Greetings from new user in Central Ohio

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phyveaux

New member
Hello all! Just want to do a quick intro. I've been lurking here for the last several weeks and have already found SO MUCH USEFUL information. I'm very grateful for you allowing me to learn so much from everyone's experience.

My friends and I have acquired a 1994 Mark Viii which we will be taking to Michigan in October to race in the 24 Hours of Lemons series. None of us have any racing experience, but have been enjoying Lemons for the last decade, going to races and dreaming of our opportunity. The car chose us - making itself available with little research or shopping. It comes with many of the normal issues - rusty rear brake lines (and slightly rusty fronts), leaky rack on the passenger side, terribly leaky oil filter adapter gasket. But, we have made substantial progress in the past two weeks as we begin preparing it for the race. Other engine, transmission and major mechanicals are quite solid for 171,000 miles. Doesn't burn oil, doesn't smoke, doesn't rattle.

I hope to be more interesting, and less needy, as I post about our experiences. We are very excited to give this headed for the bone-yard (paid $300 for it) Mark an opportunity to live out its final year as a semi-fine racing machine!

Ken
 
tixer

tixer

Lincoln Evangelist
Welcome, Ken!

I've followed the LeMons series from afar for years now. It seems like a really fun event. Please do keep us posted on your (and your car's) adventures. I can't wait to see how this car treats you at the track. Apparently this particular motor tends to handle these races well.

Feel free to start up a "build thread" for it, so we we get to see all the "cheaty" stuff. Is this your first LeMons car?
 
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phyveaux

New member
tixer said:
Welcome, Ken!

I've followed the LeMons series from afar for years now. It seems like a really fun event. Please do keep us posted on your (and your car's) adventures. I can't wait to see how this car treats you at the track. Apparently this particular motor tends to handle these races well.

Feel free to start up a "build thread" for it, so we we get to see all the "cheaty" stuff. Is this your first LeMons car?
Click to expand...
Yep, it's our first car! We went to yet another race in Michigan in April, met a great group of guys doing it for the first time who looked a lot like us. So, we took the plunge! My team partner's father in law had the car listed for $600. We told him what we wanted to do, offered him $300 and he took it. It's been so much fun so far. I will post pics as soon as I cross the five post threshold to be allowed to do so. Not planning any "cheaty" stuff just yet - really looking to keep it within the rules for the first race. We are shooting for "reliable" this first race, really wanting to last the whole 17 hours over two days. Next year we plan to race it twice. That's when we will look for a bit more speed.
 
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ONLYTONY

New member
Welcome. Saving a MK VIII is a good thing. Wish you the best of luck. Make sure you check all the front end parts. These cars kinda eat up those parts, ball joints, tie rods, bushings, etc.
 
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phyveaux

New member
Thanks Onlytony. Yep, they were in bad shape. Giant globs of dirty grease because previous owner just kept pumping new grease even though the boots were ripped wide open Ball joints are considered "safety" by Lemons so they don't count toward the $500 limit. We have a complete set of new upper and lower control arms and outer tie rods. They go on next weekend along with a reman rack (which includes inners). All new brake hardware all the way around, new lines run to the rear last week. Will run a new one to the front passenger from a good spot on the line closer to the driver's side. Afraid at the moment to replace the line to the driver's front because it will require removing it from the ABS unit and afraid to damage anything. It's not too bad and might be just best to leave it in place (ABS doesn't currently work, but both front tone rings and sensors were completely caked with grease from the failed ball joint fittings - cleaning them to see what happens). Don't really need ABS for the race anyway.

- - - Updated - - -

Also, for anyone who needs a part that we don't need to race, hit me up and make me an offer. Most of it's going into the trash so any reasonable offer will be accepted - and helps us lower the official "paid" price for the car per Lemons rules. Front seats, rear seat, tail lights, JBL speakers, seat belt systems, remaining air ride components, some switches etc. Most of the interior was completely trashed and not worth saving unfortunately.
 
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