Saving a Mark VI

[SouthernLincoln]

I know that the 80's Mark VI aren't technically towncars, but since the entire underside of the car is technically town car based....

I picked up an 82 Mark VI the other day, and its a beautiful car, but sadly the motor is shot. I do have the 89 TC, which is my beloved car but its getting to the point where its becoming too much of a challenge to maintain it. I'm thinking of maybe pulling the engine/trans/computer/etc from the 89 TC and dropping it into the 82 Mark.

What would i need to look out for? I know both engines are 302 EFI, the 82 mark being the CFI setup. Is this a wise idea, or should i just canabalize the mark for the TC?

[Mr Wiggl3s]

Well dude, your going to be looking at replacing alot of undercarriage parts on the Mark VI aren't you?

[SouthernLincoln]

The Mark is complete, nothing is missing off the car. I'm just torn between which i should do. I can swap the engine/trans from the TC and have a more unique looking car, or take apart the Mark in favor of the TC.

I just can't decide which way i want to go... :confused: The Mark would supply the TC with suspension parts, door panels, window motors, interior etc. Though i don't think a Blue interior would look good in a Maroon TC.

Anyhow i'm just kind of stuck.

[Mr Wiggl3s]

Whens the last time the shocks/springs/exhaust/cats/fluids been changed?

I just think you'll pour money into them equally

[SouthernLincoln]

To be honest i have no other documentation on the Mark other than the title. I'm not certain as to what has been done to it, and where. I do know that it was a one owner car. And it looks as if its been excellently maintained.

I don't really like doing hack jobs, but if need be the cats can be removed, and really and truthfully if it came down to it the entire exhaust system could be straight piped. So exhaust really isn't much of a concern.

I wouldn't think that the coil springs are bad on the Mark , as it has about the right ride height for the car. I know my coil springs are shot on the TC, and thus it looks like the front of the car is going to touch the front tires if even the slightest weight is applied.

I guess its just something i need to decide about eh?

[Mr Wiggl3s]

Ya, dude theres also brakes, heater cores ect. ect.

I just wanna make sure you know theres no surprises

[MeLikeyStripperChicks]

scrap the TC, way too common anyways, save the much more rare Mark :D

[Vitas]

Is this a wise idea, or should i just canabalize the mark for the TC?

It depends on the condition of the Mark and how sound the TC engine is, mileage, etc. It would be great if you could post pictures of both cars, exterior and interior. A factory sunroof is a great option if that is what it has. The "touring lamps" are rare but are a matter of preference.

[pro-five-oh]

Though i don't think a Blue interior would look good in a Maroon TC.

Ugh. That's definitely not a good idea.

A 5.0HO Mark VI would be cool.

[SouthernLincoln]

I'll try and sneak over to where i have the Mark sitting at and snap some pics w/ my camera phone maybe later today or by Monday. And i'm beginning to like the idea of a 5.0HO powered Mark VI too...i just hope all the major stuff swaps, as in computer, wiring harness etc.

[SouthernLincoln]

I got the title out today, and went through the vin decoder at ford but didn't find out anything special that i didn't already know. If i post the VIN up could one of you guys see if there are any other special options out there that perhaps the ford decoder didn't list?

I wish i had a build sheet on this thing, and i'd love to know where other than the window sticker i could find all that info.

Its definately looking like that Mark is going to become the replacement for the TC. The Mark VI is seriously a beautiful car, other than the fact its white...but i guess i could get accustomed to it.

Pics are coming sometime this week before i leave town... though progress probably won't start on this project for at least another 6 months to a year. Well, at least any serious progress...maybe buying parts and things..but other than that.:cool:

[Glorywagon]

I'll try and sneak over to where i have the Mark sitting at and snap some pics w/ my camera phone maybe later today or by Monday. And i'm beginning to like the idea of a 5.0HO powered Mark VI too...i just hope all the major stuff swaps, as in computer, wiring harness etc.

I installed a 88 town car motor in my 91 F150 No real problems.It shouldn't be that hard.

[gadget73]

It can be done. It has been done before by someone on here, though I forget who. It was about a year ago, he installed the SEFI injection on his original Mark VI engine. The entire engine harness is self contained, the only interaction between the body's wiring and the EFI wiring are the wires to the fuel pump, from the ignition switch, and to the digital dash. All easy enough to tie in. Some mods will need to be done to the fuel lines, but nothing major. They're in the correct spot on the frame already, but the line from frame to fuel rail won't just plug in to the CFI system's line. Some cutting, flaring, and coupling will take care of it fairly easily.

Mind you I have never done this, but I've looked over a lot of pics and manuals, and I have done a complete wiring harness swap on my car as well as a de-cfi wiring job (carb swap) so I know the harness isn't very hard to remove.

One thing I would probably suggest is a new fuel pump. I don't know what the CFI pumps are rated at, but with the smaller injectors and less powerful engine, I'd not be surprised if its not enough to really feed an HO. Mustang pumps can be made to fit into the stock hangers pretty easily and they're not expensive for a larger than stock capacity pump.

[SouthernLincoln]

I had planned on literally removing all the useable parts from the TC to fit them to the Mark. I had planned on using all the fuel system from the TC also. Hopefully everything goes as plan...but unfortunately its going to be on the back burner awhile.

[Norgale]

If you part out the TC are the front door panels any good? I need both in Dark Shadow Blue.

[SouthernLincoln]

Sorry i haven't been around to answer any more questions, but i've been kind of busy here lately. I've been out of town for about a month now and i'm headed home next weekend. So i will probably get over to where the car is stored and get some pics of the Mark. I do have some pictures of my 89 Towncar around somewhere...i'll have to find them once i get home and post them up. I'll have pictures of the Mark on here sometime soon too.


I'm going to use everything that i'll need off the townie when i do the swap. I won't have to worry about fuel pumps or anything as i'll have all the good parts off the townie when i get it done. This is just going to require me having a lot of patience to get it done. :cool:

If anybody has any questions or suggestions, please ask away, i'd like to make sure i'm covering all my bases.