Introducing my 1985 American ford ltd sedan

[sutty2006]

Oooooo a fox body. These look great fun! Rock auto is your friend. 

[sheffcortinacentre]

Are right, shove some injector cleaner through it .

But I'd suspect some perished vacuum hoses.

Nope prices are ridiculously cheap for parts over there even with the crap exchange rate.

Last year I got early 90's tbird monroe frt legs for £32 the pair all-in £90 delivered within week.

No name ones where a tenner each.

a new Bosch efi intank pump same as most 80-90's UK fords was £30, plus the filter that fits on pump gen Bosch £3 ( UK car spares say unobtainium)????

So made in Germany sent to USA but not sold in UK???

Smog gear will be airpump (piped into inlet) egr valve stuff like that & bin cat .

Get a Haynes manual for it from rock auto  there'll be a section on emissions stuff rip most of it off.

Fit blanking plugs, plates etc.

You'll probably get better info by googling same age/engined foxbody Mustang.

As all running gear & floor pan is based on them.

Bit  like UK fords.

[hairnet]

Saw the rear pic and it said banana in the tailpipe

Or is that a different one

[fatharris]

That's properly lovely - hope you get to the bottom of the running issues! Always wanted an 80s/90s slab-sided yank, like an 80s Crown Vic.

[Stinkwheel]

Nice, like it. With the federally mandated 85mph speedo as well - you can definitely say you were only doing 85 🤣

[Schaefft]

  On 14/02/2024 at 05:56, hairnet said:

Saw the rear pic and it said banana in the tailpipe

Or is that a different one

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The LTDs Mercury sibling!

https://www.imcdb.org/v006416.html

[Ianlea73]

  On 14/02/2024 at 07:44, fatharris said:

That's properly lovely - hope you get to the bottom of the running issues! Always wanted an 80s/90s slab-sided yank, like an 80s Crown Vic.

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I haven't touched the car yet other than sitting in it & bouncing the rear suspension like uncle Buck.

I need to sort a clutch on my daily then I'll crack on with the Ltd.

[2flags]

That looks great! Best of luck with getting it running properly.

[Ianlea73]

Nothing to report on the car yet as I'm on holiday. I did join an fb page for specific ford ltd's based in America. I had a message from a guy claiming to have owned the car in the UK. I messaged him & he sent me some details & se pics of it when he first collected it in 2018.

This is his message.

It has quite interesting history
Original owner was in the
military from Oklahoma. It
came in to UK via raf greenham
common in 1989. Was used till
95 then put into storage in 97
where it has been until 2018.

I did quite a bit of work to your car to get it running, it had been sitting in a warehouse since about 1991 when I bought it. I had it running after I went through the whole fuel system. I removed the tank had it refurbished fitted a new intank pump and sender unit and a new injector. It ran OK but not perfect. There is an external pump aswell which might have given up so try that first.

 

[Ianlea73]

I had a chance to do a few jobs this morning. Jacked up the rear, removed the drums for a look as I have new shoes & wheel cylinders which were supplied, removed the rear shocks which were absolutely shot then pulled the fuel tank.
The filler neck rubber is perished as is the one way Valve rubber seal on top the tank but the valve works fine. I removed the fuel pump housing for an inspection & found the filter sock dirty & torn. I took some pics inside the tank & discovered loads of grit. The fuel was so bad I  couldn't even light the spilt fuel on the floor.
Took a few pics of the underside of the car & I'm really pleased there's only mild surface rust. I just need to work out the best way of treating it. Should I remove the axle, knot wheel, deox thrn underseal or just hand paint underseal onto the substrate that's already there?
So the fuel tank needs cleaning out & then I'll paint it black. I need to work out how to use rock auto parts & order a few fuel related parts.

[Justwatching]

Most underseals are fine to apply direct to rust. I'd give it a pressure wash to remove dirt then paint it up as-is. 

[Ianlea73]

Took off the external fuel pump & the inline filter. I'd say these are oem parts by the look of them. Inline pump works but the gauze inside could be split so I'm going to order a new one.
Also put some bilt hammer deox in the tank for a clean out. I'll leave it in there until tomorrow then swill it out.

 

[sheffcortinacentre]

Pump looks like std 80's Bosch one  ford,VW,vaux,bl. Filter looks like 90s fiesta.

[egg]

Looks like K&N do a sub fuel filter

https://www.knfilters.co.uk/cross-reference/motorcraft/fg800-fuel-filter

  Quote

The Fuel Filter is offered as an alternative to the Motorcraft FG800 Fuel Filter.

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[Ianlea73]

  On 11/03/2024 at 13:31, egg said:

Looks like K&N do a sub fuel filter

https://www.knfilters.co.uk/cross-reference/motorcraft/fg800-fuel-filter

 

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I've ordered a pile of things from rock auto which should be here Friday. Parts are ridiculous cheap even with shipping & taxes.

[egg]

  On 11/03/2024 at 19:42, Ianlea73 said:

I've ordered a pile of things from rock auto which should be here Friday. Parts are ridiculous cheap even with shipping & taxes.

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great stuff, yes, it gets more economical if you get a batch, and when they do a 'wholesale clearout' even cheaper.

[Ianlea73]

First order arrived in 4 days which is quicker than stuff I've ordered on ebay for my daily!

I then started on the fuel tank & straps. Removed the control arms on the rear axle & any brackets for the brake lines, exhaust & fuel line clips. I intend on getting as many parts media blasted, so I can paint clean metal.

Bushes should arrive today so I can burn out the old ones before painting the arms.

 

[mat777]

Just come across this, brilliant piece of malaise era chod and looking forward to seeing it all cleaned up and working! 

I know it's not quite the same model version, but I immediately thought back to this advert - "as quiet as a Rolls Royce" they claimed! 

 

[Ianlea73]

  On 19/03/2024 at 12:37, mat777 said:

Just come across this, brilliant piece of malaise era chod and looking forward to seeing it all cleaned up and working! 

I know it's not quite the same model version, but I immediately thought back to this advert - "as quiet as a Rolls Royce" they claimed! 

 

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Ha, that's great. Let's just hope it's comfortable to start with. 

These might help.

 

[sheffcortinacentre]

Yep had loads of stuff quicker than stuff from over here.

[Ianlea73]

Finally a half decent day to carry on with the car.
Fuel tank finished, new rubbers, pump installed & seals. Painted the tank straps & added some foam padding. Burnt out the bushes in the arms ready to go to media on Monday. I stripped the rear brake shoe set up & inspected the wheel cylinders.
After cleaning & painting I rebuilt the fuel pump, filter housing ready to refit.
I'm really hoping nect weekend is dry so I can clean the underside of the car.
 

[Ianlea73]

Used my sonic cleaner to remove years of gunk & surface rust on the rear brake parts. Then cleaned the backplates on the rear axle.

 

[danthecapriman]

Nice work on this!

That ultrasonic cleaner looks like it’s done the business. I’ve thought about getting one but never bothered. Perhaps I should!

[Ianlea73]

  On 07/04/2024 at 21:16, danthecapriman said:

Nice work on this!

That ultrasonic cleaner looks like it’s done the business. I’ve thought about getting one but never bothered. Perhaps I should!

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One of the best bits of kit in my garage. It's a cheap ebay one but has been brilliant for years. I then give parts a quick clean on the bench mount wire wheel.

[Aston Martin]

That's looks miserable, well done.

[Steve79]

I’m literally about a 3min drive from your house. Welcome to have ago in my grand marquis and Buick roadmaster if you want

[Ianlea73]

  On 08/04/2024 at 11:17, Steve79 said:

I’m literally about a 3min drive from your house. Welcome to have ago in my grand marquis and Buick roadmaster if you want

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I'll msg you mate.

[bigstraight6]

  On 08/04/2024 at 08:37, Ianlea73 said:

One of the best bits of kit in my garage. It's a cheap ebay one but has been brilliant for years. I then give parts a quick clean on the bench mount wire wheel.

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What a brilliant piece of kit!

[Ianlea73]

Yesterday was the first chance I've had to get back on the car. I'd painted all the blasted parts & fitted the polybushes so I put everything back together. A bit difficult with only 1 pair of hands but all done.

Next is the rear brake rebuild & fill the diff. Then bleed the rear brakes & refit the wheels. Then onto the front half.

 

[Ianlea73]

One side fitted, was over complicated for a drum set up but at least it's done. I'll know now the easier way to fit the other side tonight.