Car comes home from the shop tomorrow morning (it is done and paid for, they are taking it down for a wash-job). When I get her home, she will get a little bit of detailing and some love, being she has been sitting and being worked on for the last two weeks. Some updated pics will follow (although I work a 26hr shift tomorrow).
1997 Base half-breed
- Thread starter markup97
- Start date
Car has been home since Saturday morning and I have been driving it (sometimes HARD) to shake the rebuilt trans out and see where it stands. Runs great with firm, crisp shifts while not being harsh. I believe it is that way because the 1-2 and 2-3 accumulator lower springs are still installed. Even with that, the 2-3 shift is quite snappy and will chirp the rear tire just a little when it hits. Feels good.
Did a bit of SeaFoaming to the engine Sunday while at work. It was a bit dirty and seems to respond a bit quicker now that it got 'canned'. The SeaFoam probably knocked some of the gunk out of the intake system and got the IMRC blades working smoothly again. She is a bit lazy to 30mph, but when the revs hit she gets up and MOVES. Also replaced the Gold 'MARK VIII' trunk emblem with a refurbished salvage yard chrome unit. Now I need to find a home for the Gold unit and pick up a chrome 'LINCOLN' trunk script emblem to temporary-install until other mods are completed and it will be worthy to wear the SVT badge.
It has been rainy here for the last two days, so not a lot of work done on the car. I did pull, fix, clean, and reinstall the underhood forward plastic panels and cleaned up the alternator 'helmet'. Used some Pledge and a sponge (with a slight bit of Black shoe polish) to restore color to the wrinkled/chipped areas of the front seats. Cleaned the rest of the seats, then the rain started falling heavy!
More updates as they happen.
Did a bit of SeaFoaming to the engine Sunday while at work. It was a bit dirty and seems to respond a bit quicker now that it got 'canned'. The SeaFoam probably knocked some of the gunk out of the intake system and got the IMRC blades working smoothly again. She is a bit lazy to 30mph, but when the revs hit she gets up and MOVES. Also replaced the Gold 'MARK VIII' trunk emblem with a refurbished salvage yard chrome unit. Now I need to find a home for the Gold unit and pick up a chrome 'LINCOLN' trunk script emblem to temporary-install until other mods are completed and it will be worthy to wear the SVT badge.
It has been rainy here for the last two days, so not a lot of work done on the car. I did pull, fix, clean, and reinstall the underhood forward plastic panels and cleaned up the alternator 'helmet'. Used some Pledge and a sponge (with a slight bit of Black shoe polish) to restore color to the wrinkled/chipped areas of the front seats. Cleaned the rest of the seats, then the rain started falling heavy!
More updates as they happen.
SCTBIRD1173
Mark my Bird!
Glad things are coming together for you.
Bryan, things are slow to happen, as finances and moving are getting in the way. If I could sell one of my cars and all of the parts to it, I could breathe easier about the move. Once the move is complete, then I have to start building up my connections/network in Florida. I can then proceed to work this car to a level I would like it to be at.
Well, been driving it some more. The people who had it before me took some black tape and taped over the 'Check Engine' light in the message center. They even went so far as to use clear Scotch tape across the entire face to hide the fact it was there. Yup, check engine light is on, and fuel mileage display says I am getting 16mpg (that is averaging the city/hgwy driving I do in the normal work week, with more of it being city). I assume it is probably either EGR or an O2 sensor failed (will find out once I get it back to Florida and hook to SCT scanner to it.
Also noted that the car is still burning the trans fluid. The 3rd cat was SOAKED from the old trans rear seal failing, and I imagined it was from that. But (to me anyway) it has been too long and driven too far for it to be that. I will take it back in next week for them to look it over before it hits the road for Florida.
Dash lights are acting odd now. They will not come on when I turn the switch over to activate the headlights. It takes a special VoDoo to get them to come on. I have to stick the key in the ignition, roll it to the Access/run position, turn the lights all the way on, then start the car for them to stay illuminated. All other light functions work properly. Again, I will dig into that when I get back to Florida. Are the Puddle Lamps supposed to come on when you open the door? If so, I need to look into that as well, as no puddle lamps happen.
Post Script note: no rear window defrost either, the switch is there, but NO WIRING going to it! The dealer who back-halfed it must have not run the wiring, figuring the car was staying in Kentucky and wouldn't need it!
Also noted that the car is still burning the trans fluid. The 3rd cat was SOAKED from the old trans rear seal failing, and I imagined it was from that. But (to me anyway) it has been too long and driven too far for it to be that. I will take it back in next week for them to look it over before it hits the road for Florida.
Dash lights are acting odd now. They will not come on when I turn the switch over to activate the headlights. It takes a special VoDoo to get them to come on. I have to stick the key in the ignition, roll it to the Access/run position, turn the lights all the way on, then start the car for them to stay illuminated. All other light functions work properly. Again, I will dig into that when I get back to Florida. Are the Puddle Lamps supposed to come on when you open the door? If so, I need to look into that as well, as no puddle lamps happen.
Post Script note: no rear window defrost either, the switch is there, but NO WIRING going to it! The dealer who back-halfed it must have not run the wiring, figuring the car was staying in Kentucky and wouldn't need it!
Got a set of 100-mile DynoMax mufflers yesterday that will find their way onto the 'Dark Star' once it gets back to Florida. I will run these until I can get the complete MagnaFlow set-up I want. Should be fun.
I have the steering column I bought a month and a half ago FINALLY coming up here, and hope to have it in the car and in working order by the time I leave for Florida.
Found out why the 'Check Engine' light is on, and I will have to find a way to 'tune-out' or turn off the EVAP system. Being my car is a Half-Breed with the tail of a 94, it does not have the emissions tray under the rear of the car. The fuel vent lines are capped off, and that is causing the car to throw an EVAP code. The things you learn when you get an OBDII scanner and a few minutes to look under the car.
I have a few ideas bouncing around for the cosmetics of the car. Being I have named her 'Dark Star', I have been throwing around ideas for paint and other mods. I will need to have the car re-painted when I get the front bumper cover mods, hood vent, side and rear bumper moldings filled in. I was thinking that I would keep it Black, but ghost in some Burnt Orange and Fire Red Pearls in the very front of the car, a 'Ghosted Smoked Swirl' that would only be visible in direct sunlight. Kind-of like the burning surface of a 'Dark' star. Thoughts?
I have the steering column I bought a month and a half ago FINALLY coming up here, and hope to have it in the car and in working order by the time I leave for Florida.
Found out why the 'Check Engine' light is on, and I will have to find a way to 'tune-out' or turn off the EVAP system. Being my car is a Half-Breed with the tail of a 94, it does not have the emissions tray under the rear of the car. The fuel vent lines are capped off, and that is causing the car to throw an EVAP code. The things you learn when you get an OBDII scanner and a few minutes to look under the car.
I have a few ideas bouncing around for the cosmetics of the car. Being I have named her 'Dark Star', I have been throwing around ideas for paint and other mods. I will need to have the car re-painted when I get the front bumper cover mods, hood vent, side and rear bumper moldings filled in. I was thinking that I would keep it Black, but ghost in some Burnt Orange and Fire Red Pearls in the very front of the car, a 'Ghosted Smoked Swirl' that would only be visible in direct sunlight. Kind-of like the burning surface of a 'Dark' star. Thoughts?
driller
El Presidente
I have the same EVAP issues with the OBD2 converted '93. I gutted the EVAP system when I upgraded the fuel pump setup. I've learned there is no simple 'switch' in the tuning software to turn it off. I have been told it can be done, I just need to stumble around and find the way to do it.
I think most ghost additions I have seen done were not what I would want on my car. It is difficult to do a true subtle ghost paint job without it detracting from the rest of the car.
I think most ghost additions I have seen done were not what I would want on my car. It is difficult to do a true subtle ghost paint job without it detracting from the rest of the car.
I agree with you on the Ghosting JP, which is why it is still a thought and why I asked for other opinions. I have seen one done that I thought looked good, and the effect was so subtle you didn't even know it was there until in direct sunlight. Perhaps this is an effect I can try on a set of valve covers to see if I like it/can pull it off before I go trying a Ghost Fade on the car!
What's up Jesse? Moving to Florida next Wednesday. Car will be loaded up and head South, along with the Lincoln!
On a project note: I finally got my replacement column torn down (of the parts I will not be using). I have never had a steering wheel be so hard to remove. Stripped all of the threads out of the bolt holes for the puller, so I had to re-drill/tap them to a larger size and try again. FINALLY got it. I see the multi-function switch will have to be transferred from my column to this one as the replacement columns wiper squirter button is completely gone. The only bad part of that is: my switch has a faulty position switch for the wheel extend/tilt (wheel will not retract). I can change just that switch, but it will mean modifying some plastic.
I will be installing/swapping the column this coming Thursday and hope to have good news to report. This cars little problems are starting to add up fast! Good thing I am too dumb to give up on it!
On a project note: I finally got my replacement column torn down (of the parts I will not be using). I have never had a steering wheel be so hard to remove. Stripped all of the threads out of the bolt holes for the puller, so I had to re-drill/tap them to a larger size and try again. FINALLY got it. I see the multi-function switch will have to be transferred from my column to this one as the replacement columns wiper squirter button is completely gone. The only bad part of that is: my switch has a faulty position switch for the wheel extend/tilt (wheel will not retract). I can change just that switch, but it will mean modifying some plastic.
I will be installing/swapping the column this coming Thursday and hope to have good news to report. This cars little problems are starting to add up fast! Good thing I am too dumb to give up on it!
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Stangman
New member
Sounds like me! Too dumb to give up! My mark is at my friends house and we just dropped the K member on it sunday night. Changing the oil pan out, and adding cobra manifolds, turbochuck motor mounts, and doing the steering shaft mods. Amongst other things! Take care down in Florida and dont forget to send me pics of the coupe and even the lincoln as they progress!
The Mustang (if I can carry it from concept to finished project) will be waaaaaaay faster than Dark Star! It is receiving a lot of custom bits.
Will hopefully have the time to swap the columns around either tonight or as scheduled tomorrow. Looking into going all-LED for the tail lights, brake/turn signals/back-up lights and plate lights. Those will be done once I get to Florida as well. Replacement 3156/3157s until money provides the LED stuff.
Will hopefully have the time to swap the columns around either tonight or as scheduled tomorrow. Looking into going all-LED for the tail lights, brake/turn signals/back-up lights and plate lights. Those will be done once I get to Florida as well. Replacement 3156/3157s until money provides the LED stuff.
Stangman
New member
Dont go LED. Just go to www.webelectricproducts.com and get their STS-4 do it yourself sequential kit! LED's dont look quite right in these cars, and especially if you do the sequential tails, they dont fade to the next bulb properly and it looks tacky. I've got the STS-4 kit that will be installed on my car as well. I'm going to have to figure out some sort of powered relay set up for the STS modules so the extra amp draw of running 8 lights instead of 2 wont blow the brake light switch! May have to do the same for the turn signals/hazards too! not sure yet!
tixer
Lincoln Evangelist
Thanks for this, Jesse. I've been seriously considering building a "one touch signal" solution from scratch. It makes me wonder if their mustang one could be modified to fit my Mark and/or Town Car. After a road trip in a buddy's VW, I really became spoiled by this feature. I had no idea someone made this already.
Being my car is a half-breed with the 94 tail-end, I do not believe I have lamp monitoring circuits. The second thing that makes me think this is a friend told me I have a back-up light out as well as one trunk-side tail light. Turns out I have TWO trunk-side tail lights out AND a back-up light out........all without having a message of a lamp out. So I think I won't have to run resistors when going LED. Reason for the LED is I will be doing the LSC trim treatment to this car (being it is a Black car and needs a repaint, I will strip the chrome and repaint it all Black) and will be going 'Blackout' with it (tinted headlight and tail light lenses to go with the Black car. I will need the extra light the LEDs emit to penetrate through the black tint on the lenses. I like the idea of sequential turns/tails, but am still on the fence about doing it. If I run sequentials and tinted lenses, I don't know if the light emitted will legally be bright enough. Something I need to ponder and experiment with. I also have an idea for the front lenses I need to work on (if I can get a second set of headlights/trim without killing my wallet!).
Dark Star will rise.....................................
Dark Star will rise.....................................
Stangman
New member
No problem Tixer, I thought about getting a set of those myself for my vehicles. And I do believe that you can mod them to work for a Mark VIII, as I *think* the main plugs are the same or atleast similar. At minimum you could find a Mark harness to chop up and use the clips and repin them to work for you.
And, Brad, as far as the lights in the trunk lid go. I do believe there are no "bulb out" warnings for anything on the trunk lid. I have a trunk lid taillight out as well. Only time I get a bulb error is if my outter taillight/brake light bulbs are out.
And, Brad, as far as the lights in the trunk lid go. I do believe there are no "bulb out" warnings for anything on the trunk lid. I have a trunk lid taillight out as well. Only time I get a bulb error is if my outter taillight/brake light bulbs are out.
Mad1stGen
Booster
Here's a universal one : http://www.kahtec.com/lane_changer.htm
Do it, and let me know how it works out, so I can add it to the "typical overhaul mod list"
Was looking at those after you posted the link. I think I have a solution to the wring nightmare that could be the sequential unit. I will need to cut some 3157 pig-tails out of as many parts cars as I can find......................................
Got a quote for tires on the rims I chose. Sumitomo HTR ZIIIs in 245/40-18 and 285/35-18 for about $600 mounted/balanced. Also located a 96 Cobra intake set-up; just need to talk the guy out of it for a reasonable price. Slowly but surely I will get there. I need to get some other small issues found and cured first (originating from the 'Half Breed' procedure) and the rear bumper cover smoothed and installed/painted.
Dark Star will rise.
Got a quote for tires on the rims I chose. Sumitomo HTR ZIIIs in 245/40-18 and 285/35-18 for about $600 mounted/balanced. Also located a 96 Cobra intake set-up; just need to talk the guy out of it for a reasonable price. Slowly but surely I will get there. I need to get some other small issues found and cured first (originating from the 'Half Breed' procedure) and the rear bumper cover smoothed and installed/painted.
Dark Star will rise.