1990 CV LX Fleet order

[WagonMan]

Good looking car. I always liked the 91 style painted wheels over the older style turbines. The clear parking lights would make it look even better! WagonMan

[monterey1962]

Nice lookin' Ford. Is this the one you repainted? How'd you figure out the tail light seal is bad and what did you use to reseal it?

No. The one I painted was my silver '89. I was getting water in the trunk on the driver's side. To test it, I opened the trunk, and slowly ran water down the channel along the trunk seal. I cleaned up the old gasket, then added Black RTV to the inner channel (the part that attaches to the housing). Then, I added a small bead to the outer portion of the seal where it contacts the car. I haven't tested since it needed to cure and I didn't have time today. RTV wasn't what I wanted to use, but it was what I had on hand.

Good looking car. I always liked the 91 style painted wheels over the older style turbines. The clear parking lights would make it look even better! WagonMan

These wheels are the '90 style (flat top fins). I just painted them Ingot Silver. The turbines on my '89 CV are the painted '91 style (rounded top fins). I have an extra set of clear parking lights that I might test on the car.

[DerekTheGreat]

Oh yeah, that's the car. Thank you for the response. I think I should test my Town Car out and see if it leaks. What would you have used if you had it? RTV sounds fine to me, but would certainly be messy for anyone else who needed to come in there after me.

[monterey1962]

I would have preferred to use body seam sealer (which I have on hand), but that stuff is expensive. I didn't feel like opening the tube when I needed such a small amount.

Tail light gasket no longer leaks, however, I was still getting water in the trunk. There are three screws that penetrate the trunk space that hold the trim around the rear bumper. Looks like the factory didn't completely seal them up. I used RTV again. The leaker is marked in the pic.

The chrome trim at the base of the rear window was a mess. Three of the small studs that are for the trim clips were not aligned with the holes in the trim. Some dickhead drove screws into the car to hold the trim, however, they were not even securing the trim. I drilled new holes in the trim to align with the studs, sealed the holes from the screws, and attached the trim.

Aftermarket gauges arrived today. Where the heck am I supposed to mount them in a '90? '89 and older fit perfect under the ashtray, but the '90 has no real place to install. Only thing I can think of is to remove the ashtray, and mount in that location.

Shampooed the carpet.

[87gtVIC]

Screws are in most cases free but those clips are available from mustang websites if one desires. Cannot fix the holes added from the screws though. At least its mostly hidden once the trunk is closed.

Maybe something like this:



But molded to the ashtray. Just got to watch if these are angled or not. Flipping it will of course angle the gauges in favor of your passengers.

[Mainemantom]

I have some new pods that can be sold, that mount to the A pillar. Still in the package. I think I have pods for one, two or three gauges. They are black in color so they can be primed and painted. Pm me if interested

[monterey1962]

Thanks for the offer on the gauge pods, but I think I'm going to mount where the ashtray is. I'll let you know if I change my mind.

Seems that the rear main seal is leaking. Cleaned up the underside of the engine to help pinpoint the leak.

Upgraded to the 3G 130 amp alternator, and installed a headlight relay harness. Had to park the '89 next to the '90 so I could reference the '89's setup.

[friskyfrankie]

Did you have to alter the bracket or any mounting points to get the 3G in?

[monterey1962]

Did you have to alter the bracket or any mounting points to get the 3G in?

Only thing that changed was the top bolt on the alternator. The stock alternator has threads for the tension adjustment bolt. The 3G alternator is not threaded, and will require a nut and bolt.

[friskyfrankie]

Only thing that changed was the top bolt on the alternator. The stock alternator has threads for the tension adjustment bolt. The 3G alternator is not threaded, and will require a nut and bolt.

I'll keep it in mind. Thanks for the heads up!

[DerekTheGreat]

"..Some dickhead.."

Good eyes for spotting the leaks. Car is looking nice, love the maroon interior.

[VicCrownVic]

...
Aftermarket gauges arrived today. Where the heck am I supposed to mount them in a '90? '89 and older fit perfect under the ashtray, but the '90 has no real place to install. Only thing I can think of is to remove the ashtray, and mount in that location.
...

Another option for gauge mounting is a pod that mounts above the rearview mirror (or I suppose anywhere along the top of the windshield). An idea that I took from someone else who had done it in their box. I have the 4 gauge Autometer Gauge Works 18018 in my '98, but they also make a 2 and a 3 gauge variant.