New Mark VIII Owner

M

MindyMark

Registered
Hi all!

I've always loved the Mark series but haven't ever had one. My first car was a 77 Lincoln Town Car followed by a 90 Cougar and 96 Cougar. Sadly about 2 years ago I sold my 96 Cougar because I didn't need a second car. I took great care of the Cougar and made it to 212k without any major issues then I sold it to a co-worker for $1700. After having some dreams about buying the Cougar back I started shopping around for another one.

I guess you could say I bleed Ford Blue.

I realized that my old Cougar couldn't be replaced so I thought I would do the next best thing and found a 1996 Mark VIII that needed some much TLC. I'd rather have the Gen II, a different color (inside and out) plus a moonroof but I couldn't let this Mark go. I picked it up for $1650 with 104k on it.

I've already put about 1000 miles on it and have yet to find any major problems. The climate control fan had the loose connection, a tweaker was loose and the power antenna was broken. As far as I can tell there are no leaking air bags and the interior is in great shape for a Mark of this year. The biggest problem is the body, which the seller provided a new drivers side front fender and a new grill.

I've already replaced the front fender and will do the grill when I have the time.

Looking forward to getting it repainted and catching up on the maintenance (coolant really needs flushed).

I'll keep you updated!

Here are some pictures that I took the day after I bought it.

http://flickr.com/photos/cyearns/sets/72157602406833729/

Oh and Mindy is the name of the Mark. :)
 
Welcome to the LOD!! You can find Gen I grills on ebay usually. Or contact jamie (jamies98lsc) here on the board. He scraps Mark VIII's by the dozen and has a good supply of parts.
 
Sorry, cant help it.

Your wheels are backwards. Bought mine that way, didnt know till someone here pointed it out. Now I notice it all the time.
 
Welcome! :)

It's exciting to see another Lincoln enthusiast start their love affair. :D

Good luck with the 'project' and keep us updated! :)
 
Be2lose said:
Sorry, cant help it.

Your wheels are backwards. Bought mine that way, didnt know till someone here pointed it out. Now I notice it all the time.
Click to expand...

So basically they are on the wrong side of the car?

Guess that limits your choices of patterns for tire rotation doesn't it?
 
MindyMark said:
So basically they are on the wrong side of the car?

Guess that limits your choices of patterns for tire rotation doesn't it?
Click to expand...

Yep, simply put the wheels you have on the left side of your car back on the right side and visa virsa. Or better yet, if you had the tires put on recently, take it back and call THEM the dummy's!!! They should have known better. Inside of the wheel have the direction of rotation marked.
 
Welcome!

Nice car, too bad about the body damage, but it sounds like you'll be bringing it back to it's original glory.

It's good that you used to own a Cougar, as the Lincoln FN10 platform shares a lot with the MN12 platform.
 
Trixie said:
Congrats and welcome! I'm sure you're going to absolutely love the car!
Click to expand...

Going to? Hell I bought it because I love them!

I actually had no plans on buying this one until after I test drove it. It had nothing I wanted in a Mark except that it was a Mark, plus a decent price so I couldn't walk away.
 
budpytko said:
Yep, simply put the wheels you have on the left side of your car back on the right side and visa virsa. Or better yet, if you had the tires put on recently, take it back and call THEM the dummy's!!! They should have known better. Inside of the wheel have the direction of rotation marked.
Click to expand...

Nope, no new tires on this Mark. They have decent tread on them but I didn't buy them.

The car has been sitting for a while but I did get the tires rotated and balanced but the steering wheel still shakes at 65mph+. I hear the Mark is sensitive to wheel imbalance (and drive shaft imbalances) but any chance the side the wheels are on causing a vibration in the steering wheel?

BTW, what makes the Mark so sensitive to wheel imbalance versus any other car?
 
I had to have mine "force balanced" by FLM when I had my HydroEdge's installed. They just wouldn't bubble balance.

You also have a two piece driveshaft that may be contributing to your shake.....
 
You think the driveshaft imbalance could cause the steering wheel shake? For the most part I don't feel a vibration except in the steering wheel.

There is a shop close to me that has a "road force" balance machine but I haven't been there. I just paid for a lifetime rotation and balance from this other shop that doesn't have that machine. :-(
 
Some things that can make a car sensitive to wheel imbalance problems are worn rubber bushings. I'd check the bushings, especially the srtut rod bushings in these cars.

If you've got a liftime balancing contract with a regular high speed balancer, I'd try that first.

The only time I've had a shaking wheel problem at speed was with defective tires.
 
I agree with billcu, keep taking it back until they put get sick of seeing you and they pick up the tab for a force balance.

...and now Mindy, if you have any other questions about your car, you need to address them in the forum that is the subject of the forum as this is the Greetings forum...faster responses in the correct forum. Thanks....and again, WELCOME!!
 
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Oh I know how forums work, I also know they get off topic too. :)

Thanks for the welcomes and look forward to learning more about the Mark and helping others along the way!
 
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