What have you done to your wagon lately? (Let's keep the thread going!)

Fired up the wagon a few weeks ago and it actually runs and didn’t blow up.

But damn is it loud. As in it shakes the garage. The 3” exhaust with matchbook sized flowmasters, blower whine, gear drive howl, and surprisingly the fuel pump, are all deafening. And I love it

 

That's about what I did, and while driving at over 40 MPH, I didn't notice anything funny with how the car ran.

Part of it is that I didn't want to let the Wagon sit outside for any longer than I had to. I also wasn't sure that the idea of "using not quite the right ECU but close enough" was going to work, but I couldn't see any reason why it wouldn't. I took all of the precautions and tried to piece together things as well as I could, and this time, it worked.

I also asked at a few places, and someone at Reddit (the thread is linked) answered me that it was likely ECU Failure, which made sense. He also helped quell the idea of "VIN Programming" on a car this old.

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAd...=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Also... For reference with my 1990 Mercury Grand Marquis Colony Park Station Wagon with a 5.0 Engine, this is the original ECU:

E8SF-12A650-Y1A

Here's the replacement number for a 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis ECU that worked:

E8SF-12A650-AE1A

The ECU that I bought from Advance Auto Parts, at present, (after tax and possibly shipping but also after a $5 off coupon) cost $140 and some change.

You can rest assured that I do not wish to make this same mistake again.

 

No dual turbos as a topper?

 

out freaqkin standing!!!!!!

 

Ya know….i kinda like the six round head lights. I take that back.., I REALLY like the six round head lights!

 

Well, I sent my car to the shop to get her broken in (new rebuild since I didn't have time or trust myself). They dropped her off in the drive and I DROVE HER INTO THE GARAGE for the first time in 45 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I really want to get her out and driver her. But I still have a long ways to go. But hey it is at least forward momentum.

Mike

 

That's awesome Mike...

 

No pics but the 85 has been tucked away for the last three weeks. In other news it hit -22* here last week.


Ohh and we're planning on selling here and retiring out west.

 

That’s Celsius right??? Here I am complaining because it 34 degrees (Fahrenheit) congrats on the retirement!

 

If all goes right we'll be moving to a little farming hamlet approx. 2 1/5 hrs East of Calgary Ab.
Enough room to build the workshop I've always wanted.

 

Installed the Edlebrock 2166 dual plane manifold and the Holley 750 Dual Feed VacSec Crab.

Refreshed my Chrysler cop car rims that I have had for 40 years (15X8 5X4.5 AND 4.5bs).
Put 235/60 on the front and 255/60 on the back. cooper tire Cobra GT tires.

Found half moons and 3" trim rings to dress it up at Coker Tire. the Chrysler Cop Rims take the 8.75 half moon.

Also put on new Idler Arm, Inner/outer tie rods and pitman arm.

Lined it up today at my friends shop and it drives very nice. It purrs, then - IT ROARS!

 

Looks great! The new intake does a lot for appearance and so do those wheels!

 

I have been walking through the suspension. I have new springs and shocks in boxes. The most recent upgrade install was the Kanter 1 1/8 sway bar to replace the factory 3/4? bar. Made a very perceptible difference. The car feels a lot more controlled when throwing it around a turn. I bought a Kanter a rear bar as well. will do that next. then onto the springs and shocks.

Driving the car is a very pleasant affair. I hope to improve the handling without hurting the comfortable ride.

 

So, I had a bit of a torrid affair over the weekend putting in my new Eckler Rear Coil Springs. CLIFF NOTE: DONT DO IT!

I found the springs on the Eckler website and it specified the part number for the 69 Country Squire. I opted to buy an open box item as it was $50 cheaper and I figure you can't hurt a spring. Now I am out the $.

The springs I received have .61 in Coils. The original springs have .69 in Coils.

When i dropped the car on the new springs, it went down almost to the stops.

I put the old springs back in, re-adjusted the spring 'helpers' and installed the KYB GasAJust Shocks.
The height is decent and the ride is nice.

Ecklers will only give me instore credit and they have been 0 help finding the right springs..... so - F-Ecklers.

Happy New Year everyone!!