Blaze's 86 SVt Vic (The on-going project)

[gadget73]

well, if you dispose of the stock block on the frame, that takes care of the metering valve. You could try pulling the metering function out of the stock valve before switching over to the adjustable just to see if that changes things to your liking. You can also take the thing apart, remove both the stock metering and proportioning functions and leave it alone as a handy dandy junction block. Just add the new prop valve between the old frame mounted block and the line feeding the rear brakes.

[hemihotrod402]

ok, so I was looking at your cardomain, and I noticed what appears to be a front air dam...what is that and where did you find it?

[Blaze86Vic]

It's an OEM piece. Most of the Police models have it, though some civilian and station wagon's have it. Honestly doesn't do much if anything as it's fairly flimsy. That way it folds over if you drive over something, and then pops back into place.

[torquelover]

It is a Ford piece that was included in the r134a retrofit kit. Some later flush bumper boxes had them factory, too. 1987cp has the P/N and an original receipt from one somewhere.

[gadget73]

It is a Ford piece that was included in the r134a retrofit kit. Some later flush bumper boxes had them factory, too. 1987cp has the P/N and an original receipt from one somewhere.

well thats interesting. never would have thought that anyone would put enough effort into a retrofit kit to come up with ways to improve airflow across the condensor. it makes good sense, but it just seems like one of those things nobody would care about.

[Blaze86Vic]

It is a Ford piece that was included in the r134a retrofit kit. Some later flush bumper boxes had them factory, too. 1987cp has the P/N and an original receipt from one somewhere.

As with most things from Ford, that's not an absolute truth. My Vic has always had this air damn, and it wasn't converted from R12 till late 90's. Not saying you are wrong or anything, just that there are also cars that came with this factory even before 88. There are also different style ones too. The 79-81 have a wider version of the same part with openings in them (almost like the bumpers with the openings). I tried to get one but never did.

[johnunit]

I wonder if that'd give a fuel economy boost. It's shaped A LOT like some of the stuff people on gassavers.org put on pickups and older cars, and I've seen claimed gains in the 10-15% highway range.

[Blaze86Vic]

It's original purpose was to reduce drag. Any kind of air damn is trying to block air flow from hitting the under carriage. So it's possible, but seeing as our cars are fairly non-aerodynamic, I'm not sure you would see a 10% difference in just that, but maybe.

[91grandmarquis]

I always thought the air damns helped to bring air up into the intake hose, I know on pre EFI cars this was not possible as the intake was just an air cleaner on a carb, but I guess you learn something new every day.

[Blaze86Vic]

Well I did some playing around since I put some "new" tires on the Vic.....so naturally I had to finish off the old ones that did have a little tread left. Enjoy!

First one is normal video, and the second can be viewed in 720p HD (was filmed with a GoPro Hero HD.)

[87gtVIC]

Such win. Scary seeing the rear axle moving all around while doing that. Did you get the adjustable proportioning valve in there yet?

[Blaze86Vic]

Such win. Scary seeing the rear axle moving all around while doing that. Did you get the adjustable proportioning valve in there yet?

Actually no :/ but I will once these bushings come in. I've got a set of rear poly bushings on order, and when they come in I am going to take the rear end out of the car and clean it all up. And install the prop. valve then as well.

[Blaze86Vic]

I replaced the stock rubber bushings with ES poly bushings on the rear control arms. I installed a new cast aluminum diff cover with carrier bearing cap supports. I powder coated the cover with a transparent Hawaiian blue when I got it. You can see how close it is to the Police rear anti-sway bar, but it does clear! You will have to remove (or at least lower) the bar to install this cover. I also installed a new brake line since it was the last of the old hoses on the car. Feels great, and now I have no more wheel hop no matter how aggressive I get with it. Some future drifting videos are in order for sure!

[torquelover]

Looks great. I always wondered what kind of clearance there would be to the rear sway bar. It's closer than I thought. How is the clearance to the gas tank?

[Blaze86Vic]

Looks great. I always wondered what kind of clearance there would be to the rear sway bar. It's closer than I thought. How is the clearance to the gas tank?

Not even a concern. More than 2"-4" or so.