love the car

[newf]

Hello. I have recently pick up a 93 lincoln mark vii. Pearl white in color with gray interior. I love the car. I got it from an elderly man which it has been stored for the last 7 years. I had to replace the two rear calipers which I found from a 90 t-bird.
I have been trying to do research on the car but a lot of ppl's have different opinions. So not sure where to look. I should trust the ppl that own and love the car has much has me.
I have a couple issues. Wondering if ppl will help me keep the car in tip top shape ?
First issue is there seems to be a knocking sound from the right rear tire going over bumps or rough road ? Any suggestions on what it could be ?

 

[driller]

Welcome!

You have come to the right place.

First issue is there seems to be a knocking sound from the right rear tire going over bumps or rough road ? Any suggestions on what it could be ?

Check the top of the rear shock mount.

 

[billcu]

Welcome!

 

[Countryboy96]

Welcome buddy. The knocking sound is likely caused by the shock mount as driller already stated (this was the problem with mine) or it could possibly be your sway bar, but it being just one corner leads me to believe driller is right. Also, if the car has sat for 7 years, just about every rubber gasket, hose, and fitting should be replaced as should the fluids, especially the trans fluid, if they haven't already. Good luck and let us know how it goes or you have any other issues. As far as opinions on the car, people would make fun of my granny car too, that is, until they rode with me.

 

[newf]

Cool thanks. I will get to look at the shock mount this weekend and kEep you posted. Has for the sway bar. It was broke when I got the car so I removed it totally. Trying to get one from a 90 t-bird to install. Would this be a good idea ? And would it be a good idea to do the J-mod to the transmission ? I talk to the tranny shop here that did all of the opp ( ontario provincal police) cars and he said not to do it. But he did say change the tranny fluid to the mercon V. The car seems to shimmy while driving. What could this be ?

 

[redn8]

Welcome!

 

[Trixie]

Welcome! Feel free to search for your answers or post specific questions in the specific Mark VIII forums for them, you'll probably get better and more detailed information. Good luck! Just let someone know if you need help figuring out what I just said.

 

[steve]

Welcome

 

[Countryboy96]

Cool thanks. I will get to look at the shock mount this weekend and kEep you posted. Has for the sway bar. It was broke when I got the car so I removed it totally. Trying to get one from a 90 t-bird to install. Would this be a good idea ? And would it be a good idea to do the J-mod to the transmission ? I talk to the tranny shop here that did all of the opp ( ontario provincal police) cars and he said not to do it. But he did say change the tranny fluid to the mercon V. The car seems to shimmy while driving. What could this be ?

Well, I am not sure about using a sway bar from a 90 Bird. It is a different body style from a mark VIII (they had mark VIIs back then), which I am not very familiar with. I'll let one of the more seasoned folks pick that one up.
I'm not a big fan of the Jmod, although I know a couple folks that swear by it and will not do anything other for a 4R70W trans. The reason your tech said not to do it is most likely because it's believed to decrease reliability as well as cause a different feel for shifts that some love and some hate.
Your tech is 100 on the mercon V. I actually posted a thread on this a while back, and there's a ton more info on this site. It'll shift better and if you have that annoying shudder while shifting sometimes, it'll get rid of it.
As for the shimmy while driving, it could be a lot of things. It could be something as small as tires or a bent wheel(s). A common Mark VIII problem to cause this would be the ball joints (had that problem with mine) which is a pretty easy fix. The ball joint on the Mark is a part of a one piece control arm that retails for about $50. Best way to find out is to put the car on a lift and shake each wheel, isolate the problem, and then trace what's causing it. You can let the tech you mentioned diagnose it, if he knew about a Jmod and mercon V pertaining to a Mark VIII, he likely knows these cars pretty good.

 

[chadly]

Welcome aboard! I love this car too. I never kept a car more than 2 years until I bought my Mark... 10 years ago! I say do the JMOD, I did mine 8 years ago, and the trans lasted 170K miles before it needed rebuilt.

 

[chris2523]

Well, I am not sure about using a sway bar from a 90 Bird. It is a different body style from a mark VIII (they had mark VIIs back then), which I am not very familiar with. I'll let one of the more seasoned folks pick that one up.

it is only sort of a different body style. the suspension in the same. the sway bar will work. a supercoupe or XR7 cougar rear sway bar is a popular upgrade.
the compatible year cougars and birds run from 89-97.
side note, the mark vii is similar to the fox mustangs.

I'm not a big fan of the Jmod, although I know a couple folks that swear by it and will not do anything other for a 4R70W trans. The reason your tech said not to do it is most likely because it's believed to decrease reliability as well as cause a different feel for shifts that some love and some hate.

jmod it. do it correctly, and don't over-do it. the trans will shift quicker, less slip is less heat. the pressure holes are larger for more fluid flow, more flow is more lubrication and less heat.
if you over do it, then the harshness will get to your drivetrain components eventually.

Your tech is 100 on the mercon V. I actually posted a thread on this a while back, and there's a ton more info on this site. It'll shift better and if you have that annoying shudder while shifting sometimes, it'll get rid of it.

yes. mercon v is what you want for the 4r70w trans. as specified by ford. makes a difference if its never been changed.

As for the shimmy while driving, it could be a lot of things. It could be something as small as tires or a bent wheel(s). A common Mark VIII problem to cause this would be the ball joints (had that problem with mine) which is a pretty easy fix. The ball joint on the Mark is a part of a one piece control arm that retails for about $50. Best way to find out is to put the car on a lift and shake each wheel, isolate the problem, and then trace what's causing it. You can let the tech you mentioned diagnose it, if he knew about a Jmod and mercon V pertaining to a Mark VIII, he likely knows these cars pretty good.

these cars eat ball joints. they are also very sensitive to out of balance wheels.
the lower ball joints are replaceable without replacing the entire control arm. you will need special tools.

 

[Countryboy96]

And there you have it from one of them more seasoned people. Thanks Chris.