RE: Just bought a 90 TownCar...
Dave,
you're good. The motor is $59 and some change from AutoZone. Will hit them for it soon and do the replace. As I was getting the oil changed yesterday, the guy in the pit told me that the trans pan and the oil pan both had leaks. I will get some gaskets from the Zone at the same time and correct those problems and hopefully the initial maintenance phase will be over. This car otherwise seems to be in really good shape to have 153K on the clock, but now I have a bunch of additional questions, so bear with me.
The ride is a bit floaty for my taste, but I think a 17 wheel with perhaps 235/55 or 235/60 rubber might fix that some. Are these tire sizes appropriate, i.e., will they scrub anywhere or otherwise hamper ride quality, etc. any more than can be expected due to the reduction in sidewall size? What is the tallest tire size that I can go with given a 17" wheel on this car? Would these larger wheels/tires interfere with or otherwise obstruct the TC's suspension travel or angles? Also, can anyone tell me what the required offset is for this car's wheels?
While I am on this suspension kick, I was wondering if the parts of 92 and up Towncar suspension will work on the 90 since the 90 has the carry-over suspension from the previous generation cars. Anyone know the answer to this question? I was wondering because a buddy of mine has a wrecked 92 in his boneyard and I was planning on pulling swaybars and anything else from the suspension that might firm the ride up a bit. It also has dual exhaust, which I will also probably pilfer. Heck, while I am at it, maybe I will pull the wiper motor too and save myself some bucks from the AutoZone parts that I have to buy!
Lastly, I have noticed air escaping from a spot just above the manifold on the passenger side of the car. It seems to be coming from a hose/tube that fits into a little silver almost dashpot looking mechanism. What is this piece called? Is it something dealing with exhaust gas recalculation or something like that and if so, how expensive of a part is this to replace? I figure the leak must be coming from there because there is a soot stain on the upper intake plenum right above this little metal piece that I am guessing is a result of this "warm" air I am feeling from this area. Am I in the right ballpark? Strangely enough, there doesn't seem to be a sound related to this leak. I just happened upon it while checking the transmission fluid.
Thanks for all of you guys who have given answers and comments to date and also to those that have to read this long a@# post.
m