Huge yank shite - odd jobs.

[purplebargeken]

Brilliant news. They do indeed sound like they know what they are doing. 

[Bobthebeard]

Brilliant news. They do indeed sound like they know what they are doing.

 

Indeed so. If they found something (the starter shrapnel) that you knew was there and why it was there, good news indeed. They found it and reported it. Sounds good!

[danthecapriman]

Indeed so. If they found something (the starter shrapnel) that you knew was there and why it was there, good news indeed. They found it and reported it. Sounds good!

That's exactly my thinking. I did manage to hook a few of the bits out when I changed the starter last year but only through the starter hole so there was probably loads left in there I couldn't see or reach.

I didn't say anything to them about it before they found it, so it does appear they are a professional outfit, and care about what they're doing.

They're a big brand (usually have an advert on the inside of the back cover of PC mag) so I think thier name and reputation is very important to them.

[danthecapriman]

Just had bill number 3 through. It's a big un!

 

Engine is now fully stripped to each nut and bolt. New pistons, valves, guides, water pump and a shit load of other new parts are here.

Crank has been inspected, polished and cleaned.

Engine block has been machined, jet washed and cleaned. Pulleys, manifolds etc cleaned and painted.

On stripping the inlet manifold they found the spacer between the carb and manifold was completely the wrong type! A new correct one has been bought.

All new parts have been checked over for correct sizing etc prior to the rebuild.

Auto box has been checked over and new filter fitted and oil changed.

Plus loads of other parts have been cleaned or blasted then painted.

 

Sounds good so far. The engine should be as good as new inside and out by the time it comes back!

The new vac actuators are also now on the plane so should be here next week hopefully.

[Bren]

Don't think of the money.

 

Think of the enjoyment derived from schlepping around in it when you get it back.

 

You could have the money in a savings account earning fuck all interest.

[garethj]

Brilliant! You know that you,ll have to give us all a ride once it's finished?

 

The whole membership can probably be done in 2 trips

[tooSavvy]

Brilliant! You know that you,ll have to give us all a ride once it's finished?

The whole membership can probably be done in 2 trips

...I'm not getting the McDonalds

 

TS

[danthecapriman]

Brilliant! You know that you,ll have to give us all a ride once it's finished?

The whole membership can probably be done in 2 trips

The trunk is nice and big too, you can get loads in there...

[Clanger]

Sorry that I am late to this thread! 

 

Especially because I think I might have been able to help out on the headlight actuators... I have a mate who is restoring a '73 Lincoln and I am willing to bet that the same part was used across the FOMOCO range... 

 

My mate is constantly scouring the local junkyards and keeps an eye out for these big beasts.  If there is anything else needed let me know and I'll give him the word.  I think he also has the parts cross-over book if you want to reference anything.  And, as with the other So Cal AS members, I am more than willing to help out if needed.

 

The second car I owned here was a '77 Lincoln Continental Town Car in white, with a blue leather interior and a 460 for TEH WIN!  I wish I still had that car, but like a complete twunt I left it at the side of the road where it eventually got towed away... fucksticks!  I wish I could even find a picture of the car, it was 70s-tastic.

 

I believe that what your project needs is one of these...

 

I would be happy to let you have it, but 1) I doubt it would fit through your letterbox, and 2) it's not mine to give away... oh yeah, and it belongs in this

 

Here's a before picture of the 460 (removed on Paddy's day 2012 and still not back in the car)

 

Just as an FYI this is a breakdown of the machining and rebuild work - be interesting to compare - my mate had already purchased a load of the parts used, so they aren't factored into this bill.

460 Rebuild.pdf

[Bren]

Hard to believe that the 460 was strangled down to 170 hp in emissions form.

[Clanger]

Yep, and about 120 of them had escaped by the time I owned mine.

 

There's a video somewhere of someone doing a 0 - 60 run in one of these in a Lincoln and it's painfully slow...

[danthecapriman]

Thanks Clanger! I may yet take you up on the offer of finding me a few parts. There's a few bits and bobs missing on my car and it's unlikely I'll find them here.

 

That Continental is gorgeous! And the engine...

I'd expect the headlight actuators are the same type. The full size Mercury's and Lincoln's seem to have a type not used on the Cougars etc (these ones seem to have better availability - more popular car!) but there's variations in the pushrod length and the actual canisters themselves seem to vary. I've still got one of my original ones that still works, good as a spare should it ever be needed.

 

I don't know what hp my 429 has as standard. Though it's an earlier engine and doesn't have a lot in the way of restrictive emission control stuff. I wouldn't of thought it to be too bad.

Even as worn as it was though mine still went surprisingly well. It got upto illegal speeds easily enough and still had more left. It surprised me actually just how easy it could gain speed and over take stuff. If you floor it on slip roads and stuff it sounds and goes fantastically well.

Mine is the last year of the 429 (7.0) engine. After 73 they went to 460 (7.5) only or the smaller 400 (6.6). I think Lincoln's pretty much all had the big 460 engine as standard being the top of the range models. Mercury being in the middle there were smaller variants available for peasants like me!

[danthecapriman]

Another update!

The reconditioned headlight actuators have arrived.

 

 

 

They look brilliant! Really well done and painted up nicely. Finally I'll have a pair of working headlight doors instead of just one and no more vacuum leaks.

Yes, they were expensive and yes, it's taken some time to get them but I'm really happy with them and let's face it, I couldn't really do anything else.

 

Just got to drop them off at the garage now for the guys to fit. Hopefully I'll be able to get a look at the state of the engine/car while I'm there.

[purplebargeken]

They look cool. Weird but cool.

[danthecapriman]

They look cool. Weird but cool.

You can have the old ones for your mantelpiece if you want!

 

They are wierd little things. Only in America!

[tooSavvy]

'lets face it'......

 

I'd have absolutely bloody done anything else

 

 

..... oi' leave em bleach bottles there - I have a plan!

 

 

GR9 m8

 

 

TS

[Junkman]

 

You guys have shiny concrete in that California where it never rains.

[Clanger]

You know what they say TEH Junkman...

 

It never rains in California,

But girl don't they warn ya...

It pours, man it pours.

 

Albert Hammond knew the score man!

 

And I can tell you that while it is heading north of 90* this weekend it absolutely fucking pissed down earlier this week - we got 21/2 times our usual September rain in about 2 hours

 

Happy to post you some shiny concrete - send a stamped addressed envelope and I'll take care of the rest.

 

* exchange rates may differ

[purplebargeken]

You don't happen to know anyone who has a breaker Olds Cutlass Supreme 1991 flavour tucked away anywhere ;)

[Clanger]

Okie dokie - think I can answer PBK without a thread highjack as this info will work for Dan as well.

 

http://www.lkqpickyourpart.com/locations/LKQ_Pick_Your_Part_-_Anaheim-265/recents/

 

The above link shows that one of the local LQK Pick your part in Anaheim has a 94 Olds Cutlass - don't know what model, or how compatible the parts are with your car.

 

If you go to their home page you can check out the rest of their California locations and search the vehicle inventory to see what's in the yard. 

http://www.lkqpickyourpart.com/locations/

 

Bear in mind though that California is effin huge, so while I say the yard is local to me it is about 10 miles away - not too bad, but some of the others are much further.  But - we seem to have a few fellas here in So Cal - Meowdchina is down there getting pissed in wine country Temecula so he might* be willing to visit his local yards if you find something - not wanting to make promises for anyone other than me.

 

The other thing to remember is that the parts are still on these motahs so we have to lug our tools out there and we live in a fucking desert, and it's fucking hot right now, and I am no longer the lithe young thing that came to these bountiful shores oh so many years ago...  So, check out the the yards then let us locals see what we can do for ya.

 

PS - for TEH WIN there is a beige! 1993 3.3 litre 6 cylinder Cutlass in Sun Valley - but it's blistering up  there right now

 

Happy hunting.

[danthecapriman]

I've just been to see the Mercury!

 

I turned up unannounced to drop off the vacuum actuators. When I turned up they took the parts and asked if I wanted to come in and have a look at everything. Of course I do!!

The engine block was sat on the bench, new pistons etc installed. It's all spotlessly clean and painted in original Ford blue engine enamel. It really does look lovely.

The manifolds are all blasted and the inlet re painted. They look like brand new.

There's stacks of new parts for it, some parts are still on the way over though.

 

I had a look at the old parts too. They've thoughtfully kept all the old stuff.

The valves are utterly minging! There's a very obvious 'step' in the stems where they've worn in the guides. The guides are also equally damaged.

Piston rings are worn very very badly! They said it's no surprise it was losing so much compression.

Now for the worst bit! The timing chain. This was so badly stretched and sloppy that you could pick up the 'slop' and almost move the chain onto the next tooth on the gears! How the hell it hadn't managed to jump when it was running is unbelievable! The gears were both also worn and the gears and chain have all been replaced.

 

Overall all the old parts were very worn and covered in burnt oil and gunge. The cam shaft has started to wear through the case hardening so that's being replaced aswell.

The bearings, were just about caught in time. They had all worn just about through the white metal and have all been changed as you'd expect. This fortunately saved the crank, which was good enough to be polished and cleaned for re-use.

 

The carb spacer was the wrong type. This engine is fitted with a carb pre heater, only really useful in cold climates but this was not blanked off when the carb was changed! It is now!

Also the spacer plate should of had four holes through it for the four barrell carb. The wrong one fitted only has one big hole! The worst part is that who ever changed it decided to use the (correct) four hole gasket so the whole centre section of the gasket was sat in the direct flow of the fuel and air mix going into the manifold! Unbelievable! The correct part and gasket set is now on it's way over.

 

It does however look like this engine has never been apart, for the most part. The old pistons were standard size. And everything looked like original parts, including the head gaskets etc.

 

Seeing it has really helped a lot. I'm more convinced than ever now that this was the best thing to do and the best place to have do the work.

No pics though I'm afraid, as I stopped by on the way home from work and had no camera. 0.5/10 must try harder etc!

[Bobthebeard]

^^ Sounds like you did the right thing! Glad all is going well.

My Mercury is currently at the MOT station and am nervously awaiting the result!

[danthecapriman]

^^ Sounds like you did the right thing! Glad all is going well.

My Mercury is currently at the MOT station and am nervously awaiting the result!

Good luck! I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed!

Did you manage to fix the gearbox problem?

[Bobthebeard]

Yes and no really.... It sort of fixed itself in a way. The speedo still only works after the engine is fully warm but the tranny now seems to be shifting ok regardless. The check engine light comes on occasionally but re sets after the ignition is turned off. Am convinced it is down to a broken wire somewhere in the loom. Heat re establishing the connection etc. Disconnecting the battery for a while seemed to sort out the strange gear shifting issue.

Time will tell....

[Bobthebeard]

Good luck! I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed!

Did you manage to fix the gearbox problem?

Failed the MOT.... Aargh. Not badly though. A track rod end and some suspension bushes. Rock Auto will doubtless have the bits needed..

[danthecapriman]

Sounds really promising so far. Looking forward to seeing (and hearing) the end product.

I know these things are a bit "how long is a piece of string", but is there any estimation for when the car will be complete?

There's no estimation regards to time. I think it's one of those situations where if you want it done it takes as long as it takes! I think it's taken a while to get some of the parts over here too.

Tbh it suits me though. I'd rather it took time to do a really top notch job than have it rushed and things be missed or not done properly. You'll only end up taking it back time and time again to put it right.

I really miss it though! The drive looks empty without it and I really really want to get it out on the road, but I guess I'll just have to wait and be patient.

 

Failed the MOT.... Aargh. Not badly though. A track rod end and some suspension bushes. Rock Auto will doubtless have the bits needed..

That sucks! At least it's not anything expensive or too hard to fix.

When I did my track rod ends a UK supplier had them already, and a set of flexi hoses. Can't remember who it was though. Might be worth ringing around here first to save postage costs.

 

Edit: I think it was US Automotive http://www.usautomotive.co.uk

[Clanger]

Danthecapriman to the red phone please.

 

It's Monday 1:30 p.m. local time and I am making an emergency run to the scrappy in Ontario, California - there is a 73 2 door Lincoln MKIV and a 75 Grand Marquis in the yard (at least that's what the website says) if there is anything that you might need for your Mercury send me a pm as I'll get it on me phone. 

 

If this doesn't get to you in time let me know anyway as I am sure my mate will want to make a trip out there once he finds out there's one out there.

[danthecapriman]

PM sent!

 

Thanks Clanger, this place is etc etc...

[Clanger]

Unfortunately no success looking for Dan's bits and pieces, but I do now have a list and will keep an eye out for the future.

 

On a plus note I was out in Ontario for some bits for my dedicated CNG Crown Vic - I was looking for a fuel pressure regulator and I had been given a tip that the scrappy had an '02 in at the moment.  Due to being made with ground up Leprechauns and Unicorn tears Ford list two prices for this one part number: fucking expensive and WTF? Is that decimal point in the right place, expensive ($980 and $2,500).

 

On another plus note scrappies (and most folk) know the best part of sweet FA about Natural Gas cars, so after some beard rubbage by the cashier I paid a massive $27.  On the downside, this came from a car with 568,000 miles on the clock - no, that's not a typo.  If anyone gives a flying fcuk I will put up a separate thread with Crown Vic fixage - could be fun as it is life threateningly dangerous and will involve playing with a fuel system that's pressurized at 3,600 psi - WCPGW?

 

Some pics...

Traffic? At 2 p.m. on a bank holiday Monday.... sheeeeeet.

That isn't... is it?  Why yes it is - an Austin America

Sorry Dan... it looks like TEH Junkman and his rabid hoard of Autoshite scrap pillagers beat me to it

Still, what could be more fun than lying on gravel under a shitty Crown Vic in this kind of weather?

[danthecapriman]

Thanks Clanger!

Shame the cars are so heavily stripped, I guess there must be high demand for these things!

I'd be interested in your Crown Vic.

 

 

I got another bill yesterday, mostly for engine reassembly but, the new vacuum actuators are now installed and tested. The rest of the vacuum circuit has been leak tested and found to have a rusty hole in one of the vacuum reservoir tanks.

This was removed and the hole stripped and repaired before being re painted and reinstalled. The whole vacuum circuit is now leak free, at long last!

The radiator has been rebuilt aswell as it was suffering a few corrosion issues. Good old repairable brass/copper, none of that cheap plastic crap here!

 

The bills are starting to add up now, but I still can't wait to get it back! I still think it's money well spent.