1993 Mark VIII convertible progress

[billcu]

Since my convertible needs a little work, I thought I'd start a progress thread.

Things that need work so far:

The interior is the rare 93 only Mocha color. I don't care for it though, so I'll be changing it to black, maybe with a backwards twist for me, gray seats, as they don't get as hot in the sun.
Both front power seats don't move either.

I'll save the original stuff of course.

The radio is an aftermarket with I think only one speaker working now.

The antenna is broken.

The interior rear view mirror is off the windshield.

The convertible motor doesn't work.

There is ugly fake light colored wood all over the interior parts and dash.

I forgot how dim the original burned headlights can be.

The engine compartment is filthy.

The wheels aren't chrome, but they are actually in nice shape.

I started by taking the interior and trunk trim out to clean everything up, and work on the convertible motor and aftermarket speakers/wiring.

One issue I have, is the rear seat back was narrowed in the middle, to fit the convertible mechanism.

Here's some photos showing the difference, and my possible choices for the seat back. Notice the 93 didn't have the Continental Star, and the 96 had the center arm rest and narrower Continental Stars then the 94. The gray and other black seat are 94's.

First the before photo.

 

[billcu]

Here's the gray seat.

 

[Lvnmarks]

Albeit hard to keep clean, I kinda like mocha color. Definitely ditch the fake wood grain, I think the only way to make that look good is if you can remove the trim and have it hydro-dipped.

 

[steve]

It sounds like you don't like it anymore, I can help you and will take it off your hands if you want to give it to me :wink2-green

 

[Ford nut]

Make it how you want it I say!
Are you going to shore up the frame at all?

 

[warden]

I like the lights by the rear speakers. Omitted in my 95.

 

[billcu]

Oh, I still like the car, I just want to make it better.

I already spoke to Jeremi about strengthening the frame, he said he has some ideas. That will be after I've fixed all the other items and brought the car up to snuff though.

Jeremi noticed those rear lights too, I don't know if they will be put back in when I change the panels out for black ones, they look a little kludgy to me?

 

[warden]

Out of curiosity, did you tap the top motor to see if it would work? Sometimes mine stops working so I tap it with a hammer or screwdriver. Then it goes slowly. I wanna rebuild the motor.

 

[billcu]

Thanks Jeff, yes, I did try the motor tapping trick, that didn't work.

I took the motor apart, the armature seems to be shorted out.

We need a Mark VIII convertible section here.

 

[billcu]

I got the interior out today. It's ugly, but it should clean up ok.

The car was previously stored outside and has some convertible water leaks, the carpet was drenched on the passenger's side. The carpet and floor are all stained from rust, mostly from the seat frames.

I've seen some rusty seat frames before (they don't paint the metal for some reason) but these are the worst I've seen. I'm guessing the wet carpet caused this over time.

The seats wouldn't even move. I had to take them apart inside the car, to get to the bolts holding the seats down.

I'll be cleaning and treating the floor and replacing the seats.

Here's some before photos.

 

[tixer]

Bummer about the water leak and the rust, Bill. Best of luck with the clean-up! At least you'll be able to work on it all winter, in what I can only assume is your living room there..

 

[beerdog]

You are a madman!

 

[billcu]

I put the new top motor in and lowered the top.

You can see why the top leaked at the windshield, the seal is shot and mostly missing, that should be an easy fix.

 

[tixer]

new motor sure is pretty though.

Kudos for making rapid progress!


We need some top-down photos now!

 

[Ford nut]

Never good to just let a car sit, let alone sit outside.

 

[billcu]

new motor sure is pretty though.

Kudos for making rapid progress!


We need some top-down photos now!

Thanks.

Here's the first top down photo.

I started cleaning up the floor today, I used some CLR, it works great.:thumbsup:

 

[redn8]

If anyone can do a great job it's you.

 

[billcu]

Thanks Norm.

 

[tixer]

May as well re-splice all 800 wires on the ABS module while you're in there...

 

[billcu]

May as well re-splice all 800 wires on the ABS module while you're in there...

I think I'd rather splice a few wires than all this cleaning stuff sometimes.

I took the drill and wire wheel to the floor to clean up any remaining surface rust. Luckily, I've got an old can of dupli color deep jewel green paint to cover any bare metal spots.

If there's any paint left, I'll paint the discolored damping material.