T.A.'s 83 CV Police

[1987cp]

The Performer 2122 (or Summit 4400, identical specs) works great with a basic Performer combo, pulls really hard through about 4500rpm. Unless you need to spin more serious RPM, a 500cfm carb will be plenty and if a 1404, offers good response for a 50 year old design. The 1406 offers good performance, but is definitely less than ideal for economy. I've been getting increasingly interested in learning more about Holley-based designs such as the BG Road Demon as well as the good old Quadrabog for just that reason.

Hardly anyone I know of with mods is still running the smog pump, and a good handful of those guys still pass emissions just fine. Cats are nominally required most everywhere, I'm pretty sure (lots of state laws about "removing an emissions control device"), but I guess it's up to you to determine whether your inspection folks would fault you for their absence.

[trwp72]

Couple of things...

Rust---
First, check the trunk lid inside near the bottom... these cars seem to always start rusting there... It is hard to find a good trunk lid in a yard for these. If it isn't rusted any, make sure the drain holes are open, and then I would undercoat inside the trunk lid down at the bottom. Second, they like to rust in the trunk lip in the corners near the back glass... so check there, and run you hand under neath the trunk lip to check for rust... this area has a problem because Ford overlapped the metal seam there the wrong way, so it holds just a tiny bit of water... then starts rusting around the seam sealer, then starts to rust underneath the seam seal. Another place to look is at the top rear corners of the back door opening... I founf two areas of rust there on my 91 when I painted it last year. Last, the "A" pillar, near the seam in the middle of the door opening. (Between the door hinges) The upper door hinge bolts will allow water into the "A"pillar, then it starts rusting. if there is any rust starting there... take the bolts out of the upper hinge one at a time, and silicone the bolt really good, and re-install... other wise every time it rains, you will be getting water into the "A" pillar.

Suspension...
Check the upper control bushings, to see if they are the solid bushings... (Look for grease fittings on the end caps) if they are, grease them, and make sure whoever does the oil changes does the bushings everytime! Also, stand there and watch them do it.. to make sure they do it. It is a pain to do, and alot of times they will say they did it, when they didn't.

Ticket light...
Ace hardware can still order the original ticket light, that came on the car originally. You will have to have them get their catalog out, and order it for you... I bought two for my cars, they were like $7.00 a piece a few years ago... They are made by peterson lights.. here is the link.... to the ticket light page...

http://www.pmlights.com/products.cfm?cId=3&fId=10&pId=1465

Hope this helps,,,

Tom...

[87gtVIC]

Couple of things...

Last, the "A" pillar, near the seam in the middle of the door opening. (Between the door hinges) The upper door hinge bolts will allow water into the "A"pillar, then it starts rusting. if there is any rust starting there... take the bolts out of the upper hinge one at a time, and silicone the bolt really good, and re-install... other wise every time it rains, you will be getting water into the "A" pillar.

Tom...

Taking those bolts out can be done with the fender still on the car?

[tamalpass]

Couple of things...

Hope this helps,,,

Tom...

All VERY helpful! Thanks!!!

[gadget73]

Taking those bolts out can be done with the fender still on the car?

With a wrench. Bit of a pain, but its tolerable with a ratchet wrench.

600 cfm is plenty. 500 should do it with a mild motor, but if you've got the 600 already, go for it.

[87gtVIC]

With a wrench. Bit of a pain, but its tolerable with a ratchet wrench.

Ok i have a 1/2 ratchet wrench and will find out asap. I may be getting water in from there so i will silicone them up. It really really looks like a horrible job to do this.

[tamalpass]

600 cfm is plenty. 500 should do it with a mild motor, but if you've got the 600 already, go for it.

Don't have either, yet. Doing my research, first.

Mild, bottom end, motor is the goal with good mpg.

[tamalpass]

Oh Yeah, after cleaing off some overspray on the driver door jamb label, I found axle code 8.

I believe that is a 2.73, yes?

That mean I got a highway runner.

[tamalpass]

The 91 wagon has a K code. 3:55

Isn't that a posi?

I bet the wagon is quicker off the line. mmmmmm... got me thinkin'...

[88Vic]

If you'e thinkin axle swap, I wouldn't since the wagon would be increadibly slow with 2.73's, I know the sedans are. I would try to find some junkyard gears, 3.27 and lower would be awesome, just some 3.08's really wouldn't be worth the hassle.

[insomniac391]

nice, i need to get my hands on a 351.

[tamalpass]

After taking a closer look at the doors, they are in better shape than first looks. Only the passenger front has some bad stuff, but my Brother In Law (a bodyman, painter) says it's not a problem to fix.

I feel better as that mens I won't have to go looking for doors this weekend.

This is good.

[87gtVIC]

door are a pain in the butt to change anyway.

[tamalpass]

door are a pain in the butt to change anyway.

I can imagine.

I need to score some front seatage and a dash pad. Might get lucky and find some multi switches for the turn signal and wipers this weekend.

[1987cp]

Pics of the seats?