What's Wrong With My Car NOW

[Mike_Windsor]

I decided to make a forum thread chronicling my car as it slowly gets restored into a brand new vehicle. Or something.

Vehicle: 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis LS 5.8L 351W
VIN: 2MEBP95G1GX610465
Car was born on: October 16, 1985

CURRENT ISSUE/PROJECT/PROBLEM/REPAIR: Front wheels rubbing against ???? while turning
CAR WENT INTO SHOP ON: Not Yet
ISSUE/PROJECT/PROBLEM/REPAIR RESOLVED ON: Not Yet
TOTAL COST: ?


History Of Repairs/Projects/Problems/Repairs

- rear brakes replaced (new rear shoes and adjustment springs, brake proportioning valve now behaving) [1st weekof March 2013]


List Of Things To Do

- replace shock absorbers, coil springs, raise suspension by 1 or 2 inches, replace front end bushings and swaybar linkage
- install gauges (oil pressure, coolant/antifreeze temperature, charging system voltage)
- install new rotors & bearings (all 4)
- install new tire
- install posi-trac differential
- replace front windshield
- replace left taillamp assembly (cracked on 30 December 2011 because I failed at backing up momentarily)
- replace electric door locks
- replace window motors
- replace both door mirrors (and move the damn things forward a few inches, I have to lean back to see my blind spots properly)
- replace radiator
- replace heater core (I briefly smell antifreeze whenever I turn on the heater)
- replace alternator
- replace starter motor
- replace water pump
- replace steering components (Pitman arms, tie rod, swaybar, upper control arms, lower control arms)
- replace fuel pump
- replace gas tank
- replace fuel line(s)
- replace speedometer cable (squeaks bad when it's cold)
- replace all seatbelts (two lapbelts in back are seized)
- replace oil pan
- repair/replace all chrome items
- replace weather stripping
- Bluetooth system (handsfree)
- install Decepticon LED groundlamps in front doors
- install Decepticon decal on fuel door
- install 4 BBL carbeurator & high performance intake (hedging on this one)

[Mike_Windsor]

This post will show pictures and stuff. Just because.

[Mike_Windsor]

...

Why can't I edit my posts?

[Brown_Muscle]

I laughed out loud when I read what you titled this thread. That's quite a list! Do you have any interest in learning how to do some of those things yourself or will a shop be doing it?

I'm curious as to why you wish to raise the car an inch or two? I can tell you one easy way to do it, buy and install the heavy duty police springs. My car is at least 1-2" higher than its civilian counterparts. Plus it will feel slightly less like a boat.

Also, I see you have the 351, and I assume it still has the variable venturi carb on it? If you are having any trouble with it, and wish to repair it, no one at any shop will know what to do (unless you're really lucky), but I've been studying the system over the past few years, and have manuals and repair procedures on how to fix the system if something goes wrong. There is a computer, and yes it will give you some codes, which are sometimes helpful, lol.

Please post some pictures soon!

[Mike_Windsor]

I laughed out loud when I read what you titled this thread. That's quite a list! Do you have any interest in learning how to do some of those things yourself or will a shop be doing it?

I'm curious as to why you wish to raise the car an inch or two? I can tell you one easy way to do it, buy and install the heavy duty police springs. My car is at least 1-2" higher than its civilian counterparts. Plus it will feel slightly less like a boat.

Also, I see you have the 351, and I assume it still has the variable venturi carb on it? If you are having any trouble with it, and wish to repair it, no one at any shop will know what to do (unless you're really lucky), but I've been studying the system over the past few years, and have manuals and repair procedures on how to fix the system if something goes wrong. There is a computer, and yes it will give you some codes, which are sometimes helpful, lol.

Please post some pictures soon!

Well, I want to get that all done just because I want the car to last for awhile longer.

I had the carbeurator changed out, I don't know what's on it now. Some Edelbrock thinger.

Heavy duty police springs, got it.

Incidentally, would you happen to know why I'm currently experiencing my latest woe? Something rubs against the tires it feels like when turning left and right.

[t65neon5]

what size tire are on the car now?......my 91 used to rub in the front due to weak(real weak) front springs and 235/70/15 tires.....once I replaces the front springs.....the "rubbing" issue went away

[Brown_Muscle]

Have any of the fenders been hit? A good method to find out what's rubbing can be to have someone get in the car, and turn the wheel so the rubbing occurs. While it's happening (at a low low speed) you look to see what is physically rubbing.

I've also heard of wheel bearings being loose enough that the rotor will rub the pads, What exactly does it sound like? Can you describe it? I would try what I said and looking for whatever is causing the rubbing, sometimes it's something REALLY obvious.

[Mike_Windsor]

Stock 15" tires.

The car hasn't been struck recently that I'm aware of, and it's only when the wheels are turned at a certain angle.

[grandpaslincoln]

...

Why can't I edit my posts?

IIRC, you have 30 or so seconds to edit before it becomes permanent.

[Mike_Windsor]

So I can't re-edit the first two posts on this thread? That's great.

[sly]

20 or 30 minutes to edit a post. then it's done. yeah... if I could edit the first post of my reader's ride thread... I'd always put the current pics in that post... but alas... it doesn't work that way.

[L1011tristar17]

The speedo cable does the exact same thing in my car and it's always during cold weather. Is it just as simple as replacing the cable?

[sly]

may just need to be lubed.

[Mike_Windsor]

Heh well nevermind I guess.

I could always update the thread linearly but it'll get messy fast.

[Lincolnmania]

just some advice, don't ever add up the receipts! you might drop over dead lol