Few (6 actually) TC Questions before I buy...

[AC75]

I'm interested in buying a Town Car from the early - mid 90's and was curious about a few things.

1. Is there any reason to avoid or go for the early 5.0L Town Car? Does it offer anything better or worse than the 4.6 engine?

2. I know there was an early version of the 4.6 engine that was different. I think it was 1991 up until early 1992? How can they be distinguished and is it a bad move to buy one of these early 4.6 models? When were they used exactly?

3. Can the seats from an 1988 or 1989 be fitted into a 1990+ ? I've looked a couple 90's cars that have torn or ripped seats but I know for a great set from an 80's TC. Can they be swapped?

4. Was keyless entry with a door keypad standard on all 1990+ Town Cars?

5. What is the deal with the power seat/lock/window switches all falling through the switch bezels? Nearly every TC I see the switches are all dropped through. Do they just snap in place or will new switches & bezels be needed?

6. Finally, I've read that the EATC can be problematic. What are the general fail points? If possible should I opt for the manual control unit? Does THAT have a habit of fail as well?

Thanks in advance. Just wanting to be informed upfront.

Cheers

[no0c]

1. Is there any reason to avoid or go for the early 5.0L Town Car? Does it offer anything better or worse than the 4.6 engine?

I'm sure you will get different views, but I think the 4.6L OHC engine is superior to the pushrod 5.0L. Most people would agree it's nearly bulletproof and includes distributorless ignition.

2. I know there was an early version of the 4.6 engine that was different. I think it was 1991 up until early 1992? How can they be distinguished and is it a bad move to buy one of these early 4.6 models? When were they used exactly?

You have the years correct. The early 92 models were equipped with a AOD transmission (hydraulic control) while the late design was equipped with the AODE (electronic control). Easiest identification is finding or not finding the TV (throttle valve) cable. The AOD has a TV cable from the transmission to the throttle body, the AODE has none. As far as engine, one is just as dependable as the other. You will get different views on the AOD vs AODE. My AOD has 195K+ miles and still going strong. It's all about maintenance. The early 4.6L uses a 2-bolt starter, the later a 3-bolt. And of course they had different cylinder blocks due to this difference.

3. Can the seats from an 1988 or 1989 be fitted into a 1990+ ? I've looked a couple 90's cars that have torn or ripped seats but I know for a great set from an 80's TC. Can they be swapped?

No idea.

4. Was keyless entry with a door keypad standard on all 1990+ Town Cars?

No. My 92 Exec doesn't have it. I have an aftermarket remote keyless entry system that I installed.

5. What is the deal with the power seat/lock/window switches all falling through the switch bezels? Nearly every TC I see the switches are all dropped through. Do they just snap in place or will new switches & bezels be needed?

Just not enough beef in the screw mounting posts on the switch panel is my experience. I have been able to repair all the faults that have occurred on mine. Krazy glue, etc.

6. Finally, I've read that the EATC can be problematic. What are the general fail points? If possible should I opt for the manual control unit? Does THAT have a habit of fail as well?

All EATC's can be problematic. The most failed part is the BDA (blend door actuator) found on all of them. There is no such thing as a manual control, that's why it's called Electronic AUTOMATIC Temperature Control or AUTOMATIC Climate Control. There is a analog control and an digital control. Digital control started in 93 models. There are some problems with the EATC control itself starting with the digital control as the A/C clutch circuit was controlled by the EATC control, where as the pre 93 models the clutch circuit was controlled by the ECM (Engine Control Module)/PCM (Powertrain Control Module). The internal relay on the PCB of the EATC has been problematic, but repairable by a few of the members.

Good luck.

Regards

[Chevyguy]

The only reason to avoid the 91-early 92 4.6 models is due to the very FORD solution regarding the bellhousing/trans. The Early 4.6 has a small block bellhousing with the AOD trans. The 92.5 up have a AODE/4R70W bellhousing. If you need a new engine you have to hunt down a good early 4.6 core while with an AODE you can use a 2010 2V 4.6 long block.

Save for those issues a 95 up is more desirable due to the new interior design, EEC-V computer etc..

[AC75]

Easiest identification is finding or not finding the TV (throttle valve) cable. The AOD has a TV cable from the transmission to the throttle body, the AODE has none.

Is the TV cable that long cable that can be seen here?

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/4184/cableq.th.jpg (http://img143.imageshack.us/i/cableq.jpg/)

[Dereck]

Is the TV cable that long cable that can be seen here?

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/4184/cableq.th.jpg (http://img143.imageshack.us/i/cableq.jpg/)

Hi AC75

Nope that is some non original previous owner add on wire/cable, the TV cable fits onto the right side throttle body under the intake tube with "V8 Overhead cam" written on it.

Regards

Dereck

[AC75]

Ok, that seemed to easy anyway. Is there any pictures around showing exactly what to look for?

[no0c]

Maybe this well help.

http://www.lincolnsonline.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7252&d=1248225567

[AC75]

Thanks that does help. Any chance you have a pic a little more zoomed out? It's hard to tell where to look exactly. For a novice like myself.

[no0c]

Best I got.

[AC75]

Thanks, that's excellent.

[gadget73]

There are two things the 1990 offers that others do not. One is the real chrome bumpers. The other is the 5.0 engine, which is a lot cheaper to hotrod than a 4.6. It also doesn't have the valve seal problems the early 4.6 offers. Personally I like the 302 for different reasons than the 4.6, but I also know the old 302 a whole lot better.

[AC75]

Since the 5.0L engine was replaced with the 4.6L engine are parts hard to find for the 5.0L? The last year was 1990 for the 5.0L, right? Went to the 4.6L for 1991?

[no0c]

Since the 5.0L engine was replaced with the 4.6L engine are parts hard to find for the 5.0L? The last year was 1990 for the 5.0L, right? Went to the 4.6L for 1991?

No, Yes and Yes. (In the Town Car)

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

No, Yes and Yes. (In the Town Car)

Correct.


The 5.0 itself stopped production on 12/00.



Ford needs to bring the 460 back :gears: :p

[AC75]

Thanks for al the information. Really helps.


There are two things the 1990 offers that others do not. One is the real chrome bumpers. The other is the 5.0 engine, which is a lot cheaper to hotrod than a 4.6. It also doesn't have the valve seal problems the early 4.6 offers. Personally I like the 302 for different reasons than the 4.6, but I also know the old 302 a whole lot better.

What's this about the valve seals? Big deal? Easy fix? Disaster?

[LithiumCobalt]

Ford actually used the 5.0L all the way up until 2001 as an option in Ford Explorers/Mercury Mountaineers. Very good engine, I am definitely a fan, but I prefer the 4.6L as it is a bit more modern and does better on gas. I think the 460 could be had all the way up until 1996.5 on the F-series trucks? Might have still been available after that, but not sure.

[LithiumCobalt]

What's this about the valve seals? Big deal? Easy fix? Disaster?

The valve seals become leaky over time which causes oil to enter the cylinders and you get a big plume of blue smoke out the tailpipe. This was a common issue on the 91-94 4.6Ls. Everyone seems to think that Ford revised the seals in 1995 to correct the problem, but I had a 96 with only 86k on it that drank a quart of oil every 700 miles. Same problem supposedly with the "revised" seals. Job to replace them isn't for an amateur, but it can be done if you have some mechanical ability. There's many threads on it here and some tips in the tech section. Not expensive if you do it yourself. Time consuming. Most tackle one side of the engine at a time and do the other side later.

[AC75]

Ok, so as long as it's not an indicator of engine failure I don't mind too much. This plume of blue smoke will usually show up at start-up? It isn't pouring out the whole time the engine is running?

[no0c]

Ok, so as long as it's not an indicator of engine failure I don't mind too much. This plume of blue smoke will usually show up at start-up? It isn't pouring out the whole time the engine is running?

Actually you will probably see the blue smoke more when the engine is at operating temperature and has been idling and you accelerate, i.e. at a stop sign, although there may be some at a cold or warm start-up as well.

To me it's not a big deal and my 92 uses a quart of oil about every 1100 miles. See post 16 of this thread for my take on the cost and pay-back economics of doing the repair. There are no plans in my future to replace the valve seals.

http://www.lincolnsonline.com/forum/showthread.php?p=717992#post717992

Regards.

[dickwells]

using synthetic seems to have reduced the oil burning in my 94 and eliminated the smoke, some say synthetic burns without smoking. Mobil 1 5W30

[Dereck]

...some say synthetic burns without smoking

Hi

Yep and some say the earth is flat!

Regards

Dereck

[dickwells]

http://www.usesyntheticoil.info/syntheticoil_en.htm

Don't fall off the edge!

[no0c]

Hi

Yep and some say the earth is flat!

Regards

Dereck

It isn't ? ;)