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Dr.Hax's journey to madness with a blue 1986 crown victoria

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    Dr.Hax's journey to madness with a blue 1986 crown victoria

    Hello, after posting a lot here I decided maybe it was time for me to.. umm.. post in here since I've kind of have invaded your forum and you guys have yet to give me a swift boot in the ass.

    I drive a blue 1986 crown victoria.

    *takes a deep breath* The story of how I ended up with this car all starts off with the story of my first "Driver" car. A 2001 red saturn sc2 that is a decommissioned kicker show car. Well for those of you who know saturns.. The car has the wonderful reverse slam issue, aka a failing valve body in the automatic transmission due to NOBODY FREAKING FLUSHING THE GOD DAMN THING IN 16x,xxx miles! Some days it would work fine. some days it would stall. Others it was sunshine unicorns and rainbows flying out out the plastic barbie's car interior as I am rocking away with a nice sound system.

    However, the days got worse and worse. I was driving more and more and I was starting to get paranoid of the cars ability to get me from point A to B. So I started looking at other cars. Here's the deal,I am 21 and I detest modern cars. I hate them. I work with them, they are cramped, made out of plastic and so many of them feel like a phone booth or a public restroom. I prefer the feel of older cars every day of the week. So I needed a daily driver, yet I needed something that would be a real car compared to a plastic saturn. I look over craigslist and I can't find anything that seems right. There's nothing that screams "HOLY SHIT BALLS I MUST HAVE THIS."

    It is Nov, I am in work, and an old lady comes in with a car. She calls it an LTD the service writer calls it a crown victoria. I get handed the keys. I go outside and it see it parked in the handicap spot. A pristine 1989 Crown Victoria LX black with every option ticked that was able to be ticked. Car was MINT cherry and apparently unkept by her late husband. I sat down in the car rolled down the window and drove into the garage with one finger on the steering wheel. The younger kids were confused by it, the older guys were like THIS IS A CAR. I loved it. The big bench seat the massive engine, It was a beauty. Now i would love to wrap up the story saying THIS IS THE CAR I GOT, but sadly, (or maybe not) this isn't the car I got. No that black one planted the seed for me.

    My car came to my attention via craigslist. There was nothing in the 1950's in DD status on craigslist, or the 1960s, the 1970's cost more then the 1960's go figure. So I step it up to 1980's and I sort via price. On craigslist there is an ad for a 1986 crown victoria for 1000 american dollars. I think about it, I think about, a week later I decided it was time to contact the person and ask some questions. There were no pictures on the ad so I straight up ask for pictures over the phone. I get them. the car is blue, the car's interior looks to be beautiful. The listing is for a city that's only a highway shot away. Destiny is before me. I tell a family friend who knows fords about it. I get information about it from him, and a ford mechanic at my work who has been in the scene for 40 years. I gather up what to look for, and I go see it.

    This is the car I am greeted with (these are the pictures I received actually.)
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    I see it parked in snow. it is January 15th. It was just -27 a few days ago it is freaking cold. My fiancee and I go up. I wanted her as a backup a second set of eyes and opinion since if I get this car her ass is going to be in the passenger seat. So i park the saturn and before I knock on the door I give it a once over. I jump into the snow and check out the car. I go around seeing if there's any obvious signs of GTFO RUN AWAY! I see nothing. So we go up and knock on the door. An old man greets us and grabs the keys and takes us to it. We try to get the door open. They're locked and frozen shut. So he grabs a heat gun as his grandson comes over since it was "his" car apparently. As they're doing this am being super critical thinking of every reason to say NO to buying this car I was being picky as shit. I was nit picking everything. We finally get into the car after the lock wasn't working (turns out we're all retards and it unlocks by turning the other way )

    I sit in it I get the door open for my fiancee I pop open the hood and I take a peak under it I'm checking out fluids. I'm seeing if there's sign of the neglect I basically go through what I would do at work. Everything is great. We get in it we ask if we can take it out for a spin. I get the Okay and I go for it. We drive over the snow bank and down the icy street. as we're driving the car is steering great. Everything is great the freaking god damn clock in the dash is working! I have my fiancee dig through the glovebox to see if there's anything. She finds an original bill of sale for 500$ I decide it was time to test the brakes and see if the car can stop. I stomp on the and my fiancee is nearly launched up through the windshield. The seatbelts work! Everything was right. I bring the car back and we start talking. I point out every freaking flaw with the car and we do the haggling dance.

    They start out at 1000$ I am no way in hell going to pay that. I point out the rust in the trunk (News to them! They had no idea it was there) the missing trim, the surface rust, the fact I need to do X Y and ZED to it. So I point blank ask them what's their lowest they come back with 800 I low ball for 500$, They come back with 750$ I say 550$ they just give each other a look of defeat. Their shoulders slack and they both look at each other and say "Have a heart would you do 600$"

    Sold! That's the price I wanted to pay! I had 6 100's in an envelope. Now here's where the charisma test comes in. My fiancee doesn't have a license. My hotrod ford buddy canceled out and called my parents(parents NOT HAPPY WITH ME. No way in hell they would help with this.) a few days ago. Now heres the issue I just a bought a car I have no way to get it back. What do I do? I ask them if one of them would be wiling to drive the car back for me to my place and I would give them a ride back.

    They agreed!

    600$ delivered to my fiancee's house. I get the car home get some geico insurance on it. Then I have her mother help me get it back. Everybody is impressed with the car because of how "clean" it is for a MN car. My parents are in pure freaking horror I bought this thing. but life moves on and they have forgiven me. that same day they all wanted a ride in it.

    Now for what the journey of madness entails. How I got here. My car was having issues starting. It just died one day.. it would stall out and things weren't being happy. We broke down twice, and things were dicey. At first we thought it was a fuel filter, I got an account set up at the CVN but they were so slow to respond so I had no idea wtf was wrong with the car. It was acting like a fuel delivery issue. It seems like the fuel pump was out! So I replaced that, Turns out that wasn't the issue.(I find this place, so I start posting) I replace the ignition coil (Ford mechanic recommendation).. wasn't that. The TFI replaced (By your guys recommendation) wasn't that. My power steering pump explodes and I limp it with a lead foot to a local mechanic. Local mechanic can't get it out of his shop. he installs a new part

    Yupe Dizzy pick up. So after that I get the car back and life is good. Until the motorcraft TFI fails and I end up putting back on the aftermarket TFI that came with the car.. Life is good again...
    Last edited by DrHax; 04-01-2016, 01:51 AM. Reason: spelling

    #2
    Now for how the car looks now after I've owned it since january!
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    And for the interior!
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    Modifications done to the car so far/ parts replaced.

    CNT E85 255lph mustang fuelpump in NOS hanger assembly.
    Modified how the tank straps get bolted to the body. I ended up going to menards after finding out no ford dealership in a literal 80 mile radius stock crown victoria tank parts.
    New accel ignition coil.
    Cleaned out filthy IAC and installed new gaskets.
    New power steering pump (installed by Marv's and sons in isanti)
    Dizzy pickup (Installed my Marv's and sons in isanti)
    Motorcraft TFI (POS gave out leaving me installing a the old one I replaced in a parking lot.)
    Nokian 215/70R15 Entyre 2.0 tires, 700 threadwear tires, 70,000 mile warranty made in Russia. Tires are silent and are way better then the Eldorado white walls that came with the car that were older then me.
    Replica unilug Astro Supremes painted black with bullet centre caps and lug nuts and trim rings.
    Original radio replaced (turning into a hiss box that didn't work. It was cool and neat seeing the original radio in the car, but while it was on its last leg it wasn't that impressive having to smack it to get it to pick up a station)
    Radio installed 7"android touch screen double din dvd head unit with GPS, Bluetooth, WI-FI and reverse back up camerea (Camera coming soon!)

    Things to do (Hopefully)
    Pound out dents
    Find missing lower quarter panel passenger trim piece (Looking for that missing piece BTW if somebody has it hit me up. I need it.)
    Fix rust and blend paint.
    Adjust passenger doors.
    Get front bumper back to normal (one side is pushed in a bit, I tried hammering on it with a sledge hammer on the plate were it connects but it wouldn't budge. Guess somebody backed up into it in the parking lot or something stupid like that. Bumper itself is not damaged it just looks like the bumper mount got pushed back a bit on the passenger side.)
    Install 2 300w 12 inch subs I have into trunk.
    Install Reverse backup camera.
    Install LED taillights to blind those who drive hondas and feel it is required by MN law to ride my bloody bumper.
    Paint brake drums and calibers.
    Last edited by DrHax; 04-01-2016, 02:19 AM.

    Comment


      #3
      After doing a vin search I found an old ad for when they were selling the car.
      This is a beautiful car. We purchased it from the estate of the original owner, armers in southern Minnesota. so most of the miles are on country roads. It was housed in a barn for a couple of years b


      Apparently they wanted 1,900$ a few years ago. The information on it seems to be a bit off.
      It isn't FWD, it doesn't have power seats or power windows (massive selling point for me. I hate power windows) My car is basically a base model somebody picked what options they wanted.

      Information about the car according to the ad.

      "This is a beautiful car. We purchased it from the estate of the original owner, armers in southern Minnesota. so most of the miles are on country roads. It was housed in a barn for a couple of years before we purchased it. Cleaned up beautifully! It was well taken care of!! All interior and exterior are original and in great shape! Just a couple of dings and very small rust spots. Interior is immaculate! Even the radio is original!Here is what we have put into it (all new): spark plugs & wires, istributor cap, uel filter, PS sensor, gnition coil, nd probably a couple of other things that I can't remember. We have spent a lot of time and cash cleaning her up. Tires are in moderate condition. There is only one issue with it, hich I think is a fix that would not be terrible, y son just is bored with it and so we are selling it. Some days it will kill when slowing to an intersection. This does not happen all the time, ust sometimes, nd usually starts back up right away. Like I said some days it does not do this and drives like a dream. It runs very quiet.We have the title in hand, eady to sell."

      Seems they got old car to get son something to do, Son gets bored with it, or the price of the gas makes him appreciate his primered KIA spectra with a kenwood audio system much more. Cue handlebar mustache asshole with slicked back hair to come with a wad of cash and a trench coat. Blam car is mine.

      Comment


        #4
        At least they were honest with the old ad. If I had known what I know now about these then I think I would've bought a 1990-1992 Cadillac Brougham d'Elegance instead with the 350 TBI engine. It's always something with these damn things.
        1985 LTD Crown Victoria - SOLD
        1988 Town Car Signature - Current Party Barge

        Comment


          #5
          Sort of an odd one to have crank windows but granny trim. I'm a big fan of power windows in a car that I can't reach 3 of them without getting out of the car to operate. OTOH my AC works, so i don't really use the windows.


          I had no idea you could even get Russian tires. Do they drive on you?
          86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
          5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

          91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

          1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

          Originally posted by phayzer5
          I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

          Comment


            #6
            Nokian's are finnish tires in made in russia. PERKELE! They're really nice. Cheaper then crap you get at walmart. Last a long time too. People's only complaint about them is after 20,000 miles they stop being quiet. I wonder how many people get their tires balanced in that time frame.

            Yeah the car is a bit odd. It was one of those special order things. It's a canadian made car too. However the country road thing explains why there was fifty arces of sand falling on my head when I was replacing the fuel pump.

            Comment


              #7
              Pics of the engine are required. Is this thing carpitated or EFI?

              Edit: Yep, it's EFI. Carbs don't require TFI modules.
              Last edited by DerekTheGreat; 04-01-2016, 12:12 PM. Reason: I didn't read the first post well enough.
              1985 LTD Crown Victoria - SOLD
              1988 Town Car Signature - Current Party Barge

              Comment


                #8
                They were all made in Canada after 85 I think. The Canadians also caught up with us technologically in 1986, they were all EFI. The Canucks missed the joys of CFI, cars destined for sale up there had a 2bbl.
                86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
                5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

                91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

                1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

                Originally posted by phayzer5
                I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

                Comment


                  #9
                  Nice find and very good price these days!

                  Unlike Gadget, I like crank windows when I can find them. Less things to break down.

                  Hows the rust on the underside of the car and frame? I always see older cars for sale in Minnesota for some reason but I would think being that far north, a lot of them would be mostly rotted out.

                  I also dig that analog clock. If you ever plan on swapping it for a digital one, PM me. I'll take it off your hands.

                  '78 LTD | '87 Grand Marquis | '89 Crown Vic (RIP) | '91 Grand Marquis (RIP) | '94 Town Car (RIP) | '97 Town Car (RIP)

                  Comment


                    #10
                    The car is cherry underneath. The only rust is isolated in those two brackets that are past the rear wheels in the flat part of the trunk. The two holes which those brackets have trapped dirt, sand, and salt and rusted through to the top of the trunk. Theres a few holes there now so when it was muddy I ended up with some mud on the top of my trunk. I have made due temporarily with some cardboard over them. Yes it's a bit ghetto but it stops the mud from invading my trunk. But the chassis is clean, the floorpan is clean the rockers are great the only rust other then those two small sections in the trunk are the surface rust and the small rust through on the drivers front fender.

                    I love the crank windows, and I am never swapping out my analog clock. It's noisy goodness is something I love about the car. I feel partially bad about swapping out the original radio, but as long as i retain the clock I should be good to go.

                    Here's what the car for options.
                    It has AC ( I need to recharge it. It was retrofited for 134a in 2012. I was told it worked by the PO's. I am guessing it just needs a recharge)
                    Granny Trim on the sides, but the bumpers have no strips
                    It has a mirror on the drivers side only. (Confused my fiancee when she took it for a drive and realized there was no mirror.)
                    Theres no power anything in the car. Windows, Locks, Trunk, (Locked my keys in my trunk at work. Had to have somebody drive me up to my fiancee's to get the spare keys to get out my main keys.) aerial all non power.
                    It had a non preminum sound FM/AM radio.
                    It has a weird aftermarket or maybe even dealership installed rear window defroster. That's that weird switch under the dash.
                    It's what I call triple blue. Blue interior, blue exterior, and blue vinyl top with light blue pinstriping.

                    I think somebody just went to the dealership was shown a top of the line car. Refused everything on the lot and had them order in a car how they wanted it. because the car was well taken care of. Everybody at my work was impressed with how well the car handles and steers. I mean everything is tip top shape. The exhaust system has no rust on it all.

                    I really do love this car. It's grown on me quite a bit. I do love the torque the engine has. I know its not a landspeed record holder but the thing does have some get up and go if need be. Which is great because I've had some encounters with silver minivans that always seem to try to kill me.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Nice! I guess they don't use salt in Minnesota like they do here!

                      I hear you with never swapping that clock. I've been passively looking for one for a while now. I dig the analog look over the digital. The radio swap you did looks good. The modern upgrade actually fits nicely in the dash. Much more than I was expecting. (This is coming from a dude who swapped the PO's aftermarket radio with an '87... but then again, half my car has been swapped with an '87 )

                      Crazy option combos are the best. Definitely gives the car character. I like how they went with a clock and radio but said "nahhh" on the passenger side mirror. I mean, how much extra could that have possibly saved them at the dealership? haha Definitely a rare bird you got there.

                      Side note, I feel like there's something special about the "triple blue" car configuration. From my experience, they always seem to be in decent shape for their age and cost much less than their counterparts. I've owned/own (all triple blue) a '78 LTD, '82 DeVille, '84 Celebrity, '94 TownCar... and they were all $1000 or less. I don't know what it is. Blue's not my favorite color but I seem to keep buying them and they've definitely been my favorites (besides my '89). haha
                      Last edited by slack; 04-02-2016, 02:07 AM.

                      '78 LTD | '87 Grand Marquis | '89 Crown Vic (RIP) | '91 Grand Marquis (RIP) | '94 Town Car (RIP) | '97 Town Car (RIP)

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Almost a twin to my triple-blue '85, except mine has a passenger mirror but doesn't have the upgraded wood trim on the dash.
                        1985 LTD Crown Victoria
                        1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
                        1996 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4, 360

                        Past: 1995 Crown Victoria Police Interceptor

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Not terrible for 600. The hacked in Double DIN kills it for me though
                          1986 Mercury Grand Marquis "5.0" (160,000)

                          2011 Ford Crown Victoria "4.6" (54,000)

                          2015 Jeep Wrangler JK Willys "3.6" (48,000)

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by DerekTheGreat View Post
                            Edit: Yep, it's EFI. Carbs don't require TFI modules.
                            I take it you've never seen the carbureted f150 with the TFI modules then huh?

                            Holy crap! That thing has one sideview mirror! I thought they became standard starting in 82?

                            Comment


                              #15
                              oh dear god, the EEC-IV carb engines. No, just no.
                              86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
                              5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

                              91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

                              1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

                              Originally posted by phayzer5
                              I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

                              Comment

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