2nd Grand Marquis

[Bigbullitt]

Just signed up. This is my second Grand Marquis (1991.) My first was a 1989 GS. This one is an LS. I just picked it up a few days ago. We have lots of "Winter Texans" here, and this one is from Minnesota. The previous owner made it sound like things were kept up with, but in reality, they weren't. For instance, he said the oil was changed regularly, but upon changing it today, found the old filter had been on so long, the gasket was starting to curl around the edge. That and the fact the oil was almost like thin fudge. Other than that (so far) everything seems to work. Door locks seem a bit stiff, I guess from lack of use (can't be the weather, it's usually around 85 degrees here.) No cancer around the rear vinyl top molding and other than a few dings, the body and paint are pretty good. The leather interior is wear worn, but no tears.

Anyway, I do have one question. I don't recall my 89 having 2 oil drain plugs. This one does, and the rear seems to be one of those expanding rubber plugs. I'm assuming this wasn't factory. Does the 89 have two plugs?

[johnunit]

Welcome. Sounds like pretty minor issues.

I believe all small blocks panthers have two drain plugs.

[79lincolnlover]

Welcome to the party!!

[89grandmarq]

Welcome!

I can speak for the dual oil plugs. My 89 GS has them. One angled on the front of the oil pan and one straight down on the back.

[Bigbullitt]

^^^I guess you would know! I can't believe I never noticed it before on my 89. I do my own oil changes as I don't trust the quick lube places. Short of changing the pan, how can I go back to a stock drain plug in the rear? Somehow, I think I'm stuck with it. I'll post pictures when it's cleaned up. It's got two white wall tires on the rear, and two black walls on the front. I want to go white walls all the way around. This car is black with burgundy interior and my 89 was triple brown. I think "Rosewood" was the color. It was a gorgeous car, but a short under the hood put an end to it.

Thanks for the Welcomes!

[chitownvic]

Yeap they have 2 plugs

[chitownvic]

And welcome to the party BTW lol

[Lincolnmania]

all 5.0 and 5.8 equipped cars after 1981 have a dual sump oil pan and two plugs.......this started in 1978 on the fox chassis......nice thing about it is new oil pans are still available and cheap cause it's the same part as the 5.0 mustang.

[jaywish]

"It was a gorgeous car, but a short under the hood put an end to it."

Alternator perhaps? The original plug sucks, like causes fires sucks, and must be replaced if it has not been done already. Even better is an upgrade to a newer model alternator. The 3g model. Yours is a 2g unless you have a heated windshield car. There are many threads here about that and some folks may be willing and able to help you out with all the parts needed. You probably do not want to lose another one.

[sly]

RGV... I grew up in Raymondville. I'm in the DFW area now. Welcome. I have an 88 so I know full well what they need. You have the newer dash though, so anything involving that, check in the aero/whale area.

[Bigbullitt]

As far as the fire goes, it was more like it smoldered for a long time. Everything under the hood was melted. It happened while I slept. I had replaced the alternator and according to the instructions, I had to use the stock plug. Really stupid since the new alternator came with one. So I had to cut it off and splice it to the original. However, that was about 2 years before the fire. I had an issue where the car wouldn't start when the key was turned on. Everything lit up, but no starting. My mechanic couldn't find the reason, so he ran a bypass wire somehow. It wasn't too long after that, that I lost it.

It looks like the alternator has been replaced fairly recently (it's the cleanest thing under the hood. )

Raymondville. Best Chinese restaurant I have found! Right on the corner of 186 and 77 north by the DPS office. I use to work in Harlingen, and Raymondville was part of my route.

[SVT98t]

Welcome to the Party!!

-ryan s.

[Bigbullitt]

I gassed the car up and took it to get inspected (Texas won't let me transfer title till it's inspected.) I think the car sat for so long with a quarter of a tank, it's slowly creeping up to "full." It rides nicely enough. One potentially dangerous glitch is that the cruise control won't shut off when the brake is applied. Any suggestions? The black paint is dead, but I got some compound out and did a few spots. It should come back okay. Door dings and some hail damage are really going to stand out when it's shiny.

[tjc78]

That cruise control thing was a recall years ago. I believe it has to do with the switch on the brake pedal.

[Bigbullitt]

I'll do some research on that then. I'm assuming it'll be a part I can still buy. Thanks for the info.

Here's a quick shot of the first stages of dead paint restoration.



I also ordered the plastic gears for the odometer. I replaced them in my 97 Mustang, so it's pretty easy. The car was involved in some sort of accident. Header panel, hood, and right fender have been repainted. Anybody have a picture of how the hood stripe goes? I can sort of see it under the paint, but not completely.