First Vic..What next?

[Just Some Dude]

Just scored this 1985 Crown Vic for $0. 48,000 miles on the odometer. I have put about 1000 miles on it and seems to be in great shape. It has a very high idle and is pretty loud for not having any mods yet. What are the top 3 mods I should do first?

[zoomie]

Welcome to gmn nice two door!! First three mods recommended after you fix what sounds like a vacumn leak would be
Exhuast: shorty headers with 2.5 pipe and mufflers of your choice
Gears: tractionlock usually a "k" code is most popular with it's 3.55 ratio. The k being the axle code best sourced from a townie or a box limo there are other factory vehicles that have 3.55,4.10,3.73 ratios if you already have a locking differential sourced from ford rangers,explorers,or an expedition
Traction: putting power to the wheels is great but if you don't have traction it's useless wider tires in the rear help alot I personally have 275 /60/15 on mine. Works very well
HO swap: most popular is the ho cam, explorer upper and lwer and gt40,or gt40p heads also sourced from the explorer
Along with 4 hole 19 lb injectors, and markvii or mustang sd ecu
Those are to start but the main two I would do firtst are exhaust and gears first.

[johnunit]

Wow! That is a great score. 2doors are less than one in 10 of all vics.

I agree you need to do some vacuum leak work.

Assuming it is stock, zoomie's recommendation of 2 1/2 duals and headers is your first step for sure. I'd change plugs, plug wires, cap and rotor, fuel filter, pcv valve, and all suspect vacuum lines and go from there.

You should have a cfi Fuel injection system if stock. These can run very well, but aren't really adaptable to serious mods like heads, cams, etc. For real power a swap to a carb or the sefi Fuel injection of later vics (and stangs, explorers, etc.) Will be needed.

[86VickyLX]

Hi, ditch the bastard child of carbureted fuel injection on the top of your engine, and convert to SEFI. Have you tried stepping on the gas to see if the idle has gone down? It's possible it's just how it high idles?

[Just Some Dude]

Thanks y'all. I appreciate the input. Vacuum leak makes sense. The air intake to the carb is pretty janky, like somebody rigged it up. I'll replace that and I bet it solves the problem. Any potential problems if I go to an open air filter? Would that be the way to go? As far as exhaust goes, I called Hedman for some header info and they could not recommend one for my particular vehicle. He said I should go with one made for a Mustang.. How do you know what will fit? The Vic has a 5.0L(4.9L) 302..

[zoomie]

Thanks y'all. I appreciate the input. Vacuum leak makes sense. The air intake to the carb is pretty janky, like somebody rigged it up. I'll replace that and I bet it solves the problem. Any potential problems if I go to an open air filter? Would that be the way to go? As far as exhaust goes, I called Hedman for some header info and they could not recommend one for my particular vehicle. He said I should go with one made for a Mustang.. How do you know what will fit? The Vic has a 5.0L(4.9L) 302..

Just So you are aware there are no known longtubes that will fit a box without modification.
Next your best bet is to use either bbk or frpp headers but to each his own
I agree with john ditch the cfi and go sefi or carbed
Btw you would be wise to check out mustang boards for headers I picked up my bbks for 50 bucks

Also when you switch over you will need to use the hpipe from a markvii or a stang

[johnunit]

Yeah most fox mustang (79-93) headers work. The routing is right but They don't match up to stock exhaust in size or location. You can have something custom bent or use exhaust bits for a mustang that will fit fairly well.

[ford man]

+ 3 on the possible vacuum leak. You can turn down your fast idle screw in the mean time... It's on the passenger side of the tbi: turn it counter clockwise a couple turns. Tighten up your 4 tbi mounting bolts while your at it.

An aftermarket open air filter for carbs won't fit the tbi because its flange is bigger

I recommend cleaning your egr spacer and disconnecting your egr coolant hoses. Ford determined the egr cooler contributed to egr passage way carbon build up... Mine was totally clogged with less mileage btw. Ran better after cleaning it out...

New oxygen sensor $20 and new ignition wires (Ford Racing) $42

[79lincolnlover]

Welcome to GMN!

[SVT98t]

Welcome to the Party!!

-ryan s.

[Just Some Dude]

Thanks so much for all the info!