I'm New and Full of Questions

[themachine]

Hi all, just made this account. I don't own a panther yet, but am anticipating one soon. Grandma is about to stop driving, and I am the only family interested in her car, so once that happens it's mine. I'm trying to learn as much as possible about these cars before hand. I already know some basics, but I'm coming from a pick up truck background (Dodge Rams in particular), so I still have a lot to learn. Here are the specs of the car that I have now.

1998 Mercury Grand Marquis LS

white paint, with dark red pinstripe down the side

red, velour-like interior, woodgrain dash

Grandma is the only owner of the car, and has always taken it to the dealer for scheduled maintenance

car is stock, no extras on it whatsoever

right around 22,000 miles on it, was the daily driver, driven from Michigan and Texas and back, now just the occasional grocery trip

everything works on it, all lights, radio, mirrors, etc.

right now it just sits in her garage, and gets driven like once a month

As for stuff I'd like to know, well pretty much everything. It has the 5.0 V8, but I have no ideas about things like axles, gears, LSD, any of that stuff.

Problems on it, only 1 really. on the passenger side, the lower panel behind the rear wheel has the beginnings of rust on it. I assume I could probably just swap this whole part out.

Is there an info sticker on it somewhere that will list options? Can I request a build sheet on it from Ford? Where would such a sticker be located?

What are any areas of concern I should be aware of? Seeing as the car is 22 years old, when I get it I'm planning on new battery, hoses, plugs, plug wires, distributor/rotor, belts, and a total fluid flush and refresh. Also new tires, hers are whitewalls but they are on their last legs. Do I need to worry about things like body mounts or stuff like that? I was also considering new shocks, as hers are the factory originals.

Is there a website that lists all the different trim packages/options that were available for this car?

Finally, on the order of modifications, what are some good ones that don't break the bank? I was thinking a CAI off the bat, unless it doesn't do much for these, along with a dual exhaust setup. Maybe a little childish, but I was thinking something like dual Cherry Bomb Extremes on it.

Thanks for reading all this, any and all answers are appreciated.

[johnunit]

Hello! sounds like a really nice starting point.

Going by your comment about 22 years old and 5.0 engine, I'm going to assume you're referring to a 1988 "box" style Grand Marquis, not the 1998 which would be the first year for the "whale" style current panthers. Some of the following will, of course, be different if it is a 1998


You asked about rear end ratio/locker specs. Check on the door tag located on the driver's door under "axl" or something like that and refer to the chart below:

Axle codes
Open/Lock/Ratio #
-----------------------
G / H / 2.26
B / C / 2.47
8 / M / 2.73
7 / - / 3.07
Y / Z / 3.08
4 / D / 3.42
F / R / 3.45
5 / E / 3.27
6 / W / 3.73
2 / K / 3.55
A / - / 3.63
J / - / 3.85

If the door tag is obscured, you can also check for an actual tag on the axle itself.

More information can be gleened from typing in your VIN here https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenan...ls/default.asp

I believe your car has an odometer that only goes up to 99,999, and rolls over after that. This means that your 22,000 miles could well be 122,000 or 222,000 or more, though you could probably confirm this by just asking your grandmother.

I would probably recommend, depending on the severity of the rust, trying to repair the rust on the fender yourself or having a shop do it. Finding an original fender in your colour and with the right amont of fading to match your 22 year old paint job in good condition will likely be more trouble than it's worth.

The NUMBER ONE BIGGEST killer of these cars is the grommet that holds the TV cable to the throttle bracket. It is made of a plastic that deteriorates with time, and when it comes loose on your year of car the transmission loses pressure, cooking it in less than an hour of driving time.

More info:

http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showthread.php?t=22947&highlight=TV+grommet

Here is a good thread about adjusting the TV cable:

http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showthread.php?t=2601

The front ends on these cars also have a tendency to wear out a bit quickly. The main thing I would be worried about is ball joints, as they tend to snap when they get really bad. Snapped ball joints=really bad day

If you're willing to get a bit dirty, a new timing chain is probably a good investment.


As far as modifications, dual exhaust is certainly a very good starting point.

A good free mod is bumping up the timing a bit, but it's a bit more complex than normal with these engines

http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showthread.php?t=21502

The other popular modifications are lower gears (you likely have 3.08 or numerically lower gears, bad for acceleration), and various HO (later fox 5.0) engine parts. An HO upper intake and the parts that go with it, plus dual exhaust and 3.55 or 3.73 gears will net you some pretty entertaining improvements. A quick search on here will show all sorts of combinations of HO and Explorer parts that will get you a good power boost from a trip to the junkayard. If you're not satisfied with that, there are plenty of engine parts available for these things in the aftermarket due to the parts-sharing with Mustangs.


Handling improvements usually start with thicker roll bars (usually nabbed from wagons and police cars) or stiffer springs. Larger diameter rims (resulting in smaller sidewalls) will also net noticeable improvements in the twisties.

[87gtVIC]

Welcome

[themachine]

Oops, yes, I meant a 1988.

[86VickyLX]

If you're looking at the tag on the rear for the axle code, it will tell you the ratio and if it's a locker or not. For example, a locking rear for the 2.73 ratio would be 2L73. If there's no L, there's no locker.

[91grandmarquis]

Sounds like a nice car, that would be sick if it actually only had 22k original miles on it. You can tell pretty easily by the interior. If the gas and break pedals are worn and the wheel and arm rest on the door panel its probably rolled over, plus you could just ask your grandmother. Oh and Welcome.

[79lincolnlover]

Welcome! Inheriting a classic Ford is always good

[gadget73]

Very nice. Gotta love the granny special, especially when its your granny.

[grandpaslincoln]

Welcome!