MyGrandMarquis - Burgundy '83 coupe

[1987cp]

So the starter-safety function is definitely working, which means the other function may be working too. Try checking for continuity across pairs of leads at the plug by the firewall (engine not running, obviously!) before pulling too much hair out, and if that fails, double-check by checking for continuity at the switch itself with the transmission in "R".

[Midnight Drifter]

Well, not much of anything has been done lately because I've been too busy working. Yesterday I worked 9:30-21:30. I can't test or try ANYTHING until I solve the battery issue. I've got the terminal ends at home and hopefully it was just a bad connection that caused the low voltage.

Stay tuned. If I can get out of work before 17:30, I might take a crack at the battery while I still have daylight. Say, what's a good solution for stopping current wire corrosion and preventing further corrosion?

[86VickyLX]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that the switch is fine and your issue is inside the car. Hehehe. I cleaned those terminals once because the connections were so fucked up it wouldn't start. Honestly I'd get brand new cables and not even mess with those terminal ends...

[Midnight Drifter]

Do you have a garage? If not, you're invited over when you get the chance if I can't figure that issue out.

Made some progress today:


Man, those terminals were SHOT. You can't see it, but there's a TON of pitting and cracking inside that is absolutely HORRIBLE for conductivity! New ones are in, but it was pitch black by the time all was said and done. Still, it was a relief once I got the car in the garage. Speaking of, here's the progress I made:


What's that pipe with a piece of GARDEN HOSE attached to it!?


Oh, yeah, it's MattsUselessSmogControlSystem - tossed it.


Took a bolt slightly smaller than the hole, coated it in QuikSteel and shoved the bitch in there. Did a couple of 0-85 runs wearing gypsy tags, and all seemed fine.


But it's like a domino effect with this car. Solving one problem leads to another. While the CATS don't leak any more, the FLANGES connecting the downpipe to the axle pipe have NO GASKET. So they leak like a bitch! I wonder how much of a pain it's going to be to remove those bolts... and what kind of universal exhaust flange gasket I could use for 2" piping. Hm... any suggestions?


Also, I have no clue what those mufflers are, but they aren't bad sounding. Now that the car's quieter, it's easier to pick up on the rear exhaust note. not too shabby. I gotta figure out what that buzzing sound from underneath the hood is. Sounds like a dentist drill... maybe it's the smog pump?

By the way, Matt, if you want to know how much of an effect that rot hole has on the frame's structural rigidity? You can open the driver's side door with the car jacked up but the passenger's door hits the fender.

[MattsLincoln]

Do you have a garage? If not, you're invited over when you get the chance if I can't figure that issue out.

Made some progress today:


Man, those terminals were SHOT. You can't see it, but there's a TON of pitting and cracking inside that is absolutely HORRIBLE for conductivity! New ones are in, but it was pitch black by the time all was said and done. Still, it was a relief once I got the car in the garage. Speaking of, here's the progress I made:


What's that pipe with a piece of GARDEN HOSE attached to it!?


Oh, yeah, it's MattsUselessSmogControlSystem - tossed it.


Took a bolt slightly smaller than the hole, coated it in QuikSteel and shoved the bitch in there. Did a couple of 0-85 runs wearing gypsy tags, and all seemed fine.


But it's like a domino effect with this car. Solving one problem leads to another. While the CATS don't leak any more, the FLANGES connecting the downpipe to the axle pipe have NO GASKET. So they leak like a bitch! I wonder how much of a pain it's going to be to remove those bolts... and what kind of universal exhaust flange gasket I could use for 2" piping. Hm... any suggestions?


Also, I have no clue what those mufflers are, but they aren't bad sounding. Now that the car's quieter, it's easier to pick up on the rear exhaust note. not too shabby. I gotta figure out what that buzzing sound from underneath the hood is. Sounds like a dentist drill... maybe it's the smog pump?

By the way, Matt, if you want to know how much of an effect that rot hole has on the frame's structural rigidity? You can open the driver's side door with the car jacked up but the passenger's door hits the fender.

same as when i had the car on the lift. your not suppose to really open the doors when a car is on the lift or jacked up from what my auto teacher said.

[Midnight Drifter]

It's considered by some as a test of frame rigidity, dude. You're not really SUPPOSED to do it under normal conditions, but bear in mind the Panther is a body on frame car; the door isn't a structural component (although it does obviously protect against side intrusion).

The point I'm making is that the frame is NOTICEABLY WEAKENED by the rot hole. Should we keep this car, it definitely needs to be fixed. Nice job preventing the rust from spreading further, but your little welded in plate isn't cutting it.

[MattsLincoln]

It's considered by some as a test of frame rigidity, dude. You're not really SUPPOSED to do it under normal conditions, but bear in mind the Panther is a body on frame car; the door isn't a structural component (although it does obviously protect against side intrusion).

The point I'm making is that the frame is NOTICEABLY WEAKENED by the rot hole. Should we keep this car, it definitely needs to be fixed. Nice job preventing the rust from spreading further, but your little welded in plate isn't cutting it.

it can be fixed.

[Midnight Drifter]

Yes, I am aware of that. I just wanted to be sure you knew how big of a role that frame member played.

[86VickyLX]

Fix it or scrap it. lol. you knew it had frame rot when you bought it. In the for sale thread you gave the feeling that you didn't care since New Jersey doesn't do safety inspection.

[Midnight Drifter]

I underestimated it. Severely. It didn't help that I checked the car out at night, although I am glad I didn't pay a penny overt 6 bennies. >.<

The decision to fix or scrap will be made when the snow thaws.... Although I have decided that frame repair is priority 1, not the Exploder motor. I'm giving any other cream puffs in the area a chance to reveal themselves, but I doubt I'm going to find a nice (nice as in, nice enough that it's worth the bother of listing this car, getting rid of it and finding something that's truly mint) early-model like this for under $2K. Well, I feel as if I know enough about cars and mechanics at this stage in my life that I can take something as relatively simple as a Panther on... so bring it.

tl;dr Mainly most of this is documentation, I have no plans to not move forward with restoring this Marq and making her truly my own.

By the way. Got any dome light covers laying around? >.>

[86VickyLX]

Yeah. I do.

[Midnight Drifter]

I definitely need to make my first major trip in the Marq to go see you. I'll happily compensate you for that plate bracket and dome light cover. Not having one is driving me nuts, it makes the interior look like a junker.

Maybe you can also try to help me figure out this strange relay thing that's got 6 wires and is just dangling about in the engine bay. Grr...

Well, at least I'm making progress. Slow progress, but better than no progress. Right?

[miamibob]

All further proof of my original statement - it's a POS! I am certain you will find many more "time bombs" as you go throught the vehicle. With that frame damage and the other "owner modifications" it was really not worth buying at any price as proper repair will cost A LOT more than it is worth - even with "sentimental value". Better off spending more to get a car that doesn't need this extensive repair. It WILL cost more doing it this way for sure!! Bobby

[1987cp]

By the way, Matt, if you want to know how much of an effect that rot hole has on the frame's structural rigidity? You can open the driver's side door with the car jacked up but the passenger's door hits the fender.

Uh, that's perfectly normal Box-Panther behavior, dude.

[sly]

my Mark doesn't do that... and it's a 2-door.

my 4-doors definitely don't do that.

oh wait... I live in the south... rust free for me

*runs*