJ -> replaced). Rest as a ToDo for my niece Further, the gear selector was shot, I constructed something with thin brass around the plastic. That screw on the steering column is bad to reach... And the gear selector was not in line with the trans - adjusted, good.
Also, new PCV including the screen (who the f**k constructed that position of the PCV??) and a new hose. New Vacuum Switch, new IAC, new EGR sensor, new Air Filter, two new catalytic converters. Replaced a check valve for secondary air, took the air/smog pump apart, cleaned it thoroughly (lots and lots of carbon build up - it just didnt turn anymore), put together plus new belts. Lubed all joints (replacing some check balls) and cleaned the whole thing up, then called it a day and passed the tests.

It is even going faster than the odometer "allows" on the Autobahn - almost 90mph (I had to leave the Autobahn, there was still some power left) and a really decent, smooth ride. Wow, I was impressed (the youngest car in my lot is a 79 Chrysler LeBaron as daily ride)
(the smallish black car in our driveway is a Seat Ibiza, my wife's ride - just google it and you'll get an idea on what crap is running around here all over. That thing is smaller than the VW Rabbit/Golf...)