Restoration? Q's for all you Vintage Lincoln Aficiondos...

[blackbeauty]

Saw this driving by and had time to stop and check it out. Other than the wood trim applique on the steering wheel peeling off/missing pieces, the interior is in great condition. No cracks, tears, etc. The outside however: small dent in front bumper; rear bumper is rusting through in one spot; and paint is shot. The grille is surprising beautiful, considering that the rest of the front is chipped miserably. All the trim pieces are present and in good shape, and all the lights work, including the front hideaways. It handles as expected, shocks and brakes are good. Has a vacuum leak that causes hesitation on acceleration and it blows a little blue smoke. Sticker on the valve cover says its a 6.6L 400CID. All trunk carpeting looks fairly new.

I've never "restored" a car before and I thought this one might be a fairly easy project for a beginner, since its mostly cosmetic. Q: Can the half-top be painted or would it have to be reupholstered? How do you get the trim off without damaging it? How do I pick up this project and avoid the doghouse for the next 6 months? Anybody????

(Of course, it would have to be painted black!!!)

[JoshMcMadMac]

You can't paint that top. Also the 400 sucked compared to the 460.

[Davemutt]

How do I pick up this project and avoid the doghouse for the next 6 months? Anybody????

(Of course, it would have to be painted black!!!)

Cool car, but with gas at $3.20 a gallon I'm afraid you might be in the doghouse longer than six months.:(

[JoshMcMadMac]

Cool car, but with gas at $3.20 a gallon I'm afraid you might be in the doghouse longer than six months.:(

Don't you mean poorhouse? :p

[blackbeauty]

I don't want it as a daily driver! I want it because I'm a man, and as everyone knows, the difference between men and boys is the price of their toys - women being the most expensive by far, natch - but still, he who has the most toys when he dies wins.:rolleyes: :D :o 'Sides, we rednek loy-rs have to strew car parts all over the lawn - its proven to keep the pink flamingos at bay!!! (And the little ceramic gnomes too.);) :)

[pro-five-oh]

They are wonderful cars, you won't be disappointed. Even neglected ones fix up quick and cheaply.

Rust is the main problem. There will be rust under the vinyl roof and you'll have to clean that up before recovering the roof. You can also remove the roof entirely, though that might require a different rear window trim. I know that most Mark Vs need a different rear window trim if you pull off the 1/2 vinyl roof.

I'm moving this to the Vintage Continental forum now. :)

[nailfoot]

I have had the top on an 89 replaced (actually, the new owner did it, but info is the same) and it was $450. On an older car, I would suspect it will be more expensive since there is more material and it may be harder to work with.

Have the top removed, then have the whole car repainted. The rust under the old vinal top could be repaired at that point. A new paint job to change the color of the car (including fully jambing the doors, trunk, hood, and removing door handles and door gaskets) will likely be $5000. Add to that the rust repair and it will approach $6000.

If you keep it the same color, I bet you could get a good paint job for $2000, including rust repair.

[blackbeauty]

But I'm just as "attached" to black as you are Dupont Dayglo Orange (He, he) :o But seriously, thanks!

[Dereck]

You can't paint that top. Also the 400 sucked compared to the 460.

Hi JoshmcMadMac

I have to take issue with that statement my friend, the 400M is every bit as good an engine as the 460 it was just designed for a different age and couldn't keep up with ever tightening emissions laws, with the right tweaks it can be made to sing a merry tune!

Regards

Dereck

[blackbeauty]

Okay, if memory serves, the 400M is really a 351 with larger heads. Yes? I have no idea what the true mileage is on this 79 Conti (did it go around once, twice, ....) and the 351 main bearings are notorious (in my experience) for going out around 100K miles. My only experience with a 460 was the one I had in a 73 F150 full-time 4x4 - and that truck would never pass a gas station back then. So, options????

[worldkeepsakes]

Okay, if memory serves, the 400M is really a 351 with larger heads. Yes? I have no idea what the true mileage is on this 79 Conti (did it go around once, twice, ....) and the 351 main bearings are notorious (in my experience) for going out around 100K miles. My only experience with a 460 was the one I had in a 73 F150 full-time 4x4 - and that truck would never pass a gas station back then. So, options????
Hi Blackbeauty, Yep 351 with overgrown heads. I agree with your above post about toys. If I were in the market I'd buy this car, I've got a soft spot for the 79s, Last of the big cars for awhile!
I do disagree with your saying about "he who dies with the most toys" though, the way I figure it is, he who dies with or without toys, is none the less dead.;)

[blackbeauty]

Dead is dead, but, you either find a way to spend it all while you're alive, or else the really ungrateful brats are gonna fight over whatever you leave behind, oh and maybe your kids will too. (Take THAT IRS!!!)
Side note: I know it's hard to see in the pictures, but I parked my 99 TC next to it for size comparison - the 79 is about 2 1/2 feet longer. I don't know if it'll fit in my gee-rage.

[JoshMcMadMac]

Hi JoshmcMadMac

I have to take issue with that statement my friend, the 400M is every bit as good an engine as the 460 it was just designed for a different age and couldn't keep up with ever tightening emissions laws, with the right tweaks it can be made to sing a merry tune!

Regards

Dereck

I'd listen to this guy before I'd listen to me. Listen to this guy. :D

[Dereck]

Okay, if memory serves, the 400M is really a 351 with larger heads.


Hi Blackbeauty, Yep 351 with overgrown heads



Hi Guys

Well it sems senile dementia is setting in here, the 400M is a 351 with a longer stroke, the cylinder heads are the same, in fact one of the power modifications you can do to a 400M is fit Austrailian 351 heads.

Regards

Dereck

[pro-five-oh]

Who cares? The 400 was designed to be a direct replacement for 460s, same engine mounts and transmission. (if memory serves me right).

If you're a hot rodder, dump a 1970 Continental style motor in it. 460 with high compression heads and an aftermarket 4bbl carb of your choice. It will fly...just like my Mark V. If that's not necessary, the stock 400 will be fine.

[blackbeauty]

I guess I can ponder on that awhile, if I get it. There is a slight blue haze and the obvious burning oil smell so the 400 that's in there would have to come out for a rebuild anyway - if not a replace. But as I said, I've never rebuilt a car before - how easy is it to find brand-new looking bumpers, etc. If I do this, I want the end result to look like I just took it off the showroom floor 10 minutes ago, and thus, be a trophy-winning be-a-tch! Any suggestions? Books I should check out? Websites for DIYs??? The Johnny Cash method? (One piece at a time.)

[Wolfe_83Conti]

Websites? This 'un! :fluffy: :cool:

Seriously, there's tech articles out the yin-yang, and the archives have info I think you'll find useful.

[Vitas]

Q: Can the half-top be painted or would it have to be reupholstered? How do you get the trim off without damaging it?

Years ago I had a vinyl top spray painted, I think it was a paint for vinyl.

Nobody will guarantee it. It might last five years or so. But if the vinyl top has cracks in it then everyone will tell you to just replace it. Finding the original vinyl material pattern may be difficult.

[Steve Moran]

I myself never had a problem with the 400.
My family had many of them growing up, one in a '79 F150 4X4 and other then the slight lifter rattle sound that most had it ran quite well.
As far as the 460, my fathers old '74 Grand Marquis Brougham moved with a 460 but it weighed as much as a tank so it needed that engine just to get out of it's own way.
A good friend’s '79 F150 2X4 Lariat (All black I will add) had a 460 and we spent more time working on the emissions, exhaust manifolds and, Holly carb on that pickup plus the fact it sucked gasoline like no tomorrow.
Growing up I do not recall working on the Ford 400/351M engine anywhere near as much as others and they where as plentiful as any small block Chevy.
I never changed one out but I did rebuild one that was capable of running Propane.

I guess I would have to say it has been one of the most reliable engines I have came across

[Steve Moran]

As far as the vinyl top goes.
Replacement of the top is cheaper then paint. You would not want a nice shiny black paint job adulterated by a stained ratty old color changed black top.
As stated earlier, it is rusting under the top and you will want to fix it or it will come back to haunt you.
You only live roughly 4 hours or less from me right on Highway 14 and, in my travels in Minnesota I know I have seen one or two of these cars, When I go to StPaul this weekend I will take a closer look at them. I will bring my camera and snap pictures of all the good body parts so you know what is out their.

[phantomcobra]

Parts are going to be a problem. You can call any junk yard and they'll tell you they have old Lincolns but for the most part, they are talking 1980 to the present. I live near Dallas, took a whole day off to go down junk yard row (they charge money to just look!) and I didn't find even ONE pre 1980 Lincoln. We are talking about maybe 10 junk yards with some specializing in Ford products. Most of these cars that aren't running have been melted down to make 23 Toyotas.

You will ALWAYS be in a money losing situation with this car. With gas prices they aren't going up in value but are popular to look at in car shows because they just don't make them like this anymore. Great cars, they are. I recently sold one and still have 2 (hard top and a Collector Series). Finding parts has been a nightmare so if you are serious, buy a second car for parts! Actually, if you watch EBay, you can probably pick up a near cherry 1979 for $5K. A lot cheaper than doing the paint and top!!

[phantomcobra]

One more note for all the engine bashing. I don't hold anyone back with my 400. It isn't a race car. But then I don't get a car like this to race! I have another car that is a real powerhouse for that. As long as I'm not holding up traffic and can get on the freeway and pass, I'm good. This car is for luxury, not red light drags.