Hey new here...

[chefdizzle]

I'm new here. I just picked up an 87 Lincoln TC with 82k original miles on it. It's been sitting for 3 years but I bought it at a Farmers Auction out in West Texas for $500. I'm replacing the tires and had the elec fuel pump replaced. It starts up fine and runs great now that we got a new battery for it.

Is there anything that I need to know about the TC before I get too deep into it?

Problems? Easy/Hard? Increasing the gas mileage? (I've already read the 5.0 Bronco thread.) Whatelse is there that I need to know?


Thanks in Advance,
Randall

[pepperman]

Welcome to LOL. :cool:

[Duck]

Welcome to LOL. You will find a wealth of information here, check the tech articles. Replace all the fluids and if you run into any problems just post the problem here.
Plenty of good people here will help you.

[joedogg]

They're pretty damned solid vehicles. I drive an '87 Signature Series TC and it has held up very well. Its about to roll 200,000 miles.

[87 town]

I'm new here. I just picked up an 87 Lincoln TC with 82k original miles on it. It's been sitting for 3 years but I bought it at a Farmers Auction out in West Texas for $500. I'm replacing the tires and had the elec fuel pump replaced. It starts up fine and runs great now that we got a new battery for it.

Is there anything that I need to know about the TC before I get too deep into it?

Problems? Easy/Hard? Increasing the gas mileage? (I've already read the 5.0 Bronco thread.) Whatelse is there that I need to know?


Thanks in Advance,
Randall

Welcome... Sounds like you got a good deal. 82 k miles is nothing..
I also have an 87 TC with 204k miles on her. good cars, but will need attention. good site for hands on info.
Since she was sitting for a few years you may want to change the plugs, rotor, distributor cap and pcv and check out your wires.
A note on plugs...I would stay away from platinum plugs and just use the basic motorcraft "copper plugs" for 2.00 each. I had some problems, along with some others, with plat plugs on these 5.0's

[Mr Wiggl3s]

Hay 87 we should make a thread that has what needs to be replaced at x miles like by 150000 we would have water pump, thermostat, ignition cylinder, ect. What you think?

[nailfoot]

Welcome chefdizzle! You will get many enjoyable miles out of your Townie if it has been and continues to be well taken care of.

I would change all of the fluids including flushing the coolant and the tranny. My car sat for two years, and has a tremdously bad case of orange coolant from all the rust that built up.

[87 town]

Hay 87 we should make a thread that has what needs to be replaced at x miles like by 150000 we would have water pump, thermostat, ignition cylinder, ect. What you think?
You just gave me a great idea with that. Haynes manual is what I refer to all the time for routine maintnance. There are a lot of items to check on up to 30 k miles and I would probably check all of them since he doesnt know what was last done...UNLESS..he has a past service record. They are so valuable and I think will always get you more for your car, (knowing where the last owner left off).
Whenever I get a new car though, I like to check out all the hoses and lines and wire loom up the wiring and work with electrical tape and just get to know the car and watch for weaknesses and put on my list and attack the serious problems first.
Like someone else posted already. Change "all" fluids and probably a tune up.
What else can you think of Mr wiggls3? I would have to look at my ledger at home for what I did at 80 k miles cuz I cant remember right now. Wait a minute, I bought mine at like 95k miles. I do remember radiator problems right away and heater core...

[worldkeepsakes]

Do routine maintnance, as required.
Beyond that... "if it ain't broke" Don't be replacing it!

[Mr Wiggl3s]

Ya, i just got a new heater core. Exhaust will prolly need to go soon.

After all that, i think it should be good

lol

[pro-five-oh]

Don't forget the TV cable's bushing, guys. :)

[Mr Wiggl3s]

Ive been meaning to do that for weeks now, damn im lazy

Im shifting into second at 40mph...

[nailfoot]

Ive been meaning to do that for weeks now, damn im lazy

Im shifting into second at 40mph...


You can permanently damage the tranny, dude.

[Mr Wiggl3s]

Ya, if it isnt already

[LuxuryLiner]

Hey Randall!
And welcome...I'm realtively new too, and the people on here have been great about responding. ;)
Enjoy your TC!!!!

[87 town]

Don't forget the TV cable's bushing, guys. :)

yep, sure helped me!

[Red91SiT]

You can permanently damage the tranny, dude.

Yes, vehicles shouldn't be driven like this unless absolutely neccesary, at least ghetto attach it for a bit,

I bought an old cougar who's transmission would slip all the time, finally the gas got stuck wide open to so they made their daughter sell this "death trap"

I reattached the TV cable (using kenex pieces, and a few old paper clips) and the transmission worked perfectly. I have no idea how it survived all the incorrect pressure and slipping, but it did.

[Buddy Wayne]

I have a 91' Exec. Towncar but LOVE the older ones. Looked at 86'-89' but am worried about engine condition. I love the look but need to be sold by guys who have them. Saw an 87' w/107,000 but some rust. Thats when I got the 91.' Can anyone tell me what too look for and stay away from? Carfax helps but when I see it's been sold thru an auction or dealer I get suspicious of miles.

[87 town]

I have a 91' Exec. Towncar but LOVE the older ones. Looked at 86'-89' but am worried about engine condition. I love the look but need to be sold by guys who have them. Saw an 87' w/107,000 but some rust. Thats when I got the 91.' Can anyone tell me what too look for and stay away from? Carfax helps but when I see it's been sold thru an auction or dealer I get suspicious of miles.


Miles on these 5.0 engines don't seem to be an issue. I'm at 204k and others are similar, and one guy, "Las Vegas" has, i think has 450k and never been rebuilt. When you do the math, that 107k you mentioned has an average of 5600 miles per year for the past 19 years. not bad.
best i can say to check these engines out is take a nice long test drive, at least 30-45 minutes, and get her hot and then listen for any knocks or engine noise or hesitations.
Again, the best thing you can ever ask for is previous service records. I am running great now but I admitt that I do have a vague knock after she gets hot now.
the rust....routine stuff, depending on where you live. If it has the large chrome trim oalong the sides i can just about promise that if you remove the chrome on the quarter panels you will find the metal "shot and blow out from rust". Had to have new metal put in mine. Other hot spots for rust is under the lincoln logo on the fenders and also in the center of the door panels. Even though I still find the body left with much integrity and the rust is repairable.
If it does have the large chrome trim I would also suggest treating under it with a tar or undercoat to prevent future rusting.
All in all Great Car and the tran's seem strong also. No issues at all with mine and had my first u joint replaced at about 185k miles.
Stong cars and runners.

[gadget73]

Not to be the wet blanket, but always keep in mind this is a 20 year old vehicle. Things will break at the wrong time, so be prepared to pay a visit to either your mechanic or the local parts store from time to time. If its got 'some rust', get underneath and look at the fuel lines and the brake lines. Both are prone to failure from rust. Its nothing specific to these vehicles, all older cars have brake line failures, but its something you need to be aware of. Also, keep in mind that most people never change anything on these cars. Don't be surprised if you're looking at Motorcraft hoses and belts, or parts that were installed at it's last tune up a decade or more ago. Its not a major problem, but if thats what you're looking at it will need to be replaced.

[Mr Wiggl3s]

Ya, but 200,000 miles on these are just breakin em in

[87 town]

Ya, but 200,000 miles on these are just breakin em in


Just breakin em in at 200k...okay, you got me to laugh some here...:) I know you said that in jest and 200k doesn't mean it's all over, but I would say the break in period is probably more like 50 to 75k miles..
Proper maintenance is key. At 204k I'm actually a bit concerned now that a rebuild is on the way. BUT...if you have maintained properly, and not let overheat or run bad for periods of time to cause any engine damage and practice good routine maintenance you can double the 200k.
Most I have ever heard was 650k. I think someone posted they had heard that in the past?? Las Vegas is a great example though with 450k miles and never a rebuild. He is a previous 20 year veteran mechanic and it seems he has really followed maintenance to the letter too.

[TheAudioGuru]

Don't forget the TV cable's bushing, guys. :)

Damn, that reminds me, I need to go to the Ford dealership and grab one. I've been driving the car for over 3 years now hoping it wouldn't break on me.


Oh, and welcome newbie!!!!:p

[KATHRED]

Ya, My TC is beautiful. I have never had a MAJOR problem with the powertrain--no engine/tranny/driveshaft or rear end problems--except for a seal on the rear wheel shaft end. Ford did use some cheap plastic parts and most of those have been addressed on this forum. The car has yet to strand me in 13 years. My experience is 1) the plastic collar on the steering column which governs the shifter position indicator 2) the vacuum part near the brake which will hiss when it breaks and a few parts in the doors which will give you headaches with the locks and handles. I call these $1.00 parts but would guess that some people ditched their TCs because of them. Fortunately I have been able to repair them all. I have put 130,000 miles on this TC when I bought it with 70,000 miles already on it. I also do not abuse it and would definitely be the guy that you hate to be behind on the road.

[Red91SiT]

Mine is really tough too, i've put probobly 8,000 miles on it only, but they've been constant wide open throttle miles, no time for the big linc. to warm up, and of course the auto cross, that's probbly a little hard on the car.

[zogltc]

I'm like BUDDY WAYNE...I have a 94 TC, but really like the older ones. I owned a couple and sold them and always regreted it.

I am looking at an 86 with 68,000 miles, and an 84 with 24,000 miles. The guy with the 84 wants $6000....might be ok for a collector, but I want a daily driver.

The 86 owner is not soure of a price yet....wife won't know what to do with TWO town cars in the drive....

[87 town]

I'm like BUDDY WAYNE...I have a 94 TC, but really like the older ones. I owned a couple and sold them and always regreted it.

I am looking at an 86 with 68,000 miles, and an 84 with 24,000 miles. The guy with the 84 wants $6000....might be ok for a collector, but I want a daily driver.

The 86 owner is not soure of a price yet....wife won't know what to do with TWO town cars in the drive....

those are "very low" miles. The 84' averages out to a little over 1,000 miles per year. are you sure it isn't 124,000....?
i've got 204 k on my 87' which is a little over 10,000 per year and still below average. I think avg. now a days is like 15,000 per year.
anyhow, good luck and I dont think you will be sorry in either case.

[zogltc]

Yep, the 84 shows true miles....the guy bought it new when he retired, his wife does not drive, and he died a month or so ago....the leather is like new throughout.

I would love to have it but I can't justify that much on a daily driver that old.

If I could store it and show it, I might be interested, but that's too much more than I want to deal with...

[87 town]

Yep, the 84 shows true miles....the guy bought it new when he retired, his wife does not drive, and he died a month or so ago....the leather is like new throughout.

I would love to have it but I can't justify that much on a daily driver that old.

If I could store it and show it, I might be interested, but that's too much more than I want to deal with...

I do understand that concept. had the same thoughts with a 63 riveria i wanted to store, but by the time i added up the costs and maintnenance involved, it just wasn't worth it.
I run two cars right now. a 96' sebring convert and the 87 TC. I drive both of em (sort of take turns, but baby the TC and try not to drive in any bad weather).
The age on that 84' alone can cause you problems as you already know. old wires that can short and cracked vacume lines and dry brakes and more... Just by virtue of owning it will cost you some money, time and work...

[gadget73]

That 84 will start to fall apart if you make it a daily driver. All the parts will be original, and you're gonna have to do all new rubber brake hoses, belts, hoses, tires, and all that stuff before you can even safely drive it. Its also got the Crappy Fuel Injection system that works great when its working, but can be a horrible PITA when it breaks. The 86 is the cream of the crop. Has the good EFI system, the best grille, and the nicest woodgrain on the dash. Its also chock full of unique one year goofy parts that are sure to cause endless hours of enjoyment when parts shopping.

[Obiejuankinobie]

Lay under the car check for oil leaks. Mine is a leaker. I bought an oil pan to install but now I am told $500 for labor. I already had the rear main seal and valve cover gaskets replaced.
Whatever you do don't do what I did and replace rear shocks with air shocks. I lost the nice soft ride.
Good luck and welcome to the board

[87 town]

Lay under the car check for oil leaks. Mine is a leaker. I bought an oil pan to install but now I am told $500 for labor. I already had the rear main seal and valve cover gaskets replaced.
Whatever you do don't do what I did and replace rear shocks with air shocks. I lost the nice soft ride.
Good luck and welcome to the board

Yeah, the oil pan is cheap. but a lot of work to install. I paid approx $550 for pan and install and included new oil pump too. I know i got a deal though. someone else wanted over 800. The original oil pans are weak. mine became paper thin from rust and was flaking. GOOD ITEM to check out for sure when looking to buy a TC.
On the rear shocks, i put in the monroe matic air shocks a few years back and you are right, i did loose some comfort, but would have had to repair/replace original motor otherwise. chose the lesser of the two evils. but you have to admit that it is nice to be able to pump up the shocks for some cool rear end height...