1982 Ford LTD-S 351W Police Car

[Brown_Muscle]

Wow haven't updated this in a while. I know pix are king, but i don't have them right now so I'll take some tomorrow.
I installed everything in my previous list except the ball joints and vacuum advance.

I recently failed emissions. After extensive testing, I ripped the VV, wiring, and computer out. Bought two 2150 carbs I had to combine to get the correct linkage for the TV rod on the right carb, rebuilt it and threw it on the car. After tuning, I passed emissions, and on the recent trip to Scotts meet, i got 18.8 mpg going, and 17 mpg coming, a big increase in my 15.5mpg wall i was hitting with the ailing VV. Smog stuff is getting ripped out soon as well.

Installed SEM coated mint B-pillar covers, and SEM coated steering column covers, the interior is finally looking in nice shape after many years of disrepair due to sun damage.

I also have a set of 16" police steelies that will eventually be put on the car, with a modification to make my baby moon caps fit, as I want to keep the original look, with the handling benefits of the smaller side walls.

[87gtVIC]

Phil, you gonna have some sort of tabs welded onto the wheels to make the centers fit the newer wheels?

[86VickyLX]

Phil, you gonna have some sort of tabs welded onto the wheels to make the centers fit the newer wheels?

I think the plan involved the wire wheel hubcap holders...

[87gtVIC]

Ooohhhhh.

[Stealthlead]

Loving this LTD. Looks awesome!

[1987cp]

Remove computerey junk, start passing emissions. Go figure.

IIRC, Nathan in MI said that with attention, the VV can do better on gas as well. I was able to get as good as 19mpg with a 500cfm AFB, but good luck convincing inspection people that's stock.

[Brown_Muscle]

Thanks! Yeah I was going to have tabs welded on, but after talking with Ivan decided that using the hubcap holders and modifying a set of baby moons is easier and potentially safer.
I did get 19MPG with the VV once, before it began to go...despite the rebuild and adjustments I made, i just couldn't get it to run right. It was leaking out of areas it shouldn't have, pretty sure it was worn beyond repair.

[gadget73]

sometimes the only fix is to send it to the aluminum recycler. I had carbs like that on the Beetle. They were well and truly shot. I think the Qjet on Scott's dump truck is also in that category.

[Mr.Blue]

Thats a good looking ride! Dig the sexy chocolate color

[P72Ford]

sometimes the only fix is to send it to the aluminum recycler. I had carbs like that on the Beetle. They were well and truly shot. I think the Qjet on Scott's dump truck is also in that category.

Qjets are known for egging out the primary throttle plate shaft, causing all kinds of erratic conditions.

[1987cp]

sometimes the only fix is to send it to the aluminum recycler. I had carbs like that on the Beetle. They were well and truly shot. I think the Qjet on Scott's dump truck is also in that category.

Reminds me, I found my Q-jet cores, can still send them Tremontwards if desired.

[gadget73]

Qjets are known for egging out the primary throttle plate shaft, causing all kinds of erratic conditions.

It does have that problem among others. It acts like only one side works, but that might just be symptomatic of a massive air leak on that side. It is the worst running Qjet I've ever dealt with, and I've put together some shittastic Qjets on boats before. Its either that, or its got a cracked intake. I really don't know, but it acts like it basically runs on 4 cylinders. It doesn't idle well and it doesn't like to rev or start, basically all of the things a carb needs to do. If you can get it lit off, it will only idle if its at 1200 or so and it dies with any load on it.

[Brown_Muscle]

Well, I got the LTD out of the garage this week after a couple months of storage. I replaced the heater hoses, as they looked like they were about to burst. I then proceeded to rip out the smog pump and plumbing. I used a short piece of the blue silicone tube i was using for the smog stuff, and a massive 3/4" bolt and hose clamp to seal it off at the cats, and put some 5/8-11 bolts in the back of the heads. As you can see from my one picture, i have to cut it in half for ease of insulation tomorrow, they are sticking out.

For all those curious, I ended up using a 60" belt for the A/C. This is with the 351, not sure what you 302 dudes are using, however I'm curious to know.

Next up is cleaning up that MESS of wires in the engine bay, and securing the gauge box in the cabin.

[sly]

hmm... so 5/8-11 half inch long would probably be a perfect bolt for that hole in the heads?

I may have to replace the cut cross over tube patchwork on the 88.

[Brown_Muscle]

Most likely, I bought bolts that are 1.25" long, and i think they will go all the way in, but it's a pain to thread them in that far-the threads in the heads are probably full of rust. So if you can find 1/2" ones, go for it!