My 1st Wagon (YAY for EBAY)

More pics of the Home Coming

Well I kind of got annoyed up loading pics so here is the link to the gallery where I am hosting them at
http://gallery.me.com/mocka#100016
More pics soon showing some of her "problems"
So far she needs her rear universal joint replaced... a quick fix a neighbor can do for me and to be safe I'll replace both.
The door to the hatch wont open... is there a trick to it???
The blinkers work but the indicator for the left blinker on the dash is out (maybe a blown light)
but big big news. After giving her some fresh gas (only about a gallon) running the engine for about 10 minutes the heat came on. The car was over heated with in 4 minutes. (It was a balmy 39 degrees this morning in Pleasantville (yeah really Pleasantville LOL) NJ)
The AC blew cool and that seems to be a simple repair.
She has a few rust spots that in a few weeks will be filled. And I need to replace the vinyl top to prevent rust.

 

I can't enter the site link you posted.

 

http://gallery.me.com/mocka#100016 here is the correct link (I also changed the link in the post)

 

Congrats Mocha,

Let the games begin - you have some work ahead of you, but that is what truly makes the car "yours". Keep the pictures coming.

 

I'll say it again....you stole that car.

 

I I will chronicle the cost that I come across from begining to end and see if I spend as much as buying a new car. An ass-clown of a friend of mine told me that I was "pissing my money away" on Nero... I'll show that bastard.
so far
$760 for the car
$200 for delivery
$15.60 for the store brought rear universal joint
$5.50 for the replacement positive wire cord
________________
$921.10 in the hole so far!

 

Congrats again on your first car...very exciting. Sounds like your having fun with it...Pleasantville...sounds nice

 

You got it for such a great price, you are way ahead of the game.

The overheating sounds like a thermostat, not a bad idea to replace anyway. And it's a pretty easy swap on those engines. Just make sure that when you buy a new one, drop it into a cup of boiling water and watch to make sure it opens. New doesn't guarantee good. I just had this happen with a car. Replaced a bad thermostat with a brand new, bad thermostat.

And if it's 39 degrees, how the heck would you know if the A/C works? EVERYTHING is cold!!!

 

I heated the car up first then turned the AC on it cooled but slowly.

 

He's right Mocka, good idea to change the thermostat and the antifreeze. And the old stuff is toxic, kills pets even with a tiny taste, so be careful to dispose of it properly. But any time I buy a vehicle I change the thermostat (and check it like Teej suggests - I've have many new ones fail or only partially open), the antifreeze should be fresh, check all the hoses at the clamps for cracks - changing them now while you have already drained the radiator to change the fluids is the wisest, if they are in need. Folks, is there a valve in line for the heater on these cars that could be sticky? Just wondering not knowing enough about this model/Fords in general.

One of the best things you can do is to go buy a shop manual. On line, or at the parts store, or a used auto book seller - perhaps Amazon.com. A Chiltons for your year is a good investment. They tell you all kinds of great things on how to do jobs the easiest way, how to diagnose problems, etc. Well worth a 20 to 30 dollar investment.

As for your friend - yeah, you can go buy a tuna can to drive, but you've obviously got more class and taste than that

 

I had a 77 LTD wagon with the 400 M engine. the trans was an FMX. You may want to make sure you change the fluid a few times and protect that trans, since they're sort of rare and could possibly get pricey to rebuild. You could always drop in a C6 trans instead.

 

Very nice! Congrats!

I dig the name.

 

Oh I haven't forgotten this thread! Nero is on the road
Firstly! It was a B**CH getting this car registered in the state of NJ. It took a total of 10 trips to the DMV to get plates. Old Car, Old Title, Young DMV manager.... A freaking head ache! Once we got plates we drove!
Took her to Goodyear to get an oil change and alignment and a tune up quote. What was found was shocking. Everything that 'needed' to be done was all PREVENTATIVE maintenance! and we didnt even need the alignment! Breaks were at 90% and transmission in great shape. The good year guy couldn't contain him self and though I was joking when I said this was my first time taking her to a mechanic. He also didn't try to sell me tires because the ones I have were in "pretty good shape"

The downside... I am going to be spending a lot of time and money on cosmetics. Rust is a slight issue, and the carpet and is trashed & sun bleached. The bed-liner is completely deteriorated and I have no clue how to replace it.

The vinyl roof needs to be replaced first, to prevent any further rust damage I got a quote for $700 today. I think I can find a better price.

I see a lot of time at the junk yard in my future....

 

Missed yeah Mocha...glad your enjoying your old/new wagon

 

very cool color combo. you just don't find them in that any more.
400 ford is my favorite engine. with a little work and the right parts, you can make them run. the FMX tranny is the your only weak link.