Thinking of purchasing 89 LSC Mark VII..some questions

[thefordkid1]

Newbie here.

I'm thinking of purchasing an 89 LSC Mark VII with 78,000 miles for $1,000.

Is it worth it?

Looks pretty clean on the outside. Interior has the typical cracked dash covering and worn seats, carpet etc.
Comes with an extra AOD (supposedly rebuilt) even though the AOD in the car is fine (I road tested the car...runs good).

Also:

Is the 89 LSC Mark VII 5.0 HO camshaft the same as the 89 Mustang 5.0 camshaft?

Any information or opinions welcomed.

[white lincoln]

YES!!!

I bought an 88 for $1800 w/78000. My 88 did not have a cracked dash and only the driver side was cracked. It is a local car and has never been wrecked. $1800 was a steal. THe guy also already did the air bags in front and several other engine parts as well as the gas tank pump (which was not done right).

You may have to replace the air bags, brakes etc... but putting some money into the car (*if you like owning a Mark VII) is definantly worth it.

[thefordkid1]

How about the cam? Is it identical to the Mustang?

Also the LSC seemed to cruise very relaxed. What rear gears came in them? Felt like 2.73s.

The rotors definitely need replacing or resurfacing because the brakes pulsate (car didn't get driven much and rotors tend to rust from lack of use).

[white lincoln]

Originally Posted by thefordkid1

How about the cam? Is it identical to the Mustang?

Also the LSC seemed to cruise very relaxed. What rear gears came in them? Felt like 2.73s.

The rotors definitely need replacing or resurfacing because the brakes pulsate (car didn't get driven much and rotors tend to rust from lack of use).

Don't know about the cam. Most likely it is. As for the rear end, take a look on the tag attached to the axle cap. Remember these are HEAVY cars.

I had to do the rear brakes because they were metal on metal. The rears are throw away discs and can not be resurfaced.

[2manymarks]

Originally Posted by thefordkid1

How about the cam? Is it identical to the Mustang?

Also the LSC seemed to cruise very relaxed. What rear gears came in them? Felt like 2.73s.

The rotors definitely need replacing or resurfacing because the brakes pulsate (car didn't get driven much and rotors tend to rust from lack of use).

It's not likely that the gears are 2.73 unless special ordered or changed later. the 88 LSC had 3.27 gears. Look under the axle code on the manufacturer decal on the driver door jamb. Acode "5" is conventional and an "E" is a trac-Loc.

I am not positive, but I believe all the 5.0HO engines had the same cam except for a slight difference in the pre 90's.

The brake pulsating could be the calipers sticking, the brake lines collapsing, rotors warped or all the above.

[white lincoln]

Originally Posted by 2manymarks

The brake pulsating could be the calipers sticking, the brake lines collapsing, rotors warped or all the above.

If you do the brakes (and sounds like you need to), be sure to follow the steps outlined for the Mark VII for the rears.

Most likely the rotors are warped and most likely in the front end.

[Lee Joffe]

I bought my 89 in 92 for 12K!! However, today it has 275K and still runs GREAT with original engine and transmission. Idid flush the trans 4 years ago and refilled it with Mobil 1 tjrans fluid synthetic and it feels the same as new.

[pro-five-oh]

3.08 or 3.27s were used on the LSCs...I'm pretty sure you have 3.27s, though.

Sounds like a good car for $1000. I'd jump on it.

[CDW6212R]

The cam should be the identical HO cam, the 302 HO was the same in both cars from about 1987 to 1992. They also had the same pistons, forged from 1992, back to when the Mustang got them.

That's a good buy. The first thing you should do is closely inspect the AOD TV cable at the throttle body. Check the plastic bushing there which is almost always worn out. Don't drive the car if that bushing is gone, the cable must be attached there properly. Buy a couple of those from Ford, there a couple of dollars each.

[white lincoln]

Originally Posted by CDW6212R

Check the plastic bushing there which is almost always worn out.

While tearing down my engine, I lost the clip that holds the new plastic stem in place with the brass bushing. I think I have something similar in one of screw cans. So don't loose the clip...

[psychotexan]

bought my 1989 mark vii lsc for 1400 and dont regret it!!i love my car!!!

[Drake_tr7]

IMO when I look at it's teeth, the radio...I could give a damn if it works...has the dash (wiring ) been hacked up for a cob job stereo installation ? IMO the air suspention is a pussycat to deal with compared to a hacked up harness

[white lincoln]

Originally Posted by Drake_tr7

IMO the air suspention is a pussycat to deal with compared to a hacked up harness

... or a town car's air suspension...

[gadget73]

Towncar air suspension has half the components the Mark system has, its even easier to deal with.

[h r lincoln]

My 89 LSC did the brake pulsing thing when I got it,and I thought it was supposed to do that,because of the ABS (it's the only car I ever had with ABS) .When I unhooked the ABS later,it quit pulsing.Hasn't done it since,and I STILL haven't had to do any brake work,including replacing pads,for over 7 years now.On the gears,as some have said already,you most likely have 3.27s.On the cam,I'm not 100% certain,but I'm pretty sure they're the same

[white lincoln]

Originally Posted by gadget73

Towncar air suspension has half the components the Mark system has, its even easier to deal with.

Oops, sorry. I was thinking of the rear shocks on the Town Car. What a PITA.

[thefordkid1]

Got the car today for $700. Guy just wanted to get rid of it. Body looks good but has some minor electrical gremlins. (Radio not working, seat back not reclining, driver's power window inoperative. Right side exterior mirror inop. etc.)
AC, air suspension and brakes all work great. Steering also fine.
Only problem underbody is the rusted through original mufflers.

[thefordkid1]

Right side rear courtesy lamp stays on all the time while vehicle is in run mode.

Has 3.27 gears. Probably will install 3.73s or 4.10s as a first mod.

[hypostang]

Originally Posted by thefordkid1

Right side rear courtesy lamp stays on all the time while vehicle is in run mode.

Has 3.27 gears. Probably will install 3.73s or 4.10s as a first mod.

This may sound silly ..but did you turn off the switch in the back seat area?

[thefordkid1]

Originally Posted by hypostang

This may sound silly ..but did you turn off the switch in the back seat area?

That's not silly at all. I didn't even go to the back seat area to check for a switch. I just spent about 15 minutes looking at the car after purchasing since I was in a hurry to get indoors and watch the World Series game 3.
I'll check tommorrow. Thanks.

[ImTheJoker4u2]

Originally Posted by thefordkid1

That's not silly at all. I didn't even go to the back seat area to check for a switch. I just spent about 15 minutes looking at the car after purchasing since I was in a hurry to get indoors and watch the World Series game 3.
I'll check tommorrow. Thanks.

Sounds like you got a steal bro, congrats!!
Oh and...
LETS GO YANKEES!!!!!!

[thefordkid1]

Originally Posted by hypostang

This may sound silly ..but did you turn off the switch in the back seat area?

Thanks. That was it. The old owner sold me the car with the switch on. Maybe he was rummaging through the rear seats to make sure he didn't leave any personal posessions.

[2manymarks]

Originally Posted by thefordkid1

Thanks. That was it. The old owner sold me the car with the switch on. Maybe he was rummaging through the rear seats to make sure he didn't leave any personal posessions.

Don't you just love it when it's an easy fix??

[Sleeper LSC]

Sounds like a really good buy man. I had gotten mine for $1100. As for your brakes,makes sure to look at the cooling fins on all the rotors. They may be directional,meaning that the will have to go on their designated corners. The rotors that i have on mine are directional. You should be able to tell from the way that the fins are facing. You don't have to remove anything but the wheels to find out..... You will have problems with brake fade,and overheating problems,if they are not put to there designated areas........


If you think yours runs and handles good,wait till you do some mods to it {if your going that route} like suspension,and engine upgrades....they will even handle better than an equally modded mustang..... Have fun with your brand new old MarkVII.......lol

[thefordkid1]

Originally Posted by 2manymarks

Don't you just love it when it's an easy fix??

Absolutely. Easy fixes are rare (at least for me). It's usually always the worst possible case scenario.