So, this wasn't the original plan. The past few months, my wife and I discussed picking up another vehicle (which would stay automatic). Being the weirdos that we are, we narrowed down to an 83-86 LTD or Marquis wagon, and then eventually opened it up to an option for a sedan.
Had been casually scanning for something for the past couple of months. No rush to get anything. Even inquired with the owner of a Marquis wagon that was in the neighborhood. Figured something would pop up.
Then a couple weeks ago, an ad on FB appeared for an '85 Marquis LTS with an LTD LX parts car in western PA. Both were kind of rough, but there was plenty of bonus stuff included. With no way to get 2 vehicles moved, I kind of sat on it for a week or so. Then after someone asked the seller about just purchasing the parts car, I went ahead and messaged them about the LTS.
For those that don't know, the '85 Marquis LTS is the one-year, Canadian-only, Mercury equivalent of the LTD LX, which was the "hot rod" of the Fox LTD line-up. They made 135 LTS's, total.
After a phone convo with the seller about it, he basically said he didn't want to bother with the guy interested in the parts car, and if I were to buy the LTS, he said I could take whatever I wanted off of the LX. He then sweetened the deal with offering to bring the car to me.
So, on a Sunday morning, I hopped in the car for the 5-ish hour drive to check things out and to hopefully make a deal.
Got there, looked things over, made a deal and got to stripping off the parts I wanted from the parts car. I was on limited time and wasn't *really* concerned with drivetrain/suspension stuff, as it's a Fox-chassised car after all. But I did grab some specific items, like 4 better doors, and hood, along with some LX-specific items (console, cluster).
Also included in the deal were a bunch of LTS-specific NOS parts.
We got everything organized, I loaded the NOS stuff into my car and drove home.
The next day, he shows up with the car and all of the other parts and we get it all unloaded.
In addition to the above stuff, the car also came with a set of Bullitt wheels, a half-installed 5-lug swap (94-95 spindles and 99+ 11" brakes up front), axles and drums for the rear 5-lug. New front suspension components, new fuel pumps and a new windshield. The car was FULL of parts when it arrived. As was the back of his truck.
Now, for those that care. I paid $2,400...total, to my door, for all of this.
Now it's sat languishing for at least a decade prior to the previous owner getting it, and looks "battle hardened", but underneath, the only bad rust spot is right at the front of the passenger floor board. The rest is solid. I have it running, but need to run through tune-up stuff, etc.
Primary goal right now is to get it running and driving and doing some clean-up and minor cosmetic stuff.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/arrival_1.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Beginning/int_1.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Beginning/int_2.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Beginning/under_1.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Beginning/underhood_2.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/arrival_3.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Beginning/nosstuff_2.jpg)
That is a cool find!
looking forward to the updates.
What are your plans after running/cleaned up?
Nice score! That has the CFI setup, what can be done for parts on that if you are going to keep it original?
Not quite sure yet. Going to kind of see where things stand and then go from there. It has roughly 100K miles on it (150K km), but it's been dormant for a while.
Yeah, CFI, which isn't really all that complicated. Worst case, it'll get a SEFI set-up on it. The emissions nonsense is the worst part of it all, really.
As far as keeping it "original", that's not really my thing. It'll get cared for and improved, but I don't do concourse builds.
That was my only hesitation with buying it. However, if someone wants to restore it...they'll need to show up with a nice "standard" LTD/Marquis (And let me keep my "non-original" stuff) to take it off my hands. Other than that we'll do what we want with it. :)
Congrats Chuck! The Marquis LTS is a rare bird it definitely deserves to be saved.
Hell yeah! Looking forward to pics of the car and work :smile:
Been busy going through all of the mechanical systems on this thing, trying to get it mobile.
No real exciting pics, other than getting the 5-lug axles in and testing wheel fitment on all 4 corners.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Susp_Brakes/newtires_2.jpg)
If you don't have any center caps for the wheels I found some SVT ones for the Bullitt wheels on my '83 on Amazon. I know you know but be sure to measure the ID of the cap well as there are different sizes out there.
https://www.amazon.com/Appl-Raptor-Applicable-Center-Cover/dp/B08FG7X43D/ref=asc_df_B08FG7X43D/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=475793174801&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12577094337452667555&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9026563&hvtargid=pla-1188911223057&psc=1
Would be pretty cool if these fit:
https://www.hubcaphaven.com/p/22260/c3802-mercury-milan-factory-oem-center-cap-9e5c-1a096-bc.html?gclid=CLCIkbTD88oCFQhbhgodMX8H0w
We're going to be making some custom ones. :toothless:
Those are 17" wheels. Those are also some pretty good sized brakes you have on 'er. :star:
Rock n roll man! :headbang: :headbang:
Yeah, I hadn't paid attention when I bought the car, as the ad listed "99+" brakes on it, and I assumed they were the 11" dual piston jobbies (Didn't really care either way). I pulled the wheels off the front to work on the lines/hoses and though "Those look bigger than 11"..." Pleasant surprise.
Still just 10" drums on the back for now, though. Other things to sort through before worrying about a rear disc upgrade.
Teaser on the new center caps for the Bullitts.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Susp_Brakes/centercap.jpg)
OK, well the rain forced me inside again, so I finished up the center caps.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Susp_Brakes/allcaps.jpg)
That is what I am talking about Chuck!!! Now how did you do it?
I searched for generic black caps that would fit the wheels. Took a little bit of searching and measuring. I had 1 original cap, which helped out quite a bit to get all of the dims.
I couldn't find a good image of an "LTS" logo online, and my Google-fu wasn't good enough to find the proper font (Mainly for the "S"), so I scanned the new "LTS" emblem I had and fixed the image so I could use my wife's Cricut machine to cut out the vinyl transfers. Got those on the caps and then sealed it all up with a few layers of clearcoat.
I think I have $20 into the center caps, so not an overly expensive proposition.
Afterwards, I was directed to Eric's Telnak Font (https://www.coolcats.net/media/font.html), which would've made mocking things up easier, but I can remember that for next time.
Well I can honestly say I’ve never seen one of those. I love weird/rare stuff like this. Nice score, Chuck.
Well, been working on this thing as time has allowed.
Got it out for its first drive today. Just a couple miles to get more gas in it, but it was a pretty successful ride.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/General/12_19_21_1.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/General/12_19_21_2.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/General/12_19_21_3.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/General/12_19_21_4.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/General/12_19_21_5.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/General/12_19_21_6.jpg)
Need to do the heater core and then get the interior back together, but this is a definite milestone.
Well, when we last left off back in Dec, I had a bunch of work to do in the interior. Foul weather slowed me down during Jan/Feb, but things finally started to clear up in March.
One of the first projects was to replace the heater core.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Interior/Heater%20Unit/gettingstarted.jpg)
The heater core itself was easy. However, investigations of the fan housing revealed more work...
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Interior/Heater%20Unit/nesting.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Interior/Heater%20Unit/hole.jpg)
Lost a couple weeks finding/waiting on a new fan housing (Which is the same as the TBirds or that era). Was mis-listed on ebay as for a 99-04 Mustang... (Found it from a Google search of the housing PN stamped on it)
I had to also rebuild the HVAC switch unit.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Interior/Heater%20Unit/accunit_4.jpg)
We'll see how long the repair on the (vacuum) selector switch holds.
Swapped out the sad steering wheel for one I had on the shelf
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Interior/oldsteeringwheel.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Interior/newsteeringwheel.jpg)
Pulled the old carpet out to install the new stuff
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/grosscarpet.jpg)
and found this...
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/holesholesholes_1.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/holesholesholes_2.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/holesholesholes_3.jpg)
All that rust was from the inside and not seen underneath except for a couple small holes.
So I had to repair a bunch of stuff.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/repair_10.jpg)(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/repair_12.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/repair_13.jpg)
and got the carpet in
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/newcarpet_1.jpg)
Had to swap all of the manual window regulators for the power ones and install a vapor barrier.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/DR_door_2.jpg)
Then I cleaned all of the seats and put the rest of the interior together.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/assembly_2.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/assembly_3.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/DF_door_1.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/PF_door_1.jpg)
And grabbed some matching floormats.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/mat_2.jpg)
A couple more details to sort out, but it's on the ground and set of driving.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/4_2_22_1.jpg)
That field mouse was a busy dude. Any idea how the water got into the car to rust if from the inside out or do you think it was just prior neglect like leaving the windows down?
As I found out, it didn't have a windshield in it for probably 4-5 years. Tarps only keep so much out.
That and at least one of the front windows was slightly open all of the time.
Well, this is currently in regular driving rotation. It gets driven once or twice a week by either me or my wife.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/5_13_22_1_s.jpg)
I need to address the rear suspension before I let her get it on the interstate, though. The rear is a bit "loose", more than likely due to old suspension bushings in the RCAs and a little wonky roll axis because the car is a bit "raked".
Just going to poly bush and box a set of stock arms and put new rubber in the axle ears. Also going to do the "anti-squat" mod and drop the rear mounting point of the RLCA a bit. This will also help bring the rear ride height down a bit.
Gathering parts to get the AC functional again. At some point, one of the lines was cut, so I ordered a new drier, condenser, lines, etc. and will button things up and see if it holds vacuum. If so, I'll do a R134 retrofit on it and get the cold air blowing.
I've also begun pondering an engine swap for it.
Since it is staying a driver and also needs to remain an auto, I think I have a plan.
Looking at the 3.7 V6 from an 2011-2014 Mustang, with the 6R80. Some folks are already fussing about it. To me, 305hp and 30mpg in a light package seems like a good choice. Found a swap done in a '99 Mustang for a proof-of-concept that it can be done and keep the stock engine/trans management. I could do stand-alone engine and trans control, but seeing as we're not going to mod this, there's no need. Not interested in a built SBF, or messing with a 4.6 mod motor. The Coyote is just too ed expensive for my budget, and we don't need 500hp in this thing.
Planning on getting parts (or a donor car) at some point later this year, I think.
Looks like it is doing well.
The 3.7/6R80 combo, the computer will be from the donor car? Do you have someone to program the body control / PATS etc out of it?
If I get a complete car, yes. If not it will be purchased separately. I have a contact for someone who can do it, if not it's something readily available.
The guy who did the '99 swap used an engine and trans. Bought a trans harness, a swap harness for a Coyote (and modified it) and installed a stock ECU that had the PATS removed from it. He even kept the return-less fuel set-up.
Do those 3.7 sixxers tend to survive a hairdryer hanging off the side?
I admittedly know little about them, but am intrigued.
The 3.5's are the EcoBoost version.
This car won't get boosted.
thats exactly what i would've done, home grown solution. i like this thread.
btw, i had no idea this car had factory dual snorkle air cleaner.
i know you mentioned tossing the cfi stuff but.. investigate the 351 80's/90's bronco or trucks.
those eec's may be the power adder solution rather than grooming in a new eec harness. all the truck eecs i mention only have two injector pin outs which is what you have now on that car.
Ahh...brings me to query if the RWD 3.7 has the same water pump (internal) as the fwd versions....
Doesn't look like it. Looks to be external.
Waaaaay better!! You get the rear suspension issues settle and that car will be a fun one to drive.
That instrument cluster looks like it would fit a 83/84 Cougar or TBird. Would be a slick way of getting a functioning tach.
The dash is the same as the 80-82 TBirds/XR-7's.
The clusters physically fit, but there are a couple wiring changes needed.
When I had my old white 80 XR-7, I swapped an 83-84TC cluster into it. The tach worked, but I never got around to "fixing" it properly (4cyl tach on a 8cyl engine)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/80%20XR7%20White/interior%2010_07_04.JPG)
Well, I decided to go with a set of adjustable MM RLCAs for this, instead of boxing a set of stock ones. Of course they wound up on backorder (even though they showed in-stock when I placed the order...).
While I'm waiting on those, I took care of a couple more little projects.
First up was an e-fan installation.
I had a couple spare Volvo 850 fans/shrouds/relays, so I decided to pursue that option,
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/CoolingHVAC/fanrelay.jpg)
It took only minor tpuppies of the shroud and mounting the fan on the inside of it to make it all fit.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/CoolingHVAC/installed_1.jpg)
The Volvo relay has inputs for triggering the LO and HI speed modes on the fan.
Since I had already relocated the temp gauge sender into this 2-port manifold, I installed the Hi-speed temp switch there as well.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Drivetrain/tempsender.jpg)
Now, the LO-speed trigger was perfect for---triggering the fan for when the AC is turned on.
Yup. AC.
I replaced the condenser and all the hoses and flushed out the evap core and compressor for the conversion to R134a.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/CoolingHVAC/condenser.jpg)
Pulled a vacuum on the system (Just to verify that the evap core was indeed still good).
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/CoolingHVAC/thissucks.jpg)
A short while later, we now have working AC and an e-fan in the car.
On the other front, I now have this in my possession.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Drivetrain/3_7%20Stuff/unboxing_1.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Drivetrain/3_7%20Stuff/unboxing_2.jpg)
A 2011 3.7 V6 with the 6R80 6-speed auto trans.
Right now I'm just researching all of the other details needed to make the swap work. Fortunately, the engine/trams harness are very modular and 98% complete, with the PCM. I think other that having the PATS disabled in the ECU, only a couple other configuration changes will need to be made. I'm planning no "mods", save for whatever the exhaust looks in the end, and maybe the large-bore TB upgrade.
The biggest decision up front will be to spend the money on an AJE K-member for it to be almost drop in, or stick with a stock K-member and make some mounts, etc. I haven't gotten that far yet. The AJE would have provisions for a stock spring set-up, so no need for anything fancy.
There are a few other systems and details that would need to be addressed, but I'm formulating a plan for those.
I'm hoping to have all of the stuff together to start this swap sometime next year.
Been a minute since an update.
As mentioned in the LTD wagon thread, the 3.7/6R80 is going there and this is staying as-is drivetrain wise for a bit.
Not too much to report, just been driving it and doing a little maintenance work. Nothing exciting.
We did take it up to Detroit for the Motor City Fox Fest back in July. Did great on the trip.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2024/General/MCFF_1.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2024/General/MCFF_2.jpg)
It'll get parked when the snow/salt starts to fly, but I do have a couple projects for it when I can get more done on the wagon engine swap.
Coming back from spectating at the velodrome Thurs night, I noticed that the PS pump was making more noise than it should.
It was dark at the time, but I looked under the car to see this mess.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2025/Susp/psmess.jpg)
Awesome.
A quick investigation revealed that it was probably the reservoir o-ring. Seeing as it was probably the original to the car. It did have a bit of movement to it.
I was hoping to tend to it when I pulled the drivetrain out for a reseal, but I guess this didn't want to wait.
The reservoir was basically empty, but there were no signs of any rapid losses. I guess also hadn't noticed the dribbles on the driveway, but it rained a bit earlier in the week and I hadn't driven the car in a few days.
Since I had a pump rebuild kit but didn't want to pull the pump from the car, I just decided to do a quick o-ring replacement.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2025/Susp/resoff.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2025/Susp/flatoring.jpg)
You can see that the old o-ring (right) was kind of flattened.
Since I had it out, I also replaced the o-rings on the inlet fitting and the high-pressure connection.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2025/Susp/inletfitting.jpg)
Got it all back together and power washed the gunk off of everything.
Now back to driving it until I'm ready for the aforementioned side-quest.
Well, after a couple of days of driving, the PS reservoir was low again. The fittings on the rack are clean and the boots are new-ish and aren't full of fluid, but should probably warrant a closer look.
I replaced the PS return hose with new clamps and cleaned things up.
Watching it run, it looks like the pressure line is seeping at the crimp. :shakehead:
Also, at this point, the front main seal on the engine is merely a suggestion. :nonchalance: That's where the bulk of the "mess" is coming from. I may need to park the car until I can get the drivetrain pulled out for the reseal/clean/port induction/MS swap.
I need to do a couple things on her Beetle, mainly to get the parts/boxes out of my way. Then this may move into the "work bay" spot and I'll bounce back and forth between it and the wagon. There are piles of parts in my way for this project as well, and it would be nice to get them off the floor and on the car.
OK, so I did wind up parking the car for a few weeks and dealt with other things.
This weekend I began tearing into it to do the refresh.
This includes:
- Resealing the engine. (All seals are merely suggestions at this point)
- Valve seals
- Motor mounts
- Factory headers
- Trans seals
- Fix PS leak (turns out to be a bad pump)
- Port injection set-up install with MegaSquirt ECU
- Rear disc brakes (S197s)
- A couple other fiddly bits
This is where we're starting
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2025/Drivetrain/Refresh/day_1_1.jpg)
Everything up top disconnected, and after removing the belt was when I found the bad PS pump. The pulley moved in/out but about 1/8" or so.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2025/Drivetrain/Refresh/day_1_2.jpg)
Also, a little project I'm working on for the intake
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2025/Drivetrain/Refresh/intake%20plaque.jpg)
Got this done today
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2025/Drivetrain/Refresh/drtivetrainpulled.jpg)
It wasn't playing nice on the hoist, so I conned my wife into being a second set of hands to get it out without damaging anything.
As I mentioned, the seals on this engine are merely suggestions.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2025/Drivetrain/Refresh/sealsuggestion.jpg)
There is nothing open here. That is oil actively draining from the oil pan or rear main seal
Messy, messy.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2025/Drivetrain/Refresh/messy.jpg)
The engine is on the stand and hopefully I can get the powerwasher out tomorrow and clear off the crud from the engine and transmission and start getting things taken care of.
Fired up the powerwasher this morning. Also hit the engine bay.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2025/Drivetrain/Refresh/cleaned.jpg)
Engine in the garage, ready for rehabbing.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2025/Drivetrain/Refresh/readyforteardown.jpg)
Mannnnn that is a nasty leak. In the worst possible place too. Seemed to clean up nicely though, and you had help which means the world. Great to see progress on this....wish I had that kind of motivation...
I’m retired (still have a lot of energy) and I can’t imagine undertaking all the projects you tackle (and succeed at) and have time to breathe. I assume you have a full time job, helpful, supportive wife, kids maybe. Kudos to you for forging ahead with all you do and contribute here.
Rick
This is honestly the first time I've had any help getting any help getting a drivetrain pulled/installed. I was in a bind. Luckily she hadn't left to run errands yet. :p
Yeah, full time job. 2 young kids (8 and 6). Trying to get back in shape after the hip surgery, etc. She supports my mania, but I do have A LOT of projects currently cooking. This doesn't even count the house projects that I'm peppering in.
I like to keep moving, but it's getting a bit more rough as I'm closing in on 60.
The front main isn't any better, Eric. If the PS hadn't given up on me, I'd probably still be driving it around, like I was. Time to get it fixed now, though.
At least it doesn't look too terrible in there.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2025/Drivetrain/Refresh/liftervalley.jpg)
While I have the rocker arms pulled for the valve seal replacement, I'm going to do a leakdown test, just to get a general idea of engine fitness. It ran well enough and didn't show any signs of problems, so it's more for informational purposes.
quietly in the background, "Project creep, pull the heads, project creep, roller rockers, project creep, roller lifters, project creep, project creep......."
edit: I have a nice set of heads with 1.9 intake 1.6 exhaust, with some bowl porting that would look really nice on that motor. LOL
Lol.
Yeah, that's not gonna happen here. I have other creeping projects I need to keep a handle on.
The only creep that has been added is redoing the Y-pipe. I did a quick patch up to get the car on the road, but now I need to change the f langes to accommodate the larger outlets on the factory headers vs the manifolds. I can't cobble bigger f langes onto this and feel good about it.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Drivetrain/ypipe_1.jpg)
I'm also going to make a new dual tip, to mimic what they came with originally, as I just did the single when I built the rest of the exhaust. No duals on this car.
Been taking some time in the evenings to get the engine torn down and things that need it tossed into the ultrasonic tank.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2025/Drivetrain/Refresh/teardowncrust.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2025/Drivetrain/Refresh/timingcovercrust.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2025/Drivetrain/Refresh/strainer_pickup.jpg)
Lots of crust down low, not much up top.
This engine never gave me an oil light, or so much as a low-oil rattle.
Pulled the oil pump cover off and it didn't look too bad, honestly. Going to toss a new Melling pump and pick-up on it though, while I'm in there.
The harmonic balancer needs to be replaced and going to toss a new timing set on it, since I have it all apart.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2025/Drivetrain/Refresh/harmonic.jpg)
Pulled the ECU harness out to do the modifications for the MS swap.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2025/Drivetrain/Refresh/Wiring/harness.jpg)
I took out all of the EGR and other mostly-non-working emissions stuff. Pulled the wires out of the ECU connector and fixed up a couple of things.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2025/Drivetrain/Refresh/Wiring/castoffs.jpg)
The harness is now ready to go back into the car.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2025/Drivetrain/Refresh/Wiring/moddedharness.jpg)
I'll do the final wrapping, etc. once I get things in their final spots. I need to splice in the TPS harness to replace the non-OEM connector I used to get the car running, and make the connections to the injector harness. This is just going to be batch-fired, as I can use the 2 injector triggers I have and they ran the trucks this way, so it'll work. I didn't want to run 6 new injector triggers, for pretty much no gain.
The fan control is getting slightly altered. The LO-speed is still controlled by the stock AC relay, but the HI-speed will now be triggered by the MS unit, and not the temp switch I installed originally. I'm going to retain the WOT cut-out for the compressor, and can trigger that in the MS unit as well.
Speaking of the MegaSquirt ECU. I guess I haven't talked about it in this thread (I think I did in my old, lost FEP thread)
What I'm using is a OLD MS1 V2.2 board unit. The same thing I have had in the TBird, for 20-ish years.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2024/MS%20Install/MSunit.jpg)
What I'm using to connect it to the factory harness is the almost as ancient adapter board by Scott Hall that I've had sitting on a bookshelf forever (and I almost sold it too).
I was able to find the BOM for the components and de-soldered a connector from a junk EEC-IV ECU and put it all together.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2024/MS%20Install/adapterboardcomp.jpg)
Then with a short harness, you can connect it to the MS unit and all of the needed connections are made.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2024/MS%20Install/adapter_1.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2024/MS%20Install/adapter_2.jpg)
Kept me from going down the rabbit-hole to a more custom install with the harness, etc. I've done it. Didn't need to do it here.
Once I get things cleaned up a bit more, parts will start going back on the engine.
I also got a bunch of stuff to get the new Y-pipe made. I may, or may not, have purchased a bunch of stuff to be able to attempt TIG welding stainless with my welder...
Chipping away at things.
New timing set, oil pump and pick up are installed.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2025/Drivetrain/Refresh/newbits.jpg)
Got the engine all scrubbed down and in paint.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2025/Drivetrain/Refresh/inpaint.jpg)
Also got the engine harness back into the car.
Next tasks are
-Install timing cover and water pump.
-paint and install oil pan.
-replace valve seals